FORAGES: CHANGE-CHALLENGES- FORAGES OPPORTUNITIES Garry D. Lacefield Extension Forage Specialist University of Kentucky Change-Challenges-Opportunities Change Dr. Garry Lacefield Extension Forage Specialist University of Kentucky World Population reached 7 Billion on 11/31/2011 MORE PEOPLE 1
Life Expectency-2011 Rank Country Years 1 Monaco 89.73 49 United States 78.37 227 Angola 38.76 Source NationMaster.com Fewer Farmers Fewer Farm <1% and only 2% live on Farm SOURCE: Agricultural Statistics Board, NASS, USDA, February 2010 Beef and Dairy Cows in the US 40,000 38,000 Beef Cows Milk Cows 11,500 11,000 Fewer Farmers, Farms and Cattle Head (1,000) 36,000 34,000 ~20% decrease 10,500 10,000 9,500 Head (1,000) 32,000 9,000 30,000 8,500 2
Pounds 660 640 620 600 580 560 540 520 BEEF PRODUCTION PER COW 1984-2010 (Est.), Annual 500 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 Livestock Marketing Information Center Thou. Pounds 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 MILK PRODUCTION PER MILK COW 1983-2009, Annual 12 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 Livestock Marketing Information Center HOW? Fewer Farmers, Farms and Cattle BREEDING FEEDING MANAGEMENT Challenges Production Cost Animal Rights Environmental Issues Food vs Feed vs Fuel Health Issues Weather 3
~ 163% 2011: US average 6.8% increase ($2,350) Corn Belt 16% ($4,590/ac), Iowa 24% ($5,600/ac) 4
Federal Renewable Fuels Mandate http://www.beef.org/cmdocs/beeforg/exponent.pdf 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Advanced Biofuels Production Cellulosic Ethanol Production Corn Ethanol RFS? 16 billion gal 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Source: USDA http://www.beef.org/cmdocs/beeforg/exponent.pdf Changes in Forage Research, Teaching, and Extension: Since 1984, 60% fewer forage/livestock researchers. Since 1984, 40% fewer forage/livestock teachers. Since 1998, 30% fewer forage extension specialists. A decline by another 30% is anticipated by 2018. Rouquette et al., 2009 J. Ani. Sci. USDA to Close 259 Facilities Weather Facing a shrinking budget, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has outlined moves including the closure of 259 offices, facilities and labs under the USDA umbrella to save some $150 million annually. Since 2010, USDA discretionary spending has been reduced by nearly 12 percent, or more than $3 billion.. Farm Industry News January 2012 5
Profitability = Income Expense. Challenge Control the Controllable US Beef 150 Days 60-70 bu. corn Grain vs Grass Grain vs Grass 6
Associated Press Thu, Jul 19, 2012 4:16 PM EDT Corn for September delivery rose 12.75 cents to finish at $8.0775 per bushel, besting its all-time high of $7.87 per bushel set in June 2011. August soybeans gained 50.25 cents, or 3 percent, to end at $17.3375 for a second straight second record-setting day. Grass Finishing: Nutrition and Palatability of Pasture Finished Meats Susan K. Duckett The Ernest L. Corley Jr. Trustees Endowed Chair Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed 198 Angus steers, 3 yr study Finished (150-170 d) on corn-silage concentrate ration (CONC) or pasture (GRASS; bluegrass, orchardgrass, white clover) Harvested at a similar animal age endpoint, 18 mo of age Ribeye steaks sampled Waren-Bratzler shear force test for tenderness Tenderloin 2.6 Top round steak 5.3 Animal Age at Slaughter Average Daily Gains Tough Tender Animal age decreases tenderness; therefore we need high quality forage systems to finish at 18 mo of age for greatest tenderness. If comparisons are made and animal age is not constant, there will be differences in tenderness between grass-fed and grain-fed systems. HCW, kg 323 327 307 342 302 DP 60.9 57.6 60.4 62.3 58.9 7
Consumer Panel Summary Grass-fed Beef vs. Grain-fed Beef Leaner Increased omega-3 and CLA concentrations Increased antioxidant content No difference in palatability Animal Age Most important factor influencing tenderness < 18.6 mo of age for greatest tenderness AGE? Grass Fed Grain vs Grass Grass Fed Quality animal products from QUALITY FORAGES? 8
Growth of Pasture-Based Dairy Cow Numbers in Georgia 1990-2010 120,000 20,000 Number of ALL Dairy Cows All Dairy Cows Pasture-Based Dairy Cows 110,000 100,000 90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Number of Pasture-Based Dairy Cows OPPORTUNITIES Quality animal products from QUALITY FORAGES? 9
65 Species Steer performance on Kentucky 31 and MaxQ Tall Fescues. Kentucky 31 MaxQ Average daily gain Spring 1.00 2.03 Fall 1.21 1.72 Gains per Steer Spring 113 230 Fall 119 168 Gains per Acre 461 827 University of Arkansas 2005 Steer performance on Kentucky 31 and MaxQ Tall Fescues. Kentucky 31 MaxQ Average daily gain Spring 1.00 2.03 Fall 1.21 1.72 Gains per Steer Spring 113 230 Fall 119 168 Gains per Acre 461 827 University of Arkansas 2005 366 10
ESTABLISHMENT Method Date Depth Rate STEERS ON FESCUE OR FESCUE/CLOVER FESCUE/ LADINO 24% FESCUE DAILY GAIN LB/STEER GAIN PER ANIMAL (LBS) 1.53 307 582 150 LB N 1.06 203 374 Hoveland, et al., Bull. 530, Alabama GAIN PER ACRE (LBS) STEERS ON FESCUE OR FESCUE/CLOVER FESCUE/ LADINO 24% FESCUE DAILY GAIN LB/STEER GAIN PER ANIMAL (LBS) 1.53 307 582 Hoveland, et al., Bull. 530, Alabama GAIN PER ACRE (LBS) 208 150 LB N 1.06 203 374 11
Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen Fixation 50-300+ lbs/ac/yr Value and Amount of Nitrogen Fixed by Various Legumes. Crop N fixed, Lb/A/year N value, $, @ 55 /lb 65 /lb 75 /lb $1.00/lb Alfalfa 150-250 83-138 98-163 113-188 150-250 Red clover 75-200 41-110 49-130 56-150 75-200 White clover 75-150 41-83 49-98 56-113 75-200 Vetch, lespedeza, and other annual forage legumes SOURCE: Adapted from Southern Forages 2007 50-150 28-83 33-98 38-113 50-150 Value and Amount of Nitrogen Fixed by Various Legumes. Crop N fixed, Lb/A/year N value, $, @ 55 /lb 65 /lb 75 /lb $1.00/lb Alfalfa 150-250 83-138 98-163 113-188 150-250 Red clover 75-200 41-110 49-130 56-150 75-200 White clover 75-150 41-83 49-98 56-113 75-200 Vetch, lespedeza, and other annual forage legumes SOURCE: Adapted from Southern Forages 2007 50-150 28-83 33-98 38-113 50-150 Distribution of Growth 12
Y I E L D MAR SUMMER SLUMP AUG MONTH FEB Figure 3. Tall Fescue Does Not Produce as Well During Hot-Dry Months of Summer Grazing Alfalfa - Gain per Acre Grazing 6/10 to 9/20 100 Days Stocking Rate/Acre 1.8 head ADG per Head 2.25 pounds Gain per Acre 405 pounds COMPARISON OF 37 PASTURE SYSTEMS THE 7 LOWEST COSTS/LB OF GAIN, & 8 OF THE LOWEST 10 COSTS/LB OF GAIN INVOLVED FORAGE LEGUMES! FORAGE QUALITY Factors that make it desirable as a livestock feed. 13
Relationship of yield and quality as impacted by maturity Optimum Compromise Yield t/a Digestibility Vegetative Bud Flower Seed Table 2. Effect of stage of harvest of orchardgrass on protein and average daily gain of dairy heifers. Round Bale Silage Stage of Harvest Protein (%) Average daily gain per animal (lb) Boot 18 2.0 Full head 12 1.4 Milk 9 0.4 Source: University of Tennessee 14
Weeds and Weather Tall Fescue - Endophyte $1 Billion Dependent Variable R 2 Feed Cost.567 Depreciation Cost.086 Operating Cost.049 Calf weight.046 Capital charge.024 Calf price.027 Weaning percentage.017 Herd size.007 Total.823 Summary -There are 8 financial measures capable of explaining over 82% of farm-to-farm variation in RLM -Cost factors were far more influential in driving RLM than production, reproduction, or producer controlled marketing factors -In the financial prediction equation nearly 57% of herd-to-herd variation can be explained by FEED COST A. Miller & R. Knipe University of Illinois Grazing Cheapest Source of Nutrients 15
Profitability Optimize Grazing Amount (Cost) of Hay Minimize Stored Feed Optimize Grazing Use more of what we produce Use it in a higher quality stage Use more days of the year Stockpiled Tall Fescue Cost comparison for fall-calving beef cows Everyday Grazed is Money Saved 31 / day $1.44 / day Source: Ed Ballard, Univ. of Ill. 16
Arkansas 300 Day Grazing Program Three farms 2010 All three >300 days (53-55-15 days) Overall: Nearly $100 profit/hd Feeding and Storage Losses $3 Billion Wisconsin Holstein 72,170 milk production record Kestell & Sons Farm, Waldo, WI 2010 Georgia Which cow produces more milk? Missouri 17
Which cow is most profitability? Quality animal products from QUALITY FORAGES? Quality animal products from QUALITY FORAGES? 18