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Beef Tips

Preparing for Winter Weather Extremes

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

It is hard to prepare for extreme winter weather when December in Kansas may be one of the warmest on record. However, variability seems to be a characteristic of our weather lately and a drop in temperature with or without above normal precipitation could create some very stressful conditions for livestock. Animals adapt to colder weather as we go through the fall into winter, but if there is an abrupt change, without acclimation, the stress is compounded. Planning ahead can lessen some of the challenges. Continue reading “Preparing for Winter Weather Extremes” →

Considerations for Hauling Water to Cattle

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jaymelynn Farney, beef systems specialist, Parsons, KS

Historically hauling water has primarily been used for cattle grazing croplands; however, with severe droughts through most of Kansas hauling water has become more common even for summer grazing.  This guide is offered to provide some information as to whether hauling water can be an option for your operation. Continue reading “Considerations for Hauling Water to Cattle” →

Coping with Rascally Raccoons

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

 Drew Ricketts, wildlife management and control specialist

Raccoons are very intelligent, resourceful animals that often live around farmyards in hollow trees, holes created by other animals, brush piles, abandoned vehicles and farm machinery, and buildings. Raccoons are omnivorous, meaning that their diet is very diverse and can include plant material such as fruits and nuts, animal matter from earthworms and insects to reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds. While raccoons are fascinating animals, their broad diet, intelligence, and willingness to live close to humans can lead to conflicts with people and pets and the need for some form of control. Continue reading “Coping with Rascally Raccoons” →

Share/Lease Agreements for Cow-Calf Operations

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

Individuals may look to enter into a share or lease agreement for cows for several reasons.  For example, a cow owner may wish to transfer ownership over time or to retain income without the labor of cow care.  Advantages to the operator may include a way to get started in cow/calf production or to utilize available labor more fully. Trust between parties is the foundation of any agreement followed by clear communication. Continue reading “Share/Lease Agreements for Cow-Calf Operations” →

Upcoming learning opportunities

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

We hope you will take advantage of various opportunities to engage K-State Research and Extension Beef Specialists, county and district agents and other professionals at the meetings planned in the coming months. KSUBeef.org is one source of those details in addition to county/district websites and social media outlets. For programs hosted by KSU Ag Economics department and various county/district meetings see the upcoming events at AgManager.info.

Feeding Cows in a Drought
Jan. 3 – Yates Center
Jan. 10 – Severy

Calving Schools
Jan. 4 – Stafford County Annex, St. John
Jan. 9 – Haskell County Fairgrounds, Sublette
Jan. 11 – Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, Holton
Jan. 18 – West Elk School, Howard

Hoxie Calving Clinic
Jan. 10

Check back at KSUBeef.org as more information becomes available for meetings Jan. 10th in Hays, Jan 29th in Larned, Feb. 5th in Seneca, Feb. 6th in the Post Rock District and Feb. 20th in Eureka.

Management Considerations for February 2024

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

  • Target BCS at calving for spring-calving cows:
    • 5 for mature cows
    • 6 for young females
  • Be ready to start your post-calving nutrition program for spring-calving cows.
  • Evaluate fall-calving cows for BCS:
    • Adjust nutrition program as needed relative to weaning date
  • If conditions allow, keep grazing crop residues and dormant pastures but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed.
  • Increase energy content 1% for every degree F below the lower critical temperature (LCT) when dry, 2% if they have a wet hair coat.
  • Put down bedding, remove snow, ensure cattle have access to wind protection.
  • Supply adequate water volume and space in freezing conditions.
  • Don’t forget about your herd bulls!
    • Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use
    • Keep young and mature bulls separate if possible and provide plenty of space to prevent injury
    • Spread sufficient fresh bedding to help avoid testicular frostbite

CALF MANAGEMENT

  • Do you have a plan for weaning and marketing fall-born calves?
    • Evaluate your feed resources and cost of gain relative to the value of gain
    • Talk to prospective buyers in advance of selling
  • Evaluate calf health protocols, both spring- and fall-born calves.
  • Monitor growth and pubertal development of replacement heifers.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • For spring-calving herds this calving season:
    • How are you going to record your calving data?
    • What information are you going to record?
  • Take inventory of supplies and clean equipment prior to spring calving.
  • If making bull selection decisions:
    • Review your herd performance relative to your marketing and genetic goals.
    • Study EPDs impacting your marketing and genetic goals and do your homework well before sale day.

Cold Stress in Cattle

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Winter is here and most cattle producers appreciate that cold weather increases nutrient requirements. However, what increases and by how much?
Cattle are most comfortable within the thermonuetral zone when temperatures are neither too warm nor cold. The upper and lower boundaries of the thermonuetral zone are referred to as the upper and lower critical temperature. During the winter months cattle experience cold stress anytime the effective ambient temperature, which takes into account wind chill, humidity, etc., drops below the lower critical temperature. The lower critical temperature is influenced by both environmental and animal factors including hair coat and tissue insulation (body condition). The table below lists the estimated lower critical temperatures of cattle in good body condition with different hair coats. In wet conditions cattle can begin experiencing cold stress at 59°F, which would be a relatively mild winter day. However, if cattle have time to develop a sufficient winter coat the estimated lower critical temperature under dry conditions is 18°F.

Cold stress increases maintenance energy requirements but does not impact protein, mineral or vitamin requirements. The general rule of thumb (for a cow in good body condition, BCS = 5 or greater) is to increase the energy density of the ration by 1% for each degree (Fahrenheit) below the lower critical temperature. The classic response to cold stress in confinement situations is an increase in voluntary intake. However, it has been documented that cattle maintained in extensive environments (native range, wheat pasture, corn stalks) may spend less time grazing as temperatures decline below freezing, which reduces forage intake (Adams et al., 1986) and makes the challenge of meeting the cow’s nutrient requirements even greater. In many cases feeding a greater amount of low-quality hay will replace grazed forages but may not provide sufficient energy. Therefore providing additional energy by feeding a higher-quality hay or fiber-based supplement (DDGS, Corn gluten feed, or Soybean Hulls) may be required.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Organizational Reflection

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

The current year will soon be ending. This is a great time for individuals and organizations to reflect back on the events of the past 12 months. The value of reflection within an organization dramatically increases if it used as a tool to evaluate not only where the organization has been but also where it is headed. A few basic questions may be used to guide the process.
What did you or the business succeed at?
What were your failures?
What was learned from those successes and failures?
What would you like to do more of or what generated positive outcomes for the organization?
What should you stop doing?

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Management Considerations for January 2024

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

  • Body condition score both spring- and fall-calving cows.
    • Target BCS for spring calvers at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females.
    • Adjust nutrition program prior to calving as needed for spring-calvers
    • Ensure fall-calvers maintain BCS through winter if still nursing calves
  • Continue grazing crop residues and dormant pastures as they are available but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed as conditions dictate.
  • Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects on cow nutrient requirements by providing additional feed which may be more challenging this year with a tighter supply of forages.
  • Review your nutrition program and test harvested forages for the following:
    • Moisture/dry matter
    • Crude protein
    • Energy (NEm, NEg, and/or TDN)
    • Fiber components (ADF, NDF)
    • Macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, salt)
    • Nitrates when appropriate
    • Starch for silage crops
  • Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls are BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use and have adequate winter protection.

CALF MANAGEMENT

  • Consider your plans for weaning and marketing fall-born calves.
    • Watch the feeder calf market
    • Evaluate your feed resources and cost of gain
    • Talk to prospective buyers in advance of selling
  • Review/update your health protocols as needed for newborn calves.
  • Consider either supplementing fall-calving pairs or creep feeding fall-born calves to maintain calf performance on low-quality winter forages.

Monitor replacement heifers to ensure they are adequately growing and developing, take check weights and adjust your plane of nutrition accordingly.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Update herd records and use them to assess performance.
  • Review your genetic selection strategy to ensure your goals are met.
  • Develop and/or revise your risk management plans for the coming year.
  • Discuss herd health protocol with your veterinarian.
  • Take inventory of supplies and clean equipment prior to spring calving.
  • Ensure plans are in place to provide bedding, wind protection, and snow removal.
  • Make arrangements to ensure sufficient water is available in freezing conditions.
  • Evaluate your short and long-term herd inventory goals with current conditions.
  • Renew lease arrangements as necessary.
  • Schedule an annual meeting with your lender, insurance agent and extension professional

What’s it Cost to Produce a Calf

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Previously in this column I have discussed calf revenue, which is principally driven by 1) the number of calves marketed 2) sale weight of calves and 3) price received. Now I would like to examine the other component of the profit equation (Revenue – Expenses = Profit) and discuss production expenses/costs and more specifically “What does it cost to produce a calf (in Kansas)?” The Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA) Enterprise Reports, which may be accessed at https://www.agmanager.info/kfma, are an excellent resource for production cost data in Kansas. This information may be used by cattle producers to benchmark their operations with other comparable enterprises (Spring vs. Fall calving etc.). The total feed and operational costs (total of all non-feed costs) per cow from 2018 to 2022 for all KFMA cow-calf operations is illustrated below.

Figure 1. Total feed and non-feed costs (operational) of Kansas cow-calf producers

This figure demonstrates that both feed and non-feed costs have increased over the last five years and that non-feed costs are often greater than or equal to feed costs. The average cost to produce a calf in 2018 was $1041/cow and was $1,239/cow in 2022. When expressed as a percentage the total cost to produce a calf in Kansas increased 19% from 2018-2022. Further increases in production costs may be expected in 2023 given current economic conditions and the persistence of drought conditions.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu