Weather has varied widely across the state during the growing season and consequently impacted pasture and forage availability. Producers may have gaps to fill in their forage inventory either because of quality and or quantity issues. Others may be in the position of looking for marketing opportunities for surplus supplies. The Oct. 29, 2020 Kansas drought monitor map has most of the state abnormally dry or worse. The KSU Beef team provides a summary of area conditions.
Northeast
For much of Northeast Kansas, precipitation received during the month of May was very close to historical averages. With exception to the most northerly counties, precipitation was much lower throughout much of the northeast during the month of June. However, July precipitation for the entire area far exceeded normal amounts while amounts received during August and September swung the opposite direction in similar dramatic fashions. The situation today stands at abnormally dry (D0) conditions throughout the region with many counties 4 to 8 inches behind in total annual precipitation. Despite this situation, there was a lot of hay and silage harvested in the region due to the timely rains received in July. Dale Blasi, dblasi@ksu.edu
Southeast
As with the other locations, a majority of SE KS is classified as abnormally dry to moderate drought. In some areas the available pasture is minimal, but for a larger majority of the area, water is more of a concern going into these winter months. When taking rainfall information from the Southeast Research and Extension Center (as recorded in Kansas Mesonet), the Parsons area has had a major fluctuation in rainfall from the start of the year until today. Specifically, as compared to the last 5 years of rainfall, Parsons has had 150-320% more moisture during the months of January, February, March, and May; yet received only 19-38% of the monthly rainfall during the months of June, August, and to-date in October. This rainfall pattern resulted in high hay yields for the early summer harvested hays (fescues and brome); however, many of the warm-season hay yields have been much lower than in previous years. In a different area though, the recorded rainfall amounts in Woodson County at the Bressner Research pastures in Yates Center were >200% of monthly averages for the months of January through March; close to annual averages May through July; and were <55% of average monthly rainfall August through October. In areas such as this, hay yields were very good for the warm season hay fields and also for the cool seasons. These two locations simulate how variable the amount and timing of moisture was within the SE area. There is 45 miles difference in these two weather stations and a world of difference in forage and water availability going into this winter.
Hay quality reports that have been sent into SE extension offices have been variable in regards to quality. And overall, most areas in the SE have decent hay stored and ready to feed. This will help producers make it through the winter, even though many have had to start feeding hay a couple months earlier than “typical”. Jaymelynn Farney, jkj@ksu.edu
Southwest
Much of Southwest Kansas is currently experiencing drought conditions that range from D0 status (abnormally dry) in the Eastern counties (Edwards, Stafford, and Pratt) to D3 status (extreme drought) in the western portions of Hamilton and Greeley. This region experienced a relatively dry spring, followed by a wet July. The Kansas State University Southwest Research and Extension Center in Garden City, KS recorded less than 1 inch of total moisture in April and May; 5 inches of rainfall in July; and a total cumulative precipitation of 14.09 inches, which is 2.8 inches less than the normal average precipitation for this period. Although, rainfall amounts vary considerably across the region, the precipitation pattern was relatively consistent and many producers reported a substantial amount of forage growth in native grass pastures in July and August. At this time, wheat pasture grazing opportunities appear to be limited but there is reportedly increased availability and interest in grazing corn residue as many fields experienced weather-related grain losses. The supply of harvested forages across Southwest Kansas is difficult to assess. However, hay prices have remained steady in recent months. Justin Waggoner, jwaggon@ksu.edu
Northwest
The western counties experienced abnormally dry to severe drought conditions much of the summer. Weaning occurred early for some as a result. Moisture was sufficient early to mid-summer in west-central counties and August rains helped with tonnage for hays intended for winter feeding. The negative impact of rain on hay quality is evidenced by the wide difference in crude protein content of one producer’s sudan hay; rained on in the windrow, 4.3% crude protein or no rain, 7.7% crude protein. Grain harvest will provide some welcome residue grazing opportunities. While not to the extent as last year, wind and drought stress may have resulted in higher ear droppage, especially for dryland corn. Management steps may be needed to minimize chances of acidosis in some situations. Moisture may limit grazing opportunities of fall planted cereals. Sandy Johnson, sandyj@ksu.edu
General
US ethanol production is currently 88-90% of pre-COVID levels. Kansas ethanol plants are showing strong demand for inputs. Distillers grains are an attractive supplement because they provide both protein and energy and, in some diets, more energy than an equal amount of corn. The balance of protein and energy in distiller’s grains and the lack of starch have made distillers a very popular supplement for many classes of cattle.
For many of the cool-season forage samples received at extension offices, energy is the most limiting nutrient. Thus, higher energy feeds such as corn, wheat midds, soyhulls, wheat bran, and/or corn gluten feed are needed. Corn is not preferred as an energy feedstuff as it can lead to substitution effects (cattle eat less forage – especially if protein is not balanced); however, a general rule of thumb is to feed at less than 0.3% of body weight to avoid the negative impact on fiber digestion. Since the starch in corn is a concern, offering the non-starch energy feeds such as wheat midds, soyhulls, and corn gluten often provides a safer option. A producer can feed higher amounts of these feedstuffs which is beneficial if there is a severe deficiency in energy in the forage.
It is important to make sure and test the hay you are feeding for both protein and energy values, so that the appropriate supplements can be offered to cattle. Check for nitrates in forage sorghums and sudans as a routine practice. Once a forage analysis has been conducted and an inventory of the available supplements priced, work with a nutritionist and/or extension professional to help develop a balanced diet for your cattle.