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OSU Extension - Fairfield County

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OSU Extension BEEF Team

BEEF Cattle questions may be directed to the OSU Extension BEEF Team through Stephen Boyles or Stan Smith, Editor

You may subscribe to this weekly BEEF Cattle letter by sending a blank e-mail to beef-cattle-on@ag.osu.edu

Previous issues of the BEEF Cattle letter

Issue # 548

August 8, 2007

Forage Focus: Stockpiling Fescue - Jeff McCutcheon, OSU Extension Educator, Knox County

Stockpiling fescue for most producers requires the least effort and is the cheapest winter feeding option available. Stockpiling is easy. First make the last cutting or grazing, anytime from the end of July through September. Keep in mind, the earlier you start, the higher the yield, but the lower the quality. Also the later you start, the higher the quality, but with a lower yield.

After the last cut or graze then add nitrogen (N). The addition of N when stockpiling begins will result in increased yields. Trials have shown an economical response from 40 to 100 pounds of actual N per acre. We recommend fifty pounds actual N per acre. If clovers are in the stand then the N may not be needed. Research shows little response to N application where the stand consists of more than 40% red clover. Make sure it is a stable form of nitrogen. Applications of urea-based fertilizers in summer result in losses of nitrogen due to nitrogen volatilization.

After cutting and nitrogen application, simply let the grass grow until you need it. Then ration it out. This can provide up to two tons of dry matter per acre. This feed is available from November through February. Quality will drop during this time, but even in February, will usually be still good enough for a cow in good condition.

Harvesting 'Forage Oats' . . . When and How? - Stan Smith, PA, OSU Extension Fairfield County

Oats planted last month across much of Ohio are off to a great start. We're hearing reports about many which were planted into wheat stubble already ranging from 12 to 16 inches tall. As a result, the most asked question we've received over the past week or so has been, "What's the most efficient way of grazing them . . . one time later this fall, or multiple times throughout the balance of summer, fall, and winter?"

While we only have one piece of data from past years to support it, our observations suggest that we experience by far the most total tonnage from oats when they are only grazed one time after they reach about 75+/- days old. It appears once they reach 24-30 inches tall (~ 50 days old) their total tonnage may double over the following 20-30 days. Quality remains high (~18% protein) at this time (~75 days old). Unless one must harvest earlier due to lack of any other feed, or possibly in a grass based dairy situation where quality may be most important, the benefits of the abundant tonnage from a single harvest at 75+/- days seem to far out weigh the benefits of a little extra quality gained by strip grazing oats multiple times throughout the balance of the year.

If one must graze or harvest multiple times, Bob Hendershot suggests that beginning to graze at about the 6 leaf stage is likely best.

Regardless if the plan is to graze once, or multiple times, strip grazing will certainly optimize the harvested tonnage. As you make your grazing plans, review Rory Lewandowski's suggestions in the next article on using and maintaining electric fence.

We've heard several times from producers who's oats are "down the road, and will need to be mechanically harvested. What's the best way?" This answer gets a bit more complicated.

It's never easy to try to "dry bale" forages in late September and beyond. Short and cooler days and heavy dew over night causes it to take several days before curing is complete. Add to that the volume of production we've been experiencing from oats, and it can be more challenging than trying to get a heavy first cutting of grass hay cured in early May. If there is a saving grace to baling oats, it's that they retain their quality very well while curing out in the weather.

Given all that, if mechanical harvest is a must, chopping them for ensilage is likely the best choice. If a silo or silage bagger is not available, green chopping and direct feeding them daily is an alternative. Next option one might consider is wet wrapping bales or ensiling them in bale tubes. Another alternative for some might be to mow a two to five day's supply, bale them daily, and feed them directly each day.

Electric Fence Review - Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County

For many graziers using rotational grazing, the electric fence is a critical component of the total system. I know of examples where just 1 or 2 strands of electrified high tensile wire are serving as a perimeter fence along a road. The grazier is trusting in the electrical system and the prior experience/training livestock have received to insure the fence is not crossed. In wet years, there are a lot of electrical fence systems that can do an adequate job. Soils with good moisture insure that the animal is well grounded, and when wet nose meets a wire, even if the voltage is not high, a good circuit is made and the resulting shock can convince an animal that the grass is not really greener on the other side. In dry years, like we are currently experiencing, marginal electrical fence systems may not maintain the desired voltage. Dry soils don't provide the same grounding between animal and fence. Fences that might not be challenged in a year with plentiful forage may be tested in dry years with limited forage growth. During dry years we talk about slowing rotations down and even holding animals in one paddock as a sacrifice area until grass growth allows the rotation to be resumed. Can your fence keep your livestock from moving to where the grass really is greener?

Although many graziers have learned the basics of electric fencing, most of us can benefit from a review every now and then. The basic components of your electric fence system that should be evaluated include: the fence energizer/charger, ground rods, and the fence wire. In grazing schools you will hear that the fence energizer/charger is the "heart" of the electric fence system. The beginning grazier will avoid some frustrations by spending the necessary money for high quality energizer/charger. When the time comes to replace the current energizer/charger this is not the place to cut budget corners.

Size the energizer/charger to handle your current fencing system, plus some room for growth. I know graziers that have significantly increased the amount of electric fence they are running over the years. Sometimes the fence has increased as a result of expanded pasture acreage; sometimes the fence has increased as a result of more internal divisions as paddock numbers increase. Sometimes, it is both. As the amount of fence grows, graziers should check to make sure that the energizer they have is adequate for the amount of fence they are asking it to charge.

Graziers should be checking the voltage on the fence to make sure it carries a voltage adequate to deter livestock from crossing. Figures that I have heard thrown around regarding voltage levels and various livestock species include 1600 to 2000 volts for cattle, 3000 volts minimum on electric netting for sheep and goats and 4000+ volts on high tensile fence for sheep/goats. I also know of sheep/goat producers who maintain 7000+ volts on their fence. The point here is to evaluate the charger/energizer as fencing needs grow/change and either fence to include another charger/energizer in the system, or add a larger charger/energizer to handle the increased fence. There are many ways to evaluate chargers/ energizers, but one method is to look at output in joules. Also remember that when a product is advertised by the miles of fence it can energize, this includes one wire. If multiple wires are energized, these must be added together. Four strands of high tensile wire around a mile perimeter with 2 hot strands accounts for 2 miles of energized wire.

One component of the electric fence system that is sometimes overlooked is the ground rods. The full capacity of the charger/energizer will not be utilized unless there is a good ground system in place. In a dry year, it is critical to have the correct number of ground rods, properly spaced installed to help keep enough voltage on fences. What is the correct ground rod system? A general rule of thumb says to install a minimum of 3 feet of ground rod per joule of energizer output capacity. For example, if I have a 15-joule energizer, this requires 45 feet of ground rods. Generally either galvanized or copper rods in 6 to 8 foot lengths are used. This energizer would require 6 to 8 ground rods depending upon if a 6 or 8-foot ground rod was used. If copper rods are used make sure to use a copper wire from the energizer ground terminal to the ground rod. If different metals are mixed, electrolysis can occur and the effectiveness of the grounding system is reduced, so stick with either galvanized or copper. Ground rods should be driven in their full length, or if rocky soils don't permit this, driven in at an angle so that essentially the rods are lying in a trench. Ground rods should be at least 10 feet apart and 40 to 50 feet away from any other existing grounds. Ground rods should be tied together in a system, connected with wire between rods. Try to locate ground rods in an area that is likely to stay moist. Northern exposures under building drip lines often work well. In drought situations, it may be a good idea to water your ground rod areas to increase the effectiveness of your electric fence.

Finally evaluate the fence itself. Remember that as the diameter of the fence wire decreases, there is more resistance to push electric current around the fence. Polywire is very handy stuff but it should not be used to carry the charge long distances. Use high tensile wire to carry the charge and for perimeter fencing and polywire to hook on to the high tensile wire for internal paddock divisions. Graziers should also be aware that if barbed wire is used in an electric fence system, each of those barbs is siphoning off some of the electricity. Efficiency is reduced. Voltage will be dropping in the fence as distance and amount of fence increases. Check to make sure the galvanized coating on the fence wire is intact. Rust is an enemy of electric fences.

Electric fence technology has allowed many graziers to more effectively utilize pastures and their management ability. Graziers need to periodically evaluate the energizer, ground rods and fence wire components of their electric fence system to insure fences are operating efficiently and serving as effective barriers for livestock.

References:

Beef Cattle Handbook, BCH-6201: Fence Systems for Grazing Management

Kencove Farm Fence Supplies Catalog

Find the fact sheet posted on-line in PDF format at http://ohioline.osu.edu/as-fact/pdf/distillers.pdf or in HTML at http://ohioline.osu.edu/as-fact/distillers.html

Make Your Reservations for the OCA Roundup Today

Early ticket registration deadline for the Ohio Cattlemen's Association's (OCA's) Summer Roundup is this Friday, August 10. The event, hosted by Highland County Cattleman's Association and sponsored by Farm Credit Services, is set for Saturday, August 18. The program will include a morning informational session with three speakers from the cattle industry and an afternoon tour of selected beef cattle operations in Highland County.

The day begins at 7 a.m. at Union Stock Yards, located at 7510 St. Rt. 138 in Hillsboro. This year Roundup attendees are able to park at Union Stock Yards in the morning, enjoy breakfast and then ride buses for the rest of the Roundup. Buses will shuttle attendees from the stock yards to the Hillsboro Elementary School from 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning for registration. Those who prefer to skip breakfast may go directly to the Hillsboro Elementary School, located at 500 U.S. Rt. 62 in Hillsboro for registration and the morning program. Morning speakers include Tod Kalous from Cattle-Fax; John Stika the President of Certified Angus Beef, and Tom Field who serves as Professor at Colorado State University.

As a special added feature, Ohio's first group of Ohio Professional Beef Producers will be recognized during the program. This recognition is based on participation in beef cattle related educational and certification programs. Members of the Ohio Professional Beef Producer Class of 2007 will be presented with a farm sign and certificate of recognition.

Lunch will take place at Union Stock Yards and will be a Highland County Cattlemen's Steak Fry with all the trimmings. Buses will depart from the stock yards after lunch for a tour of Highland County operations including Sims Farms (an extensive stocker operation which backgrounds 2,000 head of feeder cattle annually), Kiser Farms (a 400 to 500 head of feedlot, plus a 200 to 300 backgrounding operation), and Maplecrest Farms (150 cows devoted to the production of Angus seedstock and extensive use of embryo transfer). The day concludes with an early evening hamburger fry at Union Stock Yards, where attendees can pick up their vehicles and grab a hamburger for the road.

Registration deadline is August 10, 2007, and the cost is $25 for OCA members and $35 for non-OCA members. All registrations at the door will be $35. For more information about the Roundup or to register contact the Ohio Cattlemen's Association at (614) 873-6736 or visit www.ohiocattle.org.

Weekly Roberts Agricultural Commodity Market Report - Mike Roberts, Commodity Marketing Agent, Virginia Tech

LIVE CATTLE on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) took a nose dive on Monday amid profit taking, rising wheat, and mostly falling grain prices. The AUG'07LC contract closed at $93.375/cwt, off $0.225/cwt and $0.90/cwt lower than last Monday. The OCT'07LC contract settled at $97.700/cwt, down $0.275/cwt and down $1.275 from one week ago today. Trading was light-to-moderate on Monday amid supportive corn prices with the August and the October contracts trading both sides of unchanged. Futures prices were supported by higher cash cattle. Cash beef prices continued to move higher ending $1-$1.30/cwt higher this week. USDA's 5-area weekly weighted cattle price showed steers selling for $91.97/cwt vs. $90.63/cwt last week and $80.52/cwt last year at this time. Heifers traded $92.04/cwt vs. $90.80/cwt vs. $80.60/cwt for the same period. The hoof-and-mouth disease outbreak in Britain did not have much effect on the market. While the outbreak caused bans in Europe, it is considered unlikely that Europe will buy more U.S. beef to make up for the difference as Europe does not buy much U.S. beef now due to concerns about U.S. beef production methods. Uruguay and Argentina are the likely winners in this deal. Japan continues to think about easing import restrictions on U.S. beef. It currently will only accept U.S. beef less than 20 months of age. The Japanese Agriculture Ministry stated on Monday they are studying U.S. beef safety data as they consider increasing the age limit to 30 months. USDA estimated Monday's slaughter at 124,000 head compared to 125,000 head last week and 123,000 head one year ago. USDA on Monday put the choice boxed beef cutout at $145.18/cwt, up $0.57/cwt from Friday. Cash sellers should continue to sell market-ready cattle aggressively. It might be a good idea to price some immediate grain needs.

FEEDER CATTLE contracts at the CME were up on Monday with the exception of one deferred contract. The AUG'07FC contract closed at $116.250/cwt, up $0.325/cwt but $0.725/cwt lower than last Monday. SEPT'07FC futures finished at $116.525/cwt, up $0.020/cwt but $1.275/cwt lower than a week ago. Lower corn prices helped feeders at times allowing them to hold onto modest gains and talk that the next CME Feeder Cattle Index will be higher amid expectations for tight feeder supplies going into next year. The latest CME Feeder Cattle Index for Aug. 1 was off $0.11/cwt at $114.31/cwt. October/September spreading was registered as traders expected similar spreading on Tuesday by the large funds. According to three different floor sources, index funds are expected to start aggressively using spreads to move September longs to October. It is still a good idea for feeder sellers to market livestock aggressively at this time while pricing short-term grain needs. If you have pasture, use it well.

CORN on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) closed mixed on Monday. The SEPT'07 contract finished at $3.256/bu, off 0.6¢/bu from last close. The DEC'07 contract, still the most active, finished at $3.430/bu, even with last Friday's close. Sell-stops kicked in for the DEC'07 contract after it dipped under the 10-day moving average. However, spillover-strength from wheat helped corn rally late in the day. Much needed moisture in this kernel-making-phase fell on the U.S. Corn Belt. This will help stabilize the crop that has been suffering of late. USDA's crop-condition report was posted late this afternoon showing what the market had factored in, a crop rating of good-to-excellent of 56%, down 2 points from last week. Some floor sources stated they expected a much lower rating before the weekend rains. Corn inspected for export was reported at 24.517 million bu according to USDA. This was below range estimates of between 34-38 million bu. CFTC's Commodity of Traders report showed large speculators growing net long positions in CBOT corn to 94,251, about 5,000 bu. Cash corn in the U.S. Midwest was mixed to steady on Monday amid quiet sales. Cash corn in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic States was steady to stronger ranging 2¢/bu- 4¢/bu higher amid slow farmer sales. Cash sellers having priced up to 50%-60% of next year's production are in a good mood, if their crop is making. This is a pure weather market now. Adequate rain will depress prices; dry weather will provide more strength. Whatever the weather … prices look to be somewhat volatile.

Visit the OSU Beef Team calendar of meetings and upcoming events

BEEF Cattle is a weekly publication of Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County and the OSU Beef Team. Contributors include members of the Beef Team and other beef cattle specialists and economists from across the U.S.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

Fairfield County Agriculture and Natural Resources