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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 # 555

September 19, 2007

In response to concerns and questions about the EHD outbreak discussed in this newsletter on September 7, 2007, Dr. Bill Shulaw, Ohio State University Extension Veterinarian offers responses below to questions recently posed to him.

I'm hearing about lots of EHD cases in deer reported from across Southern Ohio and Southeastern Ohio. I've also heard that cattle have been infected by EHD virus. If I purchase feeder calves or brood cows from the areas these reports originate from, am I risking infecting my cattle that are already on my farm?

The virus that causes EHD is not contagious from animal-to-animal. Biting midges in the Culicoides genus spread the virus. Because infected animals may harbor the virus in their blood for up to several weeks without showing signs, mechanical transmission from blood-contaminated surgical instruments and needles might be possible, but this would be unlikely if clean equipment is used.

If I suspect that I have deer with EHD on or near my farm, should I report it to someone?

Deer with EHD suffer from respiratory distress, fever, depression, and sometimes swelling of the neck and tongue. They may also be very lame and reluctant to move, and they may lose their fear of humans. Deer suspected of having EHD can be reported to the local Division of Wildlife officer or the Division of Animal Industry (614/728-6220).

If EHD is confirmed in deer on or near my farm, what might be done about it and who will do it?

There is little that can be done to prevent or stop an outbreak of EHD in deer. Control of the biting midge that spreads the virus is considered impractical.

If I suspect I have cattle with EHD, should I report this to someone?

If you suspect you have cattle showing signs of EHD, you should call your local veterinarian. The Ohio Department of Agriculture and the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service in Ohio want to be notified of animals with signs of disease resembling EHD. Those offices can be reached at 614/728-6220 (ODA) or 614/856-4735 (USDA). (A previous edition of the BEEF Cattle letter contains additional information about the signs of this disease in cattle: http://fairfield.osu.edu/ag/beef/beefSepmbr7.html) and a link to pictures of cattle with the disease can be found at: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/1985.htm.

If a case of EHD is confirmed on my farm, will I be quarantined or might my cattle herd be destroyed?

If EHD is diagnosed and confirmed in cattle on a farm, no quarantine or other regulatory action will be taken.

If I have an animal with EHD, can it be treated and what might it cost?

Most cattle with mild cases of EHD recover completely in a few days with no treatment. There is no treatment specific for the virus. Animals with severe lameness or mouth ulceration may need to be separated from the herd and fed grain or hay, and they may benefit from drugs that reduce inflammation in the feet. Consult your veterinarian for assistance if you have animals you believe would benefit from treatment.

Will an animal that's had EHD ever return to productivity?

Most animals make a complete recovery in just a few days or so. Future productivity is not affected. Dairy cows that go off feed or that become severely lame may not return to expected milk production until the next lactation. Occasionally, animals with severe inflammation in one or more feet may develop abnormalities in the hoof wall or abnormal growth of the hoof. Rarely, the hoof may slough off.

When might I expect the present outbreak of EHD to end?

Because the virus is only spread by the biting midges, transmission and new cases will disappear when a killing frost occurs.

Should I expect EHD to return next summer?

Two different types of EHD virus have circulated in deer populations in the southern USA for several decades. Many infected animals never show clinical signs or have only mild disease and recover from it. They are usually immune to reinfection, and there is evidence that recovered females may pass some temporary immunity to their fawns in colostrum and milk. It is unusual, but not impossible, for outbreaks to recur in the same areas in successive years. Cattle which have recovered from EHD should be immune to reinfection with similar strains of the virus.

Is there anything I can do which would prevent my cattle from getting EHD?

There currently is no USDA-approved vaccine for EHD in cattle. Applying insect repellents (approved for cattle) may help protect animals from the biting midges that transmit the virus.

The current outbreak of EHD in this region is notable for the number of states involved, and because this year, cattle herds in multiple states have been affected. A very recent description of this multi-state outbreak can be found at: http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1001:703203811750847065::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1010,39340

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has recently released a press release indicating the counties in Ohio in which EHD in deer has been suspected: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/News/NewsReleaseArchives/tabid/9474/EntryID/56/Default.aspx

As indicated above it is important to report cases of disease in cattle that look like EHD to the ODA or USDA at the above telephone numbers. The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Reynoldsburg is working to isolate the virus and to better characterize it in order to learn more about this disease which first was diagnosed in Ohio in 2002.

Ohio farmers interested in addressing natural resource concerns on their farm with assistance from the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) must apply now for 2008 funding. EQIP provides farmers with incentive payments, as well as technical assistance for conservation activities that help limit soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and protect wildlife habitat.

"We are on a fast track for getting applications processed this year," explains NRCS State Conservationist, Terry Cosby. "While the next Farm Bill is currently making its way through the legislative process, we don't know when it will be passed or what the final legislation will entail. We have authorization to offer EQIP right now and want to provide Ohio farmers with the assistance to meet their conservation needs."

The timeline for application, ranking, and funding begins immediately. Now through November 2, 2007, applications will be accepted from interested producers for this ranking period. From November 2007 through the end of December 2007 the applications will be ranked. At the end of December, producers will be notified if their contract received funding.

Mike Laughrey, EQIP program manager for NRCS in Ohio, states, "This year we are using the same ranking criteria we used last year to rank applications. In addition to the general EQIP program we will provide three special EQIP projects; the Appalachia EQIP project (for southern Ohio counties), the Upper Big Walnut EQIP project (Delaware, Morrow, and Knox counties) and the Forestry EQIP project (offered statewide)."

Over 1,500 applications for the last EQIP ranking period did not receive funding. Those applicants who did not receive funding during the last ranking period will need to contact their local NRCS office if they are still interested in funding through EQIP. These deferred applications will be re-entered into the ranking pool if the producer directs NRCS to do so.

Incentive payments for structural and management practices will range from 50 percent to 75 percent, depending on the practice. Limited resource farmers may be eligible to receive incentive payments of 90 percent.

Farmers interested in submitting an application for EQIP should contact their local NRCS office to set up an appointment and begin the application process. Applications for this ranking period will be collected until November 2, 2007.

Forage Focus: Fertilizing Established Alfalfa Stands This Fall - Robert Mullen and Mark Sulc, OSU Extension

As final harvests of alfalfa are collected, fertilization of potassium should be considered if it is not a part of your program. Alfalfa that has adequate levels of potassium accumulates more carbohydrates in their root system which improves their over-wintering ability and vigor early the next spring. Fall fertilization should be done as soon as possible so that the plant can take advantage of the added nutrients before the onset of winter.

Application of potassium should be considered if soil test levels are less than 300 lb/acre. Potassium application rates can be determined by computing how much potassium next year's crop will remove (base it on this year's yield or a known "average"). Generally, for every ton of alfalfa forage removed approximately 50 lb of K2O is removed. Thus a 6 ton/acre crop will remove 300 lb K2O/acre. If you wish to maintain current potassium levels, add 300 lb K2O/acre.

Application can be split between this fall and after the first harvest in the spring (applying half in the fall and half in the spring will minimize luxurious uptake of potassium by the crop early next year). The earlier potassium is applied this fall the greater the opportunity for the crop to take it up and prepare for the winter. Soil test values well above 300 lb/acre probably do not warrant any application at all. Check soil test levels next fall to monitor potassium needs for the next year.

Phosphorus can also be applied in the fall after the final cutting. If soil test levels are below 100 lb P/acre, apply additional phosphorus. Crop removal can also be used to determine the rate of application (a ton of alfalfa removes approximately 13 lbs P2O5). If the soil test value is well above 100 then additional phosphorus is not necessary. Providing adequate nutrition for your alfalfa crop will pay dividends next year and extend the life of the stand.

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

LIVE CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) were down on Monday while the '08 October and December deferreds were up. The OCT'07LC contract settled at $94.975/cwt, off $0.275/cwt. DEC'07LC futures finished at $98.550/cwt, off $0.60/cwt. Short covering slowed losses amid thinking that packers were in control of prices. However, USDA put the number of cattle slaughtered on Monday at 128,000 head, nicely above early estimates between 100,000 - 110,000 processed animals. Many feedlots wanted $94/cwt for cash cattle last week but bids went only to $93.50/cwt after trading at $95.00/cwt the week before. Some support is still garnered from expectations of tight cattle supplies. Early estimates on the cattle-on-feed report expect that on September 1, feedlots with 1,000 head or more were at 93%-94% of last year's count. August placement estimates are running from 89%-94.8% of the previous year while August marketing estimates range from 96%-101.6% of last year. USDA put the choice boxed beef cutout at $146.31/cwt, up $0.91/cwt. According to HedgersEdge.com, the average beef packer cutout margin for Monday was a negative $43.00/head, $4.75/head worse off than last Friday and $26.15/head worse than a week ago. Cash sellers should consider holding onto cattle waiting on a rally. It would be a good idea to hold off pricing near-term corn inputs if you can.

FEEDER CATTLE contracts at the CME closed off on Monday. The SEPT'07FC contract finished at $115.675/cwt, down $1.150/cwt and $2.775/cwt lower than last Monday. OCT'07FC futures closed $1.350/cwt lower at $115.500/cwt. Feeders fell to five-week lows influenced by weak technical signals, lower fat cattle, higher corn, and lower cash feeders. This prompted some selling. The latest CME Feeder Cattle Index for September 13 was down $0.53/cwt at $117.72/cwt. Hopefully sales were made last week on news in this report. Hold off pricing corn supplies for now.

CORN on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) ended up on Monday on strong wheat and soybean markets. The DEC'07 contract finished at $3.522/bu, up 3.2¢/bu. MAR'08 futures finished up 3.0¢/bu at $3.690/bu. MAY'08 finished the day at $3.796/bu, up 3.4¢/bu. It may pay to store … if you have the storage capacity. As the weather cooperates, USDA reported late Monday that the U.S. corn crop is 14% harvested. The market had anticipated from 14%-20% harvest progress. It is no longer news that a record corn crop over 13 billion bu overhangs this market. The interesting thing is that these prices moved higher despite reports of higher-than-expected yields coming from combines working their way through the Corn Belt. Some traders stated Monday that there is talk that USDA will raise supply estimates over the 13.308 billion bu currently projected. Cash bids showed some weakening in the U.S. Midwest as corn begins to move out of the fields. In the U.S. Mid-Atlantic States that was not the case. Cash corn firmed up from 3¢/bu - 5¢/bu on Monday. USDA reported corn-inspected-for-export last week at 30.856 million bu, lower than the expected 35-40 million bu. The CFTC Commitment of Traders report had large speculators expanding bullish positions to 103,300 lots, up 2,600 contracts as of September 11. Today's rally shows a sideways, declining trend that should continue through harvest interrupted by minor upside moves. I still think this year's prices will most likely continue to decline somewhat as harvest continues and more record yields are registered. Producers having sold 50% or more of this year's crop are in good condition. A put option might not be a bad idea.

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