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January 2012 Articles

Just Rambling
Reviewing the Beginning 2011 Cattle Market Top Ten List
• Cowherd Management Tips
La. farmers withstand drought, floods in 2011
Safety Around Horses
Precipitation Patterns Over the Bayou State
Redbud tree gives early flower color
Don't invite insects into homes during holidays
Mulching is good landscape practice
A New Use for Old Chicken Houses
New National YF&R Committee Members Appointed
LSU AgCenter names new director of School of Animal Science
Hay Feeding Helps Build Soil Fertility
Poultry Growers Gain New Protections
Pigeon Fever cases in horses reported
Drought Assistance Possible For Livestock Producers
Cutting Corners

(17 articles found)

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Cowherd Management Tips

Cowherd Management Tips
Dr. Karl Harborth, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, LSU AgCenter
Cattleman’s New Year’s Resolution
As we prepare for the New Year, one thing that some do to start the year off is to make a list of New Year’s resolutions. While things are pretty good in the cattle industry with demand strong and supply reduced due to the drought, we can look forward to what should be a good year. While the value of our calves looks good for the next year, the cost of production will at best stay at its current level. In order to maximize profits in this situation we must be cognizant of areas where we can save money or do things more efficiently. While you are making your New Year’s resolution this year throw in a couple to address an area in your operation that could use a little attention. A short list of a few possible areas to improve are listed below.
1. Keep production records. Unless you have a baseline of your current production levels you won’t be able to determine if the changes you have made are working. 2. Know the herds nutrient requirements. The only way to accurately feed your herd is by knowing their average weight. After you establish this adjustments can be made to based upon environment, physiological status and other factors that affect requirements. The approximate nutrient requirements for a 1200 lb. cow are list below.
a. A dry cow that weighs 1,200 pounds diets needs averaging 7% crude
protein and a 50 % TDN, to maintain her weight.
b. That same size cow in early lactation needs a dietary crude protein percentage of 9.5 and a TDN level of 56 % to maintain their
current status.
3. Reduce hay and feed waste. Hay is arguably more valuable this year than it has ever been. Utilizing hay rings and feeding it more efficiently is a must. In a recent study performed by Lalman and others at Oklahoma State University showed that cone style ring feeders with sheeted bottoms reduce hay wastage the greatest. This validates and takes earlier results from Michigan State University (Buskirk et al., 1999) a step farther as they showed the cone style feeders to have the least amount of wastage.
4. Nutrient Test Hay and other variable feedstuffs. There will be a large amount of low quality forages being utilized this winter. The only way to properly supplement them is to test them to get an idea of what there nutrient values are consult your county agent or Send Samples to the:
Southeast Research Station Cost of a forage test is Standard Analysis $15 and Complete Analysis $20. Utilize the following
Forage Quality Laboratory Submission form to when sending in samples:
P.O. Box Drawer 569 http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/045B3327-3788-421B-BF3D-
Franklinton, LA 70438 083A286B3C7C/70879/sampleform2010.pdf
5. Add value to your current or upcoming calf crop. Use a controlled or shorten calving season to increase management and marketing efficiency. Source and Age. Dehorn and castrate early in life. Vaccinate and/or precondition if it is economically favorable to your operation.
Cowherd Winter Tips December/January Checklist
The list below are a few things that you might want to be thinking about during the next two months.
Turn out bulls and monitor breeding activities in herds being exposed for fall calving
Prepare for spring calving.
A. Gather and sanitize obstetric equipment.
B. Purchase tags for calves.
C. Start checking two weeks prior to first due date.
Start winter feeding when needed (hay, protein supplement, hi-mag mineral for cows on ryegrass, minerals).
Ensure adequate, sanitary water supply. While most of the state has had relief from the drought. A clean water supply is still a must even when water requirements are lower due to cooler weather.
Fertilize ryegrass.
Move stocker cattle, fall pairs and replacement heifers to ryegrass. Check cattle that were recently put on ryegrass for signs of grass tetany.
Gather records for tax purposes.
Be prepared to handle severe weather conditions.

If you are interested in the entire Beef Cattle Management Calendar & Handbook, it can be found at the following website: http://text.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/9B42F758-FDB5-4C15-9905-6CEBFEEBCCCF/2952/pub2712BeefCalendar.pdf

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