Parson, Kansas —
Extreme temperatures coupled with high humidity and low wind speeds have led to losses of feedyard cattle in parts of the state. This hot weather pattern started July 16 and is forecast to last through the middle of this week, according to the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Management strategies for dealing with extreme heat in feedyards are limited. Research has shown the most effective practices include providing adequate shade, spraying with water, careful monitoring and proper feeding and watering. Discuss specific alternatives with your veterinarian and nutritionist to develop a strategy for your operation.
Overnight lows higher than 74 degrees do not allow cattle to adequately cool, requiring heightened observation and possibly intervention the following day. Livestock heat stress forecast maps are produced daily through a partnership of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and the National Weather Service. More information on heat stress forecasts and tips for managing such emergencies can be found at www.kla. org/heatstress.htm.
USDA’s livestock indemnity program (LIP) can compensate producers for animals lost during extreme weather events, including heat. LIP will pay on a per head basis for losses exceeding an established baseline loss percentage. For non-adult beef cattle over 800 lbs., the baseline death loss percent is 1.1 percent and the payment rate is $654.60 per head. For cattle between 400 and 799 lbs., the program will pay on losses over 1.9 percent at a rate of $432.59 per head. Cattle under 400 lbs. will be compensated at $302.58 per head over 2.7 percent. Producers will be required to notify the county Farm Service Agency office that maintains their farm records within 30 days of the loss and then file an application for payment by January 30, 2011. A producer must have an adjusted gross non-farm income of $500,000 or less on their tax return to qualify for payments. The program is capped at $100,000 per producer. Documentation of inventory and livestock losses will be necessary as part of the application process.
Livestock
Weather serving threat to livestock
- Livestock
-
-
Use ear tags to their fullest potential
Numbered ear tags appear in the ears of a high percentage of cows and calves in southwest Missouri. They are obviously put there for a reason but some producers may not be using the full potential of those tags for herd management.
-
Leveling the bovine-fertility playing field
Research from the University of Missouri reproductive scientist identifies faulty sperm and takes them out of the equation for artificial insemination (AI) of cattle.
-
Economics of de-worming spring born calves
A much higher value of added gain means that management practices that may have been marginal in profitability in the past now have tremendous advantages. One such practice is the de-worming of spring born calves.
-
Some clues to beef herd rebuilding
In the aftermath of last year’s drought, it is taking some time to determine where the industry is with respect to stopping herd liquidation and beginning the process of herd rebuilding.
-
Show-Me-Select heifer sale slated
The sale of fall-calving, Show-Me-Select heifers will be held at 7 p.m., May 18, at the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage.
-
Forage testing can save money
Soil test may save fertilizer dollars and forage testing may save supplement costs for livestock.
-
Beef demand will be market driver over next few months
Part of the concern right now is overall demand for beef. Beef exports have been generally flat compared to last year, as has the dollar index.
-
Water management leads to healthy herds
Water is a crucial aspect of any cattle operation, and with last year’s drought still fresh in their memories, producers should be prepared if history repeats itself.
-
Pasture erosion control important
It’s already evident that streambanks can be protected with cost-effective measures such as one- and two-sided fencing. Streambanks can re-establish vegetation all by themselves.
-
Management Intensive Grazing Schools begin in April
Several Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) Schools will be held in southwest Missouri during 2012 at a variety of locations.
- More Livestock Headlines
-
Use ear tags to their fullest potential
