Livestock
Weather serving threat to livestock
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
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Select forages present potential risk for livestock
Prussic acid, sometimes referred to as cyanide poisoning, typically occurs shortly after cattle are turned on a field that contains the high risk plants such as johnsongrass or sorghum sudan.
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Fescue management discussed at field day
Missouri beef producers lose $160 million a year from poor-gaining calves and from the number of open cows caused by grazing fescue.
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Feed hay if pastures are limiting performance
Pastures fall in the “too short for optimum performance” category when there are less than three or four inches to graze. That is when hay should be put out.
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Scales a valuable tool for cattle producers
Besides using a set of scales to arrive at the market value for cattle, scales also help determine genetic merit.
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Mineral purchases based on tradition rather than nutrition
Mineral supplements being fed and most mineral purchases are based on tradition rather than nutritional need.
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Take steps to reduce heat stress in cattle
Cattle lack the ability to sweat significantly, so it is critical that producers and livestock handlers take steps to reduce heat stress.
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Weather serving threat to livestock
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.
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Pinkeye popping up in Ark. cattle
Pinkeye, or Moraxella bovis, is usually acute and spreads rapidly in a herd. Left untreated, it can result in blindness in one or both eyes.
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Maximizing multi-species grazing benefits
Multi-species grazing is the practice of using two or more species of livestock together or separately on the same land in a specific growing season.
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Hair sheep interest on the rise in Mo.
Some producers wish to minimize time and management with their small ruminant enterprise. Hair sheep appear to fit this niche of requiring less management than some of the other breeds of sheep and goats.
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Select forages present potential risk for livestock
