May May2017 2017——Issue Issue11
As it was in the beginning To apply or not toprairies apply? Restoring
to their natural state PAGE 12 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX PAGE 12
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May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News
W
From the General Manager
e have five remote controls for our TV. The process involved with watching television is so complicated, that my wife’s written instructions for baby-sitters and grandparents who watch our children usually consists of two or three lines of instructions for the kids, and about a half a page to deal with the entertainment system. The complex system does not deter the children one bit, however. I am awakened every Saturday by the sound of little feet creeping down the stairs, immediately followed by cartoons blasting from the TV. And it’s not just television. Phones, tablets, basically anything with a battery and buttons can be unlocked and used by my children. At their day care, there is a literal lock on the door that has a number pad with a code. One day, my 5-year-old reached up
and started pushing buttons on the pad while I was getting his sister out of the car. I didn’t pay much attention, figured it wouldn’t hurt anything for him to mash a few buttons. Then the door opened and he went inside. I thought it was a fluke, but he did it the next day, and the day after that. But despite my son’s JESSE WRIGHT high-tech capabilities, there are still some things he can’t do at a touch of a button. These things make him a little angry, I think. We took the training wheels off his bike recently, and after falling a half-dozen times, he was ready to call it quits. I convinced him to try some more, and under duress, he did. That afternoon, he did an entire loop around our street without falling.
He went from frustrated about not being able to do something, to excited about the prospect of riding his big-boy bike all over town. We’ll probably keep him confined to our street and maybe the park, but for now, I’ll let him have his dreams of the open road. When it comes to your pasture, there are several benefits of getting back to the basics. But, getting back to native pastures and grasses isn’t always as easy as pushing a button — you have to put in some work. In our cover story, we look at restoring native prairies and share some success stories as well as tips on how to restore your pasture, should you choose to do so. In this issue we also have news from around the ag industry as well as information about upcoming events, conferences and sales. Hope you enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading.
’Til next time,
• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse. wright@theeagle.com.
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May 2017 — Issue 1
www.circlexbrangus.com 3
News Cattle producers can expect more volatility, supply fluctuations functional. There is that spot where you have to decide to cut down on permanent labor and go to contract labor, how you can best manage the things that have to be done on a ranch.” Gill said feed expense also plays a key role and “how you are managing your natural re-
By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
SAN ANTONIO — Volatility in the cattle market recently is a result of large supplies of beef and speculative investment in agricultural commodities, according to experts at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association convention in San Antonio. The overall message was cattle producers should brace for continued swings in prices as beef cycles through the supply chain. “Obviously we’ve got a lot of meat to work through,” said Joe Paschal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist in Corpus Christi. “Some economists have said it’s been a meat tsunami. I think we will get through that. Cows in good condition are moving up to the 70 cent mark in my part of the country, and bulls that are not completely worn out because of the lean beef value, are moving a little bit north of 90 cents. “Some producers are looking at replacing some of the cattle they sold during the dry years or when cows were really high, or just rebuilding their cow herd.” Randy Blach, CattleFax cattle marketing economist in Colorado, confirmed both the market volatility and large supplies of beef during his market outlook presentation. “We saw prices break 35 percent (in the fall) and now we are just coming off a 35 percent rally,” Blach said. He said the recent change in domestic protein supply produced has been the most in his 35 years. That’s due in part to export markets and working through large supplies of beef as a result of cow herd expansion. Blach said a recent trade of fed cattle at $131.62 marked a 35 percent increase from the lows set in October. He said the cow herd still is growing with more than a 1 million cows added to the 2017 inventory. “We’re looking at 600,000 to
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin
Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, discusses breeding bull conformation at the 2017 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention. 800,000 more cows by Jan. 1, 2018,” he said. With Texas expected to add 550,000 cows, 2017 production forecasts are on the increase as for all meats. Consumer beef demand continues to be strong for beef in the food service, restaurant and quick service sectors. Overall, Blach said weather forecasts are favorable for good grain production and should keep corn prices around $4 a bushel. That sets the stage for moderate cattle prices going forward for the rest of 2017. So far, spring rainfall has been plentiful in South Central Texas and South Texas regions. “We’ve had adequate rainfall, enough rain to get grass growing,” Paschal said. “Most of the cows are fat as I drive up the road from the Valley to Central Texas, across to Del Rio and over to Houston.” Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist and associate department head for animal science at Texas A&M University, said producers are having to identify efficiencies in their operations to increase profit margins. “When you look at efficiencies, you’ve got to focus on major cost centers and that’s depreciation, feed and labor,” Gill said. “You
can only take so much labor out of an operation and it still be
sources.” “Are you pushing your production environment where you have to buy supplemental feed to cover those gaps. Or can you back off a little bit and depending on how much you are pushing your
See VOLATILITY, Page 6
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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News
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin
From left,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists Dan Hale, Joe Paschal,Tom Hairgrove and Bryan Davis, AgriLife Extension agent for Wilson County, demonstrate injection site blemishes on a beef carcass at the 2017 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention in San Antonio.
Volatility, from Page 4 resources, and not have to buy supplemental forage?” Gill said with regards to depreciation, machinery costs are a big expense. “It can be equipment and it can be breeding stock as well. Can we control those costs, can we look for ways to buy bulls at a cheaper price, or go to artificial insemination?” he said. “It all comes down to buying stuff that has a positive return on investment. I think that is the key message. “There is a lot of stuff we can buy and a lot of it is fun to have, but we have to buy stuff that is going to return on that investment. It’s the same things we’ve been fighting for years in our industry.
We’ve had ups and downs, we just have to figure out how to fit our production systems into today’s current economic situation.” Other topics discussed included marketing cattle and health issues. “There are many different factors cattle producers are facing today that affect their ultimate economic viability,” said Cliff Lamb, department head for animal science at Texas A&M. “The fever tick, drought — all affect p roductivity. We must work closely together as a unit, from a research, Extension and animal science faculty standpoint, to figure out fast ways to counteract issues such as drought and fever tick and resolve them as quickly as possible.”
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News
Manage your forage to have year-round availability age demand and everything will come out even. For many producers, there is a worry about what to do with all of the forage produced in the spring flush. If you have forage production and demand balanced, however, it will make managing for-
By James RogeRs The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
In our region of the Southern Great Plains, we basically grow forage during the spring and fall, corresponding to our seasonal rainfall pattern. We are typically short on forage during the winter and summer months. We have learned to overcome some of the wintertime forage shortfall by shifting some of our late summer/early fall forage growth to winter by creating stockpile forage. The same process can be used to help overcome the summer forage slump, but it takes a little planning and management. It would be nice to be a perfect grazing manager. Having the ability to maintain a canopy of
age year-round much easier. So, begin there with developing an appropriate long-term carrying capacity for your operation. If you have questions on how to do this, contact the Noble Founda-
See FORAGE, Page 9
Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
For many producers, there is a worry about what to do with all of the forage produced in the spring flush. forage cover 6 to 10 inches high, year-round. Never having to supplement the cow herd with anything but forage all year, having your cattle maintain perfect body condition and creating envious neighbors. It’s not impossible, but it sure is a hard thing to do.
Forage production ebbs and flows seasonally. At some points in the year, you wonder if you ever will have grass again. Other times, you wonder what you are going to do with all that forage. Hopefully by the end of the year, forage production will equal for-
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News Forage, from Page 9 tion; we would be happy to assist . If forage production and demand is balanced, think about your entire operation as one forage system that flows from one season to another. As you flow from winter into spring, rainfall will increase, temperatures will warm, and you will experience an abundance of fresh, high quality forage. The majority of warm-season perennial forage growth will occur by July 1. If you are in a grazing rotation, it may be hard to rotate fast enough to top all of your paddocks before they start getting ahead of you. Is this a mistake? Is this something to worry about? No, graze them after July 1 as summer stockpile. If you have a spring calving herd, the breeding season is at the very end and bulls are coming out at this point in the year. Cow nutritional demand is decreas-
ing, and the increase in forage maturity at this point in the year should not be a problem. Forage growth and grazing rotations will be slowing down. If your summer stockpile is an introduced forage such as bermudagrass, you may wish to stay in these paddocks longer to remove the excess growth from summer; then, follow up with nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate fall growth for winter stockpile grazing. If your summer stockpile is nativegrass, you will want to allow the nativegrass time to rest prior to frost in order to replenish carbohydrate reserves. Another method to help adjust the flow of introduced forage is to manipulate your application of nitrogen fertilizer. To really take advantage of this, rainfall needs to be in your favor so pay attention to the seasonal forecast. Prior to application of any fertility program, we always recommend soil testing to make sure other nutrients will not limit your ni-
The Land & Livestock Post
trogen response. Assuming other nutrients are not limiting, splitting applications of nitrogen can help to more evenly distribute forage production and quality. For example, on some of your acres, if you normally apply 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre in May to bermudagrass pastures, consider applying 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in May, and another 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in late June to shift production to the summer slump in July and August. Another application schedule could be to apply 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in May for spring and early summer growth, followed by 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in August for fall stockpile. Forage management is a forward-looking process. Think about your operation as one forage system that flows from one season to the next, but keep in mind that management in one season influences the production of the next.
May 2017 — Issue 1
Aggies can add winemaking certification Special to The Post
Students at Texas A&M may tack on an official certification. The Enology Certificate program will begin in the fall and offer 15 hours of concentrated study in viticulture, pre- and post-fermentation winemaking processes, wine etiquette and sensory evaluation, according
Rural Land Loans Country Home Loans Farm & Ranch Loans
to Andreea Botezatu, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service enologist in College Station. “The wine industry is growing exponentially in Texas,” said Botezatu, who will teach the enology course for the certificate. For more information, contact Botezatu at 979-845-8563, abotezatu@tamu.edu.
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News Cow Bid Estimator helping producers make sound decisions By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
SAN ANTONIO — A spreadsheet application can be a useful decision aid to assist beef cattle producers with future purchases and forecast profit or loss based on purchase costs. Mac Young, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Corpus Christi, gave a demonstration of the Bid Price Estimator for Beef Cows at the recent Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Convention in San Antonio. The tool has been around for many years, but has been updated to include such important items as cow management costs. “What we’ve done to it is add calf and reproductive management factors,” he said. “The tool
is primarily used to let producers evaluate what they can afford to pay for a cow or heifer to replace in the herd before going out and bidding on cattle. It includes other factors such as cow management costs, depreciation, financing costs — all that is part of the estimation.” Young said the tool will estimate net present value, which is the present value of an asset versus its future value. It also will help a producer show profit or loss potential on the animal up to eight years out. “You can put your assumptions in there based on whatever price you might be willing to pay and it will evaluate whether you can afford to pay that amount,” he said. “If it’s a positive net present value, that means it would be a good investment.” Young said there have been cat-
tle cycles dating back to the late 1800s with prices going up and down over a number of years. The estimator may have helped ranchers during recent record cattle market highs. “Did you think cattle prices were going to stay at that level? What if prices trend down? I think using the estimator might have opened some people’s eyes at that time and they may have reevaluated some of their purchase decisions,” he said. Overall, Young said the tool will help a producer analyze the potential investment return of a purchase and not make a hasty decision. “Whether buying one animal or hundreds, you can evaluate what you can afford to pay for those animals,” he said. “Our job is to help producers with the decision making process and
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin
A spreadsheet application can be a useful decision aid to assist beef cattle producers with future purchases and forecast profit or loss based on purchase costs. what they can afford as an investment.”
The tool is available at bit. ly/2o6wyvp.
MAY
May 20 Genomic Gems Angus Sale, Giddings, TX
May 6 Jordan Cattle Auction May Replacement Female Sale,
May 20 Charolais Association of Texas Spring Spectacular Sale,
San Saba, TX May 6 Texas Angus Assn. Spring Female Sale, Salado, TX
Athens, TX
May 6 Collier Diamond C Jubilee Red Angus Sale, Stephenville,
May 20 Buzzard Hollow Ranch Simmental Sale, Granbury, TX
TX
JUNE
May 6 JLS International Brangus Sale, Devine, TX May 6 18th Annual The Charolais Sale of Excellence, College Station, TX
June 3 Jordan Cattle Auction June Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX
May 6 Cattleman’s Brenham Livestock Replacement Sale,
June 5 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale,
Brenham, TX
Mason, TX
May 11 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, San Saba, TX
June 15 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale,
May 13 44 Farms Angus Female Sale, Cameron, TX
San Saba, TX
May 20 Top Cut Replacement Female Sale, Navasota, TX
June 15 TSCRA Summer Meeting, Galveston
Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed? Call Jesse Wright (979) 731-4721 or email jesse.wright@theeagle.com
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May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News
Find bad udders now by Glenn Selk Oklahoma State University Extension
Every year at “preg” checking time, ranchers evaluate cows and make decisions as which to remove from the herd. One criteria that should be examined to cull cows is udder quality. Beef cattle producers are not as likely to think about udder health and shape as are dairy producers, but this attribute affects cow productivity and should be considered. It may be easier to be accurate in your culling decisions, if you exam the udder soundness of the cows shortly after calving when they are at the peak of lactation and the udder is as large as at any time. Take time now during the peak of lactation to write down which spring-calving cows have unsound udders. Record the cow numbers of those to be culled next fall due to unsound udders. Their heifer calves would be undesirable prospects to become replacement heifers for your herd. The heritability estimates of udder characteristics are variable. A study done in Brahman cattle for the heritability of udder
soundness indicated that progress could be made by selecting for udder soundness. They reported that 25 percent of the differences in udder soundness was due to genetics. Recent research at Kansas State University (Bradford, 2014 KSU Cattlemen’s Day) with large numbers of Hereford data has given even greater hope that improvement in udder quality can be made. They found heritabilities of .32 for overall udder score, .31 for suspension, and .28 for teat size. Plus, genetic correlations between traits were strong (.83). This means that selection for one trait (teat size or suspension) will result in improvement in the other trait. An experiment conducted at the Oklahoma State University Range Cow Research Center near Stillwater gives some indication as to the impact of mastitis on beef cow performance. Researchers found that cows with one or two dry quarters had calves with severely reduced weaning weights (50 – 60 pounds) compared to cows with no dry quarters. This represents a sizeable economic loss at weaning time.
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Udder Suspension, above: Weak udder suspension leads to “pendulous” broken-down udders that also are very difficult for young calves to nurse.A sound udder with a strong udder suspension is on the right.
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Teat Shape, above: Note the large “funnel-shaped” teats on the cow on the left.A sound udder for teat shape is on the right.
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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News
Going au naturale Prairie restoration rebuilds wildlife populations By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Post
H
ybrid bermudagrass pastures and cropland, plowed to property lines, have destroyed wildlife habitat. If a landowner wants wildlife to return, then its habitat must be restored. Areas in which most Land and Livestock Post readers live were once in tallgrass prairie. Eighty percent of a prairie landscape is grasses, usually dominated by switchgrass, indiangrass, little bluestem and big bluestem. The other 20 percent of the vegetation consists of numerous species of forbs or flowers. There are also stands of trees and shrubs, particularly along creeks and other waterways. Prairie landscapes vary in soil type, depth, moisture and slope which creates many different sites for specific plant communities. Sedges and prairie cordgrass thrive in the wet seeps. In bottomland areas, different grasses and flowering forbs (broad-leaf herbaceous plants) grow because they require the deep soils. In contrast, drought hardy hairy grama is found on dry, shallow soils of the hilltops. Many landowners are dedicating themselves to restoring tallgrass prairies with guidance and help from various organizations including the Natural Resources Conservative Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas Forest Service, Native Prairies Association of Texas, and others.
The Kirchoff family
In 2008 Don, Scott, Susan and Brenda Kirchoff inherited their parents’
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Photos by Robert Fears
Above, Bill Fox, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, standing at a native prairie demonstration area at the Blackland Research and Extension Center at Temple. On the cover: Gary and Sue Price standing in front of a good cover of bunch grass, Spaces between the plants provide travel lanes for upland birds. 200-acre farm near Floresville. Approximately 135 acres had been farmed and the remaining acreage was kept in pasture. As a memorial to their parents’
conservation ethic, the siblings decided to restore the entire property to presettlement native prairie. “Our first attempt at seeding native
May 2017 — Issue 1
plants was a complete failure and a waste of considerable time and money,”
See RESTORATION, Page 13
The Land & Livestock Post
News Restoration, from Page 12 said Don Kirchoff. “We planted like we did when field crops were grown on the farm. We plowed, disked, and drilled native plant seed into a fluffy seedbed. Our results were a bumper crop of annual weeds from a seed bank accumulated in the soil during decades of farming. Then fortunately, we began following the advice of Chris Best, state botanist with [the United States Fish and Wildlife Service] and Jason Katcsmorak, [of the Natural Resources Conservation Service]. “We rented the land to a local farmer who planted Roundup Ready corn and milo every year for three years. This depleted the seed bank of annual weeds. We then planted a variety of prairie plants into post-harvest corn and milo stubble with a no-till drill, which didn’t disturb the soil. “The seed mixture was recommended by [Natural Resources Conservation Service]
Photo by Robert Fears
It is important to leave areas of woody plants on native prairies for wildlife cover and shade for livestock. and partly funded through { the service’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program]. It included switchgrass, indiangrass, little bluestem, four flower trichloris, windmill grass, bristle grasses, grama grasses and several forbs. “These native plants were established over a three-year period beginning in 2012. We now have seven foot tall switchgrass and, this year, we harvested 94 round bales of seed-bearing native vegetation from approximately 30 acres. This was our first hay crop. “We want to sell the hay to people who are interested in establishing native prairie. When the bales are rolled out to feed livestock, the seed should make soil contact and produce native plants. “Top-growth is removed by
See PRAIRIE, Page 15
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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News Prairie, from Page 13 grazing or haying every year after the growing season to allow new vegetation to grow the following spring,” Kirchoff said. “We lease grazing rights to our neighbor for pasture use during fall and winter. He uses a high intensity-short duration grazing system that forces animals to remove a percentage of topgrowth of all plants, not just the most palatable. Mesquite and huisache seedlings invade, but we are able to control them with individual plant treatments of herbicides. “Prior to our prairie restoration, very little wildlife was seen on the farm,” Kirchoff said. “Today we are becoming over populated with white-tail deer and we see large populations of Bobwhite quail. We also observe wild turkey, bobcats, coyotes, fox, purple martins, painted buntings, bluebirds, hawks, burrowing owls, many butterflies and a variety of other wildlife.
77 Ranch
The 2600-acre 77 Ranch was developed by Gary and Sue Price over a period of time through purchases of 14 different tracts of land. Purchased land was either native tallgrass prairie, overgrazed pastures or abandoned cotton fields. Regardless of its previous use, the Prices work to improve productivity on each tract. Pastureland is converted back into sustainable native prairie resulting in wildlife habitat improvement. “Our stocking rates are conservative and flexible,” Gary Price said. “Conservative stocking allows us to enter a drought last and be the first to return after it is over. “Grazing intensity is calculated to leave one-third of the grass for plant re-establishment, a third for trampling into the soil for organic matter
Photo by Robert Fears
It is necessary to remove dense stands of woody plants to allow growth of forbs and grasses. maintenance, and a third to be eaten by cattle,” Price said. “Our pasture rotation system is managed in a manner to reserve standing bluestem for winter grazing.” Old cropland, best suited for pasture, is restored to natural prairie by reseeding with native grasses. Brush management is accomplished through both mechanical methods and herbicides. Selected methods depend upon type of brush, plant density, terrain and soil type. Prescribed fire is utilized on grassland where the amount of thatch is hindering new plant growth and plant density has increased to the point where upland birds no longer can move between the plant crowns. Due to good grazing practices and native prairie restoration, white-tailed deer are returning to the 77 Ranch property. Price is working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to relocate bobwhite quail and, so far, the program is successful. Rio Grande turkey also are being relocated to the ranch.
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Prairie restoration efforts continue to increase along the Texas Gulf Coast with notable projects near Deer Park, Katy, Eagle Lake and additional locations further south. Restoration projects are undertaken for various reasons including appreciation of native plants, encouragement of song bird populations and creation of Attwater prairie chicken and Bobwhite quail habitats. Turning the landscape back to an earlier time is accomplished through planting native coastal grasses, cattle grazing management and prescribed burns.
See WILDLIFE, Page 16
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May 2017 — Issue 1
15
News Multi-county beef cattle reproduction workshops set
Wildlife, from Page 15 The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Eagle Lake is attempting to increase the number of birds through several methods, one of which is prairie habitat restoration. The refuge is joined by astute environmental landowners and ranchers who are primarily interested in development of prairie ecosystems for Bobwhite quail, but their efforts benefit the Attwater prairie chicken as well. Many landowners in the Cross Timbers, Rolling Plains and High Plains ecoregions work closely with either Kelly Reyna at the University of North Texas or Brad Dabbert at Texas Tech University to restore native prairies as a means to improve quail habitat. There are many more stories of successful native prairie restoration and wildlife repopulation. The underlying principle is to restore the habitat and wildlife usually will return. In addition to increases in wildlife populations, ranchers find that native prairies in good condition have a high degree
By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
CAMPBELLTON — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Atascosa, Bexar, Frio, Medina and Wilson counties will present back-to-back beef cattle reproduction workshops for producers on May 16 and May 17 at the Tom Brothers Ranch, 770 County Road 412 in Campbellton. Producers can choose either day to attend. The program will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Cost for the workshop is $15, including lunch, provided courtesy of Capital Farm Credit. Lunch Photo by Robert Fears will be served both days. “This is a rare opportunity for Proper cattle grazing helps maintain plant diversity on native prairie. of drought tolerance and feed costs are reduced. Many landowners enjoy restored prairies
producers to learn about various aspects of cattle reproduction,” said Sam Womble, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Bexar County. “One of the things that makes this program unique is attendees are required to bring three to five of their cows for demonstration purposes. Producers should bring gentle cows that have been exposed to a bull over 90 days and possibly one open cow.” Space is limited and participation will be on a first come, first served basis. An RSVP is required by May 5. For more information and to RSVP, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County at 210-631-0400.
for their aesthetics due to increased plant and animal biodiversity.
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May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News
Top 10 traits of a successful grazing land manager By Jeff Goodwin The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
According to recent data, the number of people moving to Southern Great Plains states such as Texas is more than 1,400 per day. Private lands in the U.S. are undergoing significant changes. For example, more than 1 acre of farmland is lost per minute. Most of these lands are privately owned and play an unseen yet critical role in water and food sustainability, and both national and energy security. Recent data from Texas A&M University suggests that of the 26.9 million residents in Texas, fewer than than 10 percent of those live in rural areas and fewer than 1 percent are private landowners. That fewer than 1 percent of the Texas population encompasses the land stewards of today and tomorrow. Recent data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service also estimates the average age of today’s agricultural producer is 58 years old. It’s more important now than ever that we recognize and support successful land stewards providing the other 99 percent of the population ecological services such as clean water, clean air, sustainable livestock products and wildlife habitat across the Southern Great Plains. A survey recently was conducted of 14 resource professionals who have spent their entire working careers assisting these land stewards through the good and tough times. These professionals are from respected institutions such as the Noble Foundation, Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program, the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and several private consultants. Together, these professionals total more than 469 years of experience. Based on their re-
Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Successful outcomes very often are a result of carefully planned objectives. sponses, we organized the top 10 traits of successful grazing land managers below. • 10 Cautious risk taker A cautious risk taker is someone with an open mind willing to consider more effective and efficient methods of doing things. They often carefully consider new technologies and might implement a test on a small portion of their operation. Many times, they are willing to try new ideas and concepts. They take risks based on knowledge, experience, and sometimes hunches, but on a limited basis. They rarely risk everything and always operate within a safety margin. • 9 Willingness to share knowledge
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” Most producers who are successful often get great ideas from their peers. They talk and learn from each other, many times gaining more satisfaction from seeing others succeed than themselves. • 8 Have clear, measurable and attainable objectives Successful outcomes are often a result of carefully planned objectives. Clearly stated objectives keep sideboards on expectations.
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In order to achieve success, you must also know when you get there. It often is stated, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” From available forage to production costs, it’s hard to take advantage of an opportunity if you don’t know you had an opportunity in the first place. Monitoring and keeping good records is a common practice among successful ranchers. A recent study conducted by Texas A&M indicated that fewer than 15 to 20 percent of producers monitored their forage, indicating 80 to 85 percent may not know how much forage they have or need. Most successful producers, at a minimum, consistently monitor rainfall, available forage, body condition score relative to class of livestock and reproductive stage, and market tendencies.
Then, they act on monitoring triggers. • 7 Have a conservation ethic In 1949, Aldo Leopold stated, “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” Successful managers want to leave their properties for the next generation better than when they received it. This requires an inner conviction to be a responsible caretaker of the land and all its parts. • 6 Big picture thinker Big picture thinkers don’t get caught up in the weeds. Meaning, they focus on big picture outcomes and don’t get derailed by minor setbacks. Where others
See TRAITS, Page 18
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News Traits, from Page 17 tend to find problems, they try to find opportunities and structure their business to decrease risk and be positioned to capitalize on opportunities inherent in turbulent conditions. They understand how all the pieces of their operation are interrelated and find leverage to change the system for the better of the entire operation. • 5 Lifelong learner Successful managers often stay up-to-date on new techniques and technologies, and they are not afraid to cautiously try them. Often, they keep updated by staying active in professional development and associations. Being involved is not enough, however. They have the ability not just to hear but listen. They understand that they can learn something from anyone, often learning the most valuable lessons from the most unlikely situations. • 4 Have an inquisitive and passionate mind Inevitably, if you ranch long enough somebody’s going to say, “You’re doing it wrong.” Inquisitive and passionate ranchers often are the innovators in the crowd, asking questions and continually evaluating everything. Most are quick to disregard practices that do not work and search for new solutions. This requires a creative and innovative mind that is always thinking. They often reject the “that won’t work here” or “this is how we’ve always done it” paradigm. They are keen observers, and many come fro m a nontraditional ranch background. • 3 Understand ecological principles Most successful managers have the ability to observe climate, animal and plant interactions, and they make management decisions that capitalize on those conditions. They understand the real purpose of roots versus leaves and where the plant makes its food. They may not know the name of the plant, but they understand plant selectivity and production differences. Most certainly, they understand soils are the building blocks. They know that soils are teeming
18
Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Of the 26.9 million residents in Texas, fewer than 10 percent of those live in rural areas and fewer than 1 percent are private landowners. with life and that biology drives nutritional and habitat require- trols costs. • 1 Flexible and adaptive most systems such as nutrient ments of the animals, and the fiMost successful managers are nancial realities of the ranching cycles, water cycle, etc. • 2 Manage the ranch as a business enterprise. They scruti- continually updating plans based nize every dollar spent, limiting on new knowledge. Many times business These are managers who make unnecessary and nonprofitable the reason for their success is decisions based on the physiolog- inputs. They completely under- they are not rigidly managing. ical needs of the vegetation, the stand that profitability often will Stocking rates are the most critcome down to how he or she con- ical decision a producer has to
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make, and this decision should be flexible with weather and markets. Many of the biggest ranch failures, ecologically and economically, have come from having rigid stocking rates despite changing forage conditions. Successful grazing land managers understand there are no easy answers, no simple solutions, no cookbook recipes for success, no magic wonder grass, no magic breed, and no magic herbicide. They succeed because they are flexible and adapt. Concentrating on developing any single trait on this list is a move in the right direction. The best grazing land managers will possess some aspect of all of these traits, however. A recent study conducted by Texas A&M indicated that fewer than 15 to 20 percent of producers monitored their forage, indicating 80 to 85 percent may not know how much forage they have or need.
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May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
The Land & Livestock Post
May 2017 — Issue 1
19
News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley Livestock Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s April 4 sale. Head: 583 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $179$217; 300-400 lbs., $164-$197; 400-500 lbs., $150-$172; 500600 lbs., $134-165; 600-700 lbs., $124-$143; 700-800 lbs., $120$125 Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $159$200; 300-400 lbs., $147-$166; 400-500 lbs., $130-$147; 500-600 lbs., $125-$141; 600-700 lbs., $115-$127; 700-800 lbs., $107$115 Slaughter bulls: $75-$96 Slaughter cows: $58-$78.50 Cow/calf pairs: $800-$1,350
Buffalo Results of the Buffalo Livestock Commission’s April 8 sale. Head: 1,107 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $160$235; 300-400 lbs., $155-$200; 400-500 lbs., $150-185; 500-600 lbs., $145-$170; 600-700 lbs., $125-$145; 700-800 lbs., $110$131 Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $140$200; 300-400 lbs., $130-$167; 400-500 lbs., $120-$157; 500-600 lbs., $115-$150; 600700 lbs.,$105-$142; 700-800 lbs.,$100-$127 Slaughter bulls: $80-$97 Slaughter cows: $45-$82 Bred cows: $950-$1,600 Cow/calf pairs: $975-$1,875
Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s April 12 sale. Head: 311 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $190$217; 300-400 lbs., $175-$190; 400-500 lbs., $160-$175; 500600 lbs., $150-157; 600-700 lbs., $138-$143; 700-800 lbs., $120-
20
$133 Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $170$202; 300-400 lbs., $150-$175; 400-500 lbs., $150-$175; 500600 lbs., $140-$157; 600-700 lbs., $120-$137; 700-800 lbs., $000.00-$000.00 Slaughter bulls: $69-$83 Slaughter cows: $56-$76 Bred cows: $750-$1,150
Jordan Results of the Jordan Cattle Auction’s April 13 sale. Head: 5,706 Steers: Under 200 lbs., $170$181; 200-300 lbs., $170-187; 300-400 lbs., $160-$190; 400500 lbs., $155-$180; 500-600 lbs., $145-$162; 600-700 lbs., $133-$154; 700-800 lbs., $125$138 Heifers: Under 200 lbs., $150$162; 200-300 lbs., $150-$162; 300-400 lbs., $150-$162.5; 400500 lbs., $145-$167; 500-600 lbs., $135-$152; 600-700 lbs., $120-$147; 700-800 lbs., $110$129 Slaughter bulls: $80-$93 Slaughter cows: $59-$73.50 Bred cows: $800-$1,400 Cow/calf pairs: $1,000-$1,725
Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Commission’s April 8 sale. Head: 1,248 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $115$225; 300-400 lbs., $110-$182; 400-500 lbs., $100-$180; 500-600 lbs., $100-$160; 600-700 lbs., $100-$147 Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $100$220; 300-400 lbs., $100-$160; 400-500 lbs., $100-$150; 500-600 lbs., $100-$150; 600-700 lbs., $100-$130 Slaughter bulls: $65-$95 Slaughter cows: $40-$74 Bred cows: $700-$1,250 Cow/calf pairs: $800-$1,475 — Special to The Post
May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
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The Land & Livestock Post
May 2017 — Issue 1
21
News
Beef exports are continuing 2016’s upward trend By Derrell S. Peel Oklahoma State University Extension
U.S. beef exports continue the 2016 trend with additional improvement so far in 2017. February total beef exports were up 19.3 percent and combine with the January total for a year to date increase of 20.1 percent year over year for the first two months. This extends the annual 12.6 percent year over year increase in 2016. Japan remains the top destination for U.S. beef exports, up 44.4 percent year over year for January and February. Beef exports to Japan represented 29.9 percent of beef exports so far this year. Japan accounted for 25.7 percent of total beef exports in 2016. South Korea is the second largest beef export market for the U.S., up 26.5 percent in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2016. South Korea has had a rising share of U.S. beef exports in the past four
years and represented 17.8 of total beef exports in 2016. Mexico is third largest beef export market, up 25.8 percent year over year for the year to date. Beef exports to Mexico generally have decreased in recent years but did show a year over year increase of 8.6 percent in 2016. Mexico’s share of U.S. beef exports has dropped sharply in the past few years to a 2016 level of 15.4 percent of total beef exports. Canada is the number four beef export market and is up 17.0 percent so far this year compared to the first two months of 2016. Canada’s share of beef exports also has declined some in the past five years with a 2016 share of 12.1 percent of total exports. Hong Kong has had a larger share of U.S. beef exports in the past four years but dropped from the previous year to 11.5 percent of total exports in 2016. Beef exports to Hong Kong so far in 2017 are down 23.6 percent year over year.
The top five beef export markets (Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada and Hong Kong) represented 83.7 percent of total beef exports in the first two months of 2017, similar to the 82.6 percent share in 2016. 2017 beef exports are up year over year to all of these markets except Hong Kong. Beef imports are down 17.4 percent year over year in the first two months of 2017. This follows a 10.5 percent year over year decrease in 2016. Australia, historically the largest source of U.S. beef imports, is down 45.5 percent so far this year following a 39.0 percent year over year decrease in 2016. In fact, Australia is currently the fourth largest beef import source so far in 2017. Australia is in roughly the same relative position as the U.S. beef industry was in 2014/2015, with
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represented 23.8 percent of total beef imports in 2016. The top four import markets represented 85.9 percent of 2016 beef imports. Significantly smaller import shares include Brazil, which accounted for 5.1 percent of total imports along with 4.1 percent from Uruguay in 2016. Beef imports are largely driven by the demand for lean trimmings used in the ground beef market. On average, an estimated 72 percent of U.S. beef imports are lean trimmings.
drought-reduced animal inventories restricting production and herd rebuilding further restricting beef production at the current time. New Zealand is the largest beef import source so far in 2017 but is down 21.1 percent year over year, following a 7.3 percent year over year decrease in 2016. Mexico is the second largest beef import source thus far in 2017 and is up 37.2 percent year over year in the first two months of the year. Imports of Mexican beef have grown sharply in recent years, jumping 25.9 percent in 2016 and accounting for 16.4 percent of total beef imports. Canada is the third largest beef imports source, with year to date imports down 12.7 percent. After an annual year over year increase of 14.3 percent, Canada
Number one yielding seeded bermudagrass in production Number one yielding seededtrials at TAMU Agrilife bermudagrass inExtension production&trials Research Center, Overton, at TAMU Agrilife Extension TX & and Mississippi State University. Research Center, Overton, TX and Mississippi State University. Lower planting rate (10# per acre) due to being pure seed and Lower planting rate (10# pernot acre) coated. due to being pure seed and not coated. Economically priced to avoid the high cost and risk of sprigging Economically priced to avoid the hybrid-bermudagrass pastures highbeefing cost and of sprigging and uprisk existing hybrid-bermudagrass pastures bermudagrass pastures. and beefing up existing bermudagrass pastures. 15% higher yield (four year average) than Coastal 15% higher yield (four year Bermudagrass. average) than Coastal Bermudagrass. Planted in twenty states surpassing 500,000 acres since 1994. Planted in twenty states surpassing 500,000 acres since Hay show winner with quality at 1994. 22.5% digestible crude protein. Hay show winner with quality at Virtually disease free, drought 22.5% digestible crude protein. tolerant and easy to establish. Stands stay productive year after Virtually disease free, drought year. tolerant and easy to establish.
SEEDED BERMUDAGRASS STUDY ANNUAL DRY MATTER FORAGE YIELDS 2011, 2012, & 2013 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI Variety
Total Yield
Harvest Date LB / ACRE
LB / ACRE
LB / ACRE
3 YEAR
2011
2012
2013
AVG
RANK
Texas Tough +
4,646
11,488
7,618
7,917
1
Sungrazer +
3,516
11,281
6,599
7,132
2
Buckaroo
3,979
10,881
6,428
7,096
3
Cowboy
3,426
10,054
7,301
6,927
4
Ranchero Frio
3,051
10,374
7,013
6,713
5
Numex Sahara
3,201
10,293
6,772
6,755
6
Amarillo King
3,586
9,873
6,561
6,673
7
Laredo
3,410
9,975
6,654
6,680
8
Highlander
2,379
10,880
6,159
6,473
9
Mohawk
3,163
9,739
6,321
6,408
10
Cheyenne II
3,612
9,334
5,941
6,295
11
Rancher
2,830
9,740
6,085
6,218
12
Planting Date: 6/4/11 (Replanted 7/13/11) 10 lbs (P.L.S.) Planting Rate, LSD (0.05) Commercially available varieties only included in these results.
I first planted Texas Tough + Bermudagrass for grazing and baling. I now have over I planted 210 acres of Texas Tough + Bermuda, and started year. 200I acres production. It has Tough remained+free of disease and the have remained in 45 days. It has been in our rotational and first in planted Texas Bermudagrass inyields the Spring of 2009grazing for grazing and baling. My Texas Tough +grazing has been free ofTexas disease no loss My yields consistent with no production through consistent. Tough +with establishes fast of withstands. excellent forage quality have and fineremained stems. I has held up under our loss Floridainconditions very even well. We hope our drought of the last four years. It establishes fast with excellent forage quality and much finer stems than Coastal am Bermudagrass. very pleased with my It Texas +, it has increased my grazing time from 90 90 days to plant moregrasses in the future when the on rightmyland is available. days Texas Tough hasTough increased my grazing time from days on native to 150 stands. I plan planting more in 2015. TX. Bertram, TX on native pasture to 150on days. Denny Chaney – Bertram, Dan Ryals, Ryals Citrus & CattleDenny CompanyChaney– Fort Ogden, FL Stands stay productive year after
May 2017 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News Dual agency rangeland conference to be May 12 in Kerrville By Steve ByrnS Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
KERRVILLE — Texas A&M AgriLife and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct a conference called Strategic Supplementation Strategies to Enhance Texas Rangelands and Reduce Livestock Production Costs on May 12 in Kerrville. The day starts with check-in from 8:30-9:20 a.m. The program lasts until 3:45 p.m. The event will be at the YO Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker St. Preregistration is required and due by May 5. Individual registration is $15 and covers the noon buffet. For more information and to preregister, go to sanangelo. tamu.edu/sss-conf. Morning session topics and speakers include:
• Getting the most from your ranch resources — John Walker, AgriLife Research resident director, San Angelo. • Underutilized feed resources — Travis Whitney, Texas A&M AgriLife Research range nutritionist in San Angelo and conference coordinator. • Oppor tunities to use ground juniper in livestock and deer supplements — Jessica Glasscock, doctoral student, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. • U.S. Forest Service, AgriLife Research update: Economic feasibility of using ground juniper in livestock diets — Whitney. A buffet lunch is set for noon to 1 p.m. The luncheon’s scheduled keynote speaker is Sid Miller, Texas commissioner of Agricul-
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ture from Stephenville. The afternoon session topics and speakers will include: • Real-world experience: Using ground aspen wood in cattle feedlot diets — Kirk Mautz, owner/manager, Mautz Feedyards, Olathe, Colorado. • Cowboy nutrition and immunology — Dr. William Edmiston, veterinarian, Eldorado. • Economic supplementation programs for range beef cattle — Eric Bailey, West Texas A&M University beef cattle nutritionist, Canyon. • Putting it all together: Economic scenarios, opportunities and roadblocks — Bill Thompson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, San Angelo. The program will conclude with a roundtable discussion
May 2017 — Issue 1
Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Travis Whitney
Cedar trees are put through a grinder prior to being used as a roughage in livestock feed. featuring the day’s speakers. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered. For more information on the conference, contact Whitney at
325-653-4576, ext. 245 or trwhitney@ag.tamu.edu. Additional information is available at sanangelo.tamu. edu/people/faculty-2/trw/wood2feed.
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May 2017 — Issue 1
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