August August2015 2015——Issue Issue22
Think ahead for profits A good nutritional plan for beef cattle is critical PAGE 11 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT # 23
JAMES THOMPSON VALUE ADDED
JAMESCONTROL COST THOMPSON
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JAMES HOG WILD THOMPSON
JAMES THOMPSON NEWEST SUPERSTAR
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News
M
From the General Manager
y wife is a planner. I am not. I refuse to go to the grocery store with her anymore because she has a list, sticks to the list, and wants to get everything on that list as soon as possible and get out of the store. Her frantic grocery shopping method really puts a damper on my method of trying all the samples. She is a teacher, so her life is full of lesson plans and a daily schedule, whereas I work at a newspaper and constantly am selling ads and writing columns up to the last minute. I could go on and on with examples, but if you can visualize a typed spreadsheet side-byside with a Whataburger napkin with a list of words on it, then you get the picture of how different my wife and I are. So, it was a bit of a surprise to both
of us when I took the reins and planned our family vacation this summer. We decided to go to the ocean and rent a beach house. I found the house, booked it, sent in the deposit, took time off from work and JESSE WRIGHT made all the arrangements for a four-day weekend of sand and surf. On the day we left, I woke up, threw handfuls of clothes in a bag (my wife had been packing for her and the kids for three days), loaded the truck and headed to the coast. Everything was great. The kids were good, the traffic was light and the GPS showed us
right to the beach house. It was there that we saw cars in the house parking lot. Several cars. There were beach towels on the deck and flip flops on the steps. My first reaction was to storm in and tell these squatters to get out of our beach house, but I decided to check the address first, just in case there was an identical house to the one I had so painstakingly picked out. It was not long after I had pulled out the paperwork that I realized the dates were for the 12th through the 15th. It was the 11th. We ended up getting a hotel nearby for the night, and we claimed our rightful place at the beach house the following day. But I guess I learned a lesson: Let my wife plan next year’s vacation. I ended up getting an extra
day at the beach due to my failure to plan properly, but when it comes to your ranch, you may not be as lucky. In our cover story we look at ways to make a nutritional plan for your cow herd. We go over the many benefits that planning brings, as well as what you need to know and assets to plan properly.
We also have news from around the industry about upcoming events and workshops as well as other information you can use. ’Til next time, • For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse.wright@theeagle. com.
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The Land & Livestock Post
August 2015 — Issue 2
1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • (979) 778-1055, home Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell
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News
Tips to help producers get the best value in hay By Clay Wright The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
The haying situation last spring and so far this summer has been a little different than usual due to the prolonged and widespread rains. Historically, producers with winter annual forages to bale, suchas ryegrass and graze-out wheat, could compare the risk of cutting hay early and getting it rained on during hay curing versus the certainty of lower quality by waiting to cut it. However, this year, excessive rainfall has taken most of those decisions away and forced producers to just wait it out. The bright spot is that there should be plenty of hay available for purchase. If that turns out to be the case, then you can and should be able to “shop” for the best hay available. Regardless of the year, you always should get a composite sample from all individual lots of hay you are considering buying. Take cores or grab-samples from at least 12 to 15 individual bales (or 15 to 20 percent of the bales, whichever is more), then have it analyzed at least for crude protein and total digestible nutrients before you purchase it. Analysis is the only way to know the feed value of the hay. The cost of supplementing a cow through the winter on 6 percent protein hay versus 9 percent protein hay is huge. You can get results from most labs quickly enough to make timely buying decisions. While collecting your sample, see if it has the general characteristics of quality hay. It should be leafy, fine-stemmed and green, with a good smell. You’ll find few, if any, seed heads, blossoms, or weeds, and no foreign materials. Lower quality hay will have fewer leaves, coarser stems and more seed heads/blossoms, indicating more mature plants. It may be brown with a musty or moldy smell. Pay special attention to wheat hay. There are many acres of
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wheat this year that were intended for grain harvest but will be hayed instead. Much of it will be from bearded varieties. The awns (beards) in these varieties can cause mouth injury and soreness when fed as hay to cattle. As you’re pulling the sample for analysis, check for beards. Bearded wheat hay successfully can be fed with other hay or chopped to minimize problems, but you still need to be aware of what you’re buying. The phrase “rained-on hay” always bears caution in terms of decreased quality. The extent of damage on hay that was rained on after cutting but before baling depends, however, on several things. Less than an inch of rain on freshly cut hay that did not have time to dry out has been shown to have little to no effect on quality. However, even minimal rain on hay in the windrow that is nearly dry, however, can cause significant losses in quality. Also, hay that is baled too wet can get
mendously. One last recommendation is to buy hay by the ton not by the bale. Once an analysis has helped you identify the hay you want, the final deal should be on weight. This will involve a scale at some point in the transaction.
Hopefully, this summer is a buyer’s market for hay. If it is, then take your time and find the best value to provide your needs this fall and winter, and consider purchasing enough hay for an additional year or two if you have sufficient storage.
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Stockpiled bermuda grass can reduce winter feed costs By Glenn Selk Oklahoma State University
Harvested forage costs are a large part of the production costs associated with cow-calf enterprises. A 15 year-old Oklahoma State University trial had the objective economically to evaluate stockpiled bermuda grass. The research found that this practice can reduce cow-wintering costs. Forage accumulation during the late summer and fall is variable from year to year, depending on moisture, temperatures, date of first frost and fertility. The OSU research has found that 50 to 100 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen fertilizer applied in the late summer has produced 1000 to 2000 pounds of forage per acre. In some ideal situations even more forage has been produced. Studies between 1997 and 2000 found stockpiled bermuda grass protein concentrations were quite impressive, even after frost. In November, the range of protein content of the standing forage was 13.1 percent to 15.2 percent. The protein held up in December and ranged from 12.5 per-
cent to 14.7 percent and declined to 10.9 percent to 11.6 percent in January. To make best use of the stockpiled forage, supplementation with 2 pounds of 14 percent to 25 percent protein feed beginning in early December is recommended. Planning for the stockpiling of Bermuda must begin now. The following is a list of recommendations for stockpiling bermuda grass pastures for best results and reducing winter feed bills: • Remove existing forage by haying, clipping, or grazing by late August. • Apply 50 to 100 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per acre. • Defer grazing until at least late October or early November. • Control access to forage by rotational or strip grazing to cut waste and extend grazing. • If cool season forage is available for use in the winter, use the stockpiled bermudagrass first. • Supplementation (2 pounds of 14 – 25 percent protein) should begin in early December. • Provide free-choice mineral (6 percent – 9 percent phosphorus and Vitamin A) with a tracemineral package
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News Feral Hog Management Workshop to be Sept. 4 in Bryan By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
BRYAN — An esstimated 2 million feral hogs in Texas cause more than $50 million damage annually, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The rapidly reproducing wild pigs can be found in 230 of the state’s 254 counties. To help producers combat the creatures, a Feral Hog Management Workshop will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Brazos County Expo, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. “Feral hogs continue to be a primary issue in terms of damage to pasture and rangeland for landowners across Texas and certainly in the Brazos Valley,” said Dusty Tittle, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Brazos County. “This workshop will help landowners gain a better understanding of feral hog
biology, methods that we can incorporate to better control and manage feral hogs on rangeland, plus laws and regulations of hunting the feral hog.” Other topics to be discussed include population dynamics and research update; water quality in the Brazos Valley, agricultural regulations regarding feral hogs; feral hog control and trapping; feral hog transportation regulations and disease concerns. Scheduled speakers are: • Mark Tyson, AgriLife Extension associate, wildlife and fisheries science, College Station. • Brad Tullis, Texas Department of Agriculture inspector, Austin. • Nikki Dictson, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Texas Water Resources Institute, College Station. • Linda Tschirhart-Hejl, Texas Wildlife Damage Management Ser-
vice biologist, College Station. • Danny Williamson, Texas Animal Health Commission, Austin. • Dornell Crist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden, Brazos County. The program is sponsored by AgriLife Extension and a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program is free, but there will be a $15 charge for a catered lunch. RSVP for the meal by Aug. 28 by calling 979-823-0129. Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered: one integrated pest management, one laws and regulations and three general. For more information, call 979-8230129.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin
A Feral Hog Management Workshop will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Brazos County Expo in Bryan.
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News East Texas forage conference scheduled Aug. 28 in Gilmer By RoBeRt BuRns Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
GILMER — With a focus on helping producers increase yields and lower costs, the East Texas regional forage conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Yamboree Fairgrounds in Gilmer. There will be presentations to address the latest in production techniques and newest herbicides, said Randy Reeves, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Harrison County. Registration for the conference is $10 per person, with a lunch sponsored by Legacy Ag Credit in Longview. To register, mail checks to East Texas Regional Forage Conference, 405 E. Marshall Ave., Longview, TX 75601. Make the check payable to “Gregg, Harrison, Upshur Ag Fund” and include the name of the person or persons registering, along with a mailing address, phone number and email. Morning program topics and speakers will include:
Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc. (979) 776-4444 or (800) 299-7355
President - Crystal Dupré .....................................................Ext. 4613 Publisher and Editor- Kelly Brown.........................................Ext. 4656 Advertising Director ........................................................... Ext. 4740 Advertising Sales/General Manager - Jesse Wright ...............Ext. 4721 Financial Director - Rod Armstrong .......................................Ext. 4605 Production Director - Mark Manning.....................................Ext. 4671 Circulation Director - Greg Parker ........................................Ext. 4752
Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Bryan,Texas 77805. E-mail: thepost@theeagle.com All offices are located at 1729 Briarcrest Drive Bryan,Texas 77802. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan,Texas 77805-3000
• “Irrigation of Forage Crops,” Paul Griffin, Kilgore, cattle producer and engineer. • “Winter Forage Utilization,” Hugh Aljoe, pasture and range consultant with the Noble Foundation. • “Pasture Herbicide Updates,” Jack LeClair, range and pasture specialist with Bayer Crop Sciences. After-lunch topics and speakers will include: • “Winter Forage Options,” Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist in Overton. • “Low Input Option Ideas for Producers from a Producer’s Perspective,” Craig Watson, Sherman area rancher and attorney, The presentations will be followed at 3 p.m. by a question-andanswer session. Holders of Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicators licenses can earn two continuing education units, one in laws and regulations and one in the general category. Reeves said. The conference also is approved to award 1.5 credits toward the Beef Quality Assurance program. The Yamboree fairgrounds are located approximately 1.5 miles north of downtown Gilmer on U.S. 271. The conference is hosted by AgriLife Extension offices in Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Rusk and Upshur counties. Sponsors include Legacy Ag Credit of Longview; the East Texas Seed Company in Tyler; Seahorn Fertilizer Company, Gilmer; Bayer Crop Science; Kelly Tractor and Equipment of Longview; Vermeer Corp. of Longview; Farm Bureau Insurance of Waco; and the Wax Co. of Bellevue.
The Post is printed in part on recycled paper and is fully recyclable.
The Land & Livestock Post
Rio Ranch Good Selection of
Charolais & Brangus bulls for Sale! Scott Milligan - Manager
39606 FM 1736 West • Hempstead, TX 77445 806.683.6435 • scottm@rioranchtx.com
August 2015 — Issue 2
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News Holladay & Associates, Inc. Bryan Credit Office 3000 Briarcrest Ste 101 979.775.0404 | 877.775.0404 CapitalFarm Credit.com
Cattle & Domestic Hog Processing Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo
The Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference will be Aug 20-21 in Grapevine.
Ruminant Conference will be Aug. 20-21 By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
DALLAS – The Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference will be Aug. 20-21 at the Embassy Suites, 2401 Bass Pro Drive in Grapevine. The conference is sponsored by the Texas Animal Nutrition Council and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Presenters include experts from the American Feed Industry Association, Perdue AgriBusiness Animal Nutrition, Cornell University, Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Texas Tech University and the University of Georgia. Six continuing education credits by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists have been approved and five continuing education units by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners are pending for conference attendees. The Aug. 20 agenda will begin with lunch from noon to1 p.m., followed by presentations on the implementation of the Food Safety Act, landscape of formulation platforms, high-resolution forage testing and using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System in formulations. Presentations will be followed by a formulation round table and demonstrations. Agenda items on Aug, 21 in-
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clude breakfast for those staying at the hotel, followed by a Texas Animal Nutrition Conference meeting at 7:30 a.m. Presentations begin at 9 a.m. with the topic of how early life nutrition impacts health of cattle that may persist later into life. Additional topics include a comparison of sorghum silage versus corn silage and an update on regional research. The conference will adjourn at noon. Individual registration is $175. The cost for membership in the Texas Animal Nutrition Council is $25. Make checks payable and return to Texas Animal Nutrition Council, Attn: Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75252-6599. For online registration with a credit card, go to www.txanc.org. For more information, call 972-952-9201. Each attendee will receive complimentary lunch on Aug. 20 as well as break refreshments, and one copy of the 2015 conference proceedings. Additional copies of the 2015 conference proceedings are available for $20 each for U.S. delivery, $30 for Canada and Mexico, and $35 to other countries. To order, use the same address and contact information as for conference registration. Proceedings also may be ordered online from the Texas Animal Nutrition council website, txanc.org.
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jesse.wright@theeagle.com August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Cost management keeps cow-calf production profitable By Steve Swigert The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
In the past 10 years, there has been dramatic volatility in the cattle and grain markets. This condition has forced producers to reevaluate how they go about doing business. Only a few years ago, corn prices had tripled and there were significant increases in the prices of fertilizer and fuel. While it would be great to think the price of grains, fertilizer and fuel could return to 2005 levels, that doesn’t appear probable. In the past five years, the price of calves and cows has more than doubled, making it possible to remain profitable in the face of high input prices. The question is, how much longer will prices maintain these levels? These price levels
and the fluctuation have made the prospect of making money in an agricultural business challenging. While the Livestock Marketing Information Center graph for 2015 shows average cow-calf producers have shown a positive return the past five years, there still are are challenges ahead for the cowcalf producers. With increasing cow costs, cost of replacement females and lower calf prices at some point in the future, maintaining positive returns may be difficult. So what should a cow-calf producer do to operate now while planning ahead for lower calf prices? First thing, determine the cost of production for the cow-calf
See MANAGE, Page 10
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August 2015 — Issue 2
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News Manage, from Page 9 enterprise and the breakeven for each segment of retained ownership. Second, determine ways to decrease operating costs. In this time of increased calf prices, most operations have had cow
costs increase to levels that won’t be profitable if calf prices return to pre-2011 levels. To bring expenditures under control, carefully analyze each part of the operation to determine areas for improvement. For many operations, cow costs
have risen to $600-plus per cow, with feed, fuel, fertilizer, depreciation and labor driving much of the increase. With cattle, three income factors primarily determine the profitability of producing calves: calf prices, and bred and cull ani-
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mal prices. All three of these factors primarily are determined by the market. Cost of production, on the other hand, is under direct control of the manager. He or she will make the decisions that determine the inputs of the operation.
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News
What’s on the menu?
How to develop a beef cattle nutritional plan By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Post
T
hree key factors in maintaining a profitable cow/calf business are herd genetics, health, and nutrition. If any one of these factors are lacking in quality, production will suffer. We will focus on feeding the cow and discuss development of a beef nutrition plan. Development and execution of a well-prepared animal nutrition plan is important for herd profitability because feed supplements are one of the highest expenses. To control costs, feed as little supplement as possible to meet animal nutrient requirements. A nutrition plan provides methodology for determining the required amount of feed and for selecting the most economical nutrient sources. A feed budget is part of the nutrition plan and, when it is followed, profits can be impacted positively. The importance of an animal nutrition plan is discussed frequently in seminars, but seldom does the speaker explain how to write the plan. This void was filled when Rick Machen andTed McCollum of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service devoted a half-day to the subject during the 2014 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. Machen said the nutrition plan should be written and there are at least three good reasons to do so: • Write it down to show your loan officer. • If your plan is written, it is easier to show how nutrition expenses affect the overall profit/loss statement. • It’s hard to carry animal weights and forage inventories in your head, particularly when figures can change during the year. Next, Machen said, the animal nutritionists identified five questions that should be answered in an animal nutri-
The Land & Livestock Post
Hay can be substituted for standing forage, but it should not be the only source, if you want to be profitable in the cow-calf business.
Photos by Robert Fears
On the Cover: A profitable ranch builds its nutrition plan around a good pasture forage program. tion plan: • How much do your cattle eat? You must know the average weight of your cow herd in order to write a meaningful nutrition plan. Weigh each of your animals individually. Don’t try to estimate animal weight without checking your
August 2015 — Issue 2
estimates with a scale. Very few beef producers can estimate cattle weights accurately. Yet body weight is the largest factor affecting pounds of required nutrients. See Table 1. • What stage of production are the cows in? You can feed much more
efficiently and economically with a controlled breeding season. Alternately, if cows calve all year long, the herd needs to be fed based on the nutrient requirements of cattle in early lactation. This
See NUTRITION, Page 13
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News
GYPSUM FOR SALE
Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) has gypsum materials for beneficial use which may be available from time to time. This is CaSO4•2H2O, commonly called synthetic gypsum or FGD gypsum (Product) produced as a coal combustion byproduct from a wet limestone flue gas desulfurization process at TMPA’s Gibbons Creek Steam Electric Station (GCSES) in Grimes County, TX. Address: 12824 FM 244 Rd • Anderson, TX, 77830 Quantity: TMPA estimates to have a ‘stock-pile’of Product of approximately 2,500 tons on-site which it desires to have moved by the end of September 2015. Product Hauling: The Vendor shall be responsible for hauling Product from GCSES to their facility or to other end use locations arranged by the Vendor. ‘Best Practices’ shall be used to ensure no fugitive dust emissions and no unwanted discharges of Product occur during transportation from GCSES and shall otherwise transport the Product in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Vendor shall observe all applicable TMPA environmental, safety, and plant operating rules. Minimum Quantities: The minimum quantity for sale is 5 tons. Loading and Weighing: 1) TMPA will load the gypsum for weighing and transportation 2) Weigh tickets and load counts may be requested by TMPA. 3) TMPA shall make a truck scale available at GCSES for use in weighing the Product. Schedule: Product may be hauled daily 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday from GCSES, using reasonable efforts to schedule pick-up in conjunction with production of the Product. Specifications and purity are available upon request.
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1-800-750-9608
www.hudsonlivestock.com Email: hudliv@aol.com 8150 Thompson Road Miles, Texas 76861
August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Nutrition, from Page 11 results in over-feeding the herd as a whole. In order of increasing nutrient demand, the four stages of production are mid-gestation, late gestation, late lactation, early lactation. Yet the order in which the production stages occur is mid-gestation, late gestation, early lactation, late lactation. Depending on calf age at weaning, late lactation and midgestation may overlap. A comparison of nutrient requirements between two production stages (Table 1 vs. Table 2) for a given cow weight illustrates the effect of physiological status. Requirements for every nutrient listed in Tables 1 & 2 are greater for a cow in the first three to four months of lactation than for a female in the middle one-third of gestation.
These tables further emphasize the advantage of a controlled breeding program. If the entire herd is in the same reproduction stage at the same time, feed requirements can be mapped by month in the nutrition plan.
• What production responses do you expect? List production goals in your nutrition plan because they help determine how the herd should be fed. Reproductive performance is related closely to nutrition. Research results clearly dem-
onstrate that cows need to be in body condition of 5 in order to facilitate early lactation and a timely return to estrus. To maintain a 365 day or fewer calving interval, a cow must conceive within 90 days after calving. Cows in a body condition score of 5 to 6 at calving can utilize body reserves and lose weight while sustaining lactation and reproduction. Weight gain results when nutrient intake exceeds nutrient demand. Thus, the most efficient conversion of supplement to body weight gain is expected to occur after weaning and prior to late gestation. • What and how much forage do your cattle have to eat? Supplementation and feeding often are used interchangeably, but the two have different intentions. Filling the void between nutrient demand and nutrients supplied by the
forage or hay being consumed is supplementation. Realize hay is a substitute for standing forage. Feeding is providing a balanced diet that meets nutrient demand. As forage quality decreases, nutrient content decreases as does forage intake. If cows had unlimited intake ability and digestion potential, they could stay fat on wheat straw. Unfortunately, fiber content of forages limits how quickly digestion occurs, which in turn influences forage intake. In contrast, the greater the quality, the more a cow can and will eat. Understanding the quantity and quality of the forage being consumed is fundamental to designing a nutrition plan for beef cows. If a cow is roaming over several acres of native range, consuming some grasses,
See PLAN, Page 15
Sep. 14 - Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, Mason, TX
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Aug. 15 - Mid Coast Santa Gertrudis Sale, Brenham, TX Aug. 17 - Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, Mason, TX Aug. 22 - Jordan Cattle Auction Early Fall Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX September Sep. 3 - Jordan Cattle Auction StockerFeeder & Premium Weaned Sale, San Saba, TX Sep. 5 - South Texas Cattle Marketing Replacement Female Sale, Nixon, TX
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Sep. 12 - 4-States Limousin Sale, Mt. Pleasant, TX
August 2015 — Issue 2
Sep. 16 - NETBIO Special PreConditioned Weaned Calves & Yearling Sale, Sulphur Springs, TX Sep. 18 - Nunley Bros Commercial Female Sale, Sabinal, TX Sep. 19 - Jordan Cattle Auction Fall Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX Sep. 24 - Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, San Saba, TX Sep. 26 - Live Oak Beefmaster Fall Sale, Three Rivers, TX Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed? Call Jesse Wright at (979) 731-4721 or email jesse. wright@theeagle.com
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News
5 9 . 9 1 $ sues
LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s July 28 sale: Head: 704 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $285-$380; 300-400 lbs., $270-$340; 400-500 lbs., $225-$272; 500-600 lbs., $205$241; 600-700 lbs., $195-$222; 700800 lbs., $203-$211. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $245-$295; 300-400 lbs., $230-$275; 400-500 lbs., $215-$246; 500-600 lbs., $185$226; 600-700 lbs., $180-$214; 700800 lbs., $183-$189. Slaughter bulls: $119-$140. Slaughter cows: $85-$121. Bred cows: $1,500-$2,100. Cow/calf pairs: $1,200-$2,850.
Buffalo Results of the Buffalo Livestock Commission’s July 25 sale: Head: 1,811 Steers: 150-200 lbs., $325-$420; 200-300 lbs., $325-$380; 300-400 lbs., $285-$350; 400-500 lbs., $235$285; 500-600 lbs.,$210-$255; 600700 lbs., $200-$242; 700-800 lbs., $190-$215. Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $310-$410; 200-300 lbs., $275-$320; 300-400 lbs., $230-$310; 400-500 lbs., $210$285; 500-600 lbs.,$205-$250; 600700 lbs., $195-$225; 700-800 lbs., $172-$215. Slaughter bulls: $110-$140. Slaughter cows: $75-$124. Bred cows: $1,750-$3,000. Cow/calf pairs: $1,400-$3,350.
Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s July 29 sale: Head: 501 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $310-$385; 300-400 lbs., $275-$320; 400-500 lbs., $250-$275; 500-600 lbs., $225$280; 600-700 lbs.,$210-$220; 700800 lbs., $190-$210. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $290-$375; 300-400 lbs., $250-$300; 400-500 lbs., $220-$290; 500-600 lbs., $225$290; 600-700 lbs., $215-$270; 700800 lbs., $190-$210.
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Slaughter bulls: $110-$125. Slaughter cows: $85-$115. Bred cows: $1,325-$2,050.
NEWS YOU CAN USE RIGHT IN YOUR MAILBOX
Groesbeck Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Co.’s July 30 sale: Head: 853 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $320-$350; 400-500 lbs., $300-$340; 500-600 lbs., $295-$315; 600-700 lbs., $225$255. Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $220-$330; 400-500 lbs., $250-265$; 500-600 lbs., $220-$230; 600-700 lbs., $180$220. Slaughter bulls: $133-$144. Slaughter cows: $81-$124. Bred cows: $1,400-$3,500. Cow/calf pairs: $1,700-$3,500.
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Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s July 28 sale: Steers: 300-400 lbs., $270-$335; 400-500 lbs., $235-$270; 500-600 lbs., $205-$250; 600-700 lbs., $190$220; 700-800 lbs., $180-$205. Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $240-$290; 400-500 lbs., $210-$260; 500-600 lbs., $200-$250; 600-700 lbs., $188$240; 700-800 lbs., $170-$215. Slaughter bulls: $120-$139. Slaughter cows: $80-$119. Stocker cows: $138-$170.
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Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction’s July 25 sale: Head: 1,222 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $225-$405; 300-400 lbs., $225-$370; 400-500 lbs., $185-$305; 500-600 lbs., $175$245; 600-700 lbs., $170-$220. Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195-$360; 300-400 lbs., $185-$295; 400-500 lbs., $185-$275; 500-600 lbs., $175$245; 600-700 lbs., $170-$265. Slaughter bulls: $115-$142. Slaughter cows: $80-$112. Bred cows: $1,300-$2,025 Cow/calf pairs: $1,300-$2,175. — Special to The Post
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Plan, from Page 13 some forbs and maybe a small amount of browse, estimation of diet quality is difficult. Observing grazing behavior and the consistency of feces are useful indicators of forage availability and quality. For more detail on feces consistency as an indicator of forage quality, see E-541 Forage Quality Photo Guide at animalscience.tamu. edu/livestock-species/beef/ publications/. Experienced range cattle nutritionists and cattlemen often use experience and best-guess estimates of diet quality as a starting point for developing supplementation strategies. • What supplements are available? Information gathered up to this point is used to prepare the situation analysis part of the plan. The situation analysis reveals the amount
ucts, bakery waste, bulk candy, and others. The choice of supplement often is determined by historical use, producer preference, quantity purchased and ease of handling. Ruminants are amazing animals created with the unique ability to convert a wide variety of feedstuffs into high quality animal protein and/or milk. Generally, forages comprise
the least expensive portion of a cow’s diet, so the challenge becomes how to best supplement the forage to achieve performance goals. As noted in Tables 1 and 2, protein and energy are the two major nutrients considered for supplementation. Mineral requirements and supplementation are not to be overlooked, however.
See FEED, Page 16
Brazos Valley Livestock Brazos Valley Livestock Commission, Inc. Commission, Inc. Photo by Robert Fears
It is often economical and practical for large ranches to supplement their cattle with protein cubes dispensed from a broadcast distributor. and type of nutrients needed for desired animal performance beyond those supplied by ranch-grown forage.
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Supplements come in numerous forms: cubes, blocks, tubs, lick tank, grains, bales, plant co-products, milling co-prod-
August 2015 — Issue 2
Sales: Tuesdays @ 12 Noon 6097 East Hwy. 21 • Bryan, TX
(979) 778-0904
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News Feed, from Page 15 Identify the first productionlimiting nutrient (often protein) and evaluate available supplements on a cost per unit basis for that nutrient. Most supplements contain both protein and energy, so it becomes a balancing challenge to determine which supplement can best meet nutrient needs at the most economical cost, not necessarily the lowest cost. Supplement delivery also has an influence on decision making. If it is not practical or feasible to see cows every day or two, then self-limiting supplements or those that can effectively be fed infrequently (once per week) might be considered. Purchasing in large quantity, as in tons, typically results in lower cost per unit of supplement; but some producers cannot handle large quantities of
supplement, either economically or physically. Physical ability also affects supplement choice. Whether mobility challenged or not, producers should exercise caution when distributing supplement to avoid serious injury from cows competing for feed. Producer-friendly software is available to aid in answering the above questions and developing a sound supplementation
SALE EACH SATURDAY Photo by Robert Fears
You can feed much more efficiently and economically with a controlled breeding season.
S T U O L L E 3S
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program for beef cattle. Oklahoma State University faculty has developed an app, Cowculator, which is useful software for developing the supplementation portion of the nutrition plan. Cowculator may be downloaded at no cost at www. extension.org/pages/23788/ osu-cowculator-v20-beef-cownutrition-evaluation-software#. U8BzWkC9ZmM.
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August 2015 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Ground cover plant latest Texas Superstar By RoBeRt BuRns Special to The Eagle
COLLEGE STATION — The ground cover plant, Little Ruby alternanthera has been named the newest Texas Superstar plant. “A lot of old-timers will probably recognize this group of plants as ‘Joseph’s Coat,’” said David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for horticulture in Bexar County and member of the Texas Superstar selection board. “But this selection is about a third the normal size of the older selections of Joseph’s Coat, so it’s a much smaller, compact, thicker, fuller type of a seasonal ground cover.” Little Ruby is typically planted in late winter or spring, but it can also be planted throughout the summer and fall and be expected to give good results, Ro-
Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Brent Pemberton
Little Ruby alternanthera, the newest Texas Superstar selection, can be grown as a landscape cover plant or in containers, according to Texas A&M AgriLife horticulturists. driguez said. This long planting season, among other traits, is one reason it was selected as a Texas
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Superstar. All Texas Superstar plants undergo extensive tests throughout the state by AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists, said Brent Pemberton, Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist in Overton and head of the Texas Superstar board. To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must not just be beautiful but also perform well for consumers and growers throughout Texas. Superstars also must be easy to propagate, which should ensure the plants are not only widely available throughout Texas but reasonably priced as well, Pemberton said. Rodriguez said Little Ruby does perform very well in landscapes, in containers, alone or
See SUPERSTAR, Page 19
August 2015 — Issue 2
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Land & Livestock Post
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August 2015 — Issue 2
776-SELL(7355) To Place An Ad
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News Superstar, from Page 17 to contrast with other plants. Its color varies from green to red to a deep burgundy, depending upon how much sunlight it receives during the day. “In an area that gets bright sunlight for much of the day, it will produce real attractive burgundy or ‘maroon-ish’ foliage,� Rodriguez said. “The more sun it receives, the darker, more intense the color.� In a shady location, the color will be more greenish, which is attractive as well, he said. “You can grow it in a landscape by itself, in a container, in sun or shade, and with or without other plants,� Rodriguez said. For example, when its foliage is more reddish or burgundy, Little Ruby contrasts well with plants that have yellow, gold or even white blooms, he said. Little Ruby is also easy to grow and tolerates a variety of soils. “The main thing is to provide
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a soil rich with organic material, good drainage, and maybe add some slow-release fertilizer at the initial planting,� Rodriguez said. “And maybe every second week or so supplement with a watersoluble fertilizer.� In most situations, Little Ruby is considered an annual, but it depends, he said. “In Central or South Texas, it can be a short-lived perennial, but you do have to give it some cold weather protection. If you grow it as a container plant, it can be moved inside on the colder winter days.� In flowerbeds, it may freeze down and have to be replanted every year, Rodriguez said. During a mild winter, it may be nipped back a little by the cold, in which case the gardener need only prune back the killed off plant tops, apply a water soluble fertilizer and it will come back and establish a full ground cover. More information can be found at www.texassuperstar.com/.
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August 2015 — Issue 2
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August 2015 — Issue 2
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