Benton Ag Plus - June 5, 2021

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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, June 5, 2021 21

Analysis of Little Rock Creek presented June 17 ST. PAUL – Area stakeholders have a chance to hear updates on the Little Rock Creek groundwater project this month.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host a virtual meeting from 9-11:30 a.m. June 17. The meeting platform is Webex, or people may choose to attend by phone.

Attendees will hear a summarized analysis of water levels, groundwater flow, fish habitats and water temperature as it relates to the Little Rock Lake ecosystem. They also will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk about the next steps in the project.

Information about the project and meeting details are located at www.dnr. state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/sustainability/lrc/index.html. The full technical reports are available under the heading “2021 Project Updates” at this site.

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Little Rock Creek page 2B

PHOTO BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

Seniors Tyler Brambrink (front) and Clay Corrigan pull into the lot with their tractors at Foley High School May 27 in Foley. Being some of the last to arrive, the only problem they had was finding a suitable parking space.

Through rain, Foley High School hosts Tractor Day Tractor Day page 2B

Summer stressors

in beef herds

Experts discuss animal handling, heat transportation, nutrition

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Stress, heat, handling, transportation and changes in nutrition can all impact performance and reproduction in a beef herd.

Educators from the University of Minnesota Extension hosted a webinar May 13 about summer stressors and what beef producers can do to mitigate impacts. Brenda Miller, Todd County Extension educator, discussed proper handling of beef cattle.

Melissa Runck, Pipestone and Murray counties Extension educator, discussed how to properly transport cattle and deal with heat stress and nutritional stress. Their presenta-

Spreaders

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tion was part of Extension’s Summer Beef Essentials webinar series and focused on beef cows and calves.

Reduce stress when handling cattle Some cattle are tame, perhaps even friendly. But chances are, most will have anxiety when approached.

“They’re just like humans,” Miller said.

“We’re all different, and we all have different comfort zones.”

Low-stress cattle handling is not only easier for animals and people involved but can result in a better bottom line for producers, Miller said. Honing in on the animals’ behavior instead of relying on force is part of what makes it easier to get cattle where you want them to go.

When walking toward the herd, be mindful of what cattle need from you and what you need from them, she said. Pay attention to which ones are looking at you, which ones are moving away from you and which ones do not seem to care about your presence.

Summer stressors page 3B

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Page 2B | SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Little Rock Creek

Festivities included water balloon fight, car smash

from page 1B

The creek analysis is guided by the Sustainable Use of Groundwater in the Little Rock Creek Area: A DNR Action Plan, which aims to assure groundwater remains sustainable in accordance with state law.

Questions can be directed to Mark Hauck, DNR project manager, at 320-223-7846 or mark. hauck@state.mn.us.

Little Rock Creek groundwater sustainability meeting JUNE 17, 9-11:30 A.M. Webex Find the link at the project website.

Meeting code: 187 849 6537 Password: littlerock21 Phone Call 415-655-0003 | Access code: 187 849 6537

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FOLEY – Early in the morning May 27, through the rain and cold, Foley High School students and staff braved the inclement weather for the school’s Tractor Day event – a staple end-of-the-year festivity at the school.

In multiples, farmstyle tractors poured into the high school parking lot PHOTOS BY JAKOB KOUNKEL at the front of the school Foley High School senior Greg Miller puts a sizeable dent in the car used during the with their windshield wip- car-smash event May 27 at the school in Foley. Miller dressed for the occasion, sporting ers on full speed. Many ripped jean shorts, a flannel and a hat featuring the American flag. inspected their fellow students’ rigs from inside to out while shielding themRiley Mass, a junior, backs up his tractor into a parking spot at selves from the rain.

Foley High School the morning Some students were of Tractor Day, May 27, in Foley. more attracted to water The implement is an International balloon fights and the carHarvester 300 utility tractor. smash event, where, for a few dollars, high schoolers bought an opportunity to take a sledgehammer to the outside of an old, already-battered vehicle.

After perusing the tractors and taking part in the extra-curricular activities of the morning, most students changed into warm, dry clothes as they kicked off the school day with some fun.

Tractor Day page 6B

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BENTON AG Summer stressors from page 1B

Cattle have wide-angle vision with a blind spot directly behind them, and their point of balance is at the shoulder. To move the animal forward, the handler should stand behind the point of balance near the rib cage. To move the animal backward, the handler should stand in front of the point of balance, parallel to the neck.

A common mistake handlers make when moving cattle through the alley and into the chute is standing in front of the point of balance, as it is counterintuitive to cattle.

Be sure to have good footing, especially in winter, Miller said. To avoid slipping, have lime, salt or sand on hand.

Two other terms involved with low-stress handling are flight zone and pressure zone.

The flight zone is a cow’s personal space, and the size of it is determined by how uncomfortable the animal is. Cattle have a tendency to move away when the handler approaches or walks deep in their flight zone.

When the handler is outside the flight zone but has entered the pressure zone, cattle will turn and face the handler, paying attention while maintaining a safe distance.

Remaining calm helps cattle develop trust, and in turn they tend not to look at the handler, instead walking straight away. They learn that a calm handler will back up, removing pressure from the flight zone, when they go where the handler wants them to go.

Respect flight and pressure zones because all cattle have different responses, Miller said. Instinctively, most want to return to where they came from.

Miller stressed the importance of using a cattle prod appropriately.

Cattle can only process one directive at a time, so she suggests doing what you need to do one step at a time. Stay calm, avoid waving your arms and high-pitched noises like yelling or whistling, and do not think of the task as a race.

“The fastest way to move animals is slowly,” Miller said.

Once a cow becomes agitated, it takes 20 minutes for its heart rate to return to normal, Miller said. She suggests handlers bring cattle to a holding area to calm down a bit before moving them into the chute.

Reduce stress when transporting cattle Transportation is a major cause of stress, injury and bruising.

Bruising alone costs the meat industry $117 million every year.

“We have to make sure we do everything we can to eliminate that,” Miller said.

When beef producers are preparing to transport cattle, Miller said to consider the animals that have not been confined to a trailer before. The experience can be frightening, even if it is not the first time.

Angle the loading ramp 25 degrees or less so cows do not have to hop down and risk slipping, Miller said. Make sure the trailer is not overcrowded, and adhere to guidelines for the maximum number of cattle for the trailer.

“Don’t try to handle more than necessary,” she

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | Page 3B

said.

Avoid stopping along the route to reduce heat and cold exposure, and minimize separation time between cow-calf pairs.

“That can be super stressful time on both the cows and the calves,” Miller said.

Reducing heat stress on cow herd Outside temperatures above 80 degrees can cause beef cattle to experience heat stress, Runck said. Obvious signs include panting and sweating.

When overnight temperatures are at or above 70 degrees and do not drop, cattle will have increased heat stress. It takes about six hours for them to dissipate the heat load.

Cattle should not be worked during times of extreme heat, as it will elevate their body temperature.

“If it’s been a really hot day, we should not be working them that evening,” Runck said. “Just because the outside temperature has dropped, that doesn’t necessarily mean that their internal body temperature has had time to drop. We need to give them time to dissipate that heat load.”

Handling and transporting cattle, especially in summer, can contribute to heat stress.

“Anytime that animal becomes stressed, their heart rate is going to increase, and they get worked up,” Runck said.

“That could potentially lead to heat stress.”

Coat color also impacts body temperature.

Data shows no difference between red, black and white cattle in the early morning, but by mid-morning, there is a significant difference in surface temperatures. An evaluation showed that at 10:30 a.m.,

there was a 9-degree difference between red-hided and black-hided cattle and a 17-degree difference between black-hided and white-hided cattle. At 1:30 p.m., red-hided and blackhided cattle were 20 degrees warmer than whitehided cattle.

“It’s no different than if you put on a black T-shirt versus a white T-shirt and go out on a sunny day in July,” Runck said.

To avoid heat stress, Runck recommends beef producers: – Handle cattle early in the morning.

– Provide shade. There should be approximately 20 to 40 square feet of shade per animal.

– Have a pasture grazing plan. If you are doing rotational grazing, plan ahead for the hottest time.

Where is the shade at in the pasture? Are there places shade is not ideal or low spots where air flow is not good?

– Provide an ample amount of clean water and ensure cattle have access to salt. As they sweat, cattle need to recoup lost salt.

– Reduce the trailer load capacity and avoid hauling during the heat of the day. Early morning is the best time to transport.

– Control flies. Biting flies cause cattle to bunch up, which decreases cooling.

Water is important In times of heat stress, water is lost through perspiration and respiration.

Consuming water is the fastest way for cattle to cool themselves down.

There should be at least 3 inches of linear water space per head on warm summer days, according to Runck.

“They absolutely need to have quality water,” she said. “Get your water tested, especially if you’re in

an area that has questionable quality of water – nitrates, sulfates, blue-green algae, if there’s an issue with the pH level.”

Blue-green algae is something to watch for as water levels dry down in the summer. If it presents, move cattle away, and bring in an additional water source, Runck said.

Mature cattle can consume up to 2 gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight. A lactating cow needs almost double the water of a wintering beef cow.

Calves need water too.

“Mama’s milk is not enough for their fluid intake during the summer, especially in times of heat stress,” Runck said.

Be aware of water volume in stock ponds, Runck said. Low ponds create mud issues and are difficult

for calves to access.

Calves will become more susceptible to heat stress if they do not have an alternative way to consume water. Consider additional sources, such as extra tanks, and make sure young calves can access them, Runck said.

Extra water sources, such as tanks, should be introduced prior to extreme heat events so that cattle become accustomed to them.

Avoiding nutritional stress Most Minnesota cows are spring calvers. A cow goes through a lot in this short window of time, including peak milk production, cycling, spring vaccinations and switching from her winter ration to spring grass.

Summer stressors page 7B

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Page 6B | SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Alfalfa Harvest Alert report All cooperators are now is economical. Cutting height reporting results. Alfalfa harshould not be raised as there vest has begun as far north as is no advantage to the alfalfa Buckman which means we plant by increasing the cutting are almost finished with the height during moisture stress. scissor cut program for this Alfalfa forage quality should season. There have been some be higher in moisture-stressed reports of alfalfa weevils fields, meaning harvest can be in western Minnesota, and delayed until flowering withthere is some shot holing in out suffering the usual qualUniversity of leaves in central Minnesota. MN Extension ity losses. For fields under However, pest problems have by Nathan Drewitz 10 inches tall, cutting is not remained low and damage recommended. New regrowth has yet to reach economic thresholds. will come through the existing stand With harvest on the horizon, I expect and can be harvested provided moismost issues will need to be taken care ture conditions improve. of post-harvest, that is if they survive You can find more detailed reports the harvest season. Regardless, stands at the University of Minnesota Extenshould be monitored for potential pest sion website by searching for “Minneproblems. sota Extension Crop News” or by callThere are also reports of moisture- ing 320-968-5081 if you are in Stearns, stressed fields. For these fields, con- Benton or Morrison counties. You can sider the height of the alfalfa stand and also look at the compiled scissor cut the cost of harvesting that potential information from 2010 at z.umn.edu/ yield. For established alfalfa stands alfalfaharvestalert. over 10 inches tall, harvest provided it

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A lineup of International Harvester tractors find each other as spectators take a look May 27 at Foley High School in Foley. Many students parked their tractors next to others of the same manufacturer.

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Juniors Marley Wheeler (from left), Madelyn Kremer, Laken Peschl and sophomore Madison Baron relax in the trailer after partaking in the water balloon fight at Foley High School May 27 in Foley. The students came prepared with a fresh set of clothes.

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from page 2B

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