Beef farmers searching for alternatives in face of drought

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • August 20, 2012
  • 348
                        
Summary: Tuscarawas County beef producers are doing all they can to overcome the difficulties they are encountering as a result of this summer’s drought conditions. Ohio State University Extension and the Tuscarawas County Cattlemen’s Association recently provided much needed resources to assist them. Across the U.S., America’s beef farmers are concerned. They scan the skies, consult the weather forecasts, and walk their pasture land, stooping to examine the height and quality of the grass and other plants, looking hopefully for new growth. They know that their animals, and thus the supply of beef to the American consumer, are in jeopardy as the results of soaring temperatures and far below normal rainfall. Here in Tuscarawas County, the concerns are much the same. The amount of rain received across the area has been spotty at best, with farms just a few miles apart receiving vastly different amounts in the same afternoon. The Tuscarawas County Cattlemen’s Association, in cooperation with the Ohio State University Extension program, recently brought together area beef farmers to explore ways to overcome the difficulties they are facing. County Extension Agent Chris Zoeller hosted the Aug. 16 Beef Producers Twilight Meeting, held at the Sugarcreek Livestock Auction facility. Speakers were Dr. Steve Boyles of OSU in Columbus; Harry Kenney, Natural Resources Conservation Services district conservationist; and Dr. Rick Daugherty of Sugarcreek Veterinary Clinic. About 35 producers were in attendance, all of which raise beef cattle in traditional grazing/pasture operations and on a much smaller scale than the huge feedlot production facilities that are common in some parts of the country. Participants listened intently as Boyles, a talked about options that could help reduce the amount of grass forages needed. “Some digestible fibers can replace some of your forage,” noted Boyles, an OSU Extension Beef Specialist. “Soy hulls are one such digestible fiber. Leftover screenings from a feed mill can also be used, as long as you are aware that there are a higher number of weed seeds. You c an also use corn gluten feed for up to 1/3 of the diet to replace up to 1/3 of the hay. Distillers grain, with fat content being considered, is a 30% protein source. Just remember that a cow cannot handle more than a 5% fat content,” he cautioned. “Figure out your price per pound not of feed, but of actual energy. It is not the feed price, but the energy per pound price that you should be counting.” Kenney told those gathered that pasture overgrazing is a significant issue, “but we won’t know how badly we have overgrazed our pastures for probably another six months. We either have to decrease the number of cows we are feeding, or buy more feed. And with the cost of corn and hay, I don’t think any of want to buy any more feed than we have to. Overgrazing means our pastures will be slow to come back in the spring. We have to change our grazing habits, with an eye to the drought outlook at all times.” “Don’t put your cows into a pasture until you have at least 6 inches of good growth there. We have to watch for that stubble hay. Also consider planting cool weather foliage in the fields like turnips or radishes to extend the season. Cows love them, and after they have gone through and eaten the tops, they will go back and pull up the bulbs, creating…a good situation for reseeding.” The conservationist provided handouts including a Pasture Condition Score Sheet, which helps farmers evaluate indicators of healthy pastures such as desirable species, plant cover, diversity, residue, vigor, legume percentages, livestock concentration areas, soil compaction, and erosion. Veterinarian Daugherty admitted that “now is not the time to cull cows market-wise, but feed prices are skyrocketing. Take measures to contain costs with good animal care.” Jerry Prysi, Cattlemen’s Association president, commented that a lot of valuable information was made available at the event, which included a complimentary meal from the group. “We like to get these speakers for new techniques and programs, in order to get working profit at the end.” Noted Kenney, “Conditions are rough (for farmers), but you play the cards you are dealt.”


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