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2013 Iowa Grazing Conference

deniseschwab — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:39:19 +0000

Those who use grazing in their livestock operations are encouraged to register now for the 2013 Iowa Grazing Conference, set for June 25-26 in Creston. Joe Sellers, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has been involved with the conference for several years and said this year’s event has classroom and field experiences.

The conference will be held at the Southwestern Community College campus in Creston, and runs from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, to noon on Wednesday, June 26. In addition to breakout sessions and a producer panel, the event also has a pasture walk and barbeque meal on the evening of June 25. More details…

How Often Can Cattle Feeders Hedge a Profit with Futures?

deniseschwab — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:08:36 +0000

Dr. Lee Schulz has just updated this study evaluating hedging opportunities for fed calves and yearlings. Twenty years of data from 1993-2012 were analyzed to determine the percent of trading days during calf and yearling feeding periods that live cattle futures (LCF) – adjusted for an expected basis – were above the cost of producing fed cattle. The analysis was extended to look at the percent of trading days that a return between a $4/cwt loss and a $4/cwt profit could be hedged.

In the calf market, on average there was a 35 percent chance of hedging to make a profit and in the yearling market, there was a 41 percent chance of hedging to make a profit. Check out this report for more details.

How Does Your Herd Measure Up?

deniseschwab — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:32:18 +0000

According to Dr. Kris Ringwall at NDSU, at least 60% of your mature cows should calve in the first 21 days of the calving season. How did your herd do? Read his article for more details.

IMMAG Update

deniseschwab — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:43:04 +0000

The May issue of the IMMAG (Iowa Manure Management Action Group) update has just been released, with features on nitrogen application relative to the recent heavy rainfall, palmer amaranth, water quality testing kits, and more.

If you’d like to receive these monthly updates directly to your email, you can subscribe at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/subscriptions.html

Cover Crop Extension

deniseschwab — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:04:12 +0000

An update to the May 10 deadline for grazing cover crops as it relates to crop insurance: USDA-RMA has extended the haying/grazing period to May 22, albeit with some restrictions. See the official bulletin for all the information you need

Breeding Soundness Exam

deniseschwab — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:40:40 +0000

With rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good time to get those bulls checked prior to breeding season. Remember, they are 50% of the reproductive equation, so don’t overlook the basics with them. See what SDSU says the cost of an infertile bull is…

Are you a good boss?

deniseschwab — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:26:27 +0000

I’m sure most of you are much more concerned about your beef production skills and financial management skills, than your people skills. But for any of you who have employees, you also need to put a little focus on those people management skills. Here’s a good article I read on evaluating your ability to manage your employees – both those you pay and those you don’t pay!!

Darrell Good’s Comments on Corn

deniseschwab — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:10:53 +0000

Based on corn planting intentions of nearly 97.3 million acres (implied harvested acres for grain near 90.2 million) and a trend yield of 161.5 bushels, the 2013 season started with expectations of a record U.S. crop near 14.6 billion bushels. A crop of that size would be 1.5 billion bushels larger than the previous record crop of 2009 and the record large consumption during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 marketing years. See Dr. Darrell Good’s comments.

Your Input is Needed…

deniseschwab — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:00:03 +0000

Iowa State University is conducting a nationwide survey of livestock producers’ use of feed-related coproducts from ethanol production.

“The feedback gained from the survey will be used to help improve coproduct quality, which can help livestock producers with their feed costs and livestock performance,” said Kurt Rosentrater, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who is leading the effort.

The survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors. It is being funded by a coalition consisting of the Renewable Fuels Association, the Distillers Grains Technology Council, and the Corn Utilization Councils from Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Livestock producers are invited to take the survey online until June 19 at: http://humansciences.ethanolcoproducts.sgizmo.com/s3/.

Bull Selection Clinic

deniseschwab — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:10:52 +0000

Are you still looking for a new herd bull? If so, join us for

Bull Selection Clinic
Friday, May 3, 4:00 pm, Tama Livestock Auction

Understanding and using some simple tools can help cattle producers make the right selection for new herd bulls during upcoming bull sales. That’s why a bull selection clinic is scheduled prior to the Friday, May 3, bull sale held by Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) at the Tama Livestock Auction, Tama. There’s no cost to attend and no preregistration is necessary.

Dr. Patrick Gunn, the newest addition to the ISU Extension beef team and statewide cow-calf specialist, and I will break down the process of bull selection into simple steps and assist you with interpreting the EPD numbers in the catalog. We can help you evaluate your cow herd and determine the economically relevant traits that you want to emphasize. With that information, you can use the index EPDs and visually appraise the bulls to identify some options that will help you get the most benefit from your cow herd.

The sale will feature bulls that have been through ICA’s Bull Evaluation Program. Bulls that go through this 112-day test are evaluated for growth, carcass traits, yearling weight, disposition and scrotal circumference, and are some of the breed’s best pedigrees for calving ease, performance and carcass merit. The Tama sale will also include a group of replacement heifers for sale starting at 6 pm.

To learn more about ICA’s Bull & Heifer Program, including a listing of bulls that will be offered at the May 3 sale, go to http://www.iacattlemen.org/bullheifer.aspx

For more information on the bull clinic, contact me at dschwab@iastate.edu