January Newsletter

Feeding Hay During The Winter
Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock

Winter feeding is the most expensive part of cow calf production. There may be some disagreement with this statement, but when the cost of hay and the additional expense of wasted hay is considered, it is very easily the most expensive. Reports from the University of Illinois indicate that feed losses, even with a round bale feeder, can be as high as 30 percent. Unlimited access to large round bales can produce losses of 25 to 50 percent. Producers can significantly reduce the amount wasted by implementing certain feeding management practices.

Probably the most common method of avoiding large-package hay loss during feeding is to use a hay ring or other type of hay feeder, such as a wagon that has been modified to allow hay feeding. A number of cattle producers advocate unrolling large round bales for feeding. This will work if cattle are provided with the correct amount of hay for one feeding when the hay is unrolled. However, excess hay will quickly become bedding. Mechanical hay unrollers are available; but alternative methods, such as unrolling on a slight slope, may work in certain
areas. Exercise caution when unrolling hay on a hillside because a large round bale
can become a safety hazard.

Here are some other feeding tips:

Don't use muddy areas when feeding. A rocky outcrop or old road bed works well for minimizing mud. Other producers create a bed of coarse gravel to use with rings. Good, clean sod works the best.

Cut and remove the strings on the bales as they are fed. This makes it easier on the cows and may reduce the tangling of strings around the base of the hay feeder. These strings are also very easily entangled around the bush hog when clipping pastures. Also, ingestion of plastic strings can cause problems for cattle.

Slightly hungry cows clean up better. If stretching hay supplies, it may pay to allow cows a little longer to clean up previously fed hay. Feeding twice daily what the cows will clean up will keep losses down. They will be hungry and will come up to the feed. It is important that all the cows be able to eat when using this feeding procedure. (But, avoid this when cold fronts are approaching or if cows are thin (feed to maintain cows in body condition score of 5 or higher).

Planning a Successful Garden
Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture

As the New Year begins and we think about our resolutions, it might be a good time to begin thinking about what you wish to grow this coming spring. Planning your upcoming garden can feel like a daunting task but it can be surprisingly easy. Starting with the most important, location. Your garden must be placed in relative proximity to your water source and within the rays of sunlight. Think about what you want to plant. That would determine the kind of needs your garden will have. The fall was the best time to have done your soil testing as then you could apply amendments and the freezing and thawing of your soil would naturally work in and break down the nutrients to be absorbed for use over time.

Water is needed to fuel natural processes in plants to function. You want water access to be close to your garden. In the heat of the summer you will be grateful for being closer and not have to lug around heavy water or hoses. Most plants need at least one inch of water per week.

Sunlight is necessary for plants to perform photosynthesis and other functions. Most vegetables need roughly 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Fruit bearing plants need 8 plus hours of sunlight.

You should only plant what you plan to eat, unless you're growing excess to donate to food banks and other worthy causes. If you don’t like the bitter taste of Kale then there’s no point in putting in the effort and time in growing it. I will say it is always worth it to try growing new things for challenges and lessons you’ll learn. You’ll never know if you can do something until you try and you might like a vegetable that you don’t normally see at the store. I plan to grow Kohlrabi in my garden this coming season.

You can still add nutrients and other amendments now, but they won't be absorbed as easily and might not be as readily available as if they were if worked in sooner. However you should only add nutrients based on soil tests, so as to not cause build up and excess of nutrients. They typically do not have any adverse effects on plants, but if you add too much Nitrogen you can burn your plants and excess fertilizers can leach out into stormwater and enough build up can cause fish kill and other environmental issues.

Location is also important to think about drainage and where predators and disease vectors might have easy access. A lot of the fungal diseases can be prevented by having proper drainage.

If you have any questions about planning your garden and need advice. Please reach out to us at our office.

Improving Beef Cattle Herds
Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock

One of the best ways to boost beef cattle profits is to use genetics to improve the efficiency of your herd. Prioritize traits to meet the goals of your operation. This will provide as many pounds of beef as possible off every available acre at a minimal cost.

Herd efficiency does not always equate with a maximum rate of gain. For example, you might be able to get more pounds per acre by putting 20 medium-sized cows on a pasture that only would support 15 big cows. Additionally, the smaller cows might improve your profitability under drought conditions because they would require fewer resources to remain reproductively fertile than the larger animals.

The breeding system should match the right bull to a set of cows to maximize the production level. When making any management decision, always rank each trait on its economic importance to the operation. It is important to focus on those factors for which you are getting paid. For example, if you sell all progeny, choose a bull with the genetic traits to maximize production. However, if you produce replacement heifers, select a bull with moderate growth and frame size and maternal characteristics that match your nutritional resources.

Use the following criteria to select all sires. They should be reproductively and structurally sound, pass a visual appraisal of such traits as body capacity and muscling, and have performance traits measurable by expected progeny differences (EPDs) if possible.

In addition to genetics, you can improve the profitability of a beef cattle operation by developing a good health program, controlling feed costs, harvesting forages at the right maturity to maximize quality, and using growth implants in non-replacement calves.