What a difference a year makes! Last year we could not get enough water to grow the hay that we needed and this year we are looking for enough sun to dry a bumper crop of every kind of forage.
We all know that excess rain at the wrong time damages our hay. If rain delays the cutting of the hay for more than 7-10 days, there will be significant loss of protein and energy because of the increase in lignin as the plant matures. To compensate for this loss we must supplement the protein and energy when the hay is being fed.
If the hay is cut before the rain comes, then we have some hard choices to make. The method that would preserve the most nutrients would be to process it as "haylage" at 60% to 70% moisture.
Another way to get hay up quicker is to use a preservative such as propionic acid to inhibit mold and bacterial growth. This allows hay to be baled with higher moisture and gives it more time to continue drying after being baled.
If the hay is stored in a situation that prevents the escape of moisture then the advantage is lost after the preservative dissipates and the hay will heat and mold due to the microbial activity. The heating may damage the protein and cause it to become unavailable to livestock. A laboratory analysis may be necessary to determine the extent of the protein damage for any hay that has been through a heat with temperature rising above 140 F.
The third method of managing hay that has received excess rain after being cut is to keep the hay tedded after it becomes wet from rain so that air can get under and through the hay to prevent mold and decay. This may take several trips over the hay with the tedder.
The longer hay stays wet, the more dry matter it loses and more nutrients will be leached out. As this happens, the percent fiber increases further decreasing the feed value of the hay.
If hay with high moisture is stored in a stack or a barn, it may heat to a dangerous temperature. If the temperature reaches 150o F, it should be moved out of the stack or barn and scattered so that air can flow around each bale. The maximum temperature may occur 4 weeks after baling. The cost of water damaged hay can be minimized by testing each batch of hay to determine its feed value. Then separate the livestock according to the nutrient needs, and supplement according to that need.
by Ernest Shelton
More than 5,000 printed copies of the "Priorities First: Identifying Management Priorities in the Commercial Cow-Calf Business" have been distributed since its initial release at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, TN earlier this year. Requests for additional copies are received daily and the document is downloadable from the Internet. To continue its leadership position with the beef industry, and fulfill the mission to provide programs and services that will help commercial cattle producers improve their profitability, the American Angus Association commissioned this in-depth study that provides a blue-print for prioritizing profit drivers in today’s cow-calf operations.
Tom Field, Ph. D., Fort Collins, CO, conducted the study that includes responses from 217 industry experts and commercial cattle producers from across the nation. The 28 page report ranks the top 15 management practices according to how each contributes to profitability and sustainability of the cow-calf enterprise.
Producers, educators and other beef industry affiliates have requested the report to learn more about prioritizing management practices and educate others.
Within the 28 page report and several on-page fact sheets have been developed to explore each management practice individually.
This document defines the basic categories of knowledge and skills needed and their relative priority for the cal-calf phase of production.
To request your copy of Priorities First or the one-page fact sheets, contact Monica Jordan at mjordan@angus.org, or down load a pdf file at www.angus.org. A call to AAA communications department at 816-383-5100 will enable you to find out more about this method of management. This is provided to all members and commercial producers nationwide.
The A*L*O*T Spring Female Sale with Jerry Lehmann as auctioneer occurred May 12, 2007 in Mt. Pleasant, TX. The sale grossed $155,925 with 95 Lots selling.
Semen Donations Auctioned to Benefit 2007 National Junior Angus Show. At the Board of Directors meeting just prior to the sale, the directors voted unanimously to donate the proceeds of the Semen Donations to benefit the 2007 National Junior Angus Show. The board also voted to make the amount total $500 if the semen did not sell for that amount. Barbara Leetun and Marvin Metzner donated the semen. A*L*O*T would like to thank these two very generous members for their kindness, and support to A*L*O*T and to the youth of the Junior Angus organization. Please let these two know how much you appreciate their generosity! 10 Straws of MM Futures Right 704, Reg # 14174960, donated by Metzner Angus, Tyler Texas was purchased by Rogers Brothers Angus, Simms, TX and H&S Ranch, Mt. Vernon, TX. 10 Straws of DCF Texas Frontier 4703, Reg #14965239, donated by Barbara A. Leetun, Inc., Abbot, TX was purchased by Roden Angus, Grandview, TX and Jerry Lehmann, Lake Ozark, MO. The semen auction returned $1000.00 which was donated to the Oklahoma Junior Angus Association for the 2007 show held in Tulsa 1-7 Jul 2007.
Other Results of the sale:
Bred Heifers averaged $1881 and top selling bred heifer was Lot 45, Cox Princess 6708, Reg # 15250109, consigned by Cox Angus Ranch, Omaha, TX. and purchased by Casey Sartain, Naples, TX for $4500.
Bred Cows averaged $1494 and top selling cow was Lot 90, G A R Yield Grade 1524, Reg. # 14800883, consigned by TDM Enterprises, Tecumseh, OK and purchased by Milam Cattle Co, Prescott, AR for $1900.
Spring Pairs averaged $1605 and top selling spring pairs were Lot 27, BRR Lucy Boys Princess 0327, Reg. # 14547040, consigned by BRR Angus, Red Rock, OK and purchased by Jason Hardy, Woodward, OK for $2100; and Lot 74, Rutledge Edwina 25, Reg. #14156052, consigned by Roden Angus, Grandview, TX and purchased by Richard Jones, Scurry, TX for $2000.00.
Split Pairs averaged #3063 and top selling split pair consigned by Wallace Ranch, Comanche, TX was Lot 101, W R MS Precision 336, Reg. #14632825, purchased by Stone creek Angus, Stonewall, LA for $1900 with Lot 101A, W R Mid Precision 639, Reg. # 15594009, purchased by 4W Angus Ranch, Tolar, TX for $1900, totaling $3800 for the pair.
Open Heifers averaged $1221 with top selling open heifer consigned by Allen Angus Farms, Aledo, TX was Lot 3, AAF 1l 2 Rito 036B, Reg. # 15623943, purchased by Roden Angus, Grandview, TX for $2900 and Lot 2, 4 W Pepper, Reg # 15435739, consigned by 4W Angus Ranch, Tolar, TX and purchased by James Baggerman, Mt. Pleasant, TX for $2200.
Package of 3 Frozen Embryos, G A R Yield Grade X MBAR Miss New Design of 7157 consigned by Marical Brothers Angus Ranch, Ada, OK and purchased by H&S Ranch, Mt. Vernon, TX for $600.
ANGUSSOURCE®: The AngusSource® program began as a way to drive demand for registered Angus bulls by increasing the value of Angus-sired calves. Recent Premium Value Challenge (PVC) winners averaged more than $8/cwt in premiums through live auctions, videos and private treaty transactions. Calves sired by an Angus bull do not automatically qualify for AngusSource®. The bull must be registered with the American Angus Association and properly transferred to the producer enrolling the calves. The association registration certificate is key to the entire program and serves as the documentation/verification that the calves sired by the bull are a minimum of 50% Angus. Calves must also meet the program requirements for the source and age verification claims.
To enroll in AngusSource®, producers must submit the completed AngusSource® "Producer Participant Enrollment Form/Agreement" and complete the training and cattle enrollment process. Once calves are enrolled they are identified with an official "program tag" and an AngusSource® Document is generated listing the source, age, and genetic information for the lot. All cattle enrolled in AngusSource® that are process verified will have the following shield displayed:
AngusSource® is a USDA Process Verified Program for Angus-sired calves that documents source, group age and a minimum of 50% Angus genetics. Producers may customize the AngusSource® Document for feeder cattle and/or replacement females to include additional management, vaccination and sale information. This Document is then added to the online "AngusSource® Cattle Listing" site and emailed out to nearly 600 individuals interested in purchasing AngusSource® cattle.
You may download the "Producer Participant Manual with explains the program, participation requirements and enrollment process, forms/agreement by going to the www.angussource.com/ and once enrolled you can print your AngusSource ® document or customize the document to include additional information. Sale information must always be included. There are two tags available: visual program tags and RFID matched-pair sets. You will receive a newsletter providing information about program changes as well as information about management practices that will help meet the program and participation requirements (this will either be mailed or can be seen on the web site: "AngusSource® Approved Supplier Update Newsletter" and "AngusSource® Seedstock Update Newsletter".) The 2nd newsletter provides information to seedstock producers on how AngusSource® can benefit their customers and how they can assist their customers in taking advantage of the marketing opportunities AngusSource offers.
To take advantage of all the benefits American Angus and Texas Angus has to offer go to their web sites: www.angus.org or www.texasangus.com. You’ll be glad you did.
