Tuesday April 26 Ag News

Calving Distribution Key to Reproductive Success
Steve Tonn, Beef Systems Extension Educator, Washington County

It’s only natural as the season shifts to spring to focus on the immediate tasks at hand such as processing calves and cows, moving cattle to summer pasture, and planting corn and soybeans.  However, before we take on the spring and summer workload, take one more look at your calving records as a way to measure and improve herd management.

Kris Ringwall, North Dakota State University Extension Beef Specialist, stresses using your calving distribution table as a management tool.  Here are some of his comments.  Analyzing how many calves are born during the calving season can provide valuable insight into the reproductive performance of your cow herd.  But when those calves are born in the calving season is just as important.  Count the number of cows that calved within 21 days from when the third mature cow calved.  After that, check the number that calved the next 21 days and the next 21 days.  Keep counting until you get to the end of the calving book.

Why?  The no. 1 indicator that cows within your cattle operation fit your production system is timely reproduction.  In other words, they calve on time.

The type of cattle operation is not important, nor is when the calving season is set.  What is important is that at least 60% of the mature cows expected to calve do so within 21 days of the start of the calving season. 

The calving distribution table allows a producer to follow how cows are calving within the calving season, as well as the percentage that are calving within 21 days, 42 days, 63 days , 84 days or later within the herd.  These percentages can be compared with the benchmarks for overall herd evaluation or utilized to follow how individual cows calf within the herd. 

The North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association members enrolled in the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS) program average 62% of their calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season; 86% by day 42 and 95% by day 63.  These are benchmarks to compare your herd too.

If you don’t have the CHAPS program, the calculations are easy to figure directly from the calving book.  Simply count the total number of mature cows that calved and note the number on a separate sheet of paper.  Then go down the calving book and highlight or circle the third mature cow that calved. Disregard the first calving heifers. Then count down 21 days from when the third mature cow calved and draw a line there, as well as at 42 days, 63 days, 84 days, etc.

By counting the number of cows within each segment of the calving book and dividing by the total number of mature cows that calved, the percentage of cows calving at 21, 42, 63, 84, etc. days is calculated.  The first calf heifers are not included in these calculations because oftentimes the bull turnout dates are quite different from those of the mature cows.

How many of your calves are born after 63 days?  84 days?  University research at the University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University shows that cows calving in the first 21 days of the calving season have a lifetime production advantage of nearly two calves over cows calving later in the calving season.  Late calvers tend to always be late calving cows.  Those late calving cows are costing you money.  A goal to strive for is to have each cow have a calf every 365 days.  That means you need a calving season no longer than 82 days at the maximum.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation PAC Names ‘Friends of Agriculture’

Rep. Adrian Smith has been named a ‘Friend of Agriculture’ by NFBF-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s political action committee. Smith is a candidate for re-election to represent Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District.

“Congressman Smith has a thorough knowledge of Nebraska agriculture and how it is affected by federal policies and regulations. He has supported many initiatives that have directly benefited Nebraska agriculture,” said Mark McHargue of Central City, chairman of NFBF-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Smith has been an advocate for agriculture and shares Farm Bureau’s philosophy on numerous issues affecting the well-being of farm and ranch families.

“Congressman Smith believes science and facts, not rhetoric, should drive policy on issues such as regulation of GMO products and responsible use of antibiotics in producing livestock. He also understands the importance of moving Nebraska agriculture products and other Nebraska goods into the international marketplace through trade agreements, which are vital to the long-term prosperity of Nebraska,” said McHargue. “He’s also well positioned to promote trade initiatives as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means.”

According to McHargue, Smith also recognizes how excessive regulation hurts Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.

“Adrian has been a leader on common sense approaches to regulatory oversight, while working to reign in the long arms of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other federal regulatory efforts handed down by Washington bureaucrats that create unnecessary red tape for Nebraskans. He led the effort in the House of Representatives to repeal EPA’s Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS) which is one of the largest abuses of executive power in modern history,” said McHargue. “We are pleased to count Congressman Smith among those receiving our ‘Friend of Agriculture’ designation.”

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has been named a “Friend of Agriculture” by NFBF-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s political action committee. Fortenberry is a candidate for re-election to represent Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District.

“Congressman Fortenberry has been a strong proponent of biofuels and renewable energy production. He has also supported value-added agricultural opportunities and new food markets,” said Mark McHargue of Central City, chairman of NFBF-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Fortenberry has played an important role in working to restore fiscal sanity back to Washington, while at the same time protecting certain aspects of the federal budget that are important to Nebraska's farm and ranch families,” McHargue said.

According to McHargue, Fortenberry has a strong grasp of agriculture within his district.

“The 1st Congressional District is diverse in its constituency. Rep. Fortenberry understands the importance of agriculture to the district and the state. From his work on pushing for a sound federal budget to his work to keep regulatory agencies in check, Congressman Fortenberry has truly worked hard for Nebraska's farm and ranch families,” McHargue said.

Rep. Brad Ashford has been named a ‘Friend of Agriculture’ by NFBF-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s political action committee. Ashford is a candidate for re-election to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska and it’s also crucial to Omaha’s economic vitality through the large number of agribusinesses that call Omaha home. Congressman Ashford understands this and has worked hard on behalf of farmers and all the citizens of the district,” said Mark McHargue of Central City, chairman of NFBF-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Ashford received the designation based on consideration of his record of supporting small businesses and promoting economic growth.

“He’s stood with farmers and ranchers in opposing efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to greatly expand their regulatory control over farms and ranches. Congressman Ashford has also been a strong advocate for growing international trade opportunities and moving Nebraska products, including agriculture products, into those markets by supporting key trade agreements,” said McHargue. “We’re glad to include Ashford among those receiving the ‘Friend of Agriculture’ designation.”

The ‘Friend of Agriculture’ designation is given to selected candidates for public office based on their commitment to and positions on agricultural issues, qualifications and previous experience, communication abilities and their ability to represent their district.



Conservation Compliance Required for USDA Farm Programs, Crop Insurance

As springtime arrives, the USDA reminds producers to keep conservation compliance in mind before making any major land use changes on their farming or ranching operations. Being out of compliance could put USDA conservation program benefits and federal crop insurance premium subsidies in jeopardy.

Conservation compliance refers to the USDA requirement that highly erodible land be farmed in a manner that minimizes soil erosion. This may include practicing no-till or planting cover crops.

Conservation compliance also prohibits the conversion of wetlands or planting agricultural commodities on a converted wetland. Converting a wetland may include removal of trees, installing new drainage, or modifying existing drainage areas.

Craig Derickson, state conservationist with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says, "We want producers to visit their local USDA Service Center before making any big land use changes on their farm or ranch. There are requirements producers need to follow to remain eligible for USDA benefits."

Dan Steinkruger, director of the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) says, "It is especially important that farmers who are breaking out new land, or conducting other types of land improvement activities, timely file an AD-1026 form with FSA. Once the AD-1026 is filed, the producer's planned land activities can be evaluated, and highly erodible land and wetland determinations can be made. The producer can then work with NRCS to assist with conservation planning to help ensure compliance with conservation requirements."

The Agricultural Act of 2014 - commonly called the Farm Bill - continues the requirement that producers adhere to conservation compliance guidelines in order to be eligible for most programs administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This includes the new price and revenue protection programs, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs and Marketing Assistance Loans implemented by FSA. It also includes conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) administered by NRCS.

The 2014 Farm Bill also extended conservation compliance as an eligibility requirement for federal crop insurance premium subsidies, which may account for approximately 60% of a producer's overall premium cost. When a producer is determined to be in violation of conservation compliance rules, it not only causes ineligibility for USDA program benefits on the farm in violation, but also on all other farms in which that producer has an interest. The result can be a very significant monetary impact on that producer and his or her farming operation.

According to Steinkruger, it's important for producers to work closely with their local NRCS and FSA offices. Producers should review and understand existing highly erodible land (HEL) and wetland (W) determinations on FSA maps and visit with NRCS regarding what steps are required to ensure that an approved conservation plan is being applied.

With the current market conditions, farm program benefits are an increasingly important part of most producers' bottom line. "Now more than ever, it's critical for conservation compliance to be a strategic part of each producer's operation to ensure eligibility not only for FSA and NRCS programs, but also for crop insurance premium subsidies," Steinkruger noted.

Derickson said, "Staff at the USDA Service Center will work one-on-one with producers to ensure any new farming operations will protect natural resources and the sustainability of their farm, and don't put their USDA farm program benefits at risk."



REMINDER: JUNE 1 DEADLINE FOR IOWA CENTURY AND HERITAGE FARM OWNERS TO APPLY

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today reminded eligible farm owners that the deadline to apply for the 2016 Century and Heritage Farm Program is June 1, 2016.  The program recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.

“The application deadline for families with a Century or Heritage is quickly approaching and I hope those with an eligible farm will take the time to apply,” Northey said.  “This program is a great way to highlight the deep history and strong heritage of agriculture in our state.”

Farm families with a century or heritage farm must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1, 2016 to qualify for recognition at the Iowa State Fair this year.

Applications are available on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.”

Applications may also be requested from Becky Lorenz, Coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Becky.Lorenz@IowaAgriculture.gov or by writing to Century or Heritage Farms Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.  The ceremony to recognize the 2016 Century and Heritage Farms is scheduled to be held at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 18th in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

This is the 40th anniversary of the Century Farm program, which was started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration.  To date more than 18,600 farms from across the state have received this recognition.  The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program, and 837 farms have been recognized.

Last year 366 Century Farms and 101 Heritage Farms were recognized.



New Holland Sponsors Awards for NCBA Recruitment
 
The Kansas Livestock Association and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association each earned use of a piece of equipment from New Holland for their outstanding efforts to recruit new members to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Each of these NCBA affiliates will get its choice of a one-year lease on a New Holland Roll-Belt™ 560 Specialty Crop round baler or a one-year lease on a New Holland T6 175 tractor. The organizations received their awards at the NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 12-14.

“New Holland appreciates the work of state affiliates to help strengthen the grassroots membership and give the cattle industry a louder voice,” said Mark Lowrey, New Holland Regional Market Specialist.

The Kansas Livestock Association automatically earned one of these leases for recruiting the most NCBA members for the contest period, which lasted from Jan. 1 through March 31. Also in the top five state affiliates for NCBA membership recruitment were: Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, California Cattlemen’s Association, and Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association.

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association was the winner of the drawing of the 16 qualifying affiliates, which included: Arizona Cattle Feeders Association, California Cattlemen's Association, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Illinois Beef Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Michigan Cattlemen's Association, Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Ohio Cattlemen's Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Utah Cattlemen's Association, Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, Washington Cattle Feeders Association and Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association.

“It was great to see so many cattle producers in D.C for the Legislative Conference, visiting with their legislators on behalf of cattlemen and women throughout the country,” said Lowrey. “These producers and the NCBA affiliates are important to the success of NCBA and the beef industry. New Holland is proud of the opportunity to reward these affiliates for their continued support of NCBA membership programs by awarding affiliates for their recruitment work.”



Establishing and maintaining good fly control for pasture cattle
Cliff Willms, Ph.D., Beef Nutritionist

Flies are a nuisance!  Nobody like flies.  But many of us in the cattle business think of them as just that – a nuisance.  We don’t realize the economic impact that the lack of fly control has on cattle performance.

It is estimated by experts that the economic losses from inadequate fly control for cattle are greater than respiratory disease and coccidiosis losses combined.  That seems hard to believe until one considers that flies can affect cattle over an entire summer and early fall.  Then it makes sense.  When we think of health issues with cattle, we often think about the acute symptoms of respiratory disease or coccidiosis and treat the cattle immediately.  The loss of performance is often short term.  However, with flies it is the long term exposure that causes the larger performance losses, even though the cattle may appear healthy, and makes flies the larger economic loss.

Good fly control is an essential element of good animal husbandry.  In an era where humane treatment of farm animals and their well-being is on the public conscience, one cannot ignore fly control.  Attitudes suggesting, “That’s what tails are for” are not appropriate in today’s culture. 

For pasture cattle, the horn fly, Haematobia irritans, is the most economically important fly.  Both the male and female horn flies are blood suckers.  They have a very efficient cutting and digging mechanism that delivers painful bites.  Imagine a chewing syringe needle or turning a needle with a burr on it.  I can’t stand just a few mosquito bites – imagine what a cow puts up with!

This biting action and blood sucking causes all sorts of negative behaviors.  You see kicking, stomping, head slinging, tail swishing, and cattle grouping up rather than spreading out and grazing.   When cows do what they were created to do, they spread out and graze grass primarily in the morning and evening.  In the middle of the day, they lie down in the shade when content from eating their fill and chew their cud.  Full of forage and relaxed, they produce milk and their calves grow optimally.  They can’t do that when fighting flies.  

The issue is maintaining good fly control.  The means used should be effective, economical, environmentally friendly, safe, and fit one’s management scheme.  How one gets the job done is personal preference.  Discussing every option in an integrated pest management program is beyond the scope of this article.  The remainder of this article will focus on feed through products and management for pasture cattle.

As a nutritionist, the “corner post” of building a sound nutritional program starts with being rigorous about using an excellent mineral all year long and managing the intake to target levels.  Naturally, it seems that a feed through fly control product fits nicely with a cattleman committed to good mineral nutrition for his/her cows.    

Cattlemen have options when choosing a feed through fly control product:
-    Altosid® or methoprene is also known as an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator).  It is a growth hormone specific to flies that prevents the development of pupae into harmful adult horn flies.  There is no known resistance, it is not toxic to mammals, will not wash out of manure, and there is no withdrawal for meat or milk.
-    Rabon® is an older product (organophosphate) that was used heavily several years ago and still used today.  It is effective on face flies, horn flies, stable flies and house flies.
-    ClariFly® is a newer product available for pasture cattle.  It is usually used more in confinement situations rather than pasture cattle.  ClariFly® prevents house, stable, face, and horn flies from developing in and emerging from manure by disrupting the development of the exoskeleton of insects.  Hence, it is not toxic to mammals. 

The key to the success of all feed through fly control products is to manage mineral intake.  If the cattle eat the mineral, the fly control product will be in the manure and you will see good control.  Managing mineral intake is something you want to do anyway to get the most effective nutrition from your mineral purchases.

Here are some tips on management of granular or loose minerals containing a fly control product:
-    Location and number of feeding stations must be adjusted to control intake.  Placement of mineral feeders relative to water, cow paths, shade, and loafing areas is critical.  Moving a mineral feeder 50 yards can make a big difference.  When mineral is close to water, a cow can wash her palate and make multiple trips to the mineral feeder and consumption will be higher.  Move the feeder farther from the water and intake will decrease.
-    To decrease intake, add additional salt.  Most granular minerals include a nutritional level of salt, but added salt may be needed to regulate intake.  If you add salt, always mix the salt with the mineral containing the fly control product.  Offering salt and mineral side by side may give the overall average intake desired, but during fly season, one will quickly figure out that some cows eat only salt some days and not the mineral, hence fly control is compromised.  This is a huge issue that is the cause of many producers being dissatisfied with results.
-    Placing mineral in a mineral feeder that is on the ground will encourage intake and placing mineral in a bunk up off the ground will decrease intake.
-    With pastures with running creeks and streams where there are multiple watering stations, make sure to have multiple mineral feeding stations to insure adequate intake. 
-    Make sure all minerals and supplements contain the fly control product of choice.  A few years ago, a cowman lost fly control and couldn’t figure out what the problem was.  He was offering protein blocks without fly control as well as a mineral with fly control.  The cows did not need the protein with the quality of grass they had and I asked him to remove the protein blocks and in 2 weeks, the fly population was under control.

Since intake management is the biggest issue with getting optimal fly control from a feed through product, I prefer to use CRYSTALYX® IGR MAX™.  Research has shown that cows frequent a low moisture molasses based mineral block more often and consume it more consistently than a granular mineral.  One can put out several CRYSTALYX® barrels at a time and spread them throughout the pasture.  The CRYSTALYX® Low Moisture Blocks are weather resistant and purchasing a mineral feeder is not necessary.

Another huge key to satisfaction with using a feed through fly control product is feeding it long enough into the fall.  Be sure to feed past a hard freeze!  This will reduce the carryover of eggs and you will be happier with the results next year than you were with the first year.  In fact, I am more concerned about a producer feeding the fly control product long enough into the fall than I am with how soon they get started in the spring.

The biggest objection many producers have to using a feed through fly control product is concern that since their neighbor does not use it, they fear that they will not have good fly control.  However, that is not a concern.  The horn fly, the fly of primary concern in pasture cattle, is a small fly and does not travel far.  In fact, the horn fly lives its entire life on the host animal.  It jumps off to lay its eggs in fresh manure and jumps back on the host animal.  I have witnessed this phenomenon myself when collecting fecal samples.  I have further witnessed several situations where cattle in the neighboring pasture were not on a fly control product and we had excellent control.

If you have not used a feed through fly control product, I encourage you to do so.  It is a good management practice in an integrated pest management program that has proven to produce a good return on investment.