Drought decisions to be focus of Cattlemen's Day Feb. 15
This year, cattle producers face some tough decisions. The severe drought of 2012 depleted pastures and feed inventories. The beef industry is ever changing, and drought management will be key in 2013.
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Cattle market expert foresees decreasing beef production in 2013
The recent trend of decreasing beef production likely will continue in 2013 and 2014, said a cattle market expert at Iowa State University this week.
Two years of liquidation, brought about by dry weather conditions in key cattle producing states, have put the industry in an even tighter supply situation, said Lee Schulz, an ISU Extension and Outreach livestock specialist and assistant professor of economics.
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Using low-quality roughage in late gestation cow rations
Most spring calving cowherds are now in the late-gestation stage of production, or will be there very soon. This is one of the more critical times on the calendar in terms of optimizing cowherd productivity.
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Grazing grass too short kills off root systems
In the prolonged summer drought, farmers noticed that grass stayed green longer in their hayfields than in their pastures.
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Webinars for ranch advisors to focus on drought planning
A spring webinar series will provide drought planning techniques and technologies to advisors seeking to help Great Plains ranchers manage through drought.
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Ranchers prepare for 2013 with expectations for more drought
Most ranchers didn’t foresee this summer’s drought as they were heading into 2012, but with climate experts predicting below average soil moisture next spring, many are making plans for the hindered conditions in 2013.
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Scientist works with Flint Hills ranchers to manage noxious weed
Like many ranchers, Bill Sproul experiences the rewards and challenges of ranching on Kansas’ tallgrass prairie. And he considers sericea lespedeza the No. 1 long-term threat for ranchers like him.
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Indiana council begins work for better control of invasive plants
A council created by the state Legislature has begun an effort to help agencies and the public better understand the need to prevent invasive plant species from getting established and spreading in Indiana.
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CRP emergency grazing approved in 34 Texas counties
Texas Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director James B. Douglass has announced 34 Texas counties are authorized for emergency grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2013.
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Short forage – Big problems
All across Oklahoma ranchers are looking at short winter pastures, scarce and expensive hay, and high supplement costs.
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Restoring rangeland after fire
Dwayne Elmore examines rangeland forage regrowth after fire.
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ASK THE EXPERT
Question: My pastures were hit pretty hard by drought this season. What should I be looking for to help my pastures recover?
Answer: Matt McGowin, DuPont Crop Protection range and pasture specialist in the mid-South region.Severe lack of moisture and record-setting heat in many parts of the country weakened plants, challenged weed control efforts and amplified plant stress from grazing. The result has been thinner stands of grass that will have a harder time competing with weeds. Read More…
