“Out to Pasture” June 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS

ACROSS THE AGENT’S DESK

Woodford County 184 Beasley Drive Versailles, KY 40383-8992 (859) 873-4601 Fax: (859) 873-8936 extension.ca.uky.edu

June 6 – Farmstead Planning Workshop, Woodford County Extension Office, Versailles, KY

June 6 – EweProfit School 1, C. Oran Little Research Farm, Versailles, KY

June 19-24 – Woodford County Fair, Woodford County Fairgrounds, Versailles, KY

July 24 – Woodford County Farm Tour, Woodford County Extension Office, Versailles, KY

July 27 – UK Corn, Soybean, & Tobacco Field Day, UKREC, Princeton, KY

BEEF CATTLE

With the dry weather we had during the middle of May, much of our spring work was performed in a hurry. Now that crops are in the ground and part of our hay is cut, take some time to scout your fields for problems that may arise. Slugs have been feeding in corn and soybeans, alfalfa weevil are still active in some fields, and fly control is needed in our beef herds. Taking a little time to scout can pay big dividends later. Here’s to a great June!

“Urolithiasis” is the veterinary term used for the disease resulting from the formation of stone-like structures (“calculi”) inside the urinary tract of cattle, similar to kidney stones in humans. If a stone lodges in the urethra, it can partially or completely block the flow of urine and eventually lead to rupture of the bladder or urethra and ultimately death. Emergency surgical intervention may be performed or humane euthanasia recommended due to the extremely painful condition in affected animals. Stone formation is due to many factors but high phosphorus/low calcium intake is perhaps the most important cause. Corn and corn-based coproducts such as dried distillers grains and corn gluten feed both have high concentrations of phosphorus and low calcium content. When feeding these feedstuffs without supplemental calcium to maintain at least a 1:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus (2:1 is preferred), the potential for bladder or kidney stone formation increases dramatically. How do urinary calculi form? Stones begin as a small accumulation of cells, mucus or bacteria floating in the urine in the bladder or kidney. For a steer on a high grain diet with incorrectly balanced minerals, the urine pH is typically alkaline (or basic) and contains mucoproteins and minerals including phosphorus and magnesium in liquid form. If the steer is not drinking adequate water, the urine becomes concentrated and the minerals begin to change to their solid form and stick to the small clumps of cells. The mucoproteins serve as the glue that holds it all together

The most common types of stones identified from cattle on grain diets are “struvite” (magnesium ammonium phosphate) or “apatite” (calcium phosphate) calculi. Excess phosphorus and magnesium in the diet, low water intake and urine alkalinity all contribute to this condition. Is this only a problem in steers? Urinary calculi are mostly problematic for feedlot steers, and less often seen in bulls or females. The male urethra (the tube that transports urine away from the bladder) is a long and winding road from the bladder to the outside of the body. Early castration may reduce the diameter of the urethra, making steers more susceptible to stones lodging and completely cutting off the flow of urine. Females are rarely affected because they have a shorter and wider urethra that makes passage of stones much easier. Bulls can suffer from this condition but it is less common than steers.

How do I recognize a steer with urinary calculi obstructing

urine flow? The first indicators are depression, no interest

in feed, labored breathing and walking stiffly. Crystals may

be seen on preputial hairs. Early clinical signs look similar

to digestive upset or colic. The steer will lick or kick at his

belly, stomp his rear feet, and switch his tail. Attempts to

urinate are frequent, with straining and grinding the teeth.

Excessive straining can cause the rectum to prolapse and

may be confused with constipation. If urine can pass, it

often dribbles out and may be blood-tinged. Sometimes

urine is completely absent.

Feeding Steers on Corn Gluten or Distillers Grains? Learn to Recognize Urinary Calculi & How to Prevent Them Source: Dr. Michelle Arnold, DVM (UK Extension Veterinarian), Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler (UK Beef Specialist)

FORAGES

When the obstruction is complete, the urethra or bladder will finally rupture. Rupture of the urethra results in swelling in the prepuce and scrotum, and the diffusion of urine under the skin of the belly cause the swelling to extend toward the chest. The penis may be swollen and protruding. Rupture of the bladder causes urine to gather in the abdomen, causing a progressive distension of the flank areas (“uroperitoneum”). Rupture brings relief from the pain and the steer will seem relieved. There is a temporary improvement in attitude and the animal resumes eating but the abdomen continues to expand with fluid (urine). As urine accumulates in the abdomen, toxemia and death occur in about 48 hours after rupture. The gathering of urine under the skin or in the abdominal cavity is often referred to as “water belly”. How do you treat a steer that is “blocked”? Routine observation of cattle is necessary to detect the earliest signs of disease. Often surgery is needed to create a permanent opening in the urethra in the perineal area. How do you prevent urinary calculi? Most importantly, easy access to fresh, clean drinking water is essential. To

increase water consumption and dilute the urine, increase salt in the feed to 0.25%-0.5% of the diet. Correction of the

calcium to phosphorus ratio in the ration to at least 1:1 with 2:1 as the recommended target is mandatory. As a general

rule of thumb, three pounds of corn gluten feed or dried distillers grains provides approximately the same amount of

phosphorus intake as 4 ounces of a 6% mineral product.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide additional calcium to maintain

an adequate calcium to phosphorus ratio to prevent urinary calculi

in corn-based diets and when higher levels of corn-based

coproducts are used as supplements. Offer a high calcium, low

phosphorus mineral (20-25% calcium and 3% or less phosphorus

mineral) or use a coproduct balancer mineral pellet product in the

feed. Adding feedgrade limestone to the diet at a rate of 0.1-0.2

pounds per head per day will increase calcium when feeding high

levels of corn/corn-based coproducts. If grain intake is high, a

switch to straight soyhulls or another feed that allows easier

maintenance of the proper Ca:P ratio may be necessary.

Male Urinary Tract showing common site for stone to lodge in a steer. Illustration from https://www.slideshare.net/

BabulRudraPaul2/urolithiasis-in-cattle-sheep-and-goat-ppt.

BEEF CATTLE CONTINUED...

Grazing Residue Height Matters Source: Dr. Jessica Williamson; Penn State University Forage Specialist I know we have all heard it. Overgrazing isn’t good for anybody. Not the cow, the grass, or the farmer’s pocketbook. But I still see it in many places. It’s easy to do. Even I’ve been guilty of it a few times. Here, Dr. Williamson does a good job explaining what you can see, and what you can’t. Any grazier knows that pasture management is as much of an art as it is a science. Skilled and seasoned graziers understand how important it is to keep a close eye on pastures as livestock are grazing, and often a drive-by evaluation of a pasture is not good enough to fully see what is going on out there – it requires us to get out of the truck and get our boots on the ground, walking the field to evaluate the current status. Often over-grazed pastures can appear to have more residue – or stubble – than they actually have when driving by or viewing from a vehicle window. In the spring when conditions are favorable for cool-season perennial pasture growth (the most common type of pasture in Pennsylvania), it can seem simple to graze and get regrowth of forages after the animals have been rotated to a new paddock in a rotational grazing system. However, as the growing season progresses and the temperature becomes warmer and cool season forage growth slows, grazing management becomes even more critical if adequate pasture regrowth is desired.

GENERAL

FORAGES CONTINUED...

Grazing Residue Height Matters Source: Dr. Jessica Williamson; Penn State University Forage Specialist

Typically, a grazing residue height of 3-4” in cool season perennial grasses is recommended. During the peak growing season, graziers can easily graze more towards the 3” mark and still get adequate pasture regrowth if animals are removed from the paddock and pasture is allowed time to regrow – typically for 21-28 days. However, as the summer encroaches and temperatures rise, forage growth will slow and often times precipitation slows – and in some years, stops! It is important to remember that what is above the soil in terms of stubble height is reflected below the soil with root depth and mass. In other words, if the grass is grazed to a 1.5” stubble, there will likely only be 1.5” of root mass and depth below the soil surface. This isn’t an adequate root system for forages to seek water availability during times of stress – high heat and water deficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that during those times of water deficit and high temperatures, a grazing residue height of 4-4.5” would be ideal.

This allows the forage to have an adequate root system to seek out the nutrients necessary for regrowth during times of stress.

In the fall, as the seasons change and the temperature begins to once again cool, pasture regrowth of cool season perennials will jump once again. However, the plants are preparing to go dormant for the winter months. It is critical, once again, to not graze too close to the soil surface for that final grazing in the fall before winter. Research has shown that the higher the residue or stubble height in the fall, the sooner the pasture is able to be grazed in the spring and the more biomass is available the following grazing season. So keep a grazing stick behind your truck seat, get out there and measure the pasture residue height. When it gets down to 3”, make sure that livestock are being rotated to a pasture with at least 6-8” of forage growth and allow the previously grazed pasture adequate time to regrow.

Quarles Warns Farmers to Avoid Hay-Buying Scam Source: Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles is cautioning area farmers to stay alert for possible scams targeting hay buyers and sellers. “The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has received several reports of fraudulent hay-buying activity in recent weeks,” Quarles said. “Farmers should take extra care to protect themselves from scam artists when buying or selling commodities such as hay or livestock, especially when contacted by email, social media, or text message.” Warning signs of a possible scam may include:

The buyer refuses to speak by telephone;

The buyer proposes to mail the seller a check in excess of the negotiated price, then asks the seller to mail the extra amount in cash back to the buyer; or

The buyer is vague about transportation arrangements. “We urge anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam to contact their local law enforcement agency or Kentucky State Police,” Quarles said. “If anyone needs assistance locating hay, please contact KDA’s Hay and Forage Testing Program at (502) 782-9210 or online at kyagr.com.” KDA Forage Testing Program administrator Kim Field warned that some scammers have also posed as hay sellers, creating websites or online posts that mimic legitimate hay businesses. “These scams can be sophisticated,” Field said. “Telephone numbers that appear to be U.S. based can be forwarded to unknown locations. Farmers should also vet charitable requests to donate hay or supplies for areas affected by natural disasters such as drought or wildfire.”

Field said farmers can limit their exposure to scams by having a contract that specifies:

The name, address, and phone number of the buyer and seller;

The type and quality of the hay;

Whether the price will be set by total weight or number of bales;

Logistics for shipping, including contact information and costs for pickup or delivery;

How money will be exchanged between the buyer and seller; and

What recourse the buyer has if the product is not as advertised (e.g., refund or replacement).

Kentucky farmers are encouraged to use KDA’s low-cost hay testing service. For a $10-per-lot fee, KDA will collect a sample and analyze the forage’s nutritional value. KDA also operates an online “Hay Hotline” service to connect hay buyers and sellers. Learn more at the Forage Testing Program webpage at kyagr.com. Kentucky farmers produced 5.5 million tons of hay valued at $674 million in 2016.

Sincerely,

Adam Probst, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Email: adam.probst@uky.edu

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Disclaimer: When trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears the complete responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Equipment Location

(4) No-till drills Southern States

(2) No-till drills Woodford Feed

(2) Tubeline bale wrappers Woodford Feed

Chain Harrow Woodford Feed

The Woodford County Conservation District has the following equipment for rent. Please contact the

location of equipment for availability.

WC CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Free Soil Testing Free soil test vouchers are available at the

Woodford County Conservation Office to be

redeemed when soil samples are submitted

through the Woodford County Extension Service. Up to

20 free soil tests are available per farm or homeowner.

This program runs through June 30, 2017, or until the

funds are depleted.

RECIPE EWEPROFIT SCHOOLS

Three Eweprofit Schools are held annually at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Research Center Sheep Unit, located at 1171 Midway Road, Versailles, KY 40383. These schools are designed for new and prospective sheep producers, although veteran producers are welcome. Participation in all three schools by inexperienced producers will, theoretically, provide the skills necessary to efficiently manage a sheep flock on an annual basis. Concurrently, experienced producers can hone their shepherding skills at these schools. Topics of discussion, demonstration, and hands-on programing include:

Internal parasite control

Foot care

Body condition scoring ewes

Vaccinations

Ewe/ram management

Lamb production

Rations

Equipment

Marketing

Forage management

Each school will begin at 10:00 a.m. with lunch on your own from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and will conclude by 3:00 p.m. each day. Even though these schools are numbered I, II, and III, first attendance can be at any one of the three. There are no pre-registration or fees. The schools asks that participants call Dr. Don Ely at 859-257-2717 or email dely@uky.edu two days before each school to verify attendance. Eweprofit III, April 4, 2017 (Completed) Eweprofit I, June 6, 2017 Eweprofit II, October 10, 2017

Marinated Beef

Ingredients 12 ounces beef round steak 1 garlic clove 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions 1. Using a cutting board and sharp knife, cut round steak across the grain into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long. 2. In a medium glass mixing bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil, salt and pepper. 3. Add beef strips and stir to coat with the oil mixture (marinade sauce). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours. 4. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 Tablespoons of the oil for 1-2 minutes until hot. 5. Drain marinade from beef. Put beef in skillet, stir and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until meat is thoroughly browned.