Preparing for drought forage contingencies

Preparing for drought - forage contingenciesJohn DhuyvetterNCRECForage SituationStockpile roughageOther sourcesStretching supplyReducing need

HeadlinesJapan to accept beef under 30 months

Feedlot placements lower than expected

Cargill closes Texas plant

2013 cattle prices expected to rise

Hay stocks lowest in five decades

Drought widens and worsensExpanding central plains drought

Forage the most economical feed

Variable annual production

Hay prices doubleLarge ND carryover of 2011 record hay cropGood hay crop over much of state in 2012 with large harvest of CRPExtreme shortage to south resulting in huge movement on pipe truck back hauls to SD, NE, WY, COPrices variable and generally twice what are typical

NDASS survey hay prices10/11alfalfa$71other $5310/12alfalfa$141other $87National 2012-2113 $195/t

adultdamagelarvae

Alfalfa weevil caught usVery disappointing first cuttingMarginal or no second cutting

8Lodging in second year corn may show up in areas of the field, indicating direction of migration of the adults into the field.Planned carryoverLow cost / low qualityStrawCRPslough

Drained site / rowed

Plastic twine/net

Early-opportunity purchases

principlesGrazing readiness3 leaf, late MayStimulatory light grazingJune 1 July 15Growing season rest30-50 daysMaintain residual coverstock to take half / leave half3-4 pasture, twice overGreater root reserves and developmentGreater infiltration and stored moistureFaster nutrient cycling and greater N statusReduced soil temps and evaporationLess impact of drought with some banked grazing and greater productionPayback to grazing managementbenefits

June 30, 2006. 2.04 rain to date. 2.3 AUM/acre during 2005 grazing seasonNo use as yet in 2006

Additional grazing possibilitiesCorn stalks for dry cows1-1.5 acre/cow/monthAnnual forageMillet, oat, sudexSwath grazeGraze Hay land Damaged/abandoned cropsPost harvest cover cropMove cows to better region

Annuals/emergency foragesUseHay or grazeSeasonCool or warmInput costsSeedFertilizerHerbicidesOtherDrought toleranceEstablishmentDiversity/complexityToxicity

2006 Hay Quality SurveyTypeADFNDF%CP%TDN CRP 42687.155 Hay Barley346013.062 Oat Hay356110.661 Oat/Pea325612.865 Wheat Hay325914.064 Millet346411.163 Sudex305413.366 Alfalfa415415.656 Alfalfa/Grass376012.057 Cereal Straw50784.244 Pea Straw52665.443 Slough Hay38667.552CREC Annual Forage TrialCropstageYieldTDNCPForage peaFlat pod1.46521Forage oatEarly milk3.66213Forage barley2.86213Forage triticaleflower3.56114Oat-pea2.66616Barley-pea2.56417Triticale-pea3.26014German millet2.86212.8Pearl millet2.46215.5Sudan grass3.05911Sorghum sudan3.06112.4BMR sorgxsud2.46112.5Stock conservativelyStocking ratesDestocking plansEvaluate forage growthTarget datesTarget animals

Early wean to conserve grazingConsider weaning 120-150 daysConserve 3-4 lbs/d pasture forage for cowsMaintain cow conditionExcellent calf gains and healthAdded costs ?

Hardy adaptive cowsTrait optimumsMature sizeMilk typeSelection/cullingOpen/lateConditionproduction

Waste not want notDaily feedingLimit feedingProcessingFeeder options

Inventory, test, plan

Cowbytes ration evaluator

Limit Feeding Forage to Cows1234Mixed hay6Grass hay20CRP hay3256Corn Silage30Wheat straw10Feed barley12Corn DDGS22mineral.1.1.332% liquid1.5$/day1.601.541.481.90 lb/day33.627.146.220.4CP/TDN8/5310/599/5712/74Inventory hayAllocate to remainder of feeding period by limit feedingMinimum 5-10 lbsCost compare available feed alternativesBalance energy and protein needs with limit fed grain and or byproductsUse straw or stalks as free choice fillerProvide bunk space

Dont forget WaterMineral

Slovek Ranch, SDOct 2011bought cheap CRP hayDec 2011rented some additional pastureApr 2012rented more pastureJun 2012sorted out old pairsJul 2012sold old cows early weaned calvesJul 2012found hailed winter wheat to buyJul 2012limited heifer breeding to 1 cycleAug 2012contracted DDGSAug 2012shipped cows to better areaSep 2012 placed calves in feedlot earlyDec 2012building partial partial confinementsummaryTry to bank some low cost feed when opportunity arisesExpand forage base with residue and annualsInventory, test, evaluate, and plan, plan, plan Stock conservatively and be prepared to cull, wean, sellProtect the condition and value of cattle and range