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Stocker Management
Water Quality Can Evaporate,
Too
"Drought makes it imperative for producers to monitor
the quality of water their livestock are drinking," say South Dakota
State University (SDSU) specialists.
Using South Dakota as an example, Cody Wright, SDSU beef specialist,
explains, "Water from stock dams, streams and wells is often high in
total dissolved solids (TDS), and especially sulfates."
Drought makes the situation worse because salt concentrations increase
from enhanced evaporation and diminished moisture recharge. In addition,
SDSU researchers note drought conditions sometimes force producers to
use water of marginal quality if no other water is available. Animals
will voluntarily consume less poor-quality water, and eat less
feed/forage as a result.
Russ Daly, SDSU Extension DVM, adds that livestock may experience
increasingly serious health and production problems as water quality
declines.
More specifically, in South Dakota -- where it appears sulfates are the
salt that causes most problems -- Daly explains high sulfate intake may
cause health problems in ruminants. The most notable of these problems
is sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (PEM). Symptoms of
sulfur-induced PEM include lethargy, anorexia, blindness, muscle tremor,
exaggerated response to sound or touch, and a lack of coordination,
which progresses to staggering, weakness; eventually it leads to
convulsions and inability to get up.
Recent research suggests sulfur-induced PEM may be different than
another type of PEM caused by a thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiency. In the
case of sulfur-induced PEM, supplemental thiamin has produced mixed
results.
According to SDSU researchers, the level of sulfur intake that's
problematic varies by the type of diet the cattle are consuming. Sulfur
intakes below 0.3% of diet dry matter (including contribution of water)
are safe for all classes of cattle. Levels above 0.3% can be associated
with sporadic cases of polio in cattle on high-grain diets. Cattle
consuming forage-based diets can consume as much as 0.5% safely. Intakes
of greater than 0.7% may be associated with a significant number of
cases, regardless of diet.
If producers continue using water with high sulfates, SDSU specialists
said there are steps they can take to help lessen the risk to livestock.
When situations dictate the continued use of water with high sulfates,
SDSU specialists said these steps can help lessen the risk:
- Check livestock frequently, minimize other sources of
sulfur/sulfates in the diet.
- Monitor water quality at regular intervals.
- Do what is possible to minimize heat stress.
- Work with a veterinarian to develop a protocol for treating acute
cases of sulfur-induced PEM, as animals often die from the disease if
not treated promptly.
- Consider alternative water or blending "good" and "bad" water,
especially in very hot weather.
- Producers who have multiple water sources should test all sources
and formulate a water-use strategy. Use marginal water first, saving
good-quality water for later in the summer, since water quality will
likely decline over the summer.
Further, these specialists explain cattle consuming water with elevated
sulfate levels should receive a trace-mineral supplement fortified with
copper and possibly thiamin. They caution that the research on thiamin
supplementation has been very inconsistent; thus, positive responses
aren't a given. Producers should work with their nutritionist to achieve
adequate consumption of mineral supplements, which can be difficult when
salts in water are elevated.
SDSU researchers note there are several factors that increase water
intake, thereby increasing the likelihood animals may show ill effects
from poor-quality water. These include: large physical size, lactation,
dark coat color, increased physical exertion, decreased forage moisture,
confinement, and increased environmental temperature.
Find the complete article at agbionews.sdstate.edu/News/newsrelease.cfm?id=2568
Or, to learn more about how sulfate type in stock water can affect
cattle's water intake, read a BEEF magazine article by Amanda
Grout and David Fraser at: beef-mag.com/news/beef_sulfate_type_stock/index.html
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Limited. All rights reserved.
Weather And Crops
Pasture Conditions Continue
Decline
The most recent numbers from the National Ag Statistics
Service (NASS) continue to offer detail to the reason cow slaughter is
up. Compared to last year, 14% less pasture is rated Good or Excellent,
and 14% more is rated as Poor or worse.
More specifically, for the week ending July 2, according to the National
Ag Statistics Service:
States with the worst pasture conditions -- at least 30% of the acreage
rated poor or worse -- include: Alabama (66%); Arizona (78%); Colorado
(65%); Georgia (43%); Kansas (33%); Louisiana (50%); Mississippi (40%);
Missouri (41%); Nebraska (50%); New Mexico (74%); North Dakota (31%);
Oklahoma (58%); South Dakota (46%); Texas (71%); and Wyoming (53%).
On the wet side of the fence, states with the most lush pasture
conditions -- at least 40% rated good or better -- include: Arkansas
(41%); Idaho (89%); Illinois (62%); Indiana (79%); Iowa (49%); Kentucky
(60%); Maine (75%); Maryland (53%); Michigan (55%); Minnesota (57%);
Montana (44%); Nevada (61%); New York (69%); North Carolina (52%); Ohio
(69%); Oregon (61%); Pennsylvania (65%); South Carolina (53%); Tennessee
(52%); Utah (57%); Virginia (46%); Washington (71%); West Virginia
(51%); Wisconsin (59%).
Pasture -- 29% is rated Good and 5% is rated
Excellent, compared to 40% and 8%, respectively last
year. 20% is rated Poor and 15% is ranked Very
Poor, compared to 15% and 6% respectively at the
same time last year.
Corn -- 10% is at or beyond the silking
stage, which is on par with last year and with the
five-year average. 68% is rated Good or better, compared to 62% last year.
Soybeans -- Blooming has begun on 18% of the
acreage, 1% behind last year, but 5% ahead of
normal. 64% is rated Good or better; 58% was at the same time last year.
Winter Wheat -- 65% of the acreage has been
harvested. That's 9% ahead of last year and 10%
ahead of the normal pace.
Spring Wheat -- 72% of the crop is at or
beyond the heading stage, which is 19% ahead of last
year and 26% ahead of the five-year average. 52% is
rated Good or better, compared to 81% last year.
Barley -- Heading advanced to 58%, compared to 44% at this time last year and 43% for
normal. 67% is rated Good or better, compared to 81% last year.
Sorghum -- 22% of the acreage is in the
heading stage, which is 6% ahead of last year and 4%
ahead of average. 50% is ranked Good or better, compared to 64% last year.
Oats -- Heading advanced to 89% of the
acreage, which is 7% ahead of last year and 13%
ahead of average. 42% is rated Good or better, compared to 66% last year.
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Stocker Business
Bulls Vs. Steers
When it comes to ferreting out the stocker potential of
bull calves compared to steers, John F. Currin, DVM, a professor at the
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, says
the real question boils down to figuring out the post-purchase cost of
the bulls.
According to Currin, the extra costs associated with buying bull calves
include:
- The cost of castration.
- Decreased weight gain post-castration.
- Increased likelihood of getting shipping fever (BRD).
- Increased likelihood of calf loss to death (from BRD or castration
complication).
In an article he published last month, Currin cites several studies that
detail the lost performance, increased pull rate, decreased response
rate and increased health costs of bulls compared to steers. Overall,
he estimates the decreased value of bull calves, relative to comparable
steers ranges from $3-$6/cwt. for three-weight calves to $6-$12/cwt. for
six-weights (Table 1).
You can find Currin's article at www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/livestock/aps-06_06/aps-337.html
Table 1
Weight of bulls
purchased
| Decreased value of bull calves
relative to comparable steer calves (per cwt.) |
| 300 lbs | $3-$6 |
| 400 lbs | $4-$8 |
| 500 lbs | $5-$10 |
| 600 lbs | $6-$12 |
Source: Dr. John F. Currin, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary
Medicine, VA Tech, Livestock Update, June 2006
Events
August 8
University of Arkansas "Conservation Tillage and Stocker
Cattle," Clark County Fairgrounds, Arkadelphia, AR. For more info, call
870-246-2281.
September 28
Kansas State University (KSU) Beef Stocker Conference,
KSU Beef Stocker Unit, Manhattan, KS. For more info, call Lois
Schreiner at 785-532-1267.
ADVERTISEMENT
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If you're tired of re-treating cattle for pinkeye, it's time to look for
a treatment with the power to see cattle through recovery.
TETRADURE™ 300 (oxytetracycline) Injection provides therapeutic
blood levels for 7 to 8 days.* To see more about TETRADURE™ 300
(oxytetracycline) Injection, talk to your veterinarian. Or, for
TETRADURE 300 product information, click
here.
* Not for use in lactating dairy animals. Adverse reactions, including
injection site swelling, restlessness, ataxia, inflammation and
respiratory abnormalities, have been reported.
™TETRADURE is a trademark of Merial. © 2005 Merial
Limited. All rights reserved.
Markets
Lower Placements -- Higher
Prices
There was no National Stocker summary issued by the Ag
Marketing Service last week due to the holiday-shortened week.
Fed-cattle trade was basically at a standstill, too. But a positive tone
for stocker and feeder cattle continues based on the bullish June Cattle
on Feed report issued June 23.
As Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock economist,
explained shortly after the report came out, "In the absence of infinite
supply of feeder cattle, there must be a limit to the ability to
continually increase feedlot placements. The recent rally in fed prices
and strength in feeder markets indicated the market was beginning to
realize feeder supplies would be fairly tight in the second half of the
year. This latest report should remove any remaining doubts the feedlot
situation so far this year has been more a matter of changes in the
timing of feedlot production than a huge annual increase."
Specifically, Peel noted, "USDA's June Cattle on Feed report included
smaller than expected placements and larger than expected marketings,
which resulted in a June 1 on-feed inventory of 104% of a year ago. This
is substantially lower than the May 1 total of 109% above the previous
year and lower than pre-report expectations. May placements were down a
whopping 14% from last year and marketings were up 9% from one year
ago."
Note: There was no National Stocker Summary issued by AMS last week
because of the limited auction trade due to the July 4th holiday.
The summary below reflects the week ended June 30 for Medium
and Large 1 -- 500- to 550-lb., 600- to 650-lb., and 700- to 750-lb.
feeder heifers and steers (unless otherwise noted). The list is
arranged in descending order by auction volume and represents sales
reported in the weekly USDA National Feeder and Stocker Cattle Summary:
Summary Table
| State | Volume | Steers | Heifers
|
| Calf Weight | 500-550 lbs. | 600-650 lbs. |
700-750 lbs. |
500-550 lbs.
| 600-650 lbs. |
700-750 lbs. |
| TX | 27,900 | $124.23
| $121.59 |
$117.51 |
$119.80 |
$111.48 | $107.50 |
| OK | 24,800
| $137.82
| $125.68 | $119.24 | $122.60 | $117.48
| $109.30 |
| MO | 22,400 | $133.43 | $127.00 | $117.69 | $125.73 | $117.17 | $109.57 |
| KY* | 14,300 | $116-126 |
$110-120 | $103-1125 | $110-120 | $100-1103 | $95-1055 |
| AL | 13,200
| $120-130
| $113-118 |
$105-1074 |
$113-121 |
$102-113 | $94-1025 |
| TN* | 8,800 | $122.12 | $112.73 | $103.34 | $111.60 | $104.10 | $97.50< |
| GA*(***) | 8,600 | $114.31 |
$108.75 | $95.10 | $110.46 | $99.83 | $98.384 |
| KS | 7,900 | $132.25 | $127.33 | $119.39 | ** |
$116.81 | $114.54 |
| AR | 7,600
| $118-128
| $109-1193 | $103-113 | $109-1191 |
$102-1123 |
$98-108 |
| FL | 7,500
| $100-117
| $93-109 | $85-102 | $96-111 | $91-105 | $87-964 |
| NE | 7,500 | $138.292 | $125.944 | $124.43 | $117.962 | $121.07 | $114.82 |
| SD | 6,700
| **
| ** | $124.09 | ** |
$121.86 | $115.52 |
| Carolinas* |
6,500 | $109-125 |
$100-1183 | $87-1065 | $100-125 | $91-110.503 | $79-905 |
| MS* | 5,900 | $110-1201 | $100-110 | $85-955 | $100-1101 |
$90-1003 |
** |
| CO | 4,500
| $130.51
| $124.252 | $113.80 | $116.222 |
** | $100.69 |
| LA | 4,300
| $114-125
| $104-1143 | ** |
$105-117 |
$100-1103 | ** |
| IA | 2,500 | **
| $124.274
| $119.89 | $129.862 | $126.69 | $109.91
|
| VA | 2,100
| $135.47
| $119.14 | $114.80 |
$114.792 |
$106.04 | $106.324 |
| WY * | 1,600 | $115.252 | $113.92 |
** | $112.82 | ** | ** |
| WA* | 1,100 | **
| ** |
** | **
| $107.05 |
$103.76 |
* Plus 2
** None reported at this weight or near weight
(***) Steers and bulls
NDNo Description
1500-600 lbs.
2550-600 lbs.
3600-700 lbs.
4650-700 lbs.
5700-800 lbs.
6750-800 lbs.
7800-850 lbs.
Contact
Questions & Comments
Please send questions to:
Wes Ishmael, Contributing Editor, BEEF Stocker Trends, at wesleysink@aol.com
Joe Roybal, Editor, BEEF magazine, at jroybal@beef-mag.com
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