MANAGEMENT...
One-two Punch
Combined treatment most effective for brush management.
Sometimes a one-two punch is needed to control brush effectively on rangeland, according to a Texas AgriLife Research brush management scientist.
"Two of the most important tools for brush management are the use of prescribed fire and application of herbicides," said Jim Ansley, AgriLife Research scientist at Vernon. "Often these two are thought of as separate stand-alone treatments, but many times they are most effective when used together as part of a long-term brush management plan."
Brush can spread across a ranch, reducing grass for grazing, if it is left unmanaged, Ansley said. Greater encroachment is generally caused by a reduced frequency of natural fires and the spread of seeds by grazing cattle and wildlife. When mesquite or juniper cover exceeds 30%, the production of warm-season grasses is severely reduced. Read more.
Ron Torell with his wife, Jackie
Cow Camp Chatter
Consider the postpartum anestrous period.
The structure and function of a cow's uterus is fascinating. It accepts the calf, a substance that is completely foreign to it, while blocking the body's normal defense mechanism designed to destroy foreign invaders. The uterus nourishes, protects and sustains the developing calf while growing up to 24 inches or more in diameter.
When the time is right, the uterus receives a signal from the calf and transforms itself into a delivery system, forcibly expelling the calf. It then begins the amazing process of preparing itself for a repeat of the whole cycle. The recovery process between calving and the cow's next pregnancy is critical to a profitable beef enterprise and is quite frequently misunderstood. Read more.
Use Caution When Thinking About
Restocking After Drought
Experts with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are advising beef cattle producers to use caution and strategic planning when thinking about restocking herds after drought.
Though rainfall has been received throughout the eastern portion of the state and promoted growth of forages on pastures, cattle producers need to be careful when evaluating their operations.
"I think so far people are being really cautious," said David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist. "I think producers are waiting to see if this rain is going to last. They should be asking themselves questions like 'How long is it going to take for your pasture to recover?' and 'What is going to happen once we get into the summer?' " Read more.
Understanding AUMs
As producers get ready to take cattle to summer pasture, questions often arise about the relationship between range management and stocking rate.
Clearly, if the range resource is underutilized, then profitability will be decreased as more animals could have been using the range. Conversely, and more commonly, the tendency is to overgraze the range and put the sustainability of the range in jeopardy.
Developing a grazing plan to utilize pastures can help producers effectively manage their forage resources. Read more.
Low-stress Handling
Ron Gill explains method to handle cattle quietly and productively.
"There is no true stress-free handling method," Ron Gill, of Texas A&M University and Texas AgriLife Extension, said, but cattle can be moved quietly when a handler works with the cattle's natural instincts instead of against them. Gill gave participants of the 2012 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) symposium an exhibition of low-stress handling and explained basic principles.
Humans communicate with livestock through sight, and noise can be very distracting to livestock, he said, noting that cattle are observant and will watch to see where you are. This can be used to a handler's advantage.
"A cow goes where her nose goes," he explained. To get her nose in the right direction, a handler must apply the right pressure to a cow's flight zone. Each cow is different, so it takes practice to figure out the right amount of pressure to apply. Read more.
Kris Ringwall
Beef Talk
Prepare for a dry year using lazy L culling.
An example of proactive management is when a producer evaluates cow-calf numbers and determines in advance how many pairs should be turned out to grass and adjusts the inventory accordingly.
Looking at the drought forecast certainly causes concern. It's not panic, just concern. In some areas, the lack of precipitation persists, while other areas are candidates for less precipitation.
In reality, producers should be preparing for less forage availability and implementing grazing strategies that will be in balance with what Mother Nature decides to provide this year. No one will know until summer's end. However, by then, it is too late to be proactive. Read more.
New Products
Industry affiliates provide a wide array of products and services to assist you on the farm and ranch. Here's an assortment of new products to hit the market recently.
- Upgraded loader
- Subcompact tractors
- High-capacity loadall
- Insulated water nozzle
- Enhanced performance welding helmet
Angus Advisor
Click here for April herd management tips from cattle experts across the nation. Advice separated by region.
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