A Cattleman’s Field Day sponsored by the Beefmaster Breeders United was hosted at Berachiah Ranch, owned by Lawrence and Connie Shuey in rural Cassville, Mo.
Adding Value and Marketing Feeder Calves
Tom Kissee, representing Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, offered insight into the buying market and ways to increase profits from calf sales. “Buyers want to reduce their risks from sickness and weight loss,” shared Kissee as he explained what buyers at the sale barn look for in feeder calves. Kissee suggested that before calves are taken to market that they be weaned and backgrounded for 45 days. This amount of time rebounds the calf from the initial shock of weaning to a point of weight increase, “It’s also beneficial to vaccinate once before weaning and once after weaning.” Kissee also explained three features a buyer looks for: weight, color and quality. He added that having larger lots of like-sized calves is an asset and that having a good corn and hay crop to ease of feed cost would help increase sale profits.
Rebuilding the Cowherd
Andy McCorkill, University of Missouri Extension Regional Livestock Specialist out of Buffalo, Mo., discussed strategies for rebuilding a cow herd post-drought. Before rebuilding a herd after a sell-off due to the drought, McCorkill explained that it is a good time to look at the fencing and facilities of the farm. “It might be a good time to consider adding some warm-season grasses to fescue pastures,” suggested McCorkill. “Rotational pasture management might be worth developing at this point. A lot of people were feeding hay throughout the summer, but those with rotational grazing were able to give grass a break.” He also discussed building barns, adding weighing scales and buying portable panels to make cattle management easier. When buying animals for herd building, McCorkill suggested, “Find animals that will fit in with your operation needs. Structural soundness is important for our hills, hollers and rocks. Evaluate the animals closely when adding them to your herd.” Managing feed cost is also important, “Build back slowly so you have enough resources while building back forage stores that were lost during the drought.”
Heat Synchronization and Semen Handling
Tammy Wallace and Ashley Hoff were present from Genex artificial inseminating. Ashley explained some of the current AI synchronization “protocols.” The current method of drug induced herd synchronization that they are finding good pregnancy rates with is called, “B-Sync.” They also had an extensive discussion on proper handling of semen straws. “Semen is very fragile, do not handle it with your fingertips. The heat from your fingers can thaw and damage the semen in a short time,” Hoff said. Hoff also offered tips for inspecting semen for damage, “If you pull out a straw with tweezers and they are stuck together, it is a sure sign that the straws have thawed and refroze.” Wallace explained that they only way to know for sure of the viability of the semen, if damage is suspected, is to have it tested.
