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IntroductionAfter a warmer than normal fall, the weather the last few days has more than a hint of fall in it. I'm sure it has some of our producers looking down the road to what winter has in store for them. Hopefully, it will not be like last year. John Dhuyvetter, Area Livestock Specialist, Minot Research Extension Center, graciously agreed to write for this month's Ranch Hand. He has written four articles, including some very timely information on weaning and using field peas as a feed source. There is also an article on grazing corn stalks. In some areas of the state that are seeing an increase in corn production, grazing the residue may be a viable alternative, providing snow cover does not limit grazing. We hope you are enjoying the Ranch Hand and that the information is timely and useful. We would like to hear from you and get your feedback on the Ranch Hand. Greg Lardy Performance of Calves on CornstalksJohn Dhuyvetter Area Livestock Specialist The trend to heavier weaning calves through earlier calving and higher growth genetics has brought about a decline in the practice of rough wintering calves to be placed on grass as yearlings. However, as producers are considering alternative management systems, including later season calving and retained ownership, there is new interest being shown in developing calves as yearlings on grass. Key to these strategies is minimizing wintering costs. Potential exists to reduce costs of winter feeding by using crop residue as chaff, screenings, ammoniated straw, and cornstalks. Some potential exists for grazing stalks in corn-producing areas in late fall and early winter. A Nebraska study evaluating the performance of calves grazing winter cornstalks from early December through January identified gains between .4 and 1.4 pounds per day. Gains varied by year and amount of residual corn in the field. No significant differences were found in gains between fields protected by conifer windbreaks or unprotected fields. No yield differences in subsequent crops were found between grazed and ungrazed stalks. Reduce Stress by Giving Weaned Calves Contact to DamsJohn Dhuyvetter Area Livestock Specialist A Saskatchewan study compared weaning stress of calves placed in pens adjacent to their dams at weaning with calves placed in pens away from their dams. The calves in the adjacent pens were able to see, hear, smell, and touch cows through the adjoining fence, but could not suckle. On the first day of weaning, the remote calves penned away from their mothers bawled and walked more than calves with contact to their mothers. On the second day after weaning, the calves separated from their mothers continued to walk more and lay less. There did not appear to be differences in the frequency of eating, nor were there any differences seen after the second day. Between day 0 and day 3, the remote calves gained less weight, but after day 3 there were no differences in gain. Results indicate that there is a 2 to 3 day period of adjustment to the stress of abrupt weaning. There are no long-term benefits on growth rate, however, the behavioral indicators of comfort suggest well being of newly weaned calves is improved if they are allowed social contact with cows. Multi-Species Grazing Enhances SustainabilityJohn Dhuyvetter Area Livestock Specialist Grazing of several species of livestock on the same area results in more efficient utilization of forage resources due to different diet habits of animals of different species. These differences are related to the physical limitation on the ability to digest and/or detoxify. Across a wide range of studies, cattle diets averaged 70% grass and 15% each of forbes and browse. Sheep diets averaged 50% grass, 30% forbes, and 20% browse. Goats tended to be browsers and their diets averaged 60% browse, 30% grass, and 10% forbes. Averaged across a wide range of studies, multi-species grazing increased meat production 24% compared to cattle-only grazing. This advantage is usually caused by both increased animal performance and increased carrying capacity. Field Peas for Cattle FeedJohn Dhuyvetter Area Livestock Specialist As farmers diversify their crop rotations, acreage in field peas is rapidly expanding. Production is often geared to the seed and the human consumption markets. Peas which do not fit human consumption standards are also available for livestock feed. However, some pea varieties are specifically bred for feed uses. Field peas are both high in protein and a good source of energy. Crude protein values are typically in the low twenties with energy value similar to feed barley. Rumen degradability of protein is high (little bypass value) while the rate of starch breakdown in the rumen is slower than for barley and wheat. Utilization and palatability are enhanced by coarse grinding to chip and shatter the hard seeds. As with many legume seeds, some anti-nutritive factors, such as enzyme inhibitors have been identified in field peas. Good performance is obtained without heat treatment. The anti-metabolites are not present in sufficient amount to be a concern in feeding cattle. The nutrient composition of field peas suggests that they can be used as a major source of supplemental protein and a replacement for a portion of grain in cattle rations. The high rumen degradability of protein and slow rate of starch degradation should make field peas a good choice for supplementing both protein and energy to cattle on low to medium quality forage. In higher grain rations, field peas fed in combination with other feed grains could eliminate the need for other supplemental protein and maintain an energy dense ration. Prices received for peas used for seed and human consumption markets often exceed their value for cattle feed. Their value as a feedstuff is based on the competing cost of energy and protein from other feed sources. List of "North Dakota" Coproduct Prices AvailableNDSU Extension Dairy Specialist, J. W. Schroeder, has compiled a partial list of coproduct prices. You can obtain a copy of the most current list by accessing the following address on the World Wide Web: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/ dairy/dairyext/coprod97.htm If you don't have access to the World Wide Web, contact us at (701) 231-7513 and we will mail a copy to you. Pregnancy Rates of Synchronized Cows With Timed InseminationJohn Dhuyvetter Pregnancy rates of beef cows synchronized with either the Syncro-Mate B or the Ov-Sync protocol and time inseminated were compared in a Colorado study. Cows in the Syncro-Mate B treatment group received the standard protocol consisting of the insertion of the norgestmet implant and administration of the norgestmet and estradiol valerate injection on day 0, removal of the implant and calves on day 9, and timed insemination coupled with return of the calves beginning 48 hours later. Cows in the Ov-Sync treatment group received an injection of GnRH on day 0, an injection of prostaglandin and 48 hours calf removal on day 7, another injection of GnRH and calf return on day 9 and timed insemination 24 hours later. Mean body condition scores were 4.8 for each group at time of breeding. Blood samples indicated 45% of Syncro-Mate B and 48% of Ov-Sync treated cows were cycling at the onset of the study. Resulting pregnancy rates were higher with Ov-Sync treated cows (52%) compared to cows receiving Syncro-Mate B (39%), regardless of estrual status. Prussic Acid Poisoning from Grazing Canola RegrowthGreg Lardy Manitoba Agriculture has reported a possible link between cattle death from prussic acid poisoning and grazing of canola regrowth. This association has not been noted previously and tests are currently underway to determine if prussic acid is the culprit. For more information, contact us at (701) 231-7660 for a copy of the memo from Manitoba Ag. North Dakota Cow-Calf Conference 12/5/97 - 12/6/97 Doublewood Inn - Bismarck, North Dakota Friday 9:00 -3:00 Intergenerational Business of Family Farming and Ranching - Ron Hanson, Ag Economics, University of Nebraska 7:00 -8:00 Managing for Profitable 1998 Calves - Harlan Hughes, NDSU Saturday 9:35 Current State of Affairs in ND Beef Cattle Production - Russ Danielson, NDSU 9:45 Where Should Cow-Calf Producers Set Their Sights for the Next Century? - Ken Odde, Pfizer Animal Health 10:15 Partnerships with NDSU and ND Beef Cattle Producers in the 21st Century - Patricia Jensen, VP for Agriculture, NDSU 10:45 Summary of ND Naked Oat Research - Marc Bauer, NDSU 11:00 Beef Cow Supplementation Programs for Winter '97-'98 - Joel Caton, NDSU 11:20 Effect of Companion Grazing on Leafy Spurge - Kevin Sedivec, NDSU 11:40 Bovine Respiratory Complex in Calves - Neil Dyer, NDSU 1:00 The Reality and Opportunities of Source I.D. - Kris Ringwall, DREC 1:35 Available Options for Owning Calves Through Finish - Greg Lardy, NDSU 2:30 Brand-Like Initiatives to Provide a Great Eating Experience Every Time - Larry Corah, National Cattlemen's Beef Association The $10 registration includes Saturday noon lunch and can be paid at the door. |
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