I hope all is going well on your operations, especially with calving.

Proper Colostrum Management
Necessary for a Successful Calving Season

Dr. Greg Lardy
NDSU Beef Specialist

Adequate intake of high quality colostrum in the early hours of a newborn calf's life is critical for survival and good health. Colostrum contains immunoglobulins, or antibodies, necessary to protect the calf from disease and is an important source of casein, fat, and vitamins A and E.

As a general rule of thumb, a calf should receive enough colostrum to equal five to six percent of its body weight within the first six hours of life. That same amount should be fed again when the calf is about 12 hours old. For an 80 pound calf, that would be approximately two quarts of colostrum per feeding. After the first 12 hours of life, the gut begins to "close" and it becomes increasingly difficult for the calf to absorb the antibodies found in the colostrum. At six hours after birth, calves absorbed 66% of the immunoglobulins in colostrum, but at 36 hours after birth only 7% was absorbed.

There is considerable variation in the amount of colostrum produced from cow to cow. Dairy breeds produce more colostrum than beef breeds and mature cows produce more than heifers. Also, cows on an adequate plane of nutrition produce more colostrum than cows on low energy diets. Cows should have a body condition score of 5 or higher at calving to ensure adequate colostrum production.

Handling and Storing Colostrum

For optimum results, colostrum should be collected from cows within 24 hours of calving and fed fresh. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to collect colostrum at calving and store it frozen for use at a later date.

Consider storing colostrum in Ziploc® bags in a size which makes thawing individual "servings" easy (1 or 2 quarts). Thawing is facilitated if the bags are stored flat in the freezer. Since the antibodies and immunoglobulins are proteins, how you handle colostrom during thawing is important to prevent damage. Thaw slowly, using one of the following suggested methods:

Method 1: Place frozen bag of colostrum inside microwave set no higher than 60% power. Heat for one minute, then carefully knead bag or stir colostrum to ensure even thawing and warming. Repeat as needed to warm colostrum to 104oF. Remember: heating time will vary from microwave to microwave.

Method 2: Submerse frozen bag of colostrum in a container filled with 110oF water. Carefully knead bag or stir colostrum every five minutes. Warm colostrum to 104oF.

Commercial Colostrum Supplements

A number of commercial products are available which act as colostrum substitutes. Research studies indicate that calves are better off receiving these products than no colostrum at all; however, they do not provide the calf with the level of protection found in fresh or frozen stored colostrum.

Risk of Johne's Disease

Johne's Disease (Myobacterium paratuberculosis) can spread to your herd through infected colostrum. If you are using colostrum from a herd other than your own, be sure to check that the herd is free of Johne's Disease.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Product Improvement - Tenderness

John Dhuyvetter, Area Livestock Specialist

The beef industry has identified a number of important factors related to its current problems. Loss of market share and declining profitability have turned the focus from production orientation to consumer satisfaction. Changing genetics, managing for product improvement, developing products with more appeal and value to the modern consumer, and more effective advertising and marketing are considered important to claiming more of the consumers' dollars and revitalizing the industry. As a mature, commodity-based industry, it appears progress will be slow. Most progress will come from producer groups supporting product and market development to stimulate the private sector. Additionally, innovation will likely come from within the confines of alliances and niche/specification programs, as the open market system is showing few signs of moving to a situation that really pushes value-based pricing and genetic change.

Product tenderness has moved to the forefront as one of the bigger problems with beef. Consider that the primary consumer concern with beef is tenderness, yet one in four steaks "doesn't eat right." One must question the effectiveness of the present quality grade system.

Researchers at Colorado State University applied total quality management (TQM) principles to identify critical control points at which application of corrective actions would reduce the incidence of retail beef tenderness problems in sirloin and top loin steaks to less than 1%. The TQM program began by feeding cattle a high concentrate diet in the feedlot. Genetic management included eliminating the worst sires based on progeny 14 day ribeye shear force. Upon slaughter, corrective actions were imposed. All carcasses received electrical stimulation. Next, carcasses were sorted into two tenderness categories (tender or tough) based on top loin shear force. Cuts determined to be tender were aged 7 to 14 days and cuts determined tough received calcium activated tenderization and were aged 14 to 21 days.

Working Together

John Dhuyvetter

Cattle producers working with other producers to gain advantages they couldn't realize individually is, by definition, networking. While networking is a current buzzword, the concept is not new. But now more than ever it is a timely and important concept for cattle producers.

Many existing examples of networking can be found; for instance, exchanging labor resources for labor intensive tasks such as working cattle; marketing breeding stock though producer association consignment sales and marketing cattle through association weighing stations. Value added processing and supply cooperatives are further examples of combining resources for mutual benefit. Networking opportunities may also exist in pooling calves for preconditioning and marketing, developing herd replacements and managing breeding programs, making capital investments in equipment and facilities, tracking information and markets, purchasing inputs, and utilizing hired labor.

A clear understanding of the network's purpose, the responsibilities of those involved, a commitment to making it work, and a structure of leadership and organization that reflects the seriousness of the relationship are vital for its success. Common goals can be achieved though good communication, honesty, and trust.

With the changing face of agriculture today, it is important that producers take a world view of current problems and opportunities. They should take a personal inventory of goals, resources, strengths, and weaknesses. For cattle producers, as for those in other businesses, the way things were done in the past may not be the way things are done in the future.

Crop and Stage Forage Trial

John Dhuyvetter

A two-year annual forage trial at the North Central Research Extension Center at Minot evaluated two common concerns of producers: the differences between various cereal grains used for forage and the stage at which they should be harvested. The trial involved growing oats, forage barley, triticale, and oat-field pea combination for forage in 1996 and 1997. Crops were harvested for forage at differing stages, including boot, milk, soft dough, and firm dough. Growing conditions were good in the years of the study.

Differences in yield, crude protein (CP) and digestible dry matter (DDM) were minor for oats, triticale, and forage barley (see table below). However, the stage at harvest affected both yield and protein. Greatest yields were achieved with advancing maturity, whereas crude protein declined. Late milk to early dough is often recommended as an appropriate stage to maximize protein per acre.

NCREC Crop and Stage Forage Trial

Supplementing Cows With Wheat Midds

John Dhuyvetter

Wheat midds can be a logical and effective supplement for beef cows grazing low quality winter range or being fed low quality forages. Midds provide a source of supplemental protein, energy, and minerals. The moderate level of crude protein in midds (approximately 18% CP) is highly degraded in the rumen and well utilized by cattle on low quality forage typically low in rumen degradable protein. Likewise, mature forages are typically low in phosphorus; whereas, midds are a good source of phosphorus (approximately 1% P) and other trace minerals. The low starch characteristics of midds, along with fairly high levels of digestible fiber, minimizes the antagonistic impact on fiber digestibility often seen with feeding grains containing high starch content.

A series of trials conducted at Oklahoma State University specifically evaluated the use of wheat midds as of source of supplemental protein and/or energy for cows grazing dormant native range. When recommended levels of supplemental protein where fed (1.18 lbs CP/head/day), cows fed wheat midds (7.6 lbs/head/day) or a corn-soybean meal mixture (7.9 lbs/head/day) gained more weight precalving than those supplemented with soybean meal only (3 lbs/head/day). It was concluded cows benefitted from the additional energy since adequate protein was available. Midds appear to be equal to a mixture of corn and soybean meal with an equivalent protein content. When the cost per pound of protein from midds is favorable to that from oil seed meals, they can be used effectively as a replacement for supplementing protein to cows. When forage is limited or energy requirements exceed what can be obtained from forage, the additional energy provided by midds will also be beneficial.

The Carrington Research Center is currently evaluating the use of wheat midds as a supplement for low quality roughages, such as crop residues, in beef cow diets. Lactating first calf heifers fed a ration consisting primarily of wheat midds and straw had similar weight changes, similar reproductive performance, and produced calves of similar weight compared to lactating first calf heifers fed a conventional corn silage alfalfa based ration. Cows on the alternative ration consumed an average of 16.7 pounds of wheat midds, 10.5 pounds of straw, and 5.5 pounds of alfalfa/grass hay daily. Preliminary results confirm that cows can be fed a variety of feedstuffs and perform to their genetic potential, including rations comprised primarily of midds and straw, if the ration is balanced to the cow's needs.

A South Dakota State University digestibility trial specifically evaluated the impact of wheat midds as a supplement for low protein forage on forage digestibility and intake. They found hay intakes and total diet intake and digestibility to be similar with both soybean meal supplemented at 2.5 lbs/head/day or wheat midds at 5 lbs/head/day. There was a slight increase in forage utilization from soybean meal compared to wheat midds, but total digestible dry matter was slightly increased by supplementing with midds. However, wheat midds fed at high levels (11 lbs/head/day) decreased forage intake (as might be expected since midds are being substituted for hay), but also resulted in lower hay digestibility (39 vs. 33, respectively), lower total ration intake (24.0 vs. 21.8, respectively), and decreased utilization of the low quality forage.

Wheat midds are a useful feed for cattle. They offer a competitive alternative for supplementing additional protein and energy to cows. They require no further processing in comparison to feed grains. In the pelleted form, midds can be fed on sod or frozen ground with lower losses. Producers using large amounts of wheat midds should calculate the nutrient content of the total diet. Problems with excess phosphorous (or a deficiency in calcium) can be a problem. While the need for typical phosphorus-containing supplements may be eliminated, supplemental calcium may be necessary.

Nutrient Composition of Selected Cool-Season Grasses Near Hettinger, North Dakota

Kevin Sedivec, Irwin Russell, Kimberly Vader, Dwight Tober, and Eric Eriksmoen

Cool-season grasses are commonly planted in North Dakota for spring, early summer, and fall pastures, hayland, wildlife habitat, roadside right-of-ways, and set aside acres. Meeting the nutritional requirements of domestic livestock is the key to optimizing performance on and off pasture. Crude protein (CP) content and acid detergent fiber (ADF) are two measures of feed quality which can be used to evaluate feed value of cool season forages. Knowing the nutritional content of these cool-season grasses can be used by livestock producers to obtain optimum quality and production of hay and improved management during the grazing season.

Ranchers in North Dakota, surrounding states, and Canadian provinces have indicated a need for improved cool-season grasses for additional pasture land and hayland that best complement native rangeland. To meet this need, nutritional content of the grasses, production potential, and best use based on plant phenology and production are needed to address these concerns. With such knowledge and the potential to improve cattle performance on a regional basis, a need has developed to determine the nutrient content and forage production potential of selected cool-season grasses in the Northern Great Plains region.

This project was conducted on private land south of Hettinger, North Dakota, from 1995 through 1997. All grass species and cultivars were planted on a fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained soil prone to erosion. One hundred and one different varieties or experimental lines were seeded on April 6, 1992. Twenty-five grasses were selected in 1994 to be analyzed for nutrient quality and forage production. A total of 18 grass species will be tested encompassing 25 cultivars.

The cool-season grass species differed in amount and timing of peak production, and levels of nutrient content. Yearly forage production differed for each cultivar. The results will be discussed below.

Forage Production - Although 25 cool-season grasses were selected for this trial, 21 were tested for herbage production potential. When yearly rankings are composited into a three-year total index (ex. pubescent wheatgrass Manska: 2+2+2=6 versus basin wildrye Magnar: 4+3+1=8), pubescent wheatgrass (Manska) ranked first among the 21 cultivars for herbage production (Table 1, page 7). In terms of herbage production, not accounting for timing of peak production, both cultivars of pubescent wheatgrass (Manska, MND-759), basin wildrye (Magnar), tall wheatgrass (Alkar), and intermediate wheatgrass (Oahe) achieved the highest production potential among the 21 grass species/cultivars. Herbage production varied between years, with production greatest in 1995 and lowest in 1997. Precipitation in April-September was 26.9% above and 17% below normal in 1995 and 1997, respectively. Precipitation in April-September was 9.1% above normal in 1996.

Herbage production alone should not be used to select a grass species to plant. Date of peak herbage production (Table 1) and amount of time at peak production must be looked at to best analyze a specific use of a grass species. For example, crested wheatgrass (Nordon) ranked seventh overall in production and reached peak production in early July when forage quality is moderate. Tall wheatgrass (Alkar) ranked third overall in production, but reached peak production in mid September when forage quality is very low. Although tall wheatgrass produces a high tonnage of herbage, it does not achieve that level of production until late in the season when forage quality is poor.

Nutritional Quality - Twenty cool-season grasses were analyzed for nutritional quality. To optimize livestock performance, producers would like nutrient content of the grass to remain high throughout the grazing season or harvest grass stands for hay at optimum time for quality and production. These goals should be achievable once nutrient content is determined and correlated with production.

All grass cultivars declined steadily in CP content throughout the spring and summer (Table 2, page 7). Since most cool-season grasses show a second growth period in late summer, nutritional quality should improve with new secondary growth. All grass species met the minimum nutrient requirements of a 1200 lb lactating cow (average calving mid March with 20 lb peak milk) through early June. Only altai and Russian wildrye maintained quality until July and only Russian wildrye (Mankota) maintained adequate levels of CP throughout the grazing season.

When reviewing these nutritional quality results, quality can only be assessed for hay and not actual grazing quality for pasture. Livestock can selectively graze to obtain higher quality than shown in this data; however, hay quality will be accurate since clipping was conducted similar to a haying operation. Comparison among grass species can be conducted and selection for grazing or haying useable since all grass species were collected and analyzed with the same manner.

Harvest efficiency should be the goal of any producer putting up hay. To achieve an efficient harvesting system, producers should put up hay to optimize quality and quantity. An efficient grass would be classified as a grass that reaches peak production early in the growing season when quality is highest. Low efficiency grasses are those that reach maximum production when quality is low. All selected cool-season grasses where analyzed for pounds of protein produced per acre to determine maximum CP harvested (Table 3, page 8).

Basin wildrye produced the greatest amount of protein per acre among all grasses with 283 lbs/acre in early July. Most grasses peaked on the July 1 clipping period; however, altai and Russian wildrye, and tall wheatgrass peak into late July. With further review, only altai and Russian wildrye had a moderate CP content in late July while the CP in tall wheatgrass fell to 5.5% in late July (Table 2).

Most grasses showed a similar CP content at each clipping period throughout the collection period with some exceptions. Only Russian, altai and basin wildrye were at or near the minimum CP requirement for a 1200 lb lactating cow (average calving mid March with 20 lb peak milk) after July 1. Only Russian wildrye (Mankota) maintained minimum CP requirements throughout the collection period. In terms of herbage production, not accounting for timing of peak production, both cultivars of pubescent wheatgrass (Manska, MND-759), basin wildrye (Magnar), tall wheatgrass (Alkar), and intermediate wheatgrass (Oahe) achieved the highest production potential among the 21 grass species/cultivars. Of those five, only basin wildrye reached peak production when forage quality was good. Crested wheatgrass (Nordon), basin wildrye (Magnar), and Russian wildrye (Bozoisky Select) had the highest protein produced per acre in late April and May. Basin wildrye, pubescent wheatgrass (Manska), and crested wheatgrass (Nordon) had the highest protein produced/acre in June and early July. Altai wildrye (Prairieland) and basin wildrye had the highest protein produced per acre in late July and August. Altai, basin, and Russian wildrye (Mankota) had the highest protein produced per acre in September and October.

Summary - Most grasses had a similar CP content at each clipping period throughout the collection period with some exceptions. Only Russian, altai, and basin wildrye were at or near the minimum CP requirement for a 1200 lb lactating cow (average calving mid March with 20 lb peak milk) after July 1. Only Russian wildrye (Mankota) maintained minimum CP requirements throughout the collection period. In terms of herbage production, not accounting for timing of peak production, both cultivars of pubescent wheatgrass (Manska, MND-759), basin wildrye (Magnar), tall wheatgrass (Alkar), and intermediate wheatgrass (Oahe) achieved the highest production potential among the 21 grass species/cultivars. Of those five, only basin wildrye reached peak production when forage quality was good. Crested wheatgrass (Nordon), basin wildrye (Magnar), and Russian wildrye (Bozoisky Select) had the highest protein produced per acre in late April and May. Basin wildrye, pubescent wheatgrass (Manska), and crested wheatgrass (Nordon) had the highest protein produced per acre in June and early July. Altai (Prairieland) and basin had the highest protein produced/ acre in late July and August. Altai, basin, and Russian wildrye (Mankota) had the highest protein produced/acre in September and October.

Table 1. Peak herbage production (lb/ac) and ranking among 21 select cool-season grasses, Hettinger, ND, 1995-1997.

Table 2. Crude protein (%) content by date for 20 select cool-season grasses near Hettinger, ND, 1995-1997.

Table 3. Protein produced (lbs) per acre for 20 select cool-season grasses near Hettinger, ND, 1995-1997.