Expert: Make More Use Of Forages, Feed Less Grain

US - Cow-calf producers should make more use of forages and feed less grain to cattle.
calendar icon 5 June 2007
clock icon 1 minute read
That is the advice that Rodney Jones, Kansas State University livestock production economist, provided at a beef cattle and forage meeting held last month at Mound Valley. The economist said beef producers always face uncertain times caused by weather and costs. Weather dictates cattle cycles because forage supplies are the key to building cattle numbers, he said.

The drought that hit Missouri, Kansas and Texas in 2006 has moved and forage conditions are much better in these states. How fast cattle owners return to building herd numbers will impact calf prices in two to four years, he said.

The nation was still slaughtering old cows in early 2007 and quite a few young heifers went to slaughter in January and February.

“That shows we are not off and running to rebuild the cow herd, yet,” he said.

Source: Joplin Globe
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