November 25, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 16

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Agriculture November 25, 2020 The current state of beef demand Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma Restaurants have recovered sess. Choice boxed beef prices er food service dependent beef chuck and round products ing public health challenges. State University Extension Live- somewhat from the initial have increased sharply the products are less encouraging. are up double-digit percent- Macroeconomic concerns will stock Marketing Specialist lockdown with more emphasis past two weeks after falling Beef tenderloins are currently ages in the past two weeks. grow as consumers go forward on takeout and delivery. Retail from Labor Day through the averaging 25.6 below year ago Chucks (2-piece) are up 7.0 with less unemployment sup- By many measures, grocery demand remains end of October. However, levels and down 1.5 percent in percent the past two weeks port. Ample supplies of beef, beef demand has remained robust and numerous adjust- Choice boxed beef prices the the last two weeks. Sirloin Top and up 13.7 percent year remarkably strong since the ments have helped to shift past two weeks have aver- Butt is up 6.0 percent the last over year, which may indicate pork and poultry increase pandemic started in March. some food service supply aged 9.2 percent below one two weeks but is down 18.4 more demand for grinding for market price pressure, though ‘The first half of the year was chains to support retail gro- year ago, with the rib primal percent year over year. Other retail grocery ground beef. disruptions in supply are a characterized by unparal- cery supply chains. There are down 4.4 percent year over beef products heavily depen- In contrast, 50% trimmings threat as well. It looks to be a leled disruptions in both beef indications that retail grocery year, the loin primal down dent on food service demand are down 55.7 percent and very challenging winter. supply and demand. By the demand is being boosted 10.2 percent, the chuck primal include brisket, down 13.9 90% trimming are down but is not limited to end of June, cattle slaughter again by consumers stocking down 8.4 and the round percent from one year ago 15.8 percent year over year, admissions, employment, was mostly recovered; and has up in the face of increased primal down 6.6 percent year and the Petite Tender, down although both are up the past been thus far in the second uncertainty. The shift from over year. 20.7 percent year over year, two weeks. 50s and 90s are financial aid, and educational half of the year. Since July, summer beef demand to win- Specific wholesale cuts Strip Loin, more frequently more commonly used for food services. References within steer and heifer slaughter has ter raises additional concerns. provide additional insight. used in retail grocery, is up 7.8 service ground beef. this publication to any specific averaged 0.5 percent above Food service is typically more Ribeyes are a key market this percent year over year. Beef demand has fared rea- commercial product, process, year ago levels, Total fed beef emphasized in winter months, time of year with strong de- Most chuck and round sonably well thus far in 2020 or service by trade name, production from steers and which may be an additional mand for Christmas and New products are down in the five but faces numerous challenges trademark, service mark, heifers is up 3.7 percent year challenge. ‘The pandemic is Year's holiday. So far, Ribeyes to ten percent range com- this winter. Loss of outdoor manufacturer, or otherwise over year from July to the end resurging and additional re- are following close to a typical pared to last year, with few dining in cold weather will does not constitute or imply of October. strictions on food service are a seasonal increase with current exceptions (chuck Top Blade further aggravate restaurant Beef demand, however, growing risk. Ribeye prices close to year ago is up 13.0 percent and Eye of challenges. Food service endorsement by Oklahoma continues to be challenged ‘The current state of beef levels and up over nine per- Round is up 5.7 percent year demand is likely to be addi- Cooperative Extension Ser- with restricted food service. demand is a bit tricky to as- cent the last two weeks. Oth- over year). However, several tionally affected with worsen- vice. Back to the basics: Revisiting body condition scoring spinous proces: MM back bone 7 transverse processes edge of loin tall head pin: \ hooks Shoulder igure 1. Key areas to examine for body condition scoring Body Condition Score 4, The cow appears thin, with ribs Body condition score cow showing easily observable location easily of transverse processes and outline of last 3 ribs on rib cage. visible and the backbone showing, The spinous processes (along the edge of the loin) are still very sharp and barely visible individually. Muscle tissue is not depleted through the shoul- Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State needs of the cow herd so that Specifically look to see how constraints in the improve- ders and hindquarters. University Emeritus Extension supplemental feed and hay many ribs (from the last half ment of reproductive per- Animal Scientist needs are reduced to a mini- of the rib cage) are evident to formance of beef cows is the mum. visual appraisal. If more than duration of the post-calving When a football team has Body condition scores two ribs are easily discern- anestrous period. The anes- an “open” date during the (BCS) are numbers used to ible, then expect the cow to trous period is the number season, you will often hear the suggest the relative fatness or score lower than five. Also of days between the date of coach say that they are going body composition of the cow. Jook closely at the spinous the cow delivering a calf and to spend the first part of the For BCS to be most helpful, processes (vertebrae along the the date when she returns to practice time reviewing the producers need to calibrate edge of the loin in front of the heat cycles to have an oppor- “fundamentals”. Occasion- the system under their own hook bones). If the outline of tunity to once again become ally in the cow/calf business, conditions with their own the vertebrae is visually appar- pregnant. Body condition it is important to revisit the cattle. A nine-grade system is ent, expect the cow to receive at calving time determines “basics”. One of the “basics” commonly used by researchers a body condition score of four to a great extent the length that we often utilize is “body in the United States. When us- or lower. of the anestrous period and condition scoring”. Better ing the BCS, producers should On the picture above, therefore the likelihood that understanding of the relation keep the program simple. A one can readily observe the the cow becomes pregnant in ships between body condition thin cow (BCS 1,2,0r 3) looks vertebrae that are lying just timely fashion for the next scores and rebreeding effi- very sharp, angular, and beneath the hide and in front calf crop. If the cowis ina ciency of beef cattle has added skinny, while a fat cow (BCS of the hook bone. This cow lower body condition score at a powerful management tool 7, 8, or 9) looks smooth and will be a body condition score calving she will have fewer, if Body Condition Score 5. The cow may be described as mod- to the cattleman’s arsenal. boxy with bone structure hid- 4. Note that the smooth short any, opportunities to conceive erate to thin. The last two ribs can be seen and little evidence Condition scoring permits den from sight or feel. Avery summer haircoat makes it in a 60 day breeding season. of fat is present in the brisket, over the ribs, or around the tail the cattleman to evaluate the high percentage of commercial easier to discern the individual Body condition change after head. The spinous processes are now smooth and no longer nutritional program each time beef cows in Oklahoma will vertebrae. calving can have an impact on individually identifiable. the herd is seen. By evaluat- fall into the scoring range of To the side are photos of the return to heat cycles, but ing cow condition at strategic 4,5,and 6. The key areas to cows in the body condition usually cannot compensate for times of the year, it is possible examine the beef cow for body scores of 4, 5, and 6. low body condition at calv- to coordinate use of the for- condition score are illustrated Why is body condition ing. In addition, improving age resource with nutritional __in Figure 1. important? One of the major _body condition after calving Lawn & Turf freezes or you will give insects tools, garden books, magazine Center | + Remove leaves from cool- _a good place to winter. subscriptions or member- (580) 928-2139 | greghart- season grasses or mow with a +Poinsettias must have at ship to The Botanic Garden at man@okstateedu mulching mower. least six hours of bright, in- OSU (http://botanicgarden. + Continue mowing cool- _ direct light daily. Keep plants _okstate.edu). ak Seuss Cia season lawns on a regular away from drafts. + Clean and fill bird feed- ree basis, ere. in compliance with Title VI and Body Condition Score 6. ‘The cow exhibits a good smooth + Continue to control Fruits & Nuts «Make sure indoor plants VI of the Civil Rights Act of appearance throughout. Some fat deposition is present in the brisket and over the tail head. The back appears rounded and broadleaf weeds in well-estab- + Cover strawberry plants are receiving enough light, or 1964, Executive Order 11246 fat can be palpated over the ribs and pin bones. lished warm- or cool-season with a mulch about 3 to 4 set up an indoor fluorescent as amended, Title IX of the lawns with a post-emergent inches thick if plants are plant light. Education Amendments of 1972, is difficult and expensive to Americans with Disabilities broadleaf weed killer. prone towinter injury. + Till garden plots without ‘Americans with Disabilities accomplish with a cow in early Act of 1990, and other federal + Wait to prune fruit trees _a cover crop to further expose ‘Act of 1990, and other federal lactation. More information laws and regulations, does not ‘Tree & Shrubs until late February or March. garden pests toharsh winter ““t 0f 190, and other federa about body condition scoring discriminate on the basis of race, + Select a freshly cut conditions. laws and regulations, does not can be found in the Oklahoma color, national origin, sex, age, Christmas tree. Make a new General + Visit your county exten- discriminate on the basis of race, State University Fact Sheet religion, disability, or status as. a cut prior to placing in tree + Keep all plants watered sion office to obtain garden- color, national origin, sex, age, ANSI-3283 Body Condition veteran in any of its policies, prac- stand. Add water daily. during dry conditions even ing fact sheets for the new religion, disability, or status as. a Scoring of Beef Cows. tices or procedures. This includes + Live Christmas trees are though some may be dor- gardening season. CONTACT: Greg Hart- but is not limited to admissions, veteran in any ofits policies, prac- man| Beckham County OSU awise investment, as they mant. Irrigate all plantings at + Join a horticulture, plant tices or procedures. This includes Extension Center | employment, financial aid, and become permanent additions least 24 hours before hard- or urban forestry society (580) 928-2139 | greg. educational services. References to the landscape after the freezing weather if soil is dry. and support community but is not limited to admissions, [email protected] within this publication to any holidays. + Order gardening supplies “greening” or “beautification” employment, financial aid, and specific commercial product, + Light prunings of ever- for next season. projects. educational services. Refer- Oklahoma State University, process, or service by trade name, greens can be used for holiday + Now is a great time to + Review your garden ences within this publication to in compliance with Title VI and trademark, service mark, manu- decorations. Be careful with design and make structural records so you can correct any specific commercial product, VII of the Civil Rights Act of facturer, or otherwise does not sap that can mar surfaces. improvements in your garden past mistakes. Purchase a new process, or service by trade name, 1964, Executive Order 11246 constitute or imply endorsement and landscape. gardening journal or calendar trademark, service mark, manu- as amended, Title IX of the by Oklahoma Cooperative Exten- Flowers + Send for mail-order cata- to keep next year’s gardening Education Amendments of 1972, sion Service. + Apply winter mulch logs if you are not already on records. facturer, or otherwise does not to protect rose bush bud their mailing lists. constitute or imply endorsement Have a photo to share? unions and other perennials. + Christmas gift ideas for \CONTACT: Greg Hartman| by Oklahoma Cooperative Exten- Wait until after several early the gardener might include Beckham County OSU Extension sion Service. Send it to [email protected]