April 28, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 16

Page Text

4 April 28, 2021 Ag/Sports Keeping the first calf heifers on track Forage planning Heifer development is ers have not recently weighed weights are not exact, since tional 30 days to begin cycling one of the most substan- tial expenses for beef cattle operations. Time quickly gets the adult cows in their herd to know what average mature weight to expect. Therefore, there is considerable variation within breeds, but the data shows large cattle must be and breed back earlier in the next breeding season. If you for the next year choose to calve your heifers at away when you’re a cow-calf most commercial ranchers fed for greater growth rates The latest Drought current DSCI of 236. These re- operator, but it’s essential to underestimate the mature than smaller cattle. Since most 23 months of age instead of Monitor shows that drought is gions may produce little or no keep the first calf heifers on size and underestimate the replacements will need to gain 24 months of age, make sure significantly worse now than forage this year making drastic track. Heifers conceiving early target weights for the heif- 240 pounds between wean- to increase the rate of gain so at the same time last year management actions likely. with 63 percent of the country Herd liquidation is already in their first breeding season ers. According to the Ameri- ing and breeding, the heifers heifers reach 65% of mature now in D0-D4 categories. occurring and may accelerate will have increased lifetime can Angus Association, the must gain around 1.5 pounds body weight prior to breeding. These drought categories can quickly in these regions. production and efficiency. It average mature cow weight per day. be combined into a single Oklahoma and other re- This means that the spring is critical these heifers attain is 1200 pounds. Heifers from A major consideration is numerical measure of drought gions in the central plains are cowherds starting their calv- enough weight to initiate their 1,200-pound mothers will when to start the breeding known as the Drought Sever- in relatively better condition first estrous cycle before the need to weigh about 780 season. Its common practice ing season in March should ity and Coverage Index (DSCI), right now. The current DSCI onset of the breeding season. pounds by the start of the first to breed heifers one month breed the replacement heifers published in the Drought in Oklahoma is 84, in Kansas Recommendations for breeding season. If the mature ahead of the mature cowherd. around May 1st to calve in the Monitor. The DSCI can range is 36 and in Nebraska is 92. In heifer development have been size of the herd is 1,100 This may be a good idea if you from 0 (zero abnormally dry Oklahoma, for example, the first week of February. or drought conditions) to 500 DSCI of 84 now compares to a focused on heifers reaching a pounds, then the heifers can do not have the available labor CONTACT: Greg Hartman| (100 percent D4, Exceptional value of 7 at the end of March, target body weight. It’s sug- be about 715 pounds when or facilities to calve both the Drought). The current DSCI 2020, indicating that condi- Beckham County OSU Extension gested that heifers be devel- breeding begins. Only heifers mature cows and heifers at the for the continental U.S. is tions are significantly worse oped to 65% of their mature with a potential mature size of same time. Also, this allows Center | 169, compared to 45 one year compared to last year. The body weight at the start of the 1,000 pounds can be expected the two-year-old cow nursing (580) 928-2139 | greg.hart- ago. Coming summer weather Oklahoma DSCI has increased breeding season. Many ranch- to cycle at 650 pounds. These their first calf to have an addi- [email protected] raises the odds of further from 52 to 84 in just three increases in drought. Since weeks, which illustrates how the Drought Monitor began in quickly drought can develop. 2000, the U.S. DSCI has only These plains regions have Elkettes win WAC reached a level of 200 for a total of 22 weeks (all in 2012 and early January 2013), with moisture to begin early season forage growth but are vulner- able to a limited growing sea- a maximum of value of 215. son if dry conditions persist or By Kerry Hookstra a 394 to take second as they edged third place Weatherford at Drought conditions since last increase. In fact, the current 395. In their third meet win of the season Mattie Thompson led fall are the worst since 2013. drought advance in Oklahoma Lake Hefner South was the site of the Western Athletic the Elkettes with an 86. Brett Barnett shot a 94 to claim second In any specific location, represents the fifth pulse of Conference Girls’ Golf Tourney Apr. 19. Elk City shot a team with 98 for Lillian Rhodes. Tory Garrison had a 106 while Kate- the drought situation right eastward drought advance in total of 384 to claim the Championship. Tuttle came in with lyn Pierce carded a 110. now will set the stage for the the past year. Fortunately, next year. In many parts of in each of the four previous the country, the next two occasions, the drought has months may determine much receded. The current advance Big Elks and Elettes host Elk City Classic of the forage production for the next 12 months. Regions such as the Southwest and the is at a very critical time as forage production begins and if it does not recede, may have southern Rocky Mountains large implications for the By Kerry Hookstra have been in drought for many remainder of the year. months and face limited for- Producers in all drought Elk City ,moved their Clas- age prospects this year unless areas need to inventory cur- moisture arrives very soon. rent forage and hay reserves sic Tennis Tournament from For example, the DSCI in and carefully evaluate forage the wind chills of Apr. 20 to New Mexico is currently 433 production potential at this just chilly weather Apr. 22. and in Colorado is 301. Herd time. This will provide the The Big Elks took second in liquidation began in Colorado basis for a drought action plan in 2020 with a 14.5 percent that can help guide what and the tourney while the Elkettes decrease in beef cow invento- when decisions must be made rang up a Championship ries last year. Additional herd going forward. What happens trophy. liquidation in the region is the next couple of months likely imminent. Prevailing La may determine the resources Niña conditions are predicted available until this time next to fade to ENSO-neutral in year. the next two months and the See Dr. Laura Goodman’s southwest region may have Ranchers Thursday Lunch- improved chances for precipi- time Webinar “Internet-Based tation this summer with the Tools Available for Rangeland typical southwest monsoon. Management” OSU Extension: However, it is by no means Internet-Based Tools Available guaranteed and may be too for Rangeland Management. - late to avoid drastic actions in YouTube the meantime. Other presentations from In the northern plains, the Ranchers Thursday Lunch- drought has accelerated over time Webinar series “Manag- the winter leaving the region ing Cattle and Forages in a Dry in critical risk of very limited Weather Pattern” are available forage production this year. at: Rancher’s Thursday Lunch- North Dakota currently has a time Series — Beef Extension DSCI of 367, a record level of (okstate.edu) drought in the state. The DSCI CONTACT: Greg Hartman| in South Dakota is 227 in the Beckham County OSU Extension latest report. Simultaneously, Center | Texas has seen similar accel- (580) 928-2139 | greg.hart- eration of drought and has a [email protected] Big Elks win Woodward Big Elks claim another Title Invitational By Kerry Hookstra challenging Boiling Springs Course. First Place By Kerry Hookstra 22. The event gave the Big 71 and Aden Schmidt was a Medalist went to Tres Hill with a 69. A 72 for Elks another Championship. stroke behind in third shoot- Elk City continued to ring up win on the Nathan Womack gave him the second place On a decidedly chilly day The team shot a 287 led by ing a 72. Mason Schmidt golf course as the Big Elks shot a team score of medal with Aden Schmidt shooting a 75 for Elk City traveled to Clinton Tres Hill carding a first place 297 on the ebay to the Championship of the third place. Travis Poole earned fifth with an for the Red Tornadon Invi- medalist score of 65. Nathan closed with a 79 and Travis Woodward Invitational Golf Tourney on the 80 while Mason Schmidt finished with a 97. tatiopnal Gold Tourney Apr. Womack took second with a Poole shot an 80. Sara Coffey and Karla Eguia. Photo by Rose Cummings. Jesse Bui and James Robinson 3rd Place 1 Doubles. Matthew Thompson and Syvan Syribouth 1st Place 2 Photo by Gina Curtis. Doubles Photo by Gina Curtis.