ISU Extension
IA State Univ.
IA Dept. of Ag
IA DNR

September 2002

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In this issue
Starting Cattle on Feed Tips 
On Farm Research Topics Requested
NW Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program
Reduce Harvest Losses in Lodged Corn Fields

Starting Cattle on Feed Tips
by Pete Olson, ISU Extension Beef Field Specialist

Getting cattle on feed that have recently been weaned or taken off pasture can be challenging.  Whether these cattle are purchased from the sale barn, home raised, developing bulls or heifers, or simply starting a show animal, how these cattle are managed as they make these dietary and management changes can have huge effects on long-term performance.  Once these animals are on feed, keeping them on feed in a consistent, performing manner can be a challenge. 

Here are some tips or guidelines to follow to getting cattle off to a good start.

1.      Feed long stem grass hay upon arrival.  Put hay in bunk after cattle arrive, to attract them to the bunk.  You can deliver some of the mixed ration on top of the dry hay on day 2. 

2.      A total mixed ration is the preferred method for feeding cattle.  Feeding cattle the mixed ration for the first time should be one percent of their body weight as dry matter, working up to about 2.75 percent of body weight by day 14-21.

3.      Have plenty of clean fresh water.  Water drives intake: no water intake equals no feed intake. Water should be clean and accessible to all animals. If animals are not used to automatic waterers, set tank float to overflow so cattle will find the water and learn to drink.  Placement along the fence will also help animals find water.

4.      Limit wet or ensiled feeds to 10-20 percent of the diet. This would include silage, corn gluten, distiller’s grains and haylage.

5.      Protein levels should be 13-14 percent.

6.      Feed starting supplement or feed at the full rate from day one to make sure calves get a full dose of protein, drug, vitamins and trace minerals.

7.      Process cattle right off the truck if possible. Cattle that are hauled extremely long distances may need to rest before processing.  Delaying processing will simply mean two stress occasions instead of one. Cattle can be implanted and vaccinated a second time 14-21 days later.

Following these guidelines will not guarantee success but should help in getting freshly weaned calves from pasture started on feed in the feedlot.

On Farm Research Topics Requested
by Jerry Weiss, ISU Extension Swine Field Specialist

Each year the Iowa Pork Industry Center allows Extension field staff to submit research proposals. Research topics can vary widely from feed additives, bio-filters, manure applicators, tracking labor requirements or evaluating different types of products. While some of the projects are conducted on campus or with area community colleges as cooperators, we welcome the opportunity to work with on-farm situations.

The research proposal may request up to $4,000 depending on equipment, analysis needed and number of cooperators. This may provide an opportunity for swine producers to research an issue on your own farm with technical assistance and some financial composition.

Projects must be submitted through an Extension Field Specialist by September 27, 2002. Accepted projects must be completed and a paper summarizing the results by the Field Specialist will be included in the ISU Swine Research Report. For more information contact:  Jerry Weiss at 712-335-3103, or email:  weissj@iastate.edu.

NW Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program
by Dennis DeWitt, ISU Extension Livestock Field Specialist

Mission Statement

Provide the cow calf producer an efficient way to develop and to breed the beef replacement heifer while at the same time improving the genetics of the calf that the heifer produces.

The Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Board has approved the 6th Northwest Iowa Replacement Beef Heifer Development Program.  During the first five years there have been 1,221 head of beef heifers developed.  The Rules and Regulations for the 2003 Northwest Iowa Heifer Development Program are at this direct link: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/clay/ 

Take this letter and rules to your veterinarian so they can properly prepare your heifers for arrival.

As stated in Benefit 7, you will discover the real cost of replacement heifer development.  This is not a free program.  Currently the anticipated cost is $360-$400 per heifer.  This is not a guaranteed maximum cost, only our estimated average cost.  You will pay the actual cost on a per heifer basis.

Some highlights not to miss are:

·        Any cow-calf producer may consign quality heifers that meet requirements.

·        Heifers must have Black Leg & Clostridial shots twice before delivery.

·        Heifers must have a negative (-)BVD Antigen test before delivery.  This is to remove the Persistently Infected (PI) BVD females.

·        Heifers must come from a herd with no laboratory diagnosis of Johne’s Disease.

·        Heifers should be born before May 15 and must be weaned by November 9.

·        Heifers must have pre-delivery vaccinations completed by a veterinarian by Nov. 9.

·        Heifers will be delivered to Curt Jones' farm, Rossie, on December 9 & 10.

·        Breeding will be only by Artificial Insemination with semen from ABS bulls.

·        A.I. will begin May 12, June 2, or June 23.  Three beginning breeding dates will be used as long as there are at least 40 head in the breeding group!

·        Opportunity will be available to remove your heifers after two heat cycles. However, moving heifers before 40 days after breeding may cause re-absorption of the embryo.

·        Opportunity to leave bred heifers at the development site into the late fall.

Benefits
Being involved in the Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program may benefit you by:

1.      Freeing up feed, water, lots, and shelter needed to develop replacements on your farm.

2.      Reducing the number of groups of cattle you must manage separately during the winter.

3.      Placing steers and heifers not kept for breeding on higher energy rations, which give faster, cheaper gains without impairing the future heifers' usefulness.

4.      Access to superior bulls.

5.      Eliminating the need for owning "heifer bulls".

6.      Increase the value of your breeding stock.

7.      Discover the real cost of replacement heifer development.

8.      Improving heifer temperament.

9.      Qualifying them in the Iowa Bred Heifer Certification Program.

Objectives
The Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Board, ISU Extension Livestock Specialists and veterinarians will develop feeding and health care practices; sire selection criteria, and heifer measurements to be used in the NW Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program.

The Northwest Iowa Beef Heifer Development Program will demonstrate:

1.      Feeding and health programs designed to have heifers reach target weights for satisfactory breeding and calving performance.

2.      Methods of monitoring heifer development, including frame score, growth rate, condition score, pelvic area, disposition scoring and reproductive tract score.

3.      Use of expected progeny differences to select bulls that sire calves with low to moderate birth weights and above average yearling growth rate.

4.      An alternative to cow-calf producers having to develop their own replacement heifers.

5.      Feasibility of developing replacement heifers as a commercial enterprise.

6.      Benefits of cooperative efforts involving cow-calf producers, agribusiness, animal health professionals, ISU Extension Service and Iowa Beef Center.

7.      Benefits of group action by cow-calf producers.

We need to have your commitment by November 1, because if there are not 200 head committed there will not be a development program in 2003.  If you cannot access the web site contact your county extension office for a hard copy of the information.

Reduce Harvest Losses in Lodged Corn Fields
Todd Vagts, ISU Extension Field Crop Specialist

Early July windstorms flattened many northwest Iowa corn fields just prior to pollination.  Most fields recovered remarkably well by goose-necking and redevelopment of a brace root system.  Pollination and subsequent crop development has progressed without major problems, yet harvest of the goose-necked corn will be a challenge.  Rows will be difficult to follow, ears will be closer to the ground, harvest speed will be reduced and potential field losses may increase.  Depending on fall harvest conditions, stalk rots may develop, plants may fall back to the ground, and ear damage/loss may increase.  Therefore, timing of harvest, proper combine calibration, special header attachments and safety will be of utmost importance.

Harvest Losses
Every bushel of corn you save by careful operation of your combine adds to your profit per acre.  Losses as high as 20 bushels of corn per acre have been measured behind a poorly adjusted combine operating in weedy or severely lodged corn.  Harvesting losses cannot be completely eliminated, but can be reduced to 1 to 2 bushels per acre if you take time to check your combine performance.

To keep harvesting losses low, you need to know where losses occur, how to measure them, what reasonable loss levels are, and what machine adjustments and operating practices will reduce losses.  Checking for combine losses should take about 15 minutes. Corn saved by finding and correcting problems will more than pay for this time.

Harvest Lodged or Standing Fields First?
In most situations, it is better to harvest lodged fields or field areas before the well-standing fields. This strategy must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, however.  If better-standing corn is ready for harvest it may be more efficient and cost effective, in some cases, to harvest it first, before lodging increases there.

Where Do Losses Occur?
Until corn harvesting losses can be identified and measured, operators have no way of knowing whether their losses are at an acceptable level. Following is a list of the major sources of loss.

·        Pre-harvest loss.  Some crop losses are caused by lodging. Appearing as whole ear losses, they increase as the season progresses, and are outside the operator's control at harvest time. Average pre-harvest losses should be less than 1 percent of total crop yield. This loss can go much higher in adverse crop years or when harvest is delayed.

·        Header ear loss.  Driving at a ground speed that is too fast or too slow, driving off the row or operating the header too high may result in lost whole or broken ears. Losses average 3 to 4 percent of the total crop yield. With proper machine operation and adjustment, you can hold losses to 1 percent.

·        Header kernel loss.  Some kernels are shelled out and lost by the header at the gathering snouts, snapping bars and snapping rolls. These losses average about 0.6 percent. With proper adjustment and machine operation and good field conditions, you can hold these kernel losses to about 0.4 percent.

·        Combine cylinder loss.  Insufficient shelling action causes some kernels to remain on the cob as they pass through the machine. With the correct cylinder or rotor speed and correct concave clearance adjustment, this loss should not exceed 0.3 percent. Correct adjustment results in few or no broken cobs with no kernels attached to them. Too vigorous shelling action results in excessive kernel breakage.

·        Combine separation loss.  Some kernels may pass over the sieves and out of the combine. With correct sieve and wind adjustment, this loss should be held to 0.1 percent of the total crop yield.

For more information on calculating harvest losses, go to the following web address:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/carroll/crops/reducing-harvest-losses.htm

Iowa State University Extension Connection

By Al Grigg, County Extension Director

BEEF FIELD DAY:  The Iowa Beef Center is organizing a field day at the Beef Nutrition Farm northwest of Ames for the afternoon of Saturday, September 7.  The program will begin at 1 pm.  Speakers include:  Dr. Jim Russel discussing research on extending the grazing season for heifers;  Dr. Wendy Powers discussing phosphorous runoff;  Dr. Allen Trenkle discussing research on feeding corn processing co-products and a feeding trial with Holstein steer calves;  and  Dr. Jeff Lorimor discussing alternative technologies for feedlot runoff control.  Beef producers are invited to a BBQ/tailgate on campus ahead of the 6 pm kickoff of the Cyclones vs Tennessee Tech football game.  The food and program are provided by the Iowa Beef Center; however, you will need to purchase your own football ticket if you attend the game.

LIQUID MANURE APPLICATORS:  A liquid manure handling demonstration will be held at the Iowa State University Doon Research Farm on Monday, September 16 starting at 1 pm.  Three different types of liquid manure spreaders with different injection systems will be demonstrated.  Speakers for the event include:  Joel DeJong, Crops Specialist for Iowa State University Extension, discussing crop issues dealing with manure applications and the advantages of properly utilizing manure nutrients;  Kris Kohl, Ag Engineer for Iowa State University Extension,  discussing calibration of manure spreaders and  demonstrating an in the field service of spreader calibration;  and a DNR representative  discussing current regulations on manure application for producers and commercial applicators.  There is no registration fee.  The Doon Research Farm is located on the west side of Highway 75 just north of the Doon exit.

THE FARM SECURITY AND RURAL INVESTMENT ACT OF 2002:  Informational meetings are scheduled in Osceola County to provide landowners and tenants information in regard to the 2002 Farm Bill:

Sept 10, 1 pm, Sibley Senior Citizen Center

Sept 11, 1 pm, Harris Community Center

Sept 12, 1 pm, Melvin Savings Bank

Sept 17, 7 pm, S-O High School Auditorium

Sept 18, 7 pm, Ocheyedan Town Hall

Sept 19, 1 pm, Ashton State Bank

We recommend landowners and tenants  go to more than one meeting to better understand all the information being presented.  Signup for the 2002 Farm Bill starts in October.  Stage 2 letters will soon be in the mail listing your options, per farm, using county average yields.  Ron Hook, Farm Management Specialist for Iowa State University Extension, has an electronic spreadsheet that has been developed to analyze the best option on updating base acres and yields.  After you have assembled your acre and yield information, Ron will be available, by appointment, to analyze your farm’s production to determine the best possible option for you.  Contact Ron Hook at the Osceola County Extension Office 712-754-3648 to make an appointment.

HARVEST SAFETY:  September marks the start of harvest and we wish to remind everyone to think Safety when harvesting this fall.

Extension Offcie hours are:  Monday –Thursday 8am – 5:30 pm and Friday 8am – 2 pm.

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