Ag News and Views: December 2007

December, 2007 Table of Contents News & Views Archive Issues

Economics
How Does Value of Gain Affect What You Can Pay for a Bull? by Steve Swigert
The price of corn in late 2007 is in the $3+ range, with little evidence that it might go down. Therefore, if live cattle prices stay near current levels, producers can expect the value of gain to stay near the current level of $.90-$1/cwt.

Editor's Note
Sam Noble Agricultural and Technical Scholarships by Scott McNeill
Applications for Sam Noble Scholarships in agriculture and technology are available from the Noble Foundation.

Horticulture
'Tis the Season for Tree Pruning by Dooly Barlow
November through February are prime pruning months because it is the insect dormant season. Though you can prune at any point during the year, the wound provides a highway into the tree for insects, so the safest season to prune is during the winter months.

Livestock
Preparing Livestock for Winter by Clay Wright
We have a tendency to balance winter rations for cows in two phases: non-lactating, in the middle third of pregnancy (dry); and then post-calving, in peak lactation (wet). Using nutritional requirements for the average weight of the cow herd, it's simple to come up with two feeding regimes; one for before calving and one for after calving.

Pasture and Range
Effects of Limit Grazing on Animal Performance by Chuck Coffey and Devlon Ford
Forage availability is frequently a limiting factor during the fall in winter annual grazing systems. Limit grazing has the potential to stretch limited, high quality forage resources further without depressing animal performance.

Research
Finding Value in Switchgrass Today Through Cattle by John Guretzky
Beginning in April 2008, we will evaluate the utilization and value of switchgrass for stocker cattle. Switchgrass may have value for stockers because of its early spring availability, high yields, perennial life form, wide adaptability and low fertilization requirements.

Soils
Brush Control without Spraying Leaves by Eddie Funderburg
Some people want to control brush, but don't have a sprayer, have too much brush to use a sprayer or just want to do selective brush control. There are several options, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Wildlife
Are Cattle Compatible with Wildlife? by Russell Stevens
Many landowners in Oklahoma and Texas are becoming increasingly interested in incorporating wildlife management into their cattle operations. Many variables can influence compatibility between wildlife and cattle, including, but not limited to, cattle stocking rate, species of wildlife, forage type, climate, etc.