Farm & Ranch
Amid historic-high cattle prices, producers can capture extra dollars
By: Blair Fannin
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]
Contact: Dr. Levi Russell, 361-265-9203, [email protected]
BRENHAM – Though cattle prices have reached historic highs, there could be potential to make extra dollars and possibly add more young cows to a herd at current prices, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.
Dr. Levi Russell, AgriLife Extension economist in Corpus Christi, told attendees at the recent South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic in Brenham the cattle market has continued its historic price run due to supply constraints.
“Part of the reason for these high prices is low supply,” he said. “Overall, it doesn’t appear these prices are going to level off anytime soon due to the fact there are fewer beef cows out there.”
Russell said data indicates continued strong consumer demand, both domestically and for exports.
“This makes most folks think these high prices will continue to hold,” he said.
Prices for 700-pound to 800-pound steers in the first quarter of 2015 suggest $229 per hundredweight to $333 per hundredweight, according to Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist, College Station.
Those prices are expected to remain relatively steady throughout 2015 as more ranchers continue to slowly rebuild herds, Russell said.
Russell said simple management practices such as castrating calves can add more dollars to a rancher’s pocket.
“I want to emphasize there’s some real value in castrating your calves,” Russell said.
He said those who do not castrate will receive discounts up to 8 percent.
“Those who don’t choose to castrate would be better off selling those calves before they reach 600 pounds,” he said.
Russell also demonstrated the Bid Price Estimator for Beef Cows, a spreadsheet program that can assist beef cattle producers when deciding to buy replacement cattle. The program allows producers to input an expected rate of return against the net cash outlay for buying replacement cattle.
The spreadsheet takes into consideration annual operating costs as well as financing information.
“People are saying females are expensive to go out and buy right now,” Russell said. “But that net present value is what indicates your return on investment.”
To access the spreadsheet, visit http://bit.ly/1jOtkRj .
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By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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