Lower Corn Prices, Strong Beef Market Drive Calves to Feedlots

Cattle producers are likely to use more corn than previously expected according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest Cattle on Feed report.

The implication of the October 21 report is that feed grains used by cattle in feedlots from the 2011 crop will be more than 5 percent higher than what was fed from the 2011 crop.

"The real surprise was the higher number of placements in September that resulted in more than one-half million more cattle being fed than a year ago," said Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt.  Calves can eat corn, but also can add weight with forages. However, according to Hurt, the high number of feedlot placements in September serves as an indication that corn has become "cheap" relative to forages. <Read More> 

Poor Forage Quality Requires Solid Nutrition Management

Concerned with forage quality, particularly over late-made first cutting hay, an Ohio State University Extension specialist said farmers need to diligently manage livestock nutrition needs this fall and winter.

"We have pretty good forage quantity, but what is going to hurt us is the quality," said Rory Lewandowski, an educator with the Extension Beef Team. "Most of southeastern Ohio is going to be in that situation, because we had decent amounts of hay in terms of tonnage, but the quality, especially of that first cutting, is going to present a problem." <Read More>

Upcoming Events - Sheep and Goat Webinar Series

Learn more about sheep and goat production through a webinar series sponsored by Purdue Extension, Kentucky State University, and University of Kentucky.

This is a two-part series that will focus on kidding care and birthing in does and ewes, feeding, management, marketing, and economic projection issues in raising goats. Goat production numbers are rising in Indiana and Kentucky. According to the USDA 45,000 goats are raised in Indiana and 87,000 in Kentucky.

The webinar sessions will be held on two consecutive Wednesday nights starting on November 30 from 6:00-8:00 PM CST (7:00-9:00 PM EST).

Session 1 on November 30, concerns Kidding and Kid Care and will feature Dr. Kenneth Andries, Kentucky State University; and Dealing with Difficult Births in Does and Ewes by Endre Fink, University of Kentucky.

Session 2 on December 7, features teaching about Feeding and Management Tips to Reduce Input Costs for Sheep & Goat Producers led by Dan Morrical, Extension Sheep Specialist, Iowa State University; and Marketing and Economic Projections for Sheep and Goat Producers for 2012 and Beyond by Erica Rosa-Sanko, Agriculture Economist, Livestock Marketing Information Center.

This webinar series will be viewable at many locations across Indiana, including Dubois County (812-482-1782) and Warrick County (812-897-6101).  The series is free-of-charge, however pre-registration is required by November 23.  Please contact the host site you plan to attend to register.  A program brochure listing all viewing sites is located here. 

In The Grow - Q & A

Q. Do you think some suckers should be taken off tomato plants? I say yes; my son says no. I take off the first three from the bottom of my plant.

Q. We live a few miles north of West Lafayette. We purchased four Korean boxwoods, intending to plant this summer, but an unexpected waterline problem means we will not be able to plant them this season. They are still in their plastic tubs. Must we plant them here temporarily, or can we store them over the winter in their tubs in a basement or unheated outbuilding? And what about watering?

Q. I have a poinsettia that I planted outside after frost this spring on the north side of my house. It grew as big as a bushel basket. I dug it up and brought it inside. Now, how can I get it to bloom for Christmas?

For answers to these questions, click here.