Published: August 02, 2008 10:38 pm         

OSU Extension Notes 08-03-08

Ag News

Regional OBQA Training and Certification

Payne County OSU Extension will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance – Producer Certification Program at the Payne County Expo Center (at the intersection of Highway 51 and Fairgrounds) on Aug. 7 from 6. to 8:30 p.m.

The program will include the following topics: Management to Improve Carcass Composition and Quality; Processing, Treatment and use of Animal Health Products; Care and Husbandry Practices; and Nutrition, Feedstuffs, and Records.

Presenters include Chris Richards, OSU beef cattle specialist and Doug McKinney, OSU beef cattle value enhancement specialist.

There will be a complimentary meal. To RSVP for the meal, please call the Payne County Extension Center at 747-8320

Poultry Waste Management Training

Payne County Extension Office will host a Poultry Waste Management Training class that will achieve the requirement for nine hours of training that must be completed for the commercial poultry waste applicator’s certificate. This class will be held Aug. 12, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Payne County Expo Center. A $5 registration fee is required and attendees must RSVP to the Extension office no later than Aug. 4. A copy of the informational flyer can be found on our web site at oces.okstate.edu/payne under the Agriculture link in the left hand menu. The public is also invited to visit www.poultrywaste.okstate.edu to view additional information about the poultry waste program. Please contact our office at 747-8320 if you have any questions.

What is the Value of Added Gain on Today’s Market??

For years we have generalized that the value of each pound of added gain on young cattle is about 55 to 60 cents per pound. Today’s high grain prices have changed that concept because the market place is willing to pay for gain on pasture or outside the feedlot. How much is the market willing to pay for added pasture gain?

Looking at the current market news report for Oklahoma City, it is possible to get a handle on the current value for adding weight to weaned calves and/or yearling stocker cattle. The prices evaluated in this example all were for “medium frame, number 1 muscling” steers. The weight range was from 405 pounds to 933 pounds. If you do the math, the overall value of each pound of added weight gain from 405 to 933 was 85 cents per pound. The value of added weight gain for just weaning weight calves from 405 to 632 pounds was 79.5 cents per pound.

In the case of the older stocker steers weighing between 729 pounds and 933 pounds, the average value of each pound of gain was 88 cents per pound. In every case, these cattle all brought more than 1 dollar per pound, but due to the price slide, the value of added weight is less than the sale price.

As we calculate the cost effectiveness of supplementation in the late summer months, we must keep in mind that the overall market may be higher now than it will be in October and November especially for weaning weight calves. Nevertheless this gives us a guideline that any practice that we incorporate such as late summer supplementation must provide additional weight gain for less than about 80 cents per pound to be profitable.

Research here at Oklahoma State University has shown that the conversion rate of a 14% crude protein grain feed provided at the rate of 4 pounds per head per day produced an additional 0.74 pounds of weight per day. In other words, it took 5.4 pounds of the supplement to provide a pound a weight gain. This research was conducted on stockpiled, fertilized bermudagrass. Just to break even, the feed would need to be purchased and delivered to the steers for $296/Ton. The Oklahoma Gold high protein supplement program uses 38 to 45% protein cubes (including an ionophore) fed at the rate of 1 pound per head per day. The total added gain is less and the supplement more expensive per ton, but this is more efficient. Research on native grass has shown that we should expect to need about 2.3 pounds of Oklahoma Gold supplement per pound of added gain. If this supplement can be delivered to yearling cattle at less than $695/Ton, it should help the bottom line.

4-H News

Payne County 4-H Pool Party

Payne County will be having a pool party for all 4-H members at the Jim Thorpe Park in Yale on Aug. 7. Food will be prepared between 5 and 7 p.m. Families are asked to bring the meat and buns for their family and one side dish or dessert to share. Drink and condiments will be provided. The pool will be open from 7-9 p.m. 4-Hers are encouraged to come and join in no matter which part of the evening they will be available. Any questions can be directed to 747-8320.

Payne County Record Book

The Payne County Record Books for activities completed in the 07-08 4-H year are due Aug. 14, no later than 5 p.m. (This deadline has been extended). A copy of the printable record book can be found on our web site at oces.okstate.edu/payne under the 4-H link in the left hand menu.

County Fair 4-H Projects

It’s that time of year! The Payne County Free Fair is approaching once again and once you finish working on your County 4-H record book and get it turned in within the next week or two, getting your exhibits ready to enter in the fair is next on the list. As always, there are hundreds of classes to enter in numerous project areas and you need to prepare yourself to enter and win.

The Fair Book is out and copies are available in the County Extension office, 315 W 6th, room 103, Stillwater.

Come visit us and get ready to be involved in one of Oklahoma’s best county fairs.



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