February 2017

AGENT REFLECTIONS

Cooperative Extension Service Scott County 1130 Cincinnati Rd Georgetown KY 40324-8934 (502) 863-0984 Fax: (502) 863-2392 extension.ca.uky.edu

ASK AN AGENT

February 1: KCard Grant Workshop, 8:00 am– 3:30 pm, Scott Co. Extension

February 2: Federal Crop Insurance Meeting, 11:00 am– 3:00 pm, Fayette Co. Extension

February 2: Farm Series for Women- “Bevins Uncorked”, 5:30 pm

February 6: Regional Young Farmers Association Banquet, 6:00 pm, Scott Co. Extension

February 11: Horsemen Helping Horsemen Clinic, 1:00 pm– 6:00 pm, Scott Co. Extension

February 15-18: National Farm Machinery Show, Louisville Expo Center

February 17: Cattleman’s Bootcamp, 8:00 am– 6:30 pm, Fayette Co. Extension

(Pre-registration required)

February 21: Alfalfa Conference, Cave City, KY

February 23: Feeder Calf Grading School, Owenton Stockyards, 6:00 pm

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year! 2017 is off to a busy start and things at the

Extension Office are running wide open! This is the time of year for winter programming- check out the

upcoming events for programs that will be offered and feel free to contact me if you have topics that you would

like to see in the newsletter or discussed in a field day or educational program. Spring calving season is just

around the corner and it won’t be long before planting time is here. I recommend to use this time to plan ahead

and prepare to care for newborn calves and cows in addition to planning field rotations and selecting seed

varieties. The University of Kentucky offers variety trial studies for corn, soybeans, small grains, forage

legumes, and other forages as well that can be very useful for producers wanting to research other options to

maximize yields. I hope everyone has a successful 2017 and spring will be here before we know it!

Q: What type of mineral should I be feeding to my spring calving cows? Should I feed “high-mag” mineral?

A: University of Kentucky Beef Cattle Extension Specialists recommend feeding high magnesium mineral to

spring calving cows a month before calving to decrease the likelihood of grass tetany. The risk of grass tetany

increases when grazing cattle on spring pastures and small grains- these forage crops have high levels of

potassium which inhibits magnesium absorption and creates a mineral imbalance resulting in grass tetany.

*If you have a question you would like to submit to “Ask an Agent” feel free to email mmsimo2@uky.edu.

Annual Notice: The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex,

religion, disability, or national origin.

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Jim Lawson, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; or Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of

Institution at Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independ-

ence Ave. 5W, Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964).

I find it hard to believe that we will soon turn over the calendar and enter into 2017. 2016 will certainly go

down as a year to remember for things that many thought could never happen that actually became reality. If

someone told you at the beginning of 2016 that the Cavaliers would finally bring Cleveland a championship,

the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series, and Donald Trump would be elected our next President, you

probably would have questioned their sanity!

Unfortunately, many beef cattle producers will remember 2016 for less than positive reasons. The industry

experienced one of the most significant economic downturns in the history of our business. There are many

theories as to whom or what caused this severe price drop to occur including our government, the packing in-

dustry, the demise of Country of Origin Labeling, imports, Jim Harbaugh (not really!), etc. I do not believe

the primary culprit for the steep price decline lies in this list.

I believe the beef cattle price decline that started in the second half of 2015 and continued into 2016 is a direct

result of simple supply and demand economics. Producers aggressively responded to the fact that prices began

to rise in 2013 and reached historically high levels in 2014 and the first half of 2015. These prices encouraged

producers to retain record numbers of heifers as replacements which was facilitated by the reduction of the

amount of acreage across the country that was experiencing drought conditions. Simply put, higher prices

combined with more grass and water will build cow herd numbers. Additional pressure on beef cattle prices

can be attributed to the fact that our primary competitors in the animal protein market, pork and poultry, have

quickly ramped up their production over the past couple of years.

I believe that we must accept that the prices that we saw in 2015 and 2016 for all classes of beef cattle are not

returning anytime soon. I also believe that producers who can achieve a positive balance between production

levels and costs of production can continue to be profitable in the beef cattle industry. Every operation needs

to set aggressive goals for improvement to remain competitive and profitable in today’s challenging econo-

my. The following are a few realistic goals that the typical cow-calf producer in the state of Ohio can set for

2017.

1. Limit the breeding/calving season to no more than 90 days.

There is a great deal of university research that shows the profitability found in the older calves born in a given

calving season. There are volumes of documentation on the herd management advantages associated with a

relatively short calving season. Remember, calving year-round is not a season!

2. Don’t use a bull unless he has had a Breeding Soundness Examination prior to breeding season.

As logical as this practice may seem, not nearly enough bulls have a Breeding Soundness Examination per-

formed before turnout. A grain farmer utilizes a monitor to determine if his planter is delivering seed to the

soil at a targeted rate. A custom operator calibrates his sprayer periodically to make sure he is applying pesti-

cides at a rate to control pests and protect the crop. As expensive as annual cow costs are at this time, every

cow needs to deliver a live calf in order to give the producer a chance to make a profit. A herd bull with poor

fertility is an easy way to create red ink on a profit/loss statement.

3. Cull aggressively to weed out cows with low fertility and other management problems.

Poor fertility is not limited to the male side of the equation. Cows that have failed to conceive when exposed

to highly fertile bulls or bred several times by an experienced Artificial Insemination (A.I.) technician are

prime candidates for culling. Additional reasons for culling a female from the herd are long calving intervals

(over a year or more), disposition problems, poor udder structure, structural correctness issues (focus on feet

and legs), age, etc.

4. Identify all animals within the herd.

Regardless of the size of your production unit, identify all bulls, cows, yearlings, and calves within your

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2017?

SOURCE: JOHN F. GRIMES, OSU EXTENSION BEEF COORDINATOR

herd. It is much easier to make critical management decisions when you are able to identify individual ani-

mals. You can’t evaluate or measure it if it isn’t identified.

5. Don’t be afraid to utilize structured crossbreeding programs.

Heterosis is defined as the increase in an animal’s performance on any given trait above the average of the

parent’s performance. It is a unique benefit that Mother Nature provides to a cattle producer. This phenome-

non can be very dramatic in lowly heritable traits such as fertility. Heterosis is practically maximized when a

two-way cross cow (Breed A X Breed B) is mated to a bull from a third breed (Breed C). An optimal cross-

bred cow would be heavily influenced by breeds strong in maternal traits while growth and carcass traits can

be derived from the sire side. Utilize breeds that compliment each other genetically and provide you the best

opportunity to meet your production goals in terms of the marketability of the animal and mature size of the

cow.

6. Minimize the use of harvested feedstuffs.

Feed costs are the largest expense contained in an annual cow budget. While a certain amount of harvested

feeds are necessary for the cow herd in a calendar year, efforts must be made to minimize the use of harvested

feed. Any time a four-legged, ruminant-driven harvester is used instead of a piece of machinery, costs are re-

duced. Take time to learn more about the principles involved with extending the grazing season.

7. If you must make hay, then don’t waste it.

Haymaking is a very expensive practice if you document all of the costs. However, once the hay is made, the

work is not done. Many research trials have documented large amounts of hay wasted through poor storage

techniques. Investments ranging from extra rock on the ground to temporary covers to a permanent structure

can save significant dollars by preventing hay spoilage. Poor feeding techniques can further compound this

problem. Feeding devices that limit hay being fed outside on the ground should be utilized. While this prac-

tice may not be convenient for a cattleman with an off-the-farm job, more frequent feedings of smaller

amounts will help minimize wastage.

8. Improve your facilities to improve herd management.

Objectively evaluate your facilities to determine if they are limiting your ability to manage the herd. Do you

have a basic chute and working system that will allow you to safely handle animals and provide adequate herd

health practices? Could an extra fenced lot or two allow you to remove the herd bull from the cows or wean

calves and precondition them prior to marketing?

9. Critically examine all management decisions and inputs.

Today’s economy dictates that we use a very sharp pencil in the budgeting process. The way that we have al-

ways done it may not work today. Should I buy my hay instead of making it myself? Is a lower priced bull the

right choice for my herd? Is my herd benefiting from my mineral program? Just how expensive an energy

source is a “lick tub?” Does my current calving season provide the best opportunity to maximize calf crop per-

centage and facilitate optimum marketing opportunities? You get the idea.

10. Get involved in the beef industry and understand the issues.

This resolution may not directly impact the cow herd but it does influence the overall health of your entire op-

eration. Now more than ever, it is important to become a member of your local, state, and national cattle or-

ganizations. We cannot expect people outside of our industry to promote our product and fight for the issues

that are near and dear to us. It is our duty to the beef industry to understand the issues that threaten our liveli-

hood and speak out individually and through the strength in numbers that a cattlemen’s organization can pro-

vide.

FARM SERIES FOR WOMEN: BEVINS UNCORKED

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Kentucky State University has a Mobile Processing Unit for legally processing poultry and rabbit for

retail sales. Producers must first be trained and complete a HACCP plan to qualify. KSU will be offering MPU

training for interested producers April 5, 2017 starting at 9:00 EST at their Research and Demonstration Farm

in Frankfort http://organic.kysu.edu/Facilities.shtml

The training, complete with HACCP plan and detailed operating procedures, is available for a small fee

($75.00 for new producers, good for 2 years and $50.00 every two years). To sign up for the training and other

information about the unit, contact Steve Skelton, (502) 597-7501 or Steven.Skelton@kysu.edu

Mr. Skelton will need producers name and mailing address sent to him by January 27, 2017 so that he

can get applications mailed out prior to the training.

MOBILE PROCESSING UNIT TRAINING FOR POULTRY & RABBITS

APRIL 5, 2017

The CPH Report – 2016 Summary

Kevin Laurent, Extension Associate, University Of Kentucky and Tim Dietrich, Kentucky Department of Agriculture

The CPH Report expands the analysis of CPH-45 sales to estimate the economic value of preconditioning calves prior to

marketing. This report summarizes all CPH-45 sales held in calendar year 2016. Only sales of 200 head or more were

included in this summary. Every attempt has been made to use as much actual data as possible in calculating these esti-

mates (see the column descriptions below the tables for more details).

This analysis consists of two main components. First, is the CPH Advantage – which compares prices received in the

CPH Sale to the average weekly statewide prices reported by the Market News Service of the Kentucky Department of

Agriculture. Only large and medium frame muscle score 1-2 cattle in weight classes of 20 or more head were used in

comparisons.

The second component is the Estimated Net Added Value – which compares the CPH Sale value of a calf with the esti-

mated value of the calf at weaning. In these estimates we use a 60 day preconditioning period and an average daily gain

of 2.5 lbs. per day. Calves with a calculated starting weight of less than 350 lbs were only given credit for 2.0 lbs of av-

erage daily gain. Costs incurred during the preconditioning period such as feed, health program, interest, death loss and

differences in sales commission are subtracted from the added value to arrive at an estimated net return.

It should be noted that the Owensboro cattle are sold with a 2% pencil shrink and both Owensboro and Guthrie charge a

lower commission for CPH-45 cattle than at their regular sales. Also note that the first three sales listed in this summary

were calculated under the original 50 day preconditioning model.

More details on how these figures were calculated can be found in the column definitions below. Also, visit the CPH-45

website at www.cph45.com. If you are interested in selling in a CPH-45 sale, contact your local County Extension

Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Column Definitions for summary charts

Wean Start Wt. Average CPH weight minus 150 lbs.

Wean Avg Price Average price of calves at weaning for the dates listed (60 days prior to CPH Sale).

CPH Weight Average weight of the calves at the CPH sale.

CPH Price Weighted average price of calves at the CPH sale held on the date listed.

State Avg Price Weighted average price of calves as reported by KDA on the dates listed.

CPH Advantage Difference between the CPH price and the state average price reported the week of the CPH sale.

Feed Cost Gain Average cost of gain using average feed prices for the dates listed.

An additional 10% was added to calculate heifer cost of gain.

Est. Net Add Value The net returns per head after feed, vet/tag ($12.00), mineral ($3.75), commission (varies by sale),

interest (6.0%) and mortality (0.5%).

Special Note Labor and equipment costs were not included.

Pinto Organization of Kentucky's

Annual

Horsemen Helping Horsemen

February 11th, 2017 1PM to 5PM (EST)

FREE Educational Seminars for the Horse person

Scott County Cooperative Extension

1130 Cincinnati Road

Georgetown, KY 40324

Pasture Management

Door Prize

How To Prevent Barn Fires

James Kanavy

Asst. Fire Chief & Fire Investigator

Door Prize

A Good Horse Is A Good Color.......Unless It's A Better Color

Kathryn Graves, University of KY

Door Prize

What Can Horse Council Do For Me?

Kentucky Horse Council

Door Prize

Understanding Bits

Dr. Bob Coleman, University of KY

Please Contact Sheri Hennig for more info

balentwineranch@ yahoo or 859-298-4307

Feeder Calf Grading School

When: 6:00 pm Thursday, February 23rd

Location: United Producers

Owenton Stockyard

85 Bramblett Road

Topics:

Understanding today's feeder calf grades.

What are graders and order buyers looking

for in my sale calves?

What do I look for in judging the grades of

my own calves?

Sponsored by:

Franklin, Scott & Owen County

Cooperative Extension Services

Franklin & Owen County Cattlemen’s Associations

United Producers Stockyard

Call (502)695-9035 or (502) 484-5703 by

February 20th to RSVP

Speakers:

Tim Dietrich & Jodee Inman

KY Department of Agriculture

FORAGE TESTING

The Scott County Extension Service offers this FREE program to test the quality of your forages. It is important to

know the quality of your feedstuffs to properly balance rations for your livestock. The end result of this means higher

profit for farmers and also a fair estimate when selling products. Call today to schedule an appointment to test your

forages.

SCOTT COUNTY BEEF IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

The Scott County Beef Improvement Association is a county-wide cattleman’s association

that works in conjunction with the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association. This organization

works to help their existing operations by conducting field days and

demonstrations, renting equipment to members, and hosting speakers from the industry. Call

the office 863-0984 to reserve the equipment and to join the Association! Membership to Kentucky Cattlemen’s

Association & SCBIA is $30/year. Membership benefits include: producer meetings, 1% discount on Southern States

animal health products, use of Squeeze Chute, Scales, Cattle Panels and Grill.

SCOTT COUNTY AG IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CAIP)

Dead Animal Pick-up: Harmon’s Dead Animal Removal (859) 567-2111 is picking up deceased livestock in Scott

County through the Conservation District cost-share program. Farmers are billed $15 per head.

SMARTPHONE APP

SOIL TESTING

The UK Cooperative Extension Service offers an

outstanding Soil Testing Program at the county

level. By taking a sample of soil from your hay

pasture, or crop fields we can make fertilizer

recommendations based on the nutrients and pH of

the soil. By knowing exactly what the soil needs, no

expenses will be made on excess fertilizer. The

Scott County Extension Service has soil probes that

Scott Countians can borrow for a returnable deposit

of $20. If you would like your soil tested, bring

approximately 2 cups of soil to the Scott County

Extension Office for this FREE service.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat,

sauté the beef, garlic and onion until the beef browns. Drain off the excess

fat.

Add sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes and

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to ground

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese

and spinach.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Italian

seasoning on top layer of lasagna.

Lightened-Up Lasagna

Credit: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension

Buying Kentucky Proud is easy. Look for

the label at your grocery store, farmers'

market, or roadside stand.

Sincerely,

Michelle Simon

Scott County Extension Agent

Agriculture & Natural Resources

http://ces.ca.uky.edu/scott MS:jf

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1 pound extra lean ground beef

4 teaspoons garlic, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 (48 ounce) jar low-sodium spaghetti

sauce

2 cups mushrooms, chopped

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced, no-salt-added

tomatoes

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese,

16 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese

(may use low-fat cottage

cheese)

10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed