COW/CALF
CORNER
The
Newsletter
From
the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
November
6, 2017
Ample forage
supporting Oklahoma cattle production
Derrell S. Peel,
Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
Despite
lagging wheat planting and slow wheat pasture development thus far, forage
conditions in Oklahoma are generally very good. In the last week of
October, 83 percent of Oklahoma wheat acres were planted compared to a
five-year average of 91 percent for this date. Wheat emergence was reported at
70 percent compared to 75 percent in the five-year average. However,
wheat condition was reported at 47 percent good to excellent and another 46
percent fair. Seven percent of Oklahoma wheat was rated poor or very
poor. Though little wheat is currently being grazing, wheat pasture will
likely develop fairly quickly from this point.
The
end of October brings the final estimates of range and pasture conditions for
the season. Oklahoma pasture conditions were rated at 46 percent good to
excellent, equal to one year ago, with 44 percent rated fair, up from 38 percent
last year. Only ten percent of pastures were rated poor or very poor
compared to 16 percent one year ago at this time. This year it’s quite
common to see cows “belly-deep” in pasture at the end of the growing
season. Abundant standing forage in pastures may help producers reduce
hay needs and moderate cow costs this winter.
Unusually
favorable growing conditions in the late summer and fall period boosted forage
quantities and maintained quality above average. USDA-NASS increased
Oklahoma hay production estimates in October significantly from the initial
estimates in August. Other hay production was revised up by nearly 18
percent from the August estimates leading to a 2017other hay production
estimate of 5.0 million tons, down less than one percent from the 2016
level. Alfalfa hay production was increased by three percent over the
August estimate to a 2017 total of 1.122 million tons, 40.6 percent higher than
2016. Combined 2017 alfalfa and other hay production in Oklahoma is now projected
to be up 4.9 percent from 2016 levels. Combined with slightly higher May
1 hay stocks, total Oklahoma hay supplies for the 2017/2018 winter feeding
season are up 4.6 percent compared to last winter.
Ample
pasture and hay supplies are allowing flexibility for Oklahoma cattle
producers. Anecdotal reports suggest that some calf weaning and marketing
has been delayed because of the abundance of fall forage. However,
combined Oklahoma feeder auction volumes for the past eight weeks have averaged
7.5 percent above last year. It does not appear there is any significant delay
in calf marketings this fall. Despite the lack of wheat pasture, there are also
indications that some stocker producers have “stockpiled” stockers on other
forages until the wheat pasture is ready. The demand for stockers has
held calf prices to limited seasonal declines before increasing this past
week. After last week’s jump, Oklahoma calf prices are at the highest
levels since June while heavy feeder cattle prices are at the highest levels
since the end of 2015.
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran
in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not
limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational
services. References within this publication to any specific commercial
product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark,
manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement by Oklahoma
Cooperative Extension Service.
