Agricultural News
OSU's Dr. David Lalman says There are Other Options for Beef Producers Dealing with Drought
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:47:30 CDT
The drought across Oklahoma is continuing to affect beef cattle producers despite many of the recent rains seen across the state. From the liquidation of cattle herds to the rising price of hay to feed those cattle herds, producers are dealing daily with the consequences of severe drought. But, according to David Lalman, Oklahoma State University Beef Cattle Specialist, OSU Extension Educators are stepping up to help these producers.
A series of drought meetings have been held across the state to help cattle producers deal with set backs. Lalman says there were 200 attendees at a meeting in Woodward, Okla., and 225 at a meeting in Enid, Okla. Lalman says producers are desperate but they are responding and trying to find what other options they have.
Lalman says there are other options for producers, like evaluating the amount of inputs needed by the cow herd. One option, says Lalman, is to utilize a feed additive that reduces hay intake by about 10% without changing the performance. Recent data at OSU shows that there was actually an increase in performance in about 60 days, and increased the weight gain by about half a pound per head per day, says Lalman.
Another option for producers to look at is the tax implications that come with selling or liquidating their cow herd. Lalman suggests to producers to look into these implications because they may want to sell middle-age to older cows and thinka bout holding onto cows that they can make into a first calf heifer, then sell soon after that and take advantage of a 10% capital gain.
Click on the LISTEN bar below to listen to the rest of Ron Hays and Dr. Lalman's conversation on how beef cattle producers can deal with drought affecting their cow herd.
Also, for more information on drought meetings and other tips from OSU Beef Extension on dealing with drought - you can click on the link to their website here.
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