NDSU BEEF COLLEGE DOUG LANDBLOM, RE CENTER SPEC. DICKINSON RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Alternative Beef Systems: Weaning Age and Backgrounding Alternatives

Beef System Research Questions Can early weaning be used for more than drought management? What effect does EW have on the range biomass disappearance, cow weight, and cow body condition? After weaning, how should EW calves be managed?  Feedlot? or Grazing?  BRD and Other Health Issues? Can cow wintering cost be reduced using an EW system?

EW NW EW NW EW NW

Weaning Comparisons: Normal Weaned Control - Direct to Feedlot (1 st Wk November) Normal Weaned - Unharvested Standing Corn (1 st Wk November) Early Weaned - Direct to Feedlot (Mid-August) Early Weaned - Unharvested Standing Corn (Mid-August )

Effect of Early Weaning on Native Range & Cow Condition Native Range:  Reduces forage disappearance ~ 36%  Extends grazing season or compensate for drought Cow Weight and Condition:  Increased cow weight  Increased Condition ~ 0.80 BCS  Increases Young Cow Reproductive Performance  Cows < 5 Years of age  Winter feed can be reduced to maintain BCS of 5.5  Lower inputs preserve/build equity

Corn Grain and Forage Nutrient Quality CP, %NDF, %IVDMD, % Corn Grain Sept. (14% Moist. ) Whole Plant Sept Nov Jan Litter Jan. (Trash on Ground)

Corn Production & Utilization, DM Early Wean-Aug (Corn) Normal Wean–Nov (Corn) Peak Production, (DM) T/A Start Graze, (DM) T/A End Graze, (DM) T/A Utilization, (DM) T/A Field Disappearance, (DM) T/A Residual Stalks, (DM) T/A

Backgrounding Systems Economics Pasture Control (Feedlot) Normal Wean–Nov (Corn) Early Wean-Aug (Corn) Early Wean (Feedlot) System Days End Wt Gain ADG Net Ret/Hd$87.50-$5.82$93.19$69.56 Cost/Lb. Ga.$0.59$1.08$0.52$0.66

Beef Value Corn Grain Equivalent Early WeanNormal Wean Beef Value/Ac., $ Corn Grain Equiv. $3.50/Bu)

Steer Health, Pulls & Treatment Cost Pasture Control (Feedlot) Normal Wean–Nov (Corn) Early Wean-Aug (Corn) Early Wean (Feedlot) Pull 1, % , %8.77 3, %3.51 Ave Treatment Cost, $$1.72$0.00 $9.92

Cows Follow Calves and Graze Corn Stalk Residue

ADG: 2009 Corn Stalk Grazing (70 Days)

Corn Stalk Residue Value Months Grazing/CowRange: 1.0 to 2.3 Months Ac./Cow/MonthRange: 0.50 to 0.87 Ac. Hay Value$50.00/Ton Hay Savings0.50 Ton/Cow/Month Winter Cost ReductionRange: $25 to $57/Cow

Cash Beef and Winter Hay Savings Value EW Cash Beef Value: $329/ac + Hay Savings: $57/hd ($49/ac) = Combined Value : $378 Corn Grain Equivalent: 108 bu/ac

System EW Advantages Cows:  EW Reduced range forage disappearance ~36%  EW improved cow BW and BCS  Rebreeding performance expected to improve with improved BCS among young cows  Grazing corn stalk residue following calves reduces winter feed and feeding cost  Extensive grazing management distributes waste  Provides soil nutrients  Reduces time required for manure hauling  Reduces manure handling and labor costs

System EW Advantages Calves:  EW & Corn Grazing - Better performance than grazing Nat. Rge.  EW & Corn Grazing - Greater Net Return/Hd than either Range or feedlot  EW & Corn Grazing - Minimized health problems  EW & Corn Grazing - Eliminated daily feeding, equipment, labor, fuel, and depreciation costs   EW & Corn Grazing - Cash Beef value/ac and Winter hay savings exceed value/ac of corn grown for grain

Extensive EW System Disadvantages Adequate Fencing and Water Supply

Early Weaning and Corn Grazing: “At the end of backgrounding, beef value from cash crop calves combined with hay savings from corn stalk grazing (cows) will yield a greater net return than either conventional beef production or corn grown for grain only.”

Questions