COW/CALF CORNER
The Newsletter
From the
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
June 8, 2015
In this Issue:
Latest meat
trade data encouraging
Derrell S. Peel,
Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
What to do with
the bull after the breeding season?
Glenn Selk;
Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist
Latest meat
trade data encouraging
Derrell S. Peel,
Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist
The
latest trade data for April generally showed relative improvement in meat trade
despite a variety of continuing challenges. The strong U.S. dollar
continues to work against U.S. meat exports and support increased
imports. The avian influenza outbreak continues to grow and impact
poultry trade; while high prices and limited supplies are the biggest
challenges for the beef sector.
Despite
bans or restrictions in most markets for U.S. poultry, broiler exports in April
were fractionally higher than year ago levels holding year to date broiler
exports to a decrease of 8.4 percent compared to last year. Most
importantly among broiler export markets is Mexico, which was up 1.5 percent
year over year in April and is up 4.8 percent for the year to date.
Mexico is by far the largest broiler export market, accounting for 21 percent
of total 2014 broiler exports. Year to date broiler exports to China and
South Korea are down over 90 percent along with zero exports to Russia (banned
in 2014 prior to avian influenza). Turkey exports were down 27.2 percent
in April contributing to an 11.4 percent year to date decline compared to last
year.
Pork
exports were up 10.9 percent in April, cutting the year to year date pork
export decrease to 7.4 percent. This is the first year over year increase
in monthly pork exports in 2015. Increased pork supplies and lower pork
prices are overcoming the negative impacts of the strong U.S. dollar to boost pork exports. Among major
pork export markets, year over year April exports were stronger to Japan (up
16.2 percent) and Mexico (up 15.2 percent), China (up 1.4 percent), and South
Korea (up 43.2 percent) while Canada was down 13.9 percent.
April
U.S. beef exports were down 3.6 percent year over year, the smallest monthly
decrease so far this year. Year to date beef exports are down 8.4 percent
compared to 2014. Increased year over year April exports to Japan (up 4.8
percent) and South Korea (up 21.7 percent) contributed to year to date
increases in U.S. beef exports to both countries. However, North American
beef trade is more troubling with April decreases to Canada (down 10.4 percent)
and Mexico (down 25.2 percent) contributing to year to date decreases in beef
exports to both countries. The looming threat of tariffs related to
Country of Origin Labeling adds to the prospects for weaker exports to Canada
and Mexico in the coming months.
April
U.S. beef imports were up 27.5 percent compared to one year ago, the smallest
monthly increase year over year so far this year. Year to date beef
imports are up 40.9 percent compared to one year ago. Australia (up 36.7
percent) and New Zealand (up 28.2 percent) were the leading sources of beef
imports in April along with Canada (up 4.6 percent) and Mexico (up 61.4
percent) compared to April, 2014. Beef imports from Brazil, though less
than 4 percent of total beef imports in April, were up 95 percent year over
year and are up 135 percent for the year to date compared to last year.
What to do with
the bull after the breeding season?
Glenn Selk;
Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist
Maintaining
a 60 to 75 day breeding and calving season can be one of the most important
management tools for cow calf producers. A uniform, heavier, and more
valuable calf crop is one key reason for keeping the breeding season short.
Plus, more efficient cow supplementation and cow herd health programs are a
product of a short breeding season.
However,
many small producers lose all of these money-making advantages, just because
they do not have a pen or trap that will hold the bull away from cows and
heifers for 9 to 10 months of the year. In an effort to learn what others
do to overcome this obstacle, we had an email conversation with a Clemson
University beef cattle specialist who passed along the method of fencing that
they use to separate bulls from their cows.
They
use a minimum of 2 acres per bull for their bull pasture. Well fertilized
introduced pastures (such as bermudagrass) in Eastern Oklahoma (with adequate
rainfall) can stand this stocking density. However, native grass
situations will require more acreages per bull unless the producer wants to
feed a great deal of hay and supplement during much of the year.
They
use a five strand, high tensile fence with the strands spaced at 10 inches
apart. High tensile wire is a heavy gauge, smooth wire that can be made
as a permanent system with in-line wire stretchers The first strand is 10
inches above the ground. The end result is a fence that is 50 inches
tall.
The
fence, of course, must be electrically charged. A GOOD high voltage, low
amperage fence energizer or charger provides the energy source. The
Clemson design uses the 2nd , 3rd, and 5th wire as charged wires, with the
first and the 4th wire attached to grounds. See diagram below. The grounds
will be most effective if they are set deep into the soil. This will
allow for good “grounding” even when summer droughts cause top soil to become
quite dry. Different designs may fit different situations. Some
designs electrify the first wire (from the bottom) and make the second wire a
ground. Talking to a commercial representative from a reputable fencing
supply company can be very helpful.
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.
