|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Released: January 29, 2003 Beef Specialists Give Pasture-Finishing Tips at Grazing Conference SALINA, Kan. — Pasture-finished beef and reducing feed costs were key topics at the Winter Grazing Conference, held Jan. 25 in Salina. The event was sponsored by the Kansas Grazier’s Association. Don Adams, a beef specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, spoke on reducing feed costs. Adams said feed costs are a major factor in determining the overall economic efficiency of a grazing system, with harvested forages and purchased feeds comprising the majority of total feed costs. Since pregnant and lactating cows have higher nutrient requirements, it is important to increase both the quantity and quality of forage needed by the animal. Adams challenged producers to consider changing the calving or wean dates in order to provide the best quality forage for the cow. He cautioned farmers and ranchers, however, not to overlook certain obstacles, such as the impact of such a change on production, costs associated with the change and what impact the change will have on marketing. For example, changing calving or weaning weights can change the time of year when calves are sold or cattle are culled. Adams also recommended checking historic market prices for that particular time of year before initiating a change. Fred Martz, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, addressed pasture-finished beef. Pasture finishing is keeping cattle on grass through finish weight rather than send them to a feedlot. Supplements are sometimes used to increase the tenderness of the meat. Martz recommended using a medium-framed beef animal for pasture finishing. He also emphasized the importance of keeping animal stress to a minimum while handling. Stress has an impact on the quality of pasture-finished beef. For more information on these and other grazing topics, contact the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops at (785) 532-1440 or email kcsaac@oznet.ksu.edu. The center can also be reached at KCSAAC, Kansas State University, 3602 Throckmorton, c/o HFRR, Manhattan, KS 66506. -30- K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan. Story by: |