MoosNews
Volume 15, No. 12 – December
2012
The annual Christmas dinner party is set for Thursday, December 13 at 7
p.m. at Poplar Creek Baptist Church on Poplar Creek Road just outside
Henderson. This is a festive celebration and a wonderful time to spend with
fellow GCCA members. Please come and help make it the best party ever!
News, Views, and
Mostly Other Matters
By Paul Westfall, Extension Livestock Agent
‘Tis the season. It is
December already, and we have two end-of-year holidays down and a few more to
go until we get past New Year’s Day.
2012 has certainly flown by.
Since this article is devoted to cows and cattle farmers, I’ll just
stick to that subject now.
I hope everyone has their gifts for the cowherd ready. They might even like a big red bow around a
big round bale of hay on December 25.
However, if you decide to gift wrap some hay, I recommend making the
ribbon out of an edible material, or just removing it before actually allowing
the cows to celebrate by eating that special bale with some extra protein or
energy included. For some herds, that
special gift may be some fresh grass deferred for that special day. Of course, with deferred grazing, that
special day can be every day, every other day, or even every three or four
days. Cows really love getting to eat
fresh deferred grass. If you want to
know more about this, let me know and we can talk about setting up a deferred
grazing pasture for next winter, unless you know of a pasture that hasn’t been
grazed or cut for hay since September. Normally I start talking about deferred
grazing in the summer when most folks are not really thinking about winter
feeding other than how many bales of hay are in the barn. I am now asking folks to think about what
might be an easier winter feeding system for cattle as they brave cold, wind,
and precipitation. Moving a temporary
fence every few days takes a lot less effort than daily hay feeding, and I can
think of several more advantages versus feeding hay all winter.
Since most people do feed hay through the winter, be sure to check the
hay inventory and make sure there is enough on hand to get through until grass
begins growing next spring. It is
generally better to procure any needed hay now rather than wait until supplies
are short later. Also, check the hay
quality by getting a forage test run. I
have a hay sampler, and the Cattlemen’s Association has a forage sampler, too,
so taking the sample should be easy. I
can also help fill out the forms and interpret the results. Payment for the test(s) is all on the
producer, though. The test results will
help determine if and what kind of supplement(s) may be needed to balance the
ration. If the hay is pretty good
quality, maybe only a bit of energy and protein are needed and a couple of
pounds of cottonseed will fit the bill.
Or, hay can be mainly filler, with low energy and protein levels. Then a more sophisticated supplement may be
needed to keep the cows in good condition for gestation, calving, or
re-breeding. The best way to determine
if supplements are needed is to get forage tests run on your hay.
Management needs for the cowherd don’t take any days off for holidays,
so here are December’s management tips.
In general, treat cattle
for lice if this has not already been done.
Evaluate the winter feed supply. Consider the amount of grazing planted,
the condition of grazing fields, and hay quantity and quality. Purchase supplemental feeds early in the
month. Test the hay to be used in the
winter feeding program for quality (protein, energy, and moisture), and plan
the supplemental feeding program.
Folks with
Spring-calving herds are starting to look ahead to the calving season. Farmers
should check the breeding dates on cows and watch closely as the due dates
approach. Remember that the feed
requirements increase about 10 to 15 percent during the last 30 to 45 days
prior to calving. Do not underfeed in an effort to reduce birth weight as this
actually puts the cow and the calf more at risk. The calf will continue to grow to its birth
weight at the expense of the cow, so don’t cut feed thinking that the calf
won’t be as large at birth. The cows
will just lose body condition, causing them to have a more difficult time producing
milk, recovering from the birth, and getting back into the breeding cycle. Check with your veterinarian about suggested
pre-breeding vaccinations for cows. Body
condition score all females. Those
scoring under 5 will need some additional energy and protein. If possible, separate first- and second-calf
heifers from the cows. (Older, thin cows may be included with heifers.) Start the heifers on a balanced ration
designed for the last third of pregnancy. Before the heifers start calving,
gather and clean your calving supplies. Be ready to assist with calving
difficulties and to castrate, and implant calves at birth (if possible and if that’s
in the management plan). Plan to switch heifers to a lactation ration by 10 to
15 days after calving.
Folks with
Fall-calving herds should consider these items: For an October 1 to December 30
calving season, the bulls need to be with the cows from January 1 to March
20. Make sure the bulls are in good
condition and are examined for breeding soundness. Cows need to be in moderate to good condition
to rebreed early. You may need to start feeding your best hay and put the cows
on your best grazing now. Supplement as
needed according to forage test. The
goal is to maintain a body condition of at least 5.0. Start breeding the heifers about three weeks
before the cows. For a high percentage
of cows to rebreed early, the herd must be in moderate or better condition.
**********
If you have not already done so, PLEASE call
Amos and Frances Brewer to RSVP to the Christmas dinner on Thursday. Their phone number is 252.438.5649. We need
an accurate headcount so the grillers can have an accurate steak count! Don’t
forget to invite any volunteer who has helped with any of our GCCA activities –
we’d like to thank them for their assistance!
**********
From the Treasurer
Your 2013 dues are
now payable. Bring them to the Christmas party and save your association the
postage. Please complete the application on page 5 of the December MoosNews and
include it, along with your payment of $10 for one year or $100 to become a lifetime
member.
Sandy
**********
From the President’s pen
Merry Christmas, Cattlemen!
Special thanks for all the work our board and members have
done throughout this past year. We will miss Jimmy Morgan and David Owens
as they rotate off our board this coming year. Our board met last
month and recommended two new board members. During our
business meeting, Eddie Denny and James Gooch were approved as the 2015 class
to serve on the GCCA board. They join 2013 members Sherby Slaughter
and Steve Walker, 2014 members Linda Currin and Wendy Lane, along with
Immediate Past President Joy Morgan Marshall, President Kay Stark and Vice
President Larry Medlin. Each class serves a two-year term before rotating
off. Treasurer Sandy Gabel, Secretary
Jean Gill, and Newsletter Editor Laura Gabel have agreed to keep their jobs for
the coming year.
After our Christmas meal on Thursday, Dec. 13,
we have some awards to present and then we’ll look back on the all the
accomplishments of 2012. We need some volunteers to serve on a committee
for next year’s meetings! Remember
that this is your association,
so any topic you would like covered please let us know. Hope to see all.
If you haven’t already done so, please call Amos (252.438.5649)
to reserve your steak for December 13th!!
Kay
**********
November Meeting Minutes
The Granville County Cattlemen’s
Association met on Thursday, November 8,
2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the
Granville County Cooperative Extension Offices.
Following dinner, J.F. Webb High School student, Casey West, reported to
the group on the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Using a video presentation, Casey shared
interesting aspects and activities of the Convention and emphasized some of the
areas he considered most interesting and informative. Casey thanked the GCCA for assistance in
financing the trip to Indianapolis.
President, Kay Stark presided over
the business session. Minutes of the
October meeting were approved as printed.
Treasurer’s report was accepted.
Members voted to purchase four
banners for use in promoting GCCA at public events. These banners will be on display at the GCCA
concession stand on Saturday, November 10, at the E.B. Harris auction at the Livestock Arena.
James Gooch and Eddie Denny were
elected to serve on the Board of Directors, beginning in January, 2013.
It was recommended that GCCA
request rezoning of the Livestock Arena on Cannady’s Mill Road and pay the
associated fee. This would open the way
for upgrading the facility and increasing the number and type of sales
allowable. Members approved this
proposal and were encouraged to support this effort at such time as it comes
before the County Commissioners for approval.
Paul Westfall reported forty-one
bulls tested at the Bull Soundness Clinic.
He thanked members for financial support.
The annual Christmas dinner will
be held this year at Poplar Creek Baptist Church on December 13. Members will be called on to help in various
ways.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Y. Gill, Secretary
**********
Jean Gill, Joyce Morgan and Wendy Lane were among those who helped in the GCCA concession stand.
Our new banners got their first
workout during the recent EB Harris Auction.
**********
Officers: Directors:
President, Kay Stark 2012: Jimmy MorganPast President, Joy Morgan Marshall David Owen
Vice President, Larry Medlin 2013: Sherby Slaughter
Treasurer, Sandy Gabel Steve Walker
Secretary, Jean Gill 2014: Linda Currin
Newsletter, Laura S. Gabel Wendy Lane
