MoosNews
Volume 16, No. 3 – March 2013
We look forward to
seeing everyone at the upcoming GCCA dinner meeting – Thursday, March 14 at 7
p.m. Cost of a meal is $5; the program is tentatively scheduled to be presented
by the South Granville High School FFA.
**********
News, Views, and Mostly
Other Matters
By Paul Westfall, Extension
Livestock Agent
Looks
like March is blowing in with gusto – at least we are under a high wind
advisory as I write this. We can be
thankful to all the mud we’re having this spring, especially if it leads to
having some residual soil moisture for the dry months.
I
just found out about a “new” EPA requirement for farmers to comply with. That is the Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations.
These are in place to encourage active participation in preventing oil
spills on farms, and to make sure there is a response plan in place. I have the example forms if anyone wants to
take a look, and I have the web address for more information on the topic. It all boils down to how much of all types of
oil is stored on the farm, including diesel, gasoline, motor oil, waste oil,
crop oil, etc., and whether it is stored above or below ground. Since there isn’t much below ground storage
being approved these days, the guide says that if a farm stores over 1,350
gallons of all types of oil, then a SPCC plan must be put into place by May 10,
2013. Yep, that’s right -- May of this
year! I don’t know how many folks will
be affected by this requirement, but since the 1,320-gallon storage threshold
is a cumulative number, I thought I would pass this along. I will be hosting a webinar on March 26,
2013, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Maybe
we’ll have popcorn while we watch!
When
calculating the amount of above-ground oil storage capacity, don’t count any
containers that hold less than 55 gallons.
That is listed as the minimum storage tank size. Include any oil/fuel storage tanks mounted on
trailers or trucks, as those have to be accounted for, too.
Now
that the notification is taken care of, a more seasonal topic is that of soil
sampling. I got a message that the
turn-around time at the soils lab is down to about 4 weeks, so you can still
get samples in and get the results in time to make effective fertilizer
applications. It’s a really good idea to
take samples while the ground is soft.
If the sample is wet, spread the soil out and let it air-dry a bit
before putting the sample into a soil test box.
Those boxes are made of paper/cardboard, so moisture breaks them down
pretty easily. The lab doesn’t like to
deal with muddy samples, so let’s let them dry down some before sending them
in.
If
you need to use some starter fertilizer before getting your results, keep track
of the analysis and how much is used, and we can make adjustments in later
applications to finish the season. The
main idea is to get the pasture grasses and hay crops off to a good start as
early in the season as possible, and it now looks like that season is starting
early this year. Proper forage nutrition
and some moisture at the right time make a world of difference in forage yields
and quality. Having a lot of good
quality forage is the best way to take advantage of the cow’s natural ability
to harvest and utilize forages. That’s
also the most cost-effective way to feed cattle – grow good forage and let cows
do what cows do best.
Now for the management tips. For
ALL herds, monitor mineral intake and make sure cows are eating
prescribed amount (usually 4 oz./cow daily).
With lush spring grasses, make sure that the mineral has a higher
magnesium content to prevent grass tetany.
Spring calvers should remember that for a January 10 through March 30
calving season, the bulls need to be with cows from April 1 to June 20. Make sure
bulls are in good condition, and conduct breeding soundness exams. The cows need to be in moderate to good
condition to rebreed early. This means that you may need to start feeding your
best hay and put the cows on your best grazing now. Provide supplement as
needed according to forage test. The
goal is to maintain body condition of at least 5.0. Start breeding heifers about three weeks
before the cows. Follow calving season
management practices. If you don’t
remember what those are – call me. Switch
the heifers to a lactation ration 10 to 15 days after calving.
Fall calvers should remove the bulls from the
heifers and from the rest of the herd after a 45- to 90-day breeding
period. Keep the bulls in a small
pasture with strong fences. Feed bulls
enough to keep them in good condition for next year’s breeding (and to keep
them in a good, non-destructive mood).
Spot-check the cows to see if most are bred. By now, there should be
little activity. Vaccinate for
clostridial disease, castrate and dehorn any late calves or those missed in
early working. Watch the cows for signs
of heat. Again, by now, there should be little activity. Be ruthless.
Sell any cows that failed to produce a live calf. A cow that misses a year of having a calf
will never produce enough calves to recover that loss. The possibility of her having twins later on
is highly unlikely. The possibility of
her missing another calf next year is a much better bet. That’s a bet that it is best to avoid by
sending her down the road. With cattle
prices up, that makes it an even better situation to move her now rather than
holding on to her and hoping.
**********
This steer calf was testing
Mom early in his young life – he kept sneaking over to the wrong side of the
fence, do his mother’s dismay. It always
seems easier for calves to find their way OUT than to find their way back IN!
**********
From
the President’s pen
Hello,
fellow cattlemen!
The
support at the zoning meeting was great, we had a good turnout. Special thanks
to all that came and gave us your support. One more step to go – March 18, 2013
at 7 p.m. Monday night at the Granville County Expo Center meeting with our
county commissioners. Please put the word out we really need a good turnout to
show our commissioners that we really need this for our county. Come and bring
your neighbors and their neighbors and all your friends and their friends.
See
you at our regular monthly meeting on March 14!
Kay
**********
February Meeting Minutes
Forty
six members and guests attended the regular monthly meeting of the Granville
County Cattlemen's Association on Thursday, February
14, 2013. The meeting, held in the Granville County Cooperative
Extension Board Room, began at 7:00 p.m. with a beef dinner.
Following
dinner, President Kay Stark presided over the business session. Minutes of the
January meeting were approved. The Treasurer's report included update on
concessions at the E. B. Harris cattle sale at the Cattle Arena in January.
Sherby
Slaughter was appointed Vice-President to complete the term of Larry Medlin who
resigned for health reasons. Kent Currin will replace Sherby as a member of the
Board of Directors.
Members
voted to override GCCA bylaws and allow President Kay Stark to serve a third
year as president. Bylaws presently stipulate a maximum two-year term for the
president.
The
group was encouraged to attend the February 21,
2013, meeting of the Granville County Planning Board in support of
expanded use of the Cattle Arena on Cannady's Mill Road. Presentations will be made by GCCA members to
emphasize benefits of expanded use for Granville County and surrounding areas.
Paul
Westfall shared EAT BEEF license plates.
The
need for Agriculture Advisory Board was mentioned. More information will be
forthcoming.
President
Stark will represent our group at the annual N.C. Cattlemen's Association
meeting in Hickory.
Linda
Currin will present the GCCA Scholarship at Vance Granville Community College
in the spring.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jean
Y. Gill, Secretary
**********
President,
Kay Stark 2013:
Kent Currin, Steve Walker
Past
President, Joy Morgan Marshall 2014:
Linda Currin, Wendy Lane
Vice
President, Sherby Slaughter 2015:
James Gooch, Eddie Denny
Treasurer,
Sandy Gabel
Secretary,
Jean Gill
Newsletter,
Laura S. Gabel
