Performing Department
Iberia Research Station
Non Technical Summary
Traditionally, when conducting applied research in beef cattle we tend tro concentrate on a specific variable or small number of variables and maintain the rest of system "constant". the information we generate using this approach is usually transmitted to stakeholders with result of the impact of application of that practice without considering other factors. There is nothing wrong with that approach, most of the scientific prograss done in the last several decades have been based on this approach. However, producers have to deal with a farm and hence they are working on a specific production system. There is no two identical production systems but we have to agree that sometimes something that might be applicable or profitable when we are just dealing with that practice may not be that easy to implement or that profitable when we are dealing with the wholesystem. Hence, we are implementing two different cow calf systems that differ in the level of management and inputs required. Through the development of these systems will be able to show if recommended practices are easy to apply, their impact (production and economics) as well as the medium to long term effect of the systems in cow-calf production. Information on productivity(soil, forages, animals), inputs used (labor, supplies, chemicals, etc.) will be collected so that annual evaluations can be conducted. All this information will be shared with producers and agents using different venues, such as field days, workshops, pasture walks, in class training and hands-on activities. We hope to train producers and agents on a different number of practices, as well as generate useful data to be used in simulation models and as a cornerstone for future production systems. Management strategies to increase net returns from a cow-calf operation usually focus on several components, such as reproduction, weaning weights, supplementation or creep-feeding or grazing, pasture fertilization, and stocking rates. Each of these management tools can have an impact on forage-livestock system productivity. However, because of the differences of cattle types, soil types, available forage, and climatic conditions, the effects of forage-livestock management systems need to be evaluated over a wide variety of climates, cattle types, and soil conditions. A good non-technical summary is composed of 1-2 succinct paragraphs that cover three main points: 1. What is the current issue or problem that the research addresses and why does it need to be researched? 2. What basic methods and approaches will be used to collect and produce data/results and subsequently inform target audiences? 3. Through the methods mentioned above, what ultimate goals does the project hope to achieve?
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Based on this background information, the need to promote management practices in the context of a production system and the interest of producers in reducing costs to increase profitability of their farms, we are proposing the evaluation of 2 cow/calf systems which, based on management practices and amount of inputs used, can be defined as "Low" vs. "High" management systems. The specific objectives are: To develop and implement two cow-calf systems that differ in management intensity To evaluate the sustainability of these two cow-calf systems To promote the application of management strategies that have been shown to improve the productivity of the system
Project Methods
We propose a long-term multidisciplinary project where research and extension personnel will work together to better serve our clientele. This type of work has been successful in demonstrating management techniques and presenting specific research-proven practices in a system oriented environment. This work will be conducted on 40 ha at the Iberia Research Station. Two herds of 30 Brangus females (already at the IRS) will be used. Some practices and collection of information will be the same for both systems; however, they will have some differences. They will be managed separately at a stocking rate of 1.2 and 1.8 cows/ha, for the low and the high management system, respectively. Some of the variables that will be defined are: fertilizer type, fertilization rates, forage species, grazing management, use of supplement and strategy of its use, production and utilization of conserved forages (hay), culling criteria, and bull selection, among many others (description of these variables are below). These variables have been defined in agreement with collaborating extension agents and Faculty. The former brought to the table their knowledge of the producers they work with and the latter contributes to that issue as well as for the definition of the variables that are closely related with their respective discipline. Among the information to be collected is the performance of cows and calves as well as all input (labor, fertilizer, seed, herbicide, gas, etc.) and output (culled cows and bulls, calves sold at weaning) data which will serve to conduct an annual economic evaluation of both herds. Statistical analyses for animal performance and forage production data will follow Steele and Torrie (1980) following similar analyses conducted by Bagley et al. (1987a). A partial enterprise budget for each system based on the information collected will be conducted every year and a final budget at the end of the 4 years that the project will last will compare the results throughout the years. Outreach activities (pasture walks, field days, workshops, and training of producers) will be conducted throughout the year. These activities will be coordinated by all participants in this project and will have different objectives (disciplinary oriented) depending on the time of the year. PARAMETERS LOW MANAGEMENT HIGH MANAGEMENT Animal management Stocking rate (cow/ha) 1.2 1.8 Rotationally stocked No Yes (3 to 15 sub-paddocks) Area (ha) @30 cows 36 54 By class (heifers, 1st calf, etc.) No Yes Culling (open) 2nd time 1st time Length breeding season (days) 90 60 (3 yr+ old); 75 (1-2 yr old) Pastures/soil management Soil sampling (as follow up) Yes Yes Fertilization Summer No Complete (NPK) in hay meadows; on pastures PK if needed Winter Low N rate (60-74 units/ha) N rate as needed (110 to 145 units/ha) Winter annuals Ryegrass (no-till) Ryegrass (prepared seedbed and no-till) Clipping Strategic (weed control) As needed Herbicides No As needed Feeding practices Supplements 16-24% protein tubs (transition periods) Strategic based on requirements Minerals Strategic (2 mo before calving to breeding) Year-round Hi-Mg on ryegrass Yes Yes Hay Purchased* Made** Health Vaccinations, Dewormer, fly tags (for adult cattle only) Following protocol Following protocol FEC (as follow up) Yes (1/year) Yes (3-4 times/year)