A dry Prairie growing season and feed shortages are causing more cattle to enter winter underweight, as well as a greater number to hit markets.
“In instances where pasture productivity was limited due to early turn out, limited precipitation, or expecting the pasture to carry more animals than it really should, cows will likely be thin, and calves may be lighter than expected,” says Dwayne Summach, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s livestock specialist.
Thin cows impact winter feed needs
“It can take an extra 1,400 pounds of hay for a thin cow to keep warm,” says Barry Yaremcio, Alberta Agriculture’s beef/forage specialist. “That’s roughly $140 per cow increase in feeding costs compared to an animal in good condition.”
The amount of milk a thin cow can produce is also reduced, and its reproductive success can be 20 to 30 per cent lower when entering the breeding season.
Online tools allow producers to score their herds’ body conditions and balance rations to achieve targeted gains.
Maximizing feed
To cope with poor condition cattle, Summach and Yaremcio recommend weaning calves now, as nutrient requirements for a dry cow are 25 per cent less than a lactating cow.
After weaning, feed extra grain and better quality forage to allow for weight gain.
Also, pregnancy check the herd and cull any open cows.
“Getting the cows pregnancy checked early allows culling decisions to be made quickly, saving valuable feed resources to provide to the pregnant animals,” Summach explains.
More feed grains
Precipitation has stymied annual crop harvest operations and reduced quality grades, which could increase feed grain availability.
The amount entering Alberta’s feed chain, though, has been minimal so far, as many swaths are too wet to combine or covered in snow, Yaremcio says.
Feed quality grain also can come with additional challenges like molds, and experts urge feed testing.
Market impact
Buyers know farmers are under pressure to sell, and that incoming high supply will reduce prices, Yaremcio says.
“Cow prices are definitely lower. Prices are roughly $200 per head lower now than what was available two months ago, (and) roughly $1,000 per head lower than a year ago,” he explains.
Thinner cows could mean additional discounts at market, adds Brian Perillat, senior market analyst of Canfax.
He’s observed more calves - probably lighter weight - have moved earlier this fall.
The next six weeks will provide a clearer indication of price direction there, Yaremcio adds.
Perillat also notes tight feed supplies have slashed bred cow and bred heifer demand.
Source : fcc