BROOKINGS, S.D. — Innovation and planning for the future are the themes of the 2017 SDSU Extension Fall Beef Field Day held August 22, in Mitchell beginning at the Stillwater Cattle Company (25969 436th Ave, Bridgewater, SD). The event begins at 9 a.m.
To help cover lunch costs, registration for the event is $5 at the door. Preregistration is not required.
“With the current drought and tough economic situation, producers need to look for alternative management strategies which may increase income and save valuable feedstuffs on the operation,” Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist.
Grussing and the SDSU Extension team designed the Fall Beef Field Day with drought and economics in mind. The field day includes a tour of two different beef systems.
“We have received many questions on cattle performance in these new facilities,” Grussing said.
By touring Stillwater Cattle Company cattle producers have an opportunity to see firsthand how drylot and hoop systems work.
With silage harvest just around the corner, the one-day Field Day will also cover the importance of harvesting and storing high quality silage.
Following the morning tour, lunch will be served at the Davison County Fairgrounds (3200 W. Havens Ave. Mitchell, SD).
Presentations will be held after lunch.
The presentation lineup includes the following:
Prepping Calves at Weaning: Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate will discuss the importance of prepping calves for weaning. “Not only does the health of calves at weaning directly impact your profitability, but it also pays to get calves off to a good start because whoever is buying your calves needs them to be profitable too,” Rusche said.
Feedlot Manager Panel Discussion: A panel of feedlot managers will discuss what they are looking for when buying weaned calves and how the cow/calf producer can work with the feedlot on how to best prepare these weaned calves.
Market Outlook & Marketing Options Available for Weaned Calves: Presented by from Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, this talk will focus on what marketing options are available for weaned calves. She will also provide a market outlook.
“It’s always a good idea to have a plan when marketing calves every year. However, with dry conditions prompting early weaning and potentially extra culling this fall, marketing plans may need to be different this year than in the past to breakeven.”
Pregnancy Diagnosis: Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist will present on the importance of early pregnancy diagnosis. She will lead a discussion on ways producers can identify pregnant versus open cows earlier so they can begin making culling decisions. She will also discuss fall management of herd replacement females.
“Grass is getting short in supply; therefore, it should be saved for the cows that become bred early in the year and will return a calf come spring,” said Grussing. “Early pregnancy diagnosis can be done in variety of ways and at a relatively low cost compared to feeding an open cow through the winter.”
Questions about the event can be directed Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, 605-782-3290; Taylor Grussing, 605-995-7378; or Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate, 605-688-5452.
Sponsors for the field day include: South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Zoetis, Dakotaland Feeds, LLC., Cattle Business Weekly, MultiMin USA, Creekside Veterinary Clinic, Hoop Beef and Farmers State Bank.
Driving directions
Driving directions to Stillwater Cattle Company: From Interstate 90 take Exit 357. Go 3 miles south to 260th street. Head east on 260th St for 1 mile to a dead end. Turn north on 436th Avenue and go ÂĽ mile. Stillwater Cattle Co will be located on the west side of the road. Please park by the barn.
— SDSU Extension
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