Broadcaster Press 9 August 15, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Incorporating Corn Into Rations Can Save Forage BROOKINGS, S.D. - Drought-induced forage shortages across some areas of South Dakota has livestock producers looking for different ways meet forage needs left when pastures and hay ground are no longer an option. Corn is one such option, said Julie Walker, Associate Professor & SDSU Extension Beef Specialist. "Research has shown that a variety of feedstuffs can be utilized to meet the cows' nutrient requirements with similar performance to a forage based diet. "At current feed prices, substituting corn for forage is a viable option to feed beef cows," Walker said. "Corn or corn-based byproducts can be used to substitute for forages and save on daily feed costs. For operations with the right facilities and management ability, replacing forage with corn can stretch forage supplies and potentially reduce feed costs." Meeting Nutritional Needs Research at The Ohio State University reported pregnant beef cows can be fed as little as 3 pounds of hay plus corn and supplements to meet nutrient requirements. Purdue University research has also shown that late gestation cows could be successfully fed diets where hay was limited to 0.5 or 1.0 percent of bodyweight (dry matter basis). "Rations were balanced to meet nutrient requirements, and performance (weight gain) was equal or greater compared to cows receiving hay at 2 percent of body weight," Walker said. In both of these research projects, corn plus a protein supplement were used to balance the ration. Table 1 shows a couple of examples of rations that meet the nutritional needs for a 1,300 pound dry cows. Limit feeding corn reduces forage requirements by 50 percent compared to a full-feed hay diet. In the two examples using corn, cows are allocated 0.5 percent of their body weight in forage dry matter (1,300 x 0.005 = 6.5 pounds DM; 6.5/.88 (88 percent DM of forage = 7.4 pounds as-fed). Based on the prices used, incorporation of high amounts of corn reduced the feed cost/day and stretched the forage supply. It is very important to note that although nutritional requirements of these cows are met, her appetite is not. Management Considerations Switching from a forage-based system to a concentrate-based ration creates some management considerations. •Facilities must provide enough bunk space for all the cows to eat at once to prevent dominant animals from overeating. When limit feeding, cows should have at least 30 inches per head of bunk space. •Strong fences are a must. Because the cattle's appetite won't be satisfied, they will put pressure on the fence seeking additional forage. •Pens should provide at least 500 square feet per head. If cattle are fed in a pasture setting, cattle will continue to graze (overgraze) because their nutrient requirements are met before dry matter intake hits 100 percent. •Proper bunk management is critical to avoid digestive upsets, especially when high-starch feedstuffs are fed. •Conducting feed tests on forages and drought harvested feeds allows purchasing of the right supplements to meet the animal's requirements. •Minerals and vitamins may be consumed in excess if offered free choice when animals are limit fed. These can be included in the mixed ration or consumption can be controlled by using white salt in the mineral-vitamin supplement. Let Our Family Business Keep Yours In The Go With: • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals Cox Auto 1007 Broadway Ave Yankton, SD 605•665•4494 What everyone is reading. www.broadcasteronline.com www.plaintalk.net Arrrrre you advertising in the Broadcaster? Watch the “treasure” pile up when you advertise in the 201 W Cherry Vermillion, SD Phone: (605) 624-4429 Fax: (605) 624-2696 2017 Draper Winter Wheat Meeting Aug. 24 BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Jones County Crop Improvement Association and SDSU Extension will host the 29th Annual Winter Wheat meeting at Draper, August 24, 2017. The event will be held in the Draper City Auditorium and will begin at 6 p.m. (CDT). Registration is not required. A meal is served prior to the program and is sponsored by numerous area businesses. "This meeting is a long standing tradition among winter wheat producers," said Ruth Beck, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist of the meeting which provides producers with the most recent wheat variety trial results and information on winter wheat production in South Dakota. Speakers for the 2017 event include; Chris Graham, SDSU Extension Agronomist from Rapid City, who will discuss the 2017 SDSU Winter Wheat Variety Trial results and other ongoing wheat research in South Dakota. Stan Boltz, Soil Health Specialist with the NRCS in Huron, who will share tips on how to best manage saline affected areas. The South Dakota Wheat Commission and S.D. Wheat Inc. will also be represented at this event. For more information call the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Pierre at 605.773.8120 or email Beck. 58 Acres of Yankton County Land Wednesday, September 6th, 9:30 a.m. Located: 3 miles West of Wal-Mart on SD Highway 50, 1 mile North on 437th Ave Legal: The SW1/4 of SW1/4 and S1/2 NW1/4, SW1/4 in Section 27-94-56 Yankton County, SD. Taxes are $1,209.02. This is a very attractive tract of land with very good soil ratings of 82-84% on the crop land. Predominant soil types are CkA (Clarno – Crossplaine – Tetonka) complex with 0 to 3% slope and CeB (Clarno – Bonilla loams) with 1 to 6% slope. This farm has approximately 40 acres that is now into row crop with the balance into grassland which also has rural water pasture hook up. The Yankton County FSA Office shows PLC yields of 108 and 44. This is a great opportunity to not only buy some high quality Yankton County farmland, but also an excellent location for a new home. Just minutes from Yankton on the newest hard surfaced Yankton County road; only about a mile from the new Napa Junction Terminal. Terms: 10% nonrefundable payment due day of auction with the balance due on closing. Closing day October 6, 2017 with possession on March 1, 2018. Seller will pay the taxes through December 31st, 2017. Title insurance and closing costs will be split 50/50 between the buyer and seller. Yankton Title Co, closing agent. Real Estate is being sold subject to court approval. Auctioneers are acting as agents for the seller. Statements made day of auction take precedent over written material. Darri Barkl Family Trust First Dakota National Bank Trustee Girard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com Marv Girard, BA; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE Broker; Mike Girard, CAI, BA; Scott Moore, BA