Check out photos from the 55th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course at http://www.flickr.com/photos/agrilife/show/
Photos by Jerrold Summerlin, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
2009 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course: August 2009 Archives
Dr. David Anderson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist, talks about the current drought and its effects on consumers and South Texas.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Gerald Evers, Texas AgriLife Research forage scientist, gave an in-depth presentation on the historyof bahiagrass, both the pro and con. Bahiagrass can be advantageous to some beef operations even though it's considered a "poor man's grass."
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
It's more important than ever for beef producers to be mindful of under-performing cows in their operations, especially during one of the worst droughts in history. Dr. Monty Rouquette, Texas AgriLife Research forage scientist, drew a room full of laughs during the forage management workshop Monday. He told beef producers they need to be mindful of poor-performing cows and gave some criteria for evaluation, especially during times of drought. Calling it the "Cash for Clunker Cows" program, here's his cow criteria cattle producers should use in evaluating their herd:
- Calves every other year.
- Calves on 18-month schedule.
- Heaviest weaned calves are 400 pounds.
- Always has a Body Condition Score Greater than 7.
- Often jumps fences, prefers to graze on roadsides.
- Auction barn has cash for next four days.
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Larry Redmon, Texas AgriLife Extension Service state forage specialist, kicked off the 2009 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course talking about cattle stocking rates during drought.
"You should be stocked for drought at all times," Redmon said. " You need to pay attention to this all of the time. How many of you are feeding hay right now? That's an economic disaster isn't it? But if you are stocked for drought and get into dry conditions, you can withstand that because you have your stocking rate set for drought."
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
