EFFECT OF TWO IMPLANTS ON WINTER-PASTURED STOCKERS

A demonstration was conducted by County Extension Agents in Williamson County involving 108 steers on winter wheat/rye. Grazing began December 30, 1997 and continued for 129 days. Initial weights averaged 511 lb, stocking rate was about 1 hd/ac, and all steers were dewormed. Steers were either not implanted, implanted with Revalor-G^TM, or implanted with Synovex-S^TM. Pasture gains were 244 lb, 282 lb, and 284 lb, respectively. Returns from implanting averaged $28.74/hd if the operator owned the pasture or $17.94/hd if pasture was leased for $0.27/lb gain.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE BEEF CATTLE TO THE TEXAS ECONOMY?

We all know that agriculture is a big industry in Texas, and that beef cattle are the largest source of ag income. How does that compare to some other industries? According to the Texas A&M Ag Economics Dept., cash receipts in Texas from cattle and calves in 1997 was $5.849 billion. That was only 69%, 32%, and 19% of the revenue of just three Texas-based high-tech companies, Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, and Compaq Computer.

ORDER IRM REDBOOKS, NEW PUBLICATION AVAILABLE

Orders must be placed for the 2000 IRM Redbook before July 1. Write NCBA, Attn:Redbooks, 5420 Quebec St. Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Or cal (303) 850-3371. Price is $2.75 per copy. Another topic in the Texas Adapted Genetics Strategies series has been published, L-5239, "Genetic-Environmental Interaction in Beef Production". This can be obtained from: county extension agents; ordered from Tex. Ag. Ext. Serv. Dist. and Supplies, PO Box 1209, Bryan, TX 77896; or accessed on my webpage, http://stephenville.tamu.edu/~shammack/.

"STAIR-STEP" NUTRITION FOR DEVELOPING BEEF HEIFERS

USDA researchers in Montana studied the effect in developing beef heifers of constant rate of gain versus variable gain. Control heifers were fed to gain at the same rate for 227 days, from weaning to breeding. Another group received 120% as much dietary energy as the controls for the first 55 days, only 70% as much for 84 days, and 120% again for the last 30 days. Total amount of feed was the same for both groups. There was no significant difference in final weight, age at puberty, percent pregnant, or milk production. Therefore, producers can develop heifers at varying rates, economically utilizing peaks and valleys in forage production, as long as target breeding weights (around 65% of mature weight) are attained.

SPA AVERAGES SHOW WHAT DETERMINES PROFIT

Texas SPA averages from 1991-1997 show differences between the 25% highest profit and 25% lowest profit cow herds. High profit herds had 2.7% higher calf crop at weaning, 57 lb heavier weaning weight, $7.62/cwt higher calf sale price, $205 less cost per cow, and $310 more net income per cow. Herds above 500 cows made $62 per cow more than herds below 100 head.