Market Report
Greenville Livestock Auction
Dec. 10, 2022
Total: 214
Feeder: 0 (0.0%)
Replacement: 214(100.0%)
Fairview Sale Barn
Jan. 12, 2023
Total: 1,603
Feeder: 1,603(100.0%)
Replacement: 0 (0.0%)
United Producers
Jan. 17, 2023
Total: 171 Breeding: 0(0.0%)
Slaughter: 133(77.8%)
Feeder: 38(22.2%)
Illinois Weekly Summary
Jan. 17, 2023
Total: 2,886 Feeder: 1,603(55.5%) Slaughter: 1,283(44.5%) Replacement: 0(0.0%)
MANAGING WINTER FEED COSTS
Approximately 60% of a beef cattle producers’ expenses are due to feed costs. Keep feed costs in check while keeping cows in an appropriate body condition score is a key strategy in enhancing an operation’s profitability.
Especially over winter months, feed costs can pile up. Consider the following strategies to be most efficient throughout the winter.
1) Determine forage quality. Forage intake differs based on palatability and quality. The higher the quality, the more cattle will tend to eat. Using forage testing results and working with a nutritionist to implement a strategic plan of forage feeding and supplementation will be important.
2) Consider all expenses. When accessing the price of feedstuffs, be sure to consider the trucking costs, the supplementation costs, and the storage capacity of the feedstuffs. Although a low-quality feed is preliminarily cheaper, with the added cost of supplementation to meet a cow’s requirement it may not pencil out as well.
3) Avoid wasting hay. This sounds
LOOKING FORWARD
IBA Office has MOVED!
Illinois Beef Association’s new address is: 2501 N 8th Street Springfield, IL 62702
simple, however, hay-feeder design will greatly impact the amount of hay waste. Research by Oklahoma State University and The Noble Foundation looked at hay feeder design and associated wastes. Four different feeder designs were evaluated: cone, sheet, ring, and poly. Hay waste for the feeders is as follows:
1) cone (5.3%), 2) sheet (13.0%), 3) ring (20.5%), 4) poly (21.0%).
Another potential strategy to minimize hay waste is through limit-feeding. By allowing cattle limited amounts of access to hay, it was found that hay loss and disappearance can be decreased while still maintaining performance. Explore more information on limitfeeding and hay feeder design on our Winter Feeding webpage.
4) Group by body condition score. Cows in a BCS of 5 or 6 do not have
the same nutritional requirements as a cow in a BCS of 3. Therefore, by sorting cows/heifers into groups will allow a producer to better manage individual health and feed costs.
5) Explore alternative feeds. With a large majority of the United States experiencing a drought this past year, hay prices are likely to increase into the winter months. Therefore, feeding baled cornstalks, corn-silage, distillers, and even bakery waste can be profitable if well managed. As with all unknown feedstuffs, it is important to consult with a nutritionist to determine a best-fit ration.
The overarching idea here is management. With proper management, cattle producers can save money and be more profitable. Plan ahead and be prepared early. Consult with a nutritionist and take the time to calculate expenses before it is too late.
For more content from the Cattle Connection Blog, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/cattle-connection
Cattlemen Connect & BQA Training
JWCC Ag Education Center - Baylis, IL
January 19, 2023
Cattlemen Connect - 3P.M. BQA Meeting - 6P.M. Please reserve your spot by calling the office or visiting our website www.IllinoisBeef.com
Contact Annie for more information: annie@illinoisbeef.com
Illinois Beef Expo
Illinois State Fairgrounds Springfield, IL February 24-26, 2023
Seedstock Report
Upcoming Sales
Illinois Performance Bull Test Sale
Illinois Beef Expo Springfield, IL 2.23.23
Multi-breed Female Sale Illinois Beef Expo Springfield, IL 2.24.23
The Collection - Frozen Genetics Sale Illinois Beef Expo Springfield, IL 2.25.23
Hobbs Angus & Eathington Angus Fairview, IL 3.4.23
Producer Events
Crossroads Beef Producers
January Meeting - Kountry Kitchen
Sponsored by Kent Feeds January 26, 2023
Knox County Cattlemen’s Association
Annual Meeting January 28, 2023
Midwest Grass & Forage
Cover Crop College - Tremont, IL February 9, 2023 - Please register online at www.midwestgrass.com/ccc by Feb. 6th.
Tri-County Cattlemen
Annual Banquet - Western Illinois University Grand Ballroom February 18, 2023 - This year the banquet will feature a social hour, ribeye dinner, an auction to raise funds for scholarships, and a keynote speaker.
Tickets and sponsorships are available for purcase online at www.tricountycattlemen.com/banquet
Crossroads Beef Producers
February Meeting
February 23, 2023
Guest speaker is James Davison with CattlActive
Henry County Beef Association
Annual Banquet - Lavendar Crest Winery March 25, 2023
Prairie Beef Association
2nd Annual Prairie Beef Assn. Showcase Jackpot Show - DeWitt Co. Fairgrounds April 2, 2023
For questions, advertising, or information on Cattle Concepts E-Newsletter, Contact Devin Bollman devin@illinoisbeef.com (217) 787-4280
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE CATTLE CONNECTION BLOG
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ILLINOIS BEEF
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#3 devin@illinoisbeef.com JANUARY 18, 2023
MONTHLY NEWS
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICES
SALES REPORTS SOURCED FROM USDA
by Sadie Drayer, University of Illinois