iGrow - A Service of SDSU Extension

Slaughter cattle prices rebounded nicely last week to the $125/cwt area following some weakness earlier this month.  The feeder cattle market, though, has been especially strong thus far in 2012.  Average prices for 500-600 lb. steer calves in South Dakota have approached $180/cwt while yearling weight (700-800 lb.) steer prices surpassed $150/cwt.  These prices are more than $30/cwt and $26/cwt, respectively, higher than feeder prices last January.

January 16, 2012 | Corn Bears Help Livestock Feeders

In the January 12 WASDE and NASS reports, the following highlights are of importance in South Dakota.

The National Air Emissions Monitoring Study was a producer-driven study to assess emissions from modern U.S. livestock operations and compile a database for estimation of emission rates.

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) new rules tightening the use of cephalosporins in food animals may end up affecting how swine veterinarians and producers use these drugs to treat illness in their animals.

By all accounts, the South Dakota winter has been a mild one thus far.  While many farmers and ranchers are focusing on all the ‘extra’ outdoor projects they are getting done this winter, and having to feed less hay to their cow herds, South Dakota cattle and corn markets have been influenced by several weather events outside the state.

Although 2011 was a year to be remembered for record flooding, the last 5 months of the year have been much drier than normal, a welcome change for many who delayed field work or wanted to get a few more outdoor chores done before a deep snow cover locked them in.  December 2011 continued the trend of the last several months, and was both warmer and drier than normal across South Dakota.  Many climate observing sites placed in the top ten warmest and/or driest December on record last month, according to preliminary data.

Although many people find some level of snow cover to be appealing for at least part of the winter, particularly during the holiday season, farmers and ranchers are often perfectly happy with little or no snow. One exception is winter wheat (and alfalfa) producers, who like to see at least some snow cover on their crops as it provides insulation against winterkill.

When dealing with winter and cold weather operation a number of problems can occur if proper maintenance and understanding of the ventilation system is ignored.  These may include higher than normal energy bills, poor air quality, too high or low humidity levels, cold air drafts, disease outbreaks, and ultimately poor pig performance.

Nearly every South Dakota farmer who applies pesticide must be certified as a private applicator.  Certification for private applications must be renewed every 5 years, with expiration dates at the end of the calendar year.  So, if you haven’t checked your applicator certification, now is the time to check and see if you need to be recertified this spring.  Based on the database provided by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, all individuals needing recertification for 2012 should also receive a postcard from SDSU Extension stating that it is time to renew.

It is critical that science is utilized to ensure that food is handled safety from the farm to the table.