Winter feeding grass-fed feeder cattle to finish using brown midrib sorghum sudan cytoplasm 6

2007 Annual Report for ONE06-055

Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2006: $9,886.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Matching Federal Funds: $1,830.00
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $11,574.00
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Thomas Gallagher
Cornell Cooperative Extension

Winter feeding grass-fed feeder cattle to finish using brown midrib sorghum sudan cytoplasm 6

Summary

This project was granted a one-year no cost extension on February 15, 2007. The extension was granted because of a very poor growing season in 2006, which severely limited the quality and quantity of brown midrib Sorghum Sudan that could be grown.

Following the granting of the no-cost extension, it was decided by principal investigators and the farmer who participated in the project in 2006 to move the trial to a beef farm in Albany County that had shown an interest in adding grass-fed beef to his existing cow/calf and feedlot operation. It was felt by all parties involved that moving the trial would allow for closer monitoring of phases of the project by the principal investigators.

Accomplishments/Milestones

A meeting of the farmer cooperator and Cornell Cooperative Extension educators took place in early March 2007 where a timeline was set for 2007 to conduct the trial. The trial began with soil samples being taken from the three fields totaling 12 acres where the BMRSS would be grown. The samples were taken on May 14, 2007 and were sent to the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratories for a complete soil analysis. Based on the results of the soil analysis received on May 23, 2007, lime was applied on May 29, 2007 at a rate of 31/2 tons per acre. On May 31, 2007 the BMRSS (variety summer prince) was planted using a John Deere drill with 7’ spacings at a rate of 60lb/ac of seed. Immediately after seeding the field was top dressed with 225lb of urea (46-0-0) and then rolled. Weather conditions on the day of seeding were temperature 83°f, humid and a light rain in the evening, which was ideal for nitrogen retention.

The first cutting of the BMRSS took place on July 18, 2007 with 59 bales harvested, weighing 1900lbs. The second cutting of BMRSS was taken on September 2, 2007 with 42 bales weighing 1900lbs. Total harvest per acre at 80% moisture was 7.99 tons. All of the first and second cutting bales were wrapped immediately after baling was complete. Feed tests were sent to the Dairy One forage laboratory on October 01, 2007. Results of the forage analysis indicated the moisture level of the first cutting at 79.3% and the moisture level of the second cutting at 82.3%. On a dry matter basis, the BMRSS tested:

Components First Cutting Balage
Adjusted Crude Protein 19.4
Acid detergent fiber 39.1
Neutral detergent fiber 61.8
Net energy gain mcal/lb .31
Relative feed value 88
Relative forage quanity 134

Components Second Cutting Balage
Adjusted Crude Protein 22.8
Acid detergent fiber 31.2
Neutral detergent fiber 57.4
Net energy gain mcal/lb .35
Relative feed value 105
Relative forage quanity 162

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Based on fermentation reports on both first and second cutting BMRSS balage fermentation was excellent with the PH in the 4.6 to 4.8 range and acidic and lactic acids well within acceptable ranges.

On November 13, 2007, 22 steer calves were chosen from a group of 70 heard of crossbred steer calves born on the farm. Calves were chosen randomly from the group with calves with a body condition score of under 5 being eliminated from the trial. From the 22 calves chosen 18 graded M-1 and 4 graded L-1, weights ranged from 580lbs to 768lbs and body condition scores ranged from 5-6.

Based on body condition score, grade, weight and hip height the 22 calves were sorted into two random groups and placed on feed. One group was placed on a ration of full feed BMRSS, a mineral salt block and dry hay available at all times. The second group was placed on a feedlot ration made up of corn silage, ground high moisture shelled corn, soybean meal and dry hay available at all times.

Cattle were weighed before being placed into one of the two feeding groups on November 13, 2007. The cattle were weighed again on December 13, 2007 as part of an ultrasound where back fat, marbling and rib eye size were determined. Based on the second weighing period the 11 cattle on the feedlot ration averaged 1.92lbs a day gain. The cattle on the BMRSS ration gained .36lbs a day. The feedlot cattle were fed in an outside bunk with access to a run in shed. The BMRSS cattle were fed in an outdoor large bale ring with access to a run in shed. Weather during the first feeding month was unseasonably cold with rain, freezing rain, high winds and two snowstorms of about 6” of snow during each event. Animal health in both groups was excellent during the first thirty days. The low gains in each group may be due to weather and animals becoming acclimated to the new rations. A second weighing period will take place in mid January 2008 where animals are expected to show increased daily gains.

Collaborators:

Mike Baker

mjb28@cornell.edu
Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist
Cornell University
Morrison Hall
Ithaca, NY 14850
Office Phone: 6072555923
Gerry Boone

Farm Owner
Golden Acres Farm
756 State Rt 143
Westerlo, NY 12193
Office Phone: 5187973021
Thomas Kilcer

tfk1@cornell.edu
Agronomy Advisor
Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County
61 State St.
Rensselaer, NY 12180
Office Phone: 5182724210