Feed test to help manage problem feeds

Posted By Shawn Cabak, Farm Report

Posted 2 months ago

Above average temperatures in November will help shorten the winter and reduce the demand on the winter feed supply. Producers who practice extended grazing still have cattle grazing 2nd cut on hay fields or have started into their standing corn, swath grazing or bale grazing. Whichever the method being used, extended grazing helps lower the winter feed bill.

A few concerns that have showed up this fall include endophytes in rye grass, nitrates in annuals and mold in corn. Most of these concerns are manageable if we know the levels of endophyte, nitrate or molds present. This makes feed testing especially important if these feeds are part of the winter ration.

Pregnant cows and high-producing cattle such as dairy cows are more susceptible to the effects of molds and/or mycotoxins than other classes of cattle. Avoid feeding moldy feeds to this group especially those containing Mucor and Aspergillus, which are known to cause mycotic abortions. Mold analysis will identify the types of mold present and will help in targeting suspect feed to animals least at risk. Blend down the molds, nitrates or endophytes as much as possible to minimize potential problems.

Burning of crop residue

A warm, dry November has resulted in an above average number of stubble and grass fires for this time of year.

Producers are encouraged to use methods other than burning that are more beneficial to maintaining soil quality when dealing with crop residue. Any producers who still burn crop residue are reminded that from Nov. 16, to July 31, 2010, crop residue may be burned without a special permit under the following conditions:

n Burning must occur between sunrise and sunset of the same day

n Burning must be supervised at all times

n Reasonable precautions must be in place to prevent the spread of the fire (fireguards)

n Smoke from the fire must not reduce visibility on a highway

n Smoke does not pose an unreasonable hazard to the health of a person

For more information, call 1-800-265-1233, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture or contact the crop residue burning office at (204) 745-5646.

U.S. agricultural summary

Here is the United States agricultural summary for Nov. 9-15:

A second consecutive week of above average temperatures and mostly dry weather in the major corn-producing regions of the country allowed harvest to progress rapidly during the week. Progress reached 54 per cent complete, over three weeks behind the five-year average. As harvest surpassed the halfway point during the week, 67 per cent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from last week.

Producers have harvested 89 per cent of the nation's soybean crop, 12 days behind the five-year average. Winter wheat seeding advanced to 90 per cent complete by week's end, six points behind last year. Sunflower harvest advanced to 59 per cent complete by week's end nearly two weeks behind the five-year average.

The wet weather in October was favourable for mold growth in corn north of the U.S. border, and also occurred in the U.S. However, initial tests in corn in South and North Dakota are showing the molds are not toxic to livestock. Plant pathologists at North Dakota State University and South Dakota State University say most of the corn samples tested so far had non-toxic mold. Helping to lessen the impact is the fact much of the mold is being blown off the grain by the combining process.

For more information, contact the Portage office of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives at 239-3353.