Profitable Livestock Production (Lea County)

Previously there was 85,000 head of cattle in the county. With lose of grassland either by grass fires or drought that number has decreased in 2011. Agent has held programs in nutrition, identification, and foreage management. Through partnerships with local producers agent has been able to assist producers in increasing total production of cattle. With producers having to cull their herds. Agent will conduct workshops involving the inception of utilizing data to select replacement cows for the up-coming years once drought has left. with no precipation on the horizon agent is waiting for the specialist position to be filled at the university. Once that occurs agent will work in conjunction with specialist to incorporate programming on re-stocking cow herds.

There are approximately 85,000 head of beef cattle in Lea County. Agent has held programs to assist the producers in areas of nutrition and animal identification. Through a joint partnership with a local producer Agent has been able to increase his annual wean weights by giving him information toward Artificial Insemination (AI) practices. Working together we established his goals for his herd 1) increase weight gain through selection of more maternal females and 2) make his calf crop more consistent in both frame size and muscle thickness. This process began in late 2005 with 60 head of cows. We selected sires with moderate frame scores and large rib eye areas. We began to A.I. in July of 2005 with an 82% conception rate. Females that did not settle through A.I. were then bred by the clean-up sire. In the first year of the trial we were fortunate to have a 100% calf crop. Of the 60 calves that were born 34 were bull calves and 26 were heifers. Without having actual dollar figures on the producer calf crop from 2005 we were not able to figure the dollar increase to his 2006 calf crop. Through selection of replacement heifers and culling of older cows, agent and producer continued this endeavor into 2007. Female calves were selected as replacements from the A.I calves only. With the cooperation of the producer and the time and efforts put forth by both, his calves have become more uniform in phenotype and now offer more genetic potential. In 2007, the producer was able to market six calves as show steers for local 4-H and FFA exhibitors. This grossed the producer $6,500.00. In 2008, the producer wanted to advance his herd even more. So the Agent and producer decided to take the next step and we began an Embryo Transfer (ET) program. The Agent and producer selected the four best donor females and had them flushed for their eggs. In the first flush we received 18 eggs from the four females. We had the eggs implanted into 14 recipient cows. The Agent and the producer were pleased with the conception rate of the females as there were 13 bred females out of 18 through this procedure. In 2009, the producer was able to market 12 calves to the 4-H and FFA members for exhibition. Through this long four year endeavor the producer now runs 80 head of mother cows. The breeding program remains the same to date. The producer still breeds by ET, AI and the females that do not breed are bred natural with a much superior sire than in 2005. The producer now markets for show in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. With revenue approaching $60,000 on show stock alone.

Agent along with two specialist conducted a Forage Grass workshop in the spring with emphasis's on Bermuda Grass production. Specialist talked about various Bermuda grasses and the pros and cons to each variety. There was just six at the workshop but three of the producers planted the Tifton 85 variety for grazing purposes and for production. Currently producers seem pleased with the results but are more interested in the up coming 2010 season.

Agent along with specilaist conducted a workshop dealing with nutrition of cattle in the winter. Twelve local producer were present at the workshop and learned valuable information concerning the well-being of their cattle during the winter months. Through conservation with these producers in the spring, they said, that they had a slight increase in their calf crop in 2009 by providing the required nutrition needed for pregnant cows during the winter. The producers insisted on another workshop in November.

As mentioned in previous reports agent has assisted with local producers in increasing performance with their beef cattle production. Results of these efforts have made a dramitic difference in the producers profitability. The original producer has increased a number of carcass traits which now has increased his profit margin. The producer is now thinking of marketing his cattle in an organic market, which he beleives will help off set for vacination cost and help increase his profit margin more. The other producer went with a different market. He decided to market cattle as a seed stock producer for commercial cattlemen as well as send his top 10% to 4-H and FFA members for show projects. Reports from both producers are that they are extremely pleased with the results that they have seen with the quality of their livestock.