SHARE:  
Faulkner County Agriculture Update
January 12, 2024
General Conditions
Weather

What a night of weather! Last night was crazy with high winds, storms and torrential rains. I talked to the County Judge today and they are still checking around the county but it looks like we dodged some major damage. Now we go from that to some really low temperatures and a potential snow storm. I have some information below about livestock and cold weather. It looks like we have a week of busting ice and taking care of animals, so everyone stay safe out there!
Arkansas River
Drought Monitor
Row Crop
Production Meetings

The River Valley Soybean and Corn Production meeting was held this past Monday in Morrilton. We had a great crowd of over 60 people and the information was very good. We enjoyed a good meal from D&S Catering. Thank you to all the producers that came out, the specialists that presented on the program, and our fabulous sponsors!

The next production meeting is the River Valley Rice Meeting which will be held on February 28, 2024 at Yesterday's in Morrilton.
Beef & Forage
Quick Tips for Wintering Cattle

by: Maggie Justice, PhD- Extension Beef Cattle Specialist- Assistant Professor

The New Year is here, and colder temperatures have entered the conversation. It is important to think about how the management of our livestock might need to change with the changing weather. While many of these strategies are not new, they are noteworthy reminders of best management practices to help keep our cattle in good condition through the colder months.

What’s Changing?

The lower critical temperature is the break point where we begin to see the energy requirements of cattle start to change. At this point, cattle will begin to shiver, and this process requires extra energy. The lower critical temperature is affected by hair coat. The table below illustrates that wet conditions can significantly change the critical temperature of the animal. This results in more energy being required for our animals to maintain themselves through the colder temperatures.
Understanding Changing Nutritional Requirements

The lower critical temperature for a brood cow is 32◦F under cold, dry conditions. A general rule of thumb is that cow’s energy requirements increase 1% for each degree the wind chill is below 32◦F. But here’s the kicker, that is only during dry conditions. What happens when we add wet conditions to that equation? In cold, wet conditions the lower critical temperature is 59◦F, as the animal struggles to generate body heat. For every degree that the wind chill is below 59◦F, a cow’s energy requirement increases by 2%. Putting that into perspective:
But what does that mean for us?

Changing energy requirements often means supplemental energy is needed.
Research has shown that cattle will increase forage intake by as much as 30% under colder conditions. This increase in intake means that the animal is using most of this energy for an increase in maintenance. Cattle with a full rumen generate heat and energy that can help the animal achieve a more desirable body temperature. But what we can’t ignore here is that forage nutritional value is still the key. Depending on the quality of the forage and the magnitude of the cold, hay alone may or may not meet this increase in animal energy requirements. It is very likely that feeding low quality forage alone will not meet the higher energy requirements of the animal. Supplementation is most likely needed to meet our animal’s needs. Knowing your forage quality ahead of time and having a source of supplementation ready to go is important. In the case of cold, wet weather, it is nearly impossible to overcome a large energy loss at once. Diet changes should be made gradually to help prevent digestive problems. A more practical approach is to provide a small amount of supplemental energy during and after the cold event.

Other management considerations:
  • Provide shelter- A way for animals to escape the weather can be beneficial even it is just a windbreak to reduce wind chills.
  • Keep water available- Cattle tend to drink less water when it is cold outside, make sure to continue to provide plenty of clean fresh water during the colder temperatures. Check waters consistently to avoid freezing that might prevent their access.
  • Be conscience of the mud- After cold wet conditions, mud is inevitable. It is important to think about this ahead of time. A specific sacrifice area where cattle are fed during the winter can be established. It also is a good idea to move hay feeding areas around to decrease nearby traffic continuously over a single area at one time.

Having a plan in place and being prepared for colder wet weather is important in management for our herds. Simple management practices such as these can help keep our herd in good body condition for the next couple of months.
2024 River Valley Beef Conference

The 2024 River Valley Beef Conference will be held at the I-40 Sale Barn on February 20, 2024.
Winter shelter for sheep and goats

With the arrival of fall, sheep and goat producers should begin preparing shelters for their animals so they will be ready for cold weather or winter storms.

“Sheep and goats are hardy animals and do not require as much shelter as many new producers believe,” said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As long as they are kept dry and out of the wind, sheep and goats are comfortable even when it is quite cold outside, he adds.

Build shelters so that one wall faces the direction of the prevailing wind. Three-sided shelters should face south so that winter sunlight can provide additional warmth while stormy and cold northern and northeasterly winds will be deflected.

Also, build a shelter on slightly elevated ground with good drainage. Shelters with puddles of water or muddy floors will chill livestock seeking shelter. They also create manure management problems and potential fly and parasite problems in warmer months, he says.

However, before selecting a site for a shelter, decide whether or not electricity and water will be installed. Shelters in distant pastures are typically too expensive to power, but they may have water.

“New producers often think they have to completely enclose and insulate a barn to protect their livestock,” Fernandez said. “But livestock do better with good ventilation and open air. Ammonia from urine and fecal odors can build up rapidly in enclosed structures.”

Next, consider bedding. Livestock can be bedded on many materials. Straw is traditional, but wood chips are commonly used. Dr. Fernandez warns against using sawdust for wooled breeds of sheep because it gets stuck in their fleece. Even shredded newspaper can be used. It is very absorbent, but it can be difficult to handle if it becomes too wet. When considering newspapers, think whether the bedding will be composted or spread on pastures. Newspapers compost well, but they are unsightly when spread.

Sheep and goats must have enough space in the shelter so they can use it. A mature ewe or ram requires 8 square feet of space; lambs and kids need about 6 square feet. They will not distribute themselves evenly across the floor, but they will cluster together to share body heat.

Some producers worry when they see their sheep or goats lying outside on a cold day and try to move them into the shelter, only to have the animals return to the pasture as soon as their back is turned.

“Do not worry,” Fernandez said. “As long as the weather is dry and not too windy, animals will probably prefer to be outside allowing the sun to warm them. If they get too cold, they will go to the shelter on their own.”

Shelters can be built from many inexpensive materials. Producers have made simple Quonset-covers on wheels, converted carports, pallets or reclaimed lumber, even tarps stretched over frames.
Disaster Assistance for 2023 Livestock Forage Losses

Producers in Faulkner and Perry Counties were designated a D3 (extreme drought) on the U.S. Drought Monitor on October 24, 2023, making those counties eligible for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on mixed grass forage for grazing.

LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land.

You must complete a CCC-853 (LFP Application) and the required supporting documentation no later than January 31, 2024, for 2023 losses.

Contact the Conway County USDA Service Center at 501-354-2000 ext. 2 to make an appointment or for additional information or visit fsa.usda.gov.

Deborah Bolin
County Executive Director
Conway/Faulkner/Perry and Van Buren County Farm Service Agency
Here is this weeks Cattle Market Notes Weekly
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
Pesticide Applicator Training
There are two PAT trainings scheduled for Faulkner County. All trainings will be held at the Extension Office located at 844 Faulkner Street in Conway.

The dates are:
March 12, 2024 - 6:00 pm
May 14, 2024 - 2:00 pm

To register you can call the office at 501-329-8344 or email my administrative assistant Mindy Beard at rbeard@uada.edu.

The training will cost $20. If you bring a check please make it out to Faulkner County Extension Office.

The online course is still an option also. If you want to use the online options, the link is below.

If you happen to miss ours, I have a flyer below with the dates and places of the ones in Conway and Perry County also.
Upcoming Events
Pesticide Applicator Training - March 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm and May 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Faulkner County Extension Office, 844 Faulkner Street Conway. To register call 501-329-8344 or email Mindy Beard at rbeard@uada.edu.

River Valley Beef Conference - February 20, 2024 at the Ozark Sale Barn in Ozark Arkansas.

Rice Meeting - February 28, 2024, Yesterday's in Morrilton.
Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Agriculture, Faulkner County | Kevin Lawson