Cow-Calf Corner: Feedlots chew through cattle supplies; Prolapses in beef cows

Nov. 21, 2016
Feedlots chew through cattle supplies
by Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Feedlots continued a strong marketing pace in October with marketings up 4.6 percent year over year, despite one less business day in the month. October placements followed the September monthly decrease with another 5 percent reduction in placements year over year. The combination of large marketings and fewer placements left the November 1, 2016 cattle on feed inventory down 1.3 percent from one year ago. Despite the year over year decreases in placements in September and October, total feedlot placements are up 673,000 head from 2015, a 3.9 percent increase for the year to date. However, year to date feedlot marketings through October are up an impressive 5.2 percent year over year, some 855,000 head more than the same period last year. In fact, in the last six months, the year over year increase in feedlot marketings has been more than double the increase in the number of cattle placed in feedlots compared to last year.
The faster pace of cattle movement through feedlots has translated in more cattle slaughter and more beef production in 2016 than previously expected. Year to date beef production is up 5.3 percent from last year. Steer slaughter, in particular, has exceeded expectations this fall and is up nearly 7 percent year over year so far this year, though is expected to moderate to smaller year over year increases for the remainder of the year. Additional steer slaughter, combined with year over year increases in heifer and cow slaughter have pushed total cattle slaughter up 5.6 percent so far this year. Increased slaughter is partially offset with lower carcass weights since May. Weekly steer carcass weights have averaged 9 pounds less since May with heifer and cow carcass weights down about 2 pounds on a weekly average basis. Carcass weights have been down from last year’s record levels despite excellent feeding conditions this fall. Both steer and heifer carcass weights appear to have peaked seasonally the last week of October and should decline for the remainder of the year.  The first winter storm which covered the central and northern plains last week may help pull carcass weights down faster in November.
The decrease in feedlot placements in September and October likely means that some feeder cattle are being retained and will be pushed into next year. Certainly there has been plenty of market incentive for cattle to be retained out in the country this fall. This may result is some additional increase in feeder supplies in 2017 on top of growing feeder supplies due to a bigger 2016 calf crop. (Remember, however, that growing domestic feeder supplies are being partially offset by a 29 percent year over year decrease in Mexican and Canadian feeder cattle imports so far this year, totaling 336,000 head fewer imports through September.) These delayed fall feeder cattle are not expected to burden feeder markets excessively unless they get bunched up next spring. However, these retained feeders are being held in a wide variety of stocker and backgrounding programs across the country and will likely be spread out in weight and timing next spring. Wheat pasture stocking has been slow this fall and additional stocker placements on wheat may continue after Jan. 1 as producers look to graze out more wheat acres unless wheat market prospects improve significantly.
 
Prolapses in beef cows
by Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension animal scientist
Prolapses occur occasionally in beef cows. Most prolapses occur very near the time of calving. Two distinct kinds of prolapse exist. Uterine prolapses are most likely to occur at or shortly after calving, whereas vaginal prolapses occur before calving occurs.
Uterine prolapse requires immediate attention and if treated soon, most animals have an uneventful recovery. If they subsequently rebreed and become pregnant there is no reason to cull animals suffering uterine prolapse after calving. Uterine prolapse is not likely to reoccur. Some, however, may suffer uterine damage or infection that prevents conception and should therefore be culled. If the uterus becomes badly traumatized before treating, the animal dies from shock or hemorrhage.
Vaginal prolapse, however, that which occurs before calving is a heritable trait and is likely to reoccur each year during late pregnancy. Such animals should not be kept in the herd. The condition will eventually result in the loss of cow, calf, or both plus her female offspring would be predisposed to vaginal prolapse. Call your local large animal veterinarian for proper treatment, or advice about culling of any beef female that has been found to have a prolapse.
Research (Patterson, et al, 1981) from the USDA station at Miles City, Montana, reported that 153 calvings of 13,296 calvings from a 14-year span were associated with prolapse of the reproductive tract. Of those 153 prolapses, 124 (81 percent) were vaginal prolapses and 29 (19 percent) were uterine prolapses. The subsequent pregnancy rate following prolapse among first calf heifers was 28 percent and the pregnancy rate among adult cows following a prolapsed was only 57.9 percent.
Before the spring calving season approaches, read more about Calving Time Management for Beef Cows and Heifers by downloading Oklahoma State University Extension Circular E-1006.