• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Students and Young Professionals
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Policy Conference
    • Summer Meeting
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Cow-Calf Corner: Volatile feeder auction volumes in OK; Invest in genetics to maximize profit potential; Colostrum

Cow-Calf Corner is a weekly newsletter by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Agency 

March 8, 2021

Volatile Feeder Auction Volumes in Oklahoma

By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist

Feeder cattle markets have bounced back from the brutal February storm just in time for the termination of winter grazing of dual-purpose wheat. 

Feeder cattle auction volumes in Oklahoma are quite variable in February and March. Dual-purpose wheat production (graze and grain) means that grazing cattle must be removed promptly when the wheat crop begins the reproductive stage that produces a grain crop. This change in the wheat is indicated by monitoring wheat plants for “First Hollow Stem.” The link for more information on first hollow stem is https://osuwheat.com/2021/03/02/first-hollow-stem-update-3-2-2021/. The timing of first hollow stem in wheat pasture varies by year as well as across wheat varieties. The abrupt termination of wheat grazing that results from the physiological demands of wheat often results in a week or two of noticeably larger auction volumes occurring between mid-February to mid-March. Figure 1 shows the Oklahoma weekly auction volume for the 2018-2019 average, 2020 and thus far in 2021. In 2018-2019, the largest weekly volume occurred in the second week of March while in 2020 the largest weekly volume occurred in mid-February.

Oklahoma Combined Auction Volume February/March

Figure 1 is based on data from AMS_1831 (USDA-AMS) and typically includes seven auction reports from OKC, El Reno, Apache, Ada, Tulsa, McAlester and Woodward.

Additional challenges in 2021 resulted from the extended winter storm in February. Many auctions in the state were closed for one or two weeks with typical feeder cattle marketing delayed. Figure 1 shows the dramatic reduction in auction sales in the middle week of February (664 head) and reduced volume the third week of February. It was not a surprise to see an extremely large volume of 45,702 head the first week of March. This volume likely consisted mostly of feeders delayed from February but may also include some wheat pasture cattle. The bulk of the wheat pasture cattle are expected the next two weeks and large auction volumes are expected until mid-March.

Prices for calves and stocker cattle were higher last week reflecting some spring grazing demand and relatively low volumes of lightweight cattle this time of year. For example, the price of 450-500 pound, Med/Lrg #1 steers was $179.37/cwt. Calf prices are following close to a typical seasonal pattern and are up 5-6% from last fall. Heavy feeder prices have remained generally steady the past few weeks and are currently about two percent lower compared to last fall; slightly lower than seasonal patterns would suggest. The price of feeder steers weighing 750-800 pounds (Med/Lrg, #1) was $133.74/cwt., unchanged from the week prior. The large auction volume last week included a majority of heavy feeders.   

Another factor hanging over feeder markets is the dramatic rise in feed costs and feedlot cost of gain. The latest summary of the Kansas Focus on Feedlots data shows that feedlot cost of gain for closeouts in January was up 8.6% from the recent low in October. Feedlot cost of gain will continue to increase and reflect higher grain prices in the coming months.  Feeder prices will continue to adjust in response higher feed prices as the year progresses.


Invest in Genetics to Maximize Your Profit Potential

By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist

Breeding season is just around the corner and it’s time to consider our investment in genetics to maximize the profit potential of the calves that will be born next year. With more genetic information and technology available than ever before, we address the process of determining what traits are economically important in your operation. As covered last week, there are three primary goals of any breeding season:

  1. Get cows settled as early in the breeding season as possible.
  2. Get cows bred to bulls with highest possible genetic values.
  3. Achieve both as economically as possible by getting cows bred to fewest possible bulls

This week, we look closer at number two. This topic should be analyzed from your own unique perspective based characteristics of your operation such as:

  1. How and when do you intend to market your calf crop? (at weaning, as yearlings, as fed cattle, as bred heifers or open replacement females)
  2. To what type females will you be mating the bull? (heifers, cows, size of cows)
  3. Will you be selecting herd replacements from the resulting heifers?
  4. What is your production environment?
  5. What is your economic situation regarding production inputs and marketing endpoints?
  6. What level of Management can you provide?

Most beef breed Sire Summaries currently include Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) for more than 20 traits. These include multiple genetic predictors of calving ease, several traits that would be considered as maternal performance, growth at different ages, feed intake and feed efficiency. In addition, several traits indicating carcass merit such as marbling, ribeye size, external fat thickness and carcass weight.Various Bio-economic indexes are also reported. A Bio-economic index is a genetic value derived from assigning an economic weighting to several EPDs based on their anticipated value at a specific marketing endpoint. An example would be a Terminal Sire Index (TSI), which is the result of assigning a dollar value to units of post-weaning growth EPDs as well as the EPDs that indicate Quality Grades, Yield Grades and Carcass Weight. 

At some point through the segmented chain of beef production many (if not all) of these traits are economically important. Yet, depending on the unique characteristics of your operation, only a few of these traits are economically relevant to you. For example, the TSI mentioned above would be a useless selection tool for an operation that sells all their calves at weaning since it is based on genetic values for traits that occur post-weaning. Another example would be ignoring EPDs predicting maternal performance if you don’t intend to retain heifers as herd replacements and plan to market your entire calf crop as finished cattle. Bottom line: consider your own unique operation and marketing plan for calves when deciding how to invest your bull buying dollar. Purchase bulls offering strong genetic values for the traits that will pay off for your operation!   

To view Dr. Johnson’s latest segment on Sunup TV Cow-Calf Corner on preparing bulls for breeding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTvhVwOZ5Vk


Colostrum: The First Feeding for the Future

By Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Extension beef veterinarian

Through colostrum intake, the calf receives passive immunity from its mother to help protect it from diseases early in life. Failure of passive immunity transfer drastically increase a calf’s likelihood to develop diseases including those that can lead to death. The cow’s health can directly impact the quality of colostrum. Therefore, it is important that the cow have appropriate nutrition and be on a good health program that includes vaccinations. This insures the highest quality colostrum. Age and genetics also influence quality. Generally, colostrum quality is less in heifers as compared to mature cows.

It is essential that calves receive quality colostrum as soon as possible following birth. After six hours of age, the calf’s intestine begins to lose the ability to adequately absorb colostral components. Virtually no intestinal absorption of antibodies occurs after 24 hours of age.

A calf is always best served by receiving quality cow-sourced colostrum from its dam. However, producers should have replacement options if the calf’s dam cannot be milked. The best option for replacement is most often colostrum from a cow in the same herd. Dairy origin or other outside farm colostrum should only be used if verified to be free of diseases like Johne’s. Commercial quality colostrum replacements are good to have on hand if quality fresh or frozen cow-sourced colostrum is not available. Commercial dry preparations should be labelled for replacement, not just supplementation.

If an otherwise healthy cow loses a calf at birth, producers are wise to milk her to obtain the unused colostrum. Colostrum retains its many qualities only when frozen. Fresh colostrum can be stored in one-quart doses by putting that much in a gallon-size freezer bag. When storing, be sure to leave space in the bag to allow for expansion. Bags can easily be stored flat in a deep freezer. Refrigerator-freezer combinations should be avoided as they often have a thaw and freeze cycle.

When the time comes to thaw the colostrum for feeding, place the freezer bag in warm water to gradually thaw. Do not microwave or use boiling water to heat.

On average, a calf should receive 5 to 6% of its body weight within the first four to six hours, with a repeated feeding of the same amount at four to six hours later. About two quarts of colostrum should be administered to an 80-pound calf at each feeding. Ongoing research supports early colostrum administration is best if delivered by four hours of age. Understanding that most births occur unattended, producers should not wait to administer colostrum if there is evidence the calf has not nursed.

Here is a classic Sunup TV segment by Dr Glenn Selk on the signs of calving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a66b-AO9r1U

Written by:
kristin
Published on:
March 8, 2021

Categories: Animal Health, Livestock Management, Market News, The Cattleman Now, The Cattleman Now - App

Recent Posts

Texas cattle raisers applaud passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

July 3, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (July 3, 2025) — Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl …

Continue Reading about Texas cattle raisers applaud passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

Website launched to support producers, landowners and wildlife managers navigate New World screwworm

July 3, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association assisted in the launch of a new website to …

Continue Reading about Website launched to support producers, landowners and wildlife managers navigate New World screwworm

Crime watch: Two cows missing in Concho County

July 1, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger HD Brittain, District 19 in West …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Two cows missing in Concho County

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Students and Young Professionals
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Sponsorships & Advertisement
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE