Feeding the Beef Herd in 2013 and Beyond

The Michigan beef industry has entered some volatile times.  Profit potentials abound for feeder calf producers but those profits can quickly be fed away if farms do not adapt to the changing times.  These two night educational  meetings will be held at three meetings in the State and will also be available on high speed internet connections to be viewed at home.  Speakers representing the MSU Beef Team and from private industry will speak on the current situation and will look at the methods of grazing and utilizing alternative winter feed sources to keep beef production profittable and competive with other demands on the land. 

Program Dates:
Feb. 11 & 18th, Tustin, MI
Feb. 12 & 19th, Ithaca, MI
Feb. 13 & 20th, Atlanta, MI

Also, the Feb. 12 & 19th meetings will be available via high speed internet connection.
 

Program on Night 1   6:30 – 9:00 P.M. EST 
The Changing Face of the Michigan  Cow Calf Industry
Dr. Jim Hilker, MSU AFRE Department
Low cattle numbers have brought profitability back to the Michigan cow/calf industry. However, strong cash grain prices combined with drought have increased land competition and shot feed prices up to profit-robbing levels. What can Michigan producers do to make these the best of times?

Industry Perspective
Kevin Wernette, President of Michigan Cattlemen’s Association
Are these the worst of times or the best of times? Time to sell out or expand?

Simple Methods to Estimate Winter Beef Cow Feed Needs
Phil Durst, MSU Extension Beef Team
Learn how to use a simple take home tool to determine if you have enough feed to get to green grass.

Keeping the Beef Cow Feed Budget and under Control with Alternative Feeds
Dr. Dan Buskirk, MSU Beef Cattle Specialist & Kevin Gould, MSU Extension Beef Educator
If dry weather continues and/or corn  squeezes more hay acres out of production do you have the plan in place to feed your herd economically in the future?  Side by side comparison of alternative beef cattle feeds to determine which meet the cow’s nutritional needs and which are the most economical.
 

Program on Night 2    6:30 – 9:00 P.M. EST
Agronomic Considerations for Raising and Storing Alternative Beef Cattle Feeds
Jerry Lindquist, MSU Extension Grazing & Crop Management Educator
Which of these alternative feeds can we raise on the farm? Which ones work well for grazing and which ones for stored feeds? What are the expected yields? What are the risks?

Utilizing Grazing Management to Keep Feed Costs under Control
Kable Thurlow, MSU Extension Beef Educator
How to maximize grazing to control feed cost.

How to Adjust and Analyze Your Beef Operation to Keep It Profitable
Dennis Stein, MSU Extension Farm Management and  Educator & Frank Wardynski, MSU Extension Beef Educator
Considerations and tactics for improving and measuring the profitability of your beef herd.
 

 Locations
(Content will be the same at each location, register only for one location)

Kettunen Center
14901 4-H Drive, Tustin, MI 49688  
Mondays, February 11 & 18, 6:30-9:00 P.M.

Gratiot-Isabella RESD Administration Building
1131 E. Center St., PO Box 310 Ithaca, MI 48847. 
Tuesdays, February 12 & 19, 6:30-9:00 P.M.

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Center,
16860 M-32 East Atlanta, MI 49709
Wednesdays, February 13 & 20, 6:30-9:00 P.M.

Internet webinar connection is also available on  February 12 & 19, 6:30-9:00 P.M.  for  anyone not  able to attend in person.   High speed internet access  is required.   Contact Kable Thurlow at thurlowk@anr.msu.edu  for complete details.