Decision Tools for when to Market Fed Cattle, Risk Management to Protect Price Declines and Health Management for Receiving Calves Highlight UW Extension Cattle Feeders Clinics Feb 9th though the 12th around the state.
The last few years, have had cattle feeders see record high cattle prices and continued volatility in the grain markets. Wisconsin cattle feeders who are seeking information on managing price risk, determining when to market fed cattle from an optimum profit perspective and getting their feeders off to a good start should attend this year’s cattle feeder clinics.
Cattle prices are still at record highs. How long will they stay there? It is hard to tell. Dr. Brenda Boetel, UW Extension Livestock and Grain Marketing Specialist will present information on risk management tools that cattle feeders can use to put in price floors to protect help reduce their risk on cattle they currently have on feed. Dr. Boetel will also present a market outlook and update on what the current information is suggesting.
At what point is it no longer profitable to continue to feed heavy cattle, and it is best to send them to market? Mitch Schaefer, UW PhD graduate student, will present information on how to use feed intake, growth models and current prices to determine when it makes the most sense to market fed Holsteins and beef cattle.
Minimizing health problems of feeder cattle is critical to profitability. Drs. Larry Baumann, Sandy Stuttgen, and Sarah Mills Loyd, UW Extension veterinarian and County Extension Agents will present information on protocols and considerations for managing calf health including getting newly arrived feeder calves off to a good start.
The Cattle Feeders Clinics will be held at 7 locations around the state beginning on February 9th and going through February 12th.
Dates, locations, and host Extension Offices for the Cattle Feeder’s series are as follows. Registration fees will vary by location:
February 9th
Thorp Library, 5:30 pm registration, program 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Contact: Clark County Extension Office 715-743-5121
February 10th
Marion Equity Sale Barn- 11:30 am lunch & registration, program: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, contact: Waupaca County Extension Office 715-258-6231
Waldo, Chissy’s Pub, 5:30 registration and meal, program 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm contact: Sheboygan County Extension Office 920-459-5902
February 11th
Jefferson County Extension Office- Jefferson, registration 12:15 pm registration, 12:30 pm to 3:00pm program. Contact: Jefferson County Extension Office 920-674-7297carl
Sparta, Jake’s Northwoods, 5:30 registration, 6:00 pm meal, program 6:45 pm to 9 :00 pm contact: Monroe County Extension Office 608-269-8722
February 12th
Mondovi, Buzz’s Bar and Grill, 10:00 am registration, program 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, includes noon meal contact: Buffalo County Extension Office 608-685-6256
Baldwin, American Legion Hall, 6:00 registration, program 6:30pm to 9:00 pm, contact: St. Croix County Extension Office, 715-531-1930
Source:uwex.edu