Wheat Graze-out Best Bet For Per Acre Returns This Winter

 

 

Mondays, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, offers his economic analysis of the beef cattle industry. This analysis is a part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Peel offers advice for producers planning ahead for winter wheat grazing.

 

"The current wheat market is such that there will likely be considerable interest in grazing wheat this winter. Producers will not only be looking at winter grazing but may also be thinking about the prospects for grazing out wheat next spring. Wheat graze-out appears to offer better prospects for returns per acre compared to wheat grain. Planning now can help producers better position themselves regardless of whether their interest is in winter grazing only for dual-purpose wheat or grazing out wheat. 

 

"Current conditions are encouraging for early wheat establishment for fall and winter grazing. Most of Oklahoma has received rain the past two weeks with most of the major wheat areas receiving one-half to 2+ plus inches of rain. With favorable soil moisture and soil temperatures, early planting of wheat is likely to begin in late August and into early September. Assuming additional moisture arrives in the next few weeks wheat could be ready for grazing earlier than usual this fall. Grazing versus grain harvest considerations may affect the choice of wheat varieties to plant. The cost of wheat pasture for winter grazing or winter plus graze-out is estimated at $0.30-$0.35 per pound of stocker gain in typical situations.   

 

"The typical winter grazing period is roughly 120 days from about November 1 to March 1. Most commonly, producers purchase 400 to 500 pound stockers and expect to sell a 650-800 pound feeder animal at the end of winter grazing. This year may offer some additional alternatives. The possibility of an earlier start to winter grazing this season could extend the winter grazing period by 10-20 days. This may affect the optimal size of animal to purchase and/or change the expectation for selling weight at the end of winter grazing.