Can your forages weather the next cattle cycle?

How many cattle do you run on your farm? The number is probably smaller than just a few years ago.

Multiple years of drought have forced reduction of the U.S. cow herd—a decrease of about 10 million head from 2000 to 2024. Similar reduction has occurred in MFA’s trade territory. 

The good news is that the fundamentals that exist today indicate continued good prices for the next 12-18 months. However, we’ve all witnessed the cycle before. Good prices will induce heifer retention, and head count begins to climb.

While I don’t know the numbers on your farm, many producers have adjusted herd size to fit forage availability, which has improved significantly in the last 12 months or so. Some producers are now retaining heifers, and many are considering it. Increasing cattle numbers to optimize your farm’s production means considering the fundamental factors that affect forage production. Those same fundamentals will improve your ability to weather the next drought.

Carrying capacity is the pounds of live cattle we can support per acre of forage. Carrying capacity, optimized forage production and ability to withstand drought are affected by actions such as:

•    Following soil test recommendations—even better, taking those tests to the next level with MFA’s Nutri-Track precision grid sampling.

•    Not grazing or mowing cool-season grasses lower than 4 inches.

•    Adjusting pH per soil test and controlling weeds.

•    Efficiently applying (variable rate) phosphorus and potassium.

•    Diversifying forage species and mitigating the effects of endophyte.

Nutri-Track uses a full, composite sample for every 2.5 acres. Knowing what we have to work with in the soil is just as important as knowing what we have to work with in our bank account.

Moving cattle to a different pasture when grass is grazed to about 4 inches does a couple of things. It keeps fresh grass in front of the cattle and allows the forage to rest. This graze-and-rest cycle will increase tons of grass produced, and, in turn, increase beef production per acre. You can cross-fence with high-tensile electric wire less expensively than five-strand barbed wire. Some programs will help cover the cost of fencing and automatic waterers.

Getting the pH right provides three key benefits. When pH is in the target range of 6.5-7.3, the soil is neither acidic nor alkaline. Forages can thrive in this environment, and thriving forages outcompete many weeds. Most importantly, this pH range helps to make fertilizer more available for use by the plant.

While it’s not possible to have a weed-free environment, fewer weeds equal more grass. Controlling toxic weeds, such as perilla mint, is paramount. Right behind that is ragweed and other summer annuals that will literally stifle grass production.

Raising phosphorus and potassium to optimum levels, while raising a good crop at the same time, can seem daunting. Nutri-Track allows us to spoon feed every acre with the nutrients it needs and only what it needs. I see about a 35% increase in production and efficiency when using variable-rate fertilizer application.

Reducing the impact of endophyte can be as simple as using MFA’s Ricochet Fescue Max mineral, which is formulated to combat the negative effects. Replanting fields with species such white clover and annual lespedeza can also dilute the endophyte. I’m a huge fan of warm-season grasses for more profitable summer grazing.

As you grow the herd, the strain on fences and cattle-working equipment becomes more noticeable. This might be the time to replace a chute or build fence. You may also want to take advantage of these record prices on cull cows. Consider culling your bottom 10% and retaining heifers from the top 10%. 

You decide when the time is right for you. When you do, MFA will be here to help you find solutions. Give us a call.