  BeefTalk:
Out-wintering Is a Challenge That Presents Opportunities
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
We paused for Thanksgiving Day, remembering the things we have each day: the
sun, rain, snow, sleet, wind, cold and warmth. I am so thankful for their
presence as a reminder of the beauty of nature and all that it holds.
I am also thankful for opportunities to work with beef producers to find
solutions for the industry. As beef producers, we truly hold the baton, and from
such an orchestra, bring forth sustenance. Thank you, the American beef
producer. The world is truly a better place.
This is a special time of year in the northern Great Plains. Fall is coming
to a close and producers are shifting gears. This will not be the gradual spring
green up or the transformation of summer into fall. No, this change to winter
will be abrupt. This year mother nature has been kind, and provided a breather
for producers to get a few extra things done.
For the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center, the extended fall weather
has meant the completion of paddocks for expanded cow wintering studies. Some
would call this new endeavor "out-wintering," a concept of extensive
cow management, utilizing wind breaks, used tires and hoop (fabric) structures.
I look forward to these new challenges, but having the word
"winter" in the name causes me to wonder. But the change is already
evident. Last year at this time, as with most ranch facilities, cattle of all
shapes and sizes were arriving home and stretching facilities to the maximum. On
approximately 10 acres of pens and paddocks last year, we had 200 March calvers,
49 May/June calvers, 72 Fall calvers, 227 March/April weaned calves, 44 May/June
weaned calves, 89 yearling replacement heifers, and 35 horses--716 mouths to
feed.
I could see them all from a nearby hill--and I wondered, "How much
manure will need to be hauled out next spring?" I reached for a good
estimate, and obtained daily fresh manure production estimates for dry heifers
and cows in the Manure Management Systems Series 2 from the Midwest Plan
Service.
Assuming a dry cow is a dry cow regardless of breed type, I would estimate 60
pounds or more of total raw manure was being produced from each animal daily.
The daily manure output could easily exceed 20 tons per day for such a
gathering. Although most is excreted water, 6 to 8 pounds or more of total
solids per animal would remain. If 7 pounds of solids per day per animal was
produced, daily accumulation of solid manure would exceed 2 1/2 tons per day.
These estimates can vary tremendously, depending on individual bedding and
feeding situations.
This year, however, all the cows, heifer calves, bulls and replacement
females are at the out-wintering facility. The out-wintering facility makes use
of 320 acres of primarily crop land, which welcomes the addition of 2 to 3 tons
of nutrient-laden solid manure daily.
The Center headquarters is preconditioning 156 steers, has a few odds and
ends, as well as 17 saddle horses in residence--a much different environment
from last year.
Is the Center better off? Well, remember our name is the NDSU Dickinson
Research Extension Center. The answer to that question remains to be known.
The challenges, if handled properly, are really opportunities for all of us.
One cannot schedule opportunity and must react appropriately when presented with
such. The out-wintering facility, which can cause worry, is our opportunity to
meet the challenges of a changing beef industry--and help producers deal with
some issues. Together, we can move forward.
May you find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com.
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0066.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2427, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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