June 28, 2004

Early Weaning Beef Calves, Feeding Flax and Composting Highlighted at Carrington Field Day

Methods to successfully wean calves earlier than six to seven months, the benefits of feeding flax to feedlot cattle and the value of composting will be highlights of the livestock tours at the annual field day, Tuesday, July 13 at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center.

"Results from the latest research trials are presented at this annual event,” says Karl Hoppe, NDSU livestock specialist at the Center. “This is an excellent opportunity to discuss with researchers and extension staff current beef cattle issues and management concerns. The afternoon demonstration on composting manure and animal disposal through composting will be unique. A special consulting area will be available for discussions during the noon meal.”

The field day opens at 9 a.m. with registration and coffee. Developments in beef production and research will be highlighted during the livestock tour beginning at 9:30 a.m. Topics include:

• How the breed of sire affects calf performance by Jon Schoonmaker, research specialist at the Center. Schoonmaker will also present research on early weaning beef calves.
• You cannot afford to be an average cow calf producer by Steve Metzger, Carrington Farm Business Management instructor.
• Using pulses – field peas, chick peas, lentils – by Vern Anderson, animal scientist at the Center. Anderson will also review a study on capturing nitrogen with composted bedding.
• A check list for using fly ash in non-permitted livestock operations by Bridget Johnson, Extension livestock nutrient management specialist at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.
• Results from the Dakota Feeder Calf Show and Feedout by Hoppe. The Feedout project shows cattle producers the value of pen-of-three calves based on their feeding and carcass performance. This year superior calves profited $279.69 per head during the feedlot period.
• Processing flax for cattle feed by Travis Maddock, graduate research assistant, NDSU Animal and Range Sciences.
• Research results on protein supplementation in barley-based diets will be reviewed by Ben Pamp, graduate research assistant, NDSU Animal and Range Sciences.
• The economic advantages of feeding barley by Weston Dvorak, North Dakota Barley Commission.

A special afternoon demonstration for environment and livestock issues will start at 1:30 p.m. at the CREC livestock unit. Nutrient management planning will be shared by Bridget Johnson. The value of composted manure in cropping systems will be presented by Ezra Aberle, CREC research specialist. Composting demonstrations will be led by Ron Wiederholt, CREC Extension livestock nutrient management specialist. Manure will be composted using current machinery and methods for making excellent compost. Also, composting as an alternative method for livestock disposal will be demonstrated.

The Carrington Research Extension Center is located 3.5 miles north of Carrington on Highway 281. In addition to the livestock tour, crop management tours and other events will also be featured. Morning sessions begin at 9 a.m., and the afternoon sessions begin at 1 p.m. A sponsored noon lunch will be served.

###

Source: Karl Hoppe, (701) 652-2951 ext 111, karl.hoppe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu

BeefTalk

Prairie Fare

Plains Folk

Hortiscope

Market Advisor:

Crop

Livestock

North Dakota State University
NDSU Agriculture Communication
NDSU Extension Service
ND Agricultural Experiment Station