Abstract Growing steers grazing rangelands during the summer often require supplementation to offset nutrient deficiencies and achieve adequate body weight gain. Rising costs of fuel and labor can prohibit frequent supplement delivery to livestock in extensive grazing systems. To evaluate supplementation delivery methods under these constraints, a two-year stocker calf supplementation trial was conducted at the Marvin Klemme Range Research Station near Bessie, OK. In Year 1, 150 crossbred steer calves (BW = 282 ± 11 kg) were used over 140 days; in Year 2, 149 calves (BW = 286 ± 10 kg) were used over 145 days. Calves were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) hand-fed dried distillers grains (DDGS) cubes (HF), offered three times per week at 2.63 kg/steer each feeding (1.13 kg·animal⁻¹·day⁻¹), or 2) self-fed extruded DDGS pressed blocks (PB) provided in 91-kg tubs. All pastures (n = 8 per year) were stocked at 2.43 ha/animal. Trials were divided into two grazing periods: Early Season (ES) and Late Season (LS). Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models in R (R Core Team, 2024) with treatment and year as fixed effects and pasture nested within year as a random effect. Supplement intake differed between treatments during ES (P = 0.007), where HF calves consumed more supplement (1.13 vs. 1.04 kg·d⁻¹ for Cube and PB, respectively). No differences were observed in LS intake (P = 0.706). Across the full trial, HF calves consumed more supplement overall than PB calves (1.13 vs. 1.05 kg·d⁻¹; P = 0.023). Despite these intake differences, body weight at initiation, midpoint, and final harvest did not differ (P ≥ 0.468). Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between treatments during ES or LS (P ≥ 0.178), nor across the total grazing season (0.87 vs. 0.84 kg·d⁻¹ for HF and PB, respectively; P = 0.204). A cost sensitivity analysis, considering mileage costs of $1.25 to $1.56 per km and estimated feed costs of $0.58/kg for DDGS cubes and $1.22/kg for PB, indicated that a round-trip feeding route of 87 km would be required for reduced delivery costs to offset the higher cost of pressed blocks. Thus, performance outcomes were comparable between treatments, suggesting that pressed block tubs may provide a practical alternative when labor and fuel costs are limiting factors. In conclusion, supplementation using pressed block tubs can be as effective as hand-feeding DDGS cubes three times per week for stocker calves grazing mixed grass prairie in western Oklahoma. Ensuring consistent intake from free-choice blocks, particularly early in the grazing season, remains key to optimizing performance.

We investigated the profitability of dairy-beef crossbred steers compared to their native beef counterparts. Using trial data, returns on calf-fed and yearling-fed systems of native beef and beef & times; dairy steers were evaluated. Beef & times; dairy steers in calf-fed and yearling-fed systems had greater returns than native beef calf-fed steers even with few carcass quality differences and higher total costs. Native beef yearling-fed steers had the greatest return because of low total costs while revenue remained similar among breed and treatment combinations. Results indicate that beef & times; dairy steers can be competitive with native beef calf-fed steers, but current economics favor native beef yearling-fed cattle.

Drought conditions in much of the western United States have improved, leading to opportunities for cow-calf producers to rebuild beef cow herds. Given lower beef cow herds, many producers will need to borrow funds to purchase replacement heifers. We investigate how financial positions are impacted by leveraged replacement heifer purchases. The results are useful to producers and bankers. We suggest alternatives for financially struggling producers, including delay rebuilding to avoid significantly increased financial stress

PurposeCustomer retention and attraction are common concerns in the financial services industry but are acute concerns for farm credit associations, given competition from commercial banks. Not only do Farm Credit associations face restricted territories but also they have a considerably smaller borrowing population when compared to commercial banks. Oklahoma AgCredit, a Farm Credit association in east and central Oklahoma, is considering creating additional services to increase the number of business interactions they have with their member-borrowers. Their goal in adding services like crop and livestock insurance is to retain current customers and attract new borrowers. The purpose of this research is to assess current and prospective borrower responses to added services in terms of loan volume and insured crop acres and head of livestock. Survey results determine the change in expected loan volume from current customers and additional loan volume from previous and potential customers. The analysis finds that while little can be inferred regarding customer retention, additional services have a positive impact on customer attraction. Expected service utilization and coverage of common crop and livestock enterprises vary between customer subsamples, but all customer types indicated they would cover some level of livestock, forage, hay, wheat and sorghum. While a recommendation cannot be made based on this research, it does seem that expanding the services offered is a viable pursuit for an agricultural lender to improve customer attraction.Design/methodology/approachThree groups of current and potential borrowers were surveyed to assess their current loan activity with Oklahoma AgCredit. Respondents were asked about their likely loan volume if an internal crop and livestock insurance agency was offered by Oklahoma AgCredit and their likely use of the crop and livestock insurance agency. Using survey results, the expected change in loan volume due to the proposed insurance enterprise was calculated.FindingsResults show no statistically significant difference in current borrower loan intentions. However, there were six current borrowers who also operate crop and livestock insurance agencies. These borrowers likely biased results downward. A slight increase in borrowing from potential customers was found. A high percentage of current and potential borrowers, 70-80%, were likely to use the insurance service.Originality/valueThe study measures the expected impact of additional services by an agricultural lender in attracting and retaining borrowers.

Growing steers grazing rangelands during the summer grazing season often require supplementation to offset nutrient deficiencies and achieve adequate performance for profitability. Costs of fuel and labor are increasing and can prohibit frequent supplement delivery to livestock in extensive grazing conditions. Beginning in June 2024, a 140-day stocker calf supplementation trial was conducted at the Marvin Klemme Range Research Station near Bessie, OK, to evaluate the effects of supplementation delivery methods on performance of growing steers grazing mixed grass native rangeland in western Oklahoma. Crossbred steer calves (BW = 282 ± 11 kg; n = 150) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) Hand-Fed dried distillers grains (DDGS) cubes (HF), supplemented three times per week (7 day period) at 2.63 kg/steer each feeding (1.13 kg·animal⁻¹·day⁻¹), or 2) self-fed extruded DDGS pressed blocks (PB) provided in tubs (91.33 ± 0.14 kg). All pasture (n=8) were stocked at 2.43ha/animal. The trial was divided into two periods: Early Season (ES) (June 10 – August 16) and Late Season (LS) (August 17 – October 26). During the early summer the daily intake of PB tubs was approximately 0.98 kg/steer. In the late summer adjustments in PB feed delivery to achieve 1.14 kg·animal⁻¹·day⁻¹ for the remainder of the trial. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model in R v4.4.2, with treatment as a fixed effect and pasture included as a random error term. Initial, mid-test, and final body weights did not differ (P ≥ 0.192) between treatments. Even with no differences (P ≥ 0.11) in average daily gain (ADG) observed between treatments during either the ES or LS periods (Table 1), over the entire 140-day trial, HF calves gained 0.08 ± 0.06 kg/d more (P = 0.012) than PB calves. The added cost of delivering HF supplements may negate the benefits over PB. A sensitivity analysis, considering mileage costs of $1.25 to $1.56 per km and estimated feed costs of $0.58/kg for DDGS cubes and $1.22/kg for DDGS PB, suggests a round-trip feeding route of 87 km would be needed for reduced delivery costs to offset the higher feed cost. Additionally, forage biomass and nutritive value data were collected and will be analyzed to further evaluate pasture quality. The observed variation in ADG over the 140-day trial likely reflects differences in PB intake during the ES period and possible variability in forage quality among pastures. In conclusion, supplementation using 91-kg pressed block tubs can be as effective as hand-feeding DDGS cubes three times per week when intake is managed appropriately. Ensuring consistent supplementation rates, particularly with free-choice feeding methods, is key to optimizing animal performance.

Our objective was to determine the effect of calf-fed (CF) or yearling-fed (YF) finishing systems on performance and carcass characteristics of beef × dairy (DB) crossbred steers compared to native beef (NB) steers. The NB steers (n = 160) were acquired from Capitol Land and Livestock in Schwertner, Texas. The DB steers (n = 184) were acquired from 5-Star Dairy in Hart, Texas. The CF (n = 194) steers were transported directly to a commercial feedyard (Buffalo Feeders, Buffalo, OK) from the source. Steers in the YF system (n = 150) were transported to the Marvin Klemme Research Range, near Bessie, OK, to graze mixed grass prairie for 144-d before finishing. At Buffalo Feeders, steers were sorted by finishing system and breed-type into commercial size pens, so each breed-type  ×  system combination were in a single pen. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 Mixed Procedure (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) with individual steer as the experimental unit. For CF, initial finishing BW did not differ for DB and NB (P = 0.11), while the initial finishing BW of NBYF was greater (P < 0.01) than DBYF due to NBYF steers having greater ADG on pasture. At reimplant, BW of YF steers was greater (P < 0.01) than CF steers. The DBYF steers had the greatest overall ADG (P < 0.01) with NBCF having the least ADG (P < 0.01) with NBYF and DBCF being intermediate. Back-fat thickness (P = 0.03) was greatest in NBCF, and DBYF having the least BFT, while DBCF and NBYF were intermediate. Overall liver abscesses had breed-type (P < 0.01) and finishing system effects (P = 0.01) with DB and YF steers having higher incidence of liver abscesses. Total net return was greatest (P < 0.01) in NBYF followed by DBYF, DBCF, and NBCF, respectively. Grazing beef × dairy steers before feedlot finishing can improve animal performance and certain carcass characteristics, but there is still a high incidence of liver abscesses. Since DB systems had intermediate returns, these animals can be competitive to their NB counterparts, but the higher prevalence of liver abscesses needs to be further researched.

Six existing equations (three for nonlactating and three for lactating; NRC, 1987, Predicting feed intake of food-producing animals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, National Academy of Science; doi: 10.17226/950; NRC, 1996, Nutrient requirements of beef cattle, 7th Revised Edition: Update 1996. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; doi: 10.17226/9791; . Supplementation of forage-based diets. J. Anim. Sci. 70:181. [Abstr]) were evaluated for predicting feed intake in beef cows. Each of the previously published equations are sensitive to cow-shrunk BW and feed energy concentration. Adjustments in feed intake prediction are provided for level of milk yield in NRC (1987. Predicting feed intake of food-producing animals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, National Academy of Science; doi: 10.17226/950) and NRC (1996 Nutrient requirements of beef cattle, 7th Revised Edition: Update 1996. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; doi: 10.17226/9791) equations. The equation published in 1996 used data generated between 1979 and 1993. Our objectives were to validate the accuracy of the published equations using more recent data and to propose alternative prediction models. Criteria for inclusion in the evaluation dataset included projects conducted or published since 2002, direct measurement of feed intake, adequate protein supply, and pen feeding (no metabolism crate data). After removing outliers, the dataset included 53 treatment means for nonlactating cows and 32 treatment means for lactating cows. Means for the nonlactating dataset were dry matter intake (DMI) = 13.2 +/- 2.9 kg/d, shrunk body weight (SBW) = 578 +/- 83.9 kg, body condition score = 5.7 +/- 0.73, and Mcal net energy for maintenance (NEm)/kg of feed = 1.27 +/- 0.15 Mcal/kg. Means for the lactating dataset were DMI = 14.6 +/- 2.24 kg/d, SBW = 503 +/- 73.4 kg, body condition score = 4.7 +/- 0.58, and Mcal NEm/kg feed = 1.22 +/- 0.16. Simple linear regression was used to determine slope, intercept, and bias when observed DMI (y) was regressed against predicted DMI (x). The NRC (1996. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle, 7th Revised Edition: Update 1996. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; doi: 10.17226/9791) nonlactating equation underestimated feed intake in diets moderate to high in energy density with intercept differing from 0 and slope differing from one (P <= 0.01). Average deviation from observed values was 2.4 kg/d. Similarly, when the NRC (1996. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle, 7th Revised Edition: Update 1996. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; doi: 10.17226/9791) equation was used to predict DMI in lactating cows, the slope differed from one (P < 0.01) with average deviation from observed values of 3.0 kg/d. New models were developed by pooling the two datasets and including a categorical variable for stage of production (0 = nonlactating and 1 = lactating). Continuous variables included study-average SBW0.75 and diet NEm, Mcal/kg. The best-fit empirical model accounted for 68% of the variation in daily feed intake with standard error of the estimate Sy root mean squared error = 1.31. The proposed equation needs to be validated with independent data.

Cotton warehouses face unique inventory management challenges. This research addresses this challenge by proposing innovative strategies to enhance warehouse efficiency. Three key objectives are addressed: modeling cotton bale movements, evaluating an alternative to the current bale handling process, and evaluating an alternative to the current cotton bale marketing system. Results reveal significant cost savings. Changing bale receiving and placement strategy by using gin codes yields a $499,000 per-cycle reduction for an Oklahoma cotton warehouse case. Altering order fulfillment techniques, such as grouping 30 orders, saves $34,000 per cycle. Implementing quality-based bale substitution leads to a $1.3 million saving per cycle.

Past research has only studied genetic panel scores and feedlot performance. This research combines impacts of genetic panel scores on a cow-calf operation with previously estimated feedlot impacts to evaluate the potential for misaligned economic incentives in the beef industry. Calves that were higher genetic scores for two carcass traits, marbling and tenderness, had lower weaning weights and lower net returns. Correlations between genetic traits and cow size were small and mostly insignificant. The sum of the effects on feedlot and cow-calf sectors of a one-unit higher panel score totaled $-2.83 per cow year for marbling and $-4.93 per cow year for tenderness.

Calving date affects feed costs, calf weaning weights, marketing dates, labor availability, and, potentially, calf health. Employing recent estimates of calf weaning weights and surveys of producers, feedlot operators, and veterinarians, we model expected profits as a function of calving date. January-calving herds had the highest annualized net returns, a result driven by older weaning dates and heavier weaning weights. However, survey results show March and April were the most common calving months. This may be due to both weather and labor demand concerns. If weaning ages are restricted to 205 days, January calving was the least profitable because of higher feed costs.

In the US central and southern Great Plains, canola (Brassica napus) is a winter annual crop. It is pollinated by insects, particularly native bees and introduced honeybees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758). Canola is beset by many insect pests. Producers rely on insecticides to kill harmful insects, however, these chemicals can negatively impact pollinators. Our purpose is to provide an economic analysis comparing the positive effects of native bees and introduced honeybees in combination with the pest suppression effects of selective and broad-spectrum insecticides in Oklahoma canola production. We identify the breakeven yield necessary to support the conservation of pollinator habitat in or adjacent to canola fields. Using yields from field experiments, we found that an increase in yield ranging from 28.02 to 162.53 kg/ha from pollination justifies the conservation of pollinator habitat. The number of refuge acres and canola acres dictates the necessary yield increase. Our findings suggest that introducing honeybees for pollination of canola may not be an economically viable choice as pollination services are costly. We include analysis with the base rate of pollination service rate reduced to more closely examine this issue. The breakeven analysis with the reduced rate shows a range of 2.43 to 19.06 hectares of refuge area was needed. This analysis varies with annual crop returns and acres of canola planted. This study provides a deeper understanding of the costs and potential benefits associated with pollinator refuges and canola production and allows producers to make more informed decisions about wild pollinators and reliance on introduced honeybees.

Abstract We investigate differences in profitability of three Aberdeen-influenced breeds, Angus, Red Angus, and American Aberdeen. Using data from North Dakota, we measure differences in birth weights, calving intervals, weaning weights, cow weights, and profitability. Weaning weights differ between breeds, setting up a trade-off between lower feed costs for smaller cows and higher revenue for larger cows. American Aberdeen-influenced cows bred to Red Angus bulls have $1–$6 per acre higher returns than Angus or Red Angus-influenced cows. Aberdeen sires have the lowest returning calves.

Feeder cattle markets suffer from asymmetric information as sellers have information that buyers do not. Since buyers cannot fully determine the quality of feeder cattle, they pay for an "average" quality that is only adjusted by observable characteristics. A contract design is introduced that allows buyers to differentiate producers by offering a menu of contracts. The offered contracts contain a premium that is paid when a lot of cattle reach a target performance indicator, such as average daily gain. Results suggest the contract can successfully allow buyers to purchase high-quality cattle, avoiding purchasing low-quality cattle.

Intensive capital requirements relative to cash flows available inhibit the entry of beginning producers into the cattle industry. Here, we propose and analyze a strategy for beginning ranchers to build a herd. Over a three-year cycle, new producers borrow cash needed to purchase 450- pound heifers in the first year, breed heifers, sell open heifers and bull calves, retain heifer replacements, rebreed the two- year-old cows, and eventually sell bred two-turning-three cows 27 months after the initial heifer purchase. The goal is to retain a group of debt-free heifers. Analyses conducted over 14 cycles of 27 months each across three cattle markets, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and North Dakota, indicate that this herd- building strategy appears to be financially feasible for new producers, in most cycles. Positive net cash flows occurred for producers in Oklahoma for 13 of 14 cycles, 11 of 14 cycles in North Dakota, and 10 of 14 cycles in Nebraska. Positive net returns were realized in at least 12 cycles in each location. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on revenues and costs to evaluate the robustness of the strategy.

Commercial-scale switchgrass production for cellulosic biofuel remains absent in U.S. A well-recognized difficulty is the steady provision of high-quality feedstock to biorefineries. Switchgrass yield is random due to weather and growing conditions, with low yields during establishment years. Meeting biorefinery production capacity requirements 100% of the time or at any other frequency requires contracting sufficient amount of agricultural land areas to produce feedstock. Using chance-constrained programming, the trade-offs between the degree of certainty that refinery demand for feedstock and the cost of contracting production acreage is assessed. Varying the certainty from 60% to 95%, we find the costs of production, logistics and transportation ranged from 27% to 96% of the cost of 100% certainty. Investors and managers need to consider the cost of certainty of biomass acquisition when contracting for production acreage.

Farm transition planning continues to be a significant challenge for U.S. agricultural owner/producers. Past and ongoing research points to an aging farm population with little or no planning to transition farms to succeeding farming family members, despite documented goals of continued family ownership and operation. This study developed and analyzed alternative farm asset transition strategies using a representative farm for Oklahoma. The simulations considered equity issues, family living requirements, and cash flow pre- and post-transition. Strategies analyzed considered off-farm investments and life insurance tools to even bequests between an on-farm and an off-farm heir, and also modeled splitting inheritance into an operating entity that owns machinery and other operating assets and a landholding entity that leases real estate to the on-farm heir. The simulations assumed a 20-year transition period. Results indicate that early planning is essential for success. In addition, the use of life insurance tools and/or the implementation of equitable, but unequal treatment of heirs improve the likelihood of successful farm transition between generations.

In 1996, the NASEM beef cattle committee developed and published an equation to estimate cow feed intake using results from studies conducted or published between 1979 and 1993 (Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle). The same equation was recommended for use in the most recent version of this publication (2016). The equation is sensitive to cow weight, diet digestibility and milk yield. Our objective was to validate the accuracy of this equation using more recent published and unpublished data. Criteria for inclusion in the validation data set included projects conducted or published within the last ten years, direct measurement of forage intake, adequate protein supply, and pen feeding (no tie stall or metabolism crate data). The validation data set included 29 treatment means for gestating cows and 26 treatment means for lactating cows. Means for the gestating cow data set was 11.4 ± 1.9 kg DMI, 599 ± 77 kg BW, 1.24 ± 0.14 Mcal/kg NEm per kg of feed and lactating cow data set was 14.5 ± 2.0 kg DMI, 532 ± 116.3 kg BW, and 1.26 ± 0.24 Mcal NEm per kg feed, respectively. Non intercept models were used to determine equation accuracy in predicting validation data set DMI. The slope for linear bias in the NASEM gestation equation did not differ from 1 (P = 0.07) with a 3.5% positive bias. However, when the NASEM equation was used to predict DMI in lactating cows, the slope for linear bias significantly differed from 1 (P < 0.001) with a downward bias of 13.7%. Therefore, a new multiple regression equation was developed from the validation data set: DMI= (-4.336 + (0.086427 (BW^.75) + 0.3 (Milk yield)+6.005785(NEm)), (R-squared=0.84). The NASEM equation for gestating beef cows was reasonably accurate while the lactation equation underestimated feed intake.

Introduction Dramatic swings in mature size of cattle have occurred in the U.S. beef industry since the 1930s. Pictured below are champion animals selected at major U.S. livestock shows in 1953, 1989 and 2018. One factor contributing to these dramatic swings over time is the high degree of heritability associated with mature frame size. For example, during fall 2017, heritability of mature height in the Angus breed was reported as 0.62, representing the highest heritability value among all 21 traits for which expected progeny differences were calculated. Not surprisingly, there is a strong genetic correlation between mature height and mature weight (0.76). Said another way, and as our history has proven, rapid and dramatic change can be made in mature cow size (height and weight) if enough selection pressure is applied in a given direction.

This research investigates net present value-maximizing beef cow weights for U.S. Southern Plains cow-calf operations. The relationship between cow weight and calf weaning weight was estimated and weaning weights were simulated for a 15-year time period. Annual returns were computed using cow-calf revenues and production costs for cows with mature weight between 950 and 1,800 pounds. A grid search showed that optimal cow size was 950 pounds across scenarios. Selection for growth may improve feedlot profitability but has deleterious effects on cow-calf producers. Development of smaller-framed maternal lines may improve sector profits.