CRP forage can provide essential nutrition for cows over the winter, but there are some things that need to be taken into consideration, said Jason Warner, cow-calf specialist at Kansas State University, in an Extension Service publication.
The data in his paper was generated as a guide for making informed nutrition decisions when CRP forages are used, Warner said. There are times when beef cow nutrient requirements may be met by CRP forages alone and times when supplementation will be needed.
GETTING STARTED
Keep in mind the following points, he said. 1) variation in forage nutrient concentration exists 2) production stage of the cowherd will determine how well CRP forages meet requirements and 3) operation-specific forage sampling always can help fine-tune nutrient intake estimates, but these data are a useful point of reference in getting started.
Pasture forage quality generally is conceptualized like native grasslands, Warner said, but CRP lands represent a significant source of forage in some areas.
In Kansas last year, CRP land comprised more than 12% of total native grasslands, he said. But nutritional value is largely unknown.
Emergency grazing or haying of CRP during drought is the most common reason these forages are utilized, but there may be many other situations that lead to usage, Warner said. And the nutritional value of the forage is necessary Information.
STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT
To improve the understanding of seasonal nutrient content changes of CRP forages across Kansas, a statewide assessment was conducted recently, he said. In short, all standing forage above one inch was collected, so prior management affected the sample quality.
Some samples would contain the current and prior year growth, Warner said. He advised producers to check out the 2026 Cattlemen’s Day Report when available in the spring, which will contain the final summary of this project because a snapshot of these data will be presented there.
In general, crude protein increased during the growing season and decreased during fall and winter for eastern and western Kansas samples, he said. For eastern Kansas samples, crude protein (percent dry matter basis) ranged from less than 3% in February to more than 6% in June, but some samples were as high as nearly 10% during that month.
On average, eastern Kansas samples were 4% crude protein in October and declined going into winter, Warner said.
Samples collected from western Kansas ranged from 3% crude protein in February to more than 6% in June with wide ranges noted during the primary growing season months.
Knowing the nutritional value of CFP forage can help maximize efficiency when it is used.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $239.17 per cwt to $249.43, compared with last week’s range of $237.30 to $243.18 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $374.54 per cwt to $376.60, compared with $368.29 to $381.29.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was up $1.77 per cwt at $379.65 while select was down $1.66 at $360.00. The choice/select spread widened to $19.65 from $16.22 with 93 loads of fabricated product and 29 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $406.38 per cwt, and 50% beef was $155.86.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $0.95 to $1.10 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.32, up $0.03 1/4.
No new live cattle delivery intentions were tendered Tuesday.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Monday was $360.25 per cwt, down $7.30. This compares with Tuesday’s Oct contract settlement of $344.10, down $1.40, and Nov’s $333.40, down $5.05.