Justin Waggoner, beef systems specialist, for Kansas state University’s Extension service in Garden City, said in a release that obtaining a nutrient analysis of potential feedstuffs is vital to cattle producers.
The term “alternative feedstuff” conjures images of a variety of post-production food products (i.e. bakery waste, potato products, candy remnants, brewery waste, etc.) that can be fed to livestock, Waggoner said. However, he said the term also would apply to a variety of specialty or vegetable crop residues (dry beans, chili peppers, etc.).
ECONOMICAL FEEDS? MAYBE
Alternative feedstuffs can provide economical sources of nutrients in cattle rations, he said. Many alternative feeds are postproduction waste products, so it is essential to understand a variety of factors.
- What exactly is in the product?
- How is it produced?
- Are there any artifacts of the production or cleaning process that would affect livestock or cattle?
It also is important to understand how the product is handled, stored and how it will be delivered, Waggoner said. Many low- or no-cost alternative feedstuffs can be difficult to handle and store, which may limit their potential as feed.
Another consideration is the expected shelf-life of the product and the typical volume of the product received, he said. In some situations, the products are close to, or past, their “best by” date for human consumption and may need to be fed quickly.
POSSIBLE ADULTERANTS
Many waste products (cull vegetable produce waste, candy) also include product packaging material that may need to be removed prior to feeding, Waggoner said. In some cases, packaging material may be fed but not fully digested and thus is present in manure.
If a specialty crop or vegetable residue is being evaluated, the type and application timing of any herbicides or any chemicals also should be considered, he said. Many herbicides for specialty/vegetable crops do not consider grazing, haying or any livestock use on their labels.
Evaluating the safety or potential risk associated with a specific chemical/herbicide can become challenging so seeking the advice of professionals is advised, Waggoner said.
Producers should request a chemical analysis of the feedstuff that includes the amount of moisture in the product (dry matter), crude protein, fiber (crude fiber, ADF: acid detergent fiber, NDF: neutral detergent fiber), starch, fat content and a mineral profile that includes macro and microminerals, he said.
Given that many of those products are by-products of a production process and not naturally occurring, they may contain disproportionate concentrations of nutrients or minerals that may limit inclusion in rations, Waggoner said. Obtaining a nutrient analysis, also facilitates the calculation of nutrient (crude protein, energy) cost per unit calculations (pound or ton, dry basis) and allows producers to compare alternative feedstuffs with traditional protein or energy commodities.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $185.43 per cwt to $185.97, compared with last week’s range of $183.70 to $187.04 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $290.80 per cwt to $21.57, compared with $290.70 to $293.67.
The USDA choice cutout Monday was down $0.62 per cwt at $301.72 while select was off $1.65 at $270.36. The choice/select spread widened to $31.36 from $30.33 with 77 loads of fabricated product and 10 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were up $0.07 to $0.10 at $1.35 to $1.45 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.77 1/4 a bushel, unchanged.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Friday was $238.92 per cwt, up $1.30. This compares with Monday’s Nov contract settlement of $237.17, down $3.42.