Beef producers may plant annual crops for the purpose of livestock feed but for many crop farmers, diverting annual crops away from the bin and into beef requires some calculations and considerations. Given current grain prices, it’s important to think through how to value feed for cattle.
A late, cool spring delayed seeding in some regions, while farmers in other areas may have seeded on schedule but with dry soil and late rains resulting in delayed crop progress. For those who had every intention of seeding and harvesting a cash crop, plans may be shifting, depending on whether there are enough growing days to get the crop to maturity this fall.
A late frost may make harvest possible for some but farmers who seeded in mid-June could be looking to use those annual crops for livestock feed. This may include baling greenfeed to supplement winter feed supplies or grazing during the fall, which will help beef producers provide rest to pastures.
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The growing season is far from over and there are a lot of variables that can still impact forage and annual crop yields as well as grain and feed prices. Try using your own numbers in the ‘Value of Crops for Livestock Feeds Calculator’ to help work through scenarios that make the most sense for your farm. To download the calculator, visit the Interactive Calculators page at beefresearch.ca.
