United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
(6202J)
EPA 430-K-98-001
February 1998
&EBV Small Steps Make a Difference:
Improving Your Cow-Calf Business and
the Environment in the Southeastern U.S.
,s?-
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Did you knew that improving your livestock
management practices is not only profitable, it can also
decrease the threat of global climate change by
reducing methane emissions? To promote this
important link between profitable livestock production
and a healthy environment, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (U3DA) have joined together through the
Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program (RLEP) to
encourage voluntary practices that benefit both
producers and the global environment.
The RLEP s mission is to help producers voluntarily
reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a major
contributor to global warming. In fact, globally,
livestock are the largest source of methane from
human-related activities and in the U.S., the second-
largest source. Fortunately, we can reduce methane
emissions from livestock through management
strategies that inprove production efficiency and
result in lower methane emissions per pound of beef
produced. These strategies include increasing forage
production, quality, and harvest ef ficiency; inproving
calving percentage; and optimizing herd health.
Many of the suggestions in this booklet are most
appropriate for cow-calf producers, such as those in
the southeastern U.S, who graze their cattle in
pastures instead of on the open range. Regardless of
where you live, however, you may find that you can still
save money and the environment by implementing
scma of the strategies in this bccklet.
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As a cow-calf producer in today s ccrrpetitive market,
you re always locking for ways to get more for your
money. To improve your bottom line, you need to
produce heavy, healthy calves while keeping your costs
down. At the same time, you want to protect even
improve the condition of the soil, water, and air, SD
future generations can also enjoy its benefits.
f
The answer isn t to work harder it s to work smarter.
By using your resources ef fidsHy, you can both
increase your profits and protect the environment.
The sirrple strategies outlined in this booklet can help.
To see how efficient your operation is now, start with
the quick self-evaluation on page 2. What you find
cut might surprise you. Next, lock through the
suggestions for improving your cow-calf operation and
see just how easy they can be. The last section of this
booklet tells you where to find more information about
these sirrple steps.
n<
Find out where you stand and figure out how you can
protect your investment and your natural resources for
generaticns to acme.
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How Am I Doing?
Complete the self-evaluation below to find out how your livestock
management practices stack up:
When was the last time you calculated your annual
production costs?
3 W itWn tte last year
W ithin tte last 5 years
Never
How would you rate your record keeping system?
3 I keep detailed financial and
performance records
I keep track of basic expenses
I do not keep careful records
How much do you know about your soils?
3 I have tested my soils nutrient levels and
pH
I have not tested my soils, but I have
looked at soil type maps for my region
I m not sure what my soil types or
compositions are
Do you have a resource management plan?
Yes, I ve developed one within tte last year
Yes, but it s over a year old
No
How many grazed plant species do you have
in each pasture?
4 or more
2 3
One
How often do you rotate your cattle?
Once a week or more
Once every month or so
Less than once a year
How do you balance your cattle's nutrient needs with
your forage production?
I test tte nutrient value of my growing
forage and compare that to tte cattle s
requirements to determine what
supplements are needed
I sometimes supplement where I think
it is needed
I m not sure what to supplement
How do you ensure your cattle's health?
I ve developed a preventive herd health
program with my veterinarian
I carefully observe my animals for illness
and treat as early as possible
I treat my cattle only when they are sick
How do you prepare your calves before you market them?
I precondition 14 30 days prior to weaning
and include vaccinations
I administer a set of vaccines at weaning
I don t do any special preparation of my calves
How does the price you received for the last set of
calves you sold compare to the price received by
your neighbors?
3 Better than average for my area
About average for my area
Below average for my area
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Add It All Up
If you answered mostly : Ycu re a leader in the
industry a good environmental steward managing an
efficient livestock opsraticn. You keep your costs down
and your profits high through smart management
practices. Share your strategies with your neighbors
and check out this booklet for ways to increase your
profits and protect the environment even more.
If you answered mostly : Ycu re on the right
track, but you could improve your bottom line.
Steps you can take:
/ keep better records of your operation
/ upgrade forage quality and quantity
/ extend forage availability throughout the year
improve cow breeding success
/ increase the value of your calves
These are all attainable goals look through this
booklet to learn basic ways to reach them.
If you answered mostly : You are missing out on
some easy ways to make more money from your
operation and protect the environment. Even if your
operation is not your primary source of inccme, a few
easy changes can ensure that you pass productive
land on to your children. By keeping careful records of
your operation, you can balance your animals needs
with your resources. By improving forage production
and species diversity, you can extend the grazing
season and enhance cattle performance. Also, some
simple preconditioning and marketing changes can
increase the value of your animals.
No matter how you scored on the self-evaluation,
seme of the suggestions in this booklet are bound to
help improve your business and preserve your natural
resources.
To Improve:
Record Keeping
page 4
Forage
Production
page 5
Forage
Utilization
page 6
Breeding
Performance
page 8
Calf Value
page 9
To Find Out More:
Environmental
Benefits
page 1O
The Next Step
page 12
Additional
Resources
inside back
cover
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To make successful changes in your operations,
you need to know where you are, where you want
to be, and how to get there. Tb do this, you need to
keep accurate records. Ycur first step should be to find
out where you stand by ccnpleting a ccnprehensive
inventory of your resources. Once you ve dene this, you
can develop a goal and a plan. By inproving your
record keeping system, you can see where you are
today, vtere your current practices will take you, and
what choices are available.
Know your land, your forage, and your animals.
By understanding your soils, you can make informed
decisions about forage producticn. Test your forage
nutrient value by taking samples of stored and pasture
forage. Estimate how much forage you produce and
how much your herd needs. This information can help
you balance forage producticn with your animals
nutrient requirements. Use an aerial photograph of
your property, a tcpcgraphical map, and a soil map to
plan fencing and pasture design.
Keep careful records of ycur cattle s health and
production indicators, such as pregnancy percentages,
calves weaned per cow exposed, and weaning
weights. Track your expenses and revenues.
Keeping better records will reveal opportunities to
reduce feed costs, improve animal health, and raise
your profits. By knowing how your situation changes
over time through careful record keeping, you 11 be
better prepared to plan for the future.
Many materials are available to help you
organize and record information easily and
inexpensively. Trade associations, private businesses,
and public agencies offer useful record bocks and
helpful computer programs. Talk with the Agricultural
Extension Service or the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) or other professionals to
find the best record keeping tools for you.
Do you want to increase your profits? Do your
goals include stewardship of the land or
improved wildlife habitat? Use the information
you have gathered to plan the best strategies for
reaching ycur goals. Use producticn and financial
records as decisionmaking tools as you make changes
and as a measuring stick to evaluate progress.
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— Ir
If you re like most cow-calf producers, feed costs make
up 50 to 75 percent of your total production expenses.
You can reduce your feed costs by growing more
forage over a longer grazing season. With better
forage management, you not only get healthier, heavier
cattle and lower feed costs, you can also protect your
land frcm erosion and improve wildlife habitat.
First, test your soils to determine nutrient content and
pH. If you find deficiencies, you may want to fertilize
and apply lime to raise nutrient content and pH.
Growing more legumes or simply ensuring that cows
distribute manure and urine evenly throughout the
pasture can also improve soil. The Agricultural
Extension Service can provide a specialist trained in
production agriculture to help you choose the best
options. Rich soil and good grazing management
mean vigorous, diverse forages, which in turn lead to
greater animal production per acre, lower production
costs, and higher profits.
Determine which combination of species will grow best.
lengthen your grazing season by using both cool and
warm season grasses and legumes. By choosing
complementary forage cultivars, you can have a more
consistent forage supply to meet your animals needs
throughout the grazing season. Adopt forages that are
appropriate for the soil types and drainage on your
land. The right combination of pastures with different
species extends your grazing season, lowers feed
costs, and produces more pounds of product per acre.
It can also reduce soil erosion and increase soil
organic matter accumulation. Contact your local
Agricultural Extension Service for reccirnnndations on
forage species adapted to your area.
Livestock
Feed
Needs
Coo! Season Warm Season
Spring Summer Fall
Using both cool and warm season grasses in pastures can provide a
consistent supply of forage.
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Don't Let Food Go To Waste
Maximize Forage Utilization
Continuous Grazing
ill l-r-M Hf
-H
—I (—)-l I-M-I 1 ' I I ' I
Controlled Grazing
'
1 1 ' 1 • 1
•
I ' I ' ' • 1
_
I I ' I ' I I •-
Continuous grazing (upper right) can result in selective, incomplete grazing,
which means wasted forage and lost potential liveweight gains. Controlled
grazing (lower left) ensures cattle get the most nutritious and palatable
forage while allowing regrowth in recently grazed pastures. It can increase
forage yield, stocking rates, forage quality, and liveweight gain per acre.
If you still use traditional grazing
methods, you may be wasting
your resources.
W ith irtproved grazing management, you increase
forage productivity and quality en your land. Standard,
ccntinuous stocking may fail to produce all the forage
your land can give you and often results in selective
and incomplete grazing. This can mean vested forage
and lower liveweight gains per acre of land.
To reduce this waste and
increase forage production,
consider controlled grazing.
Controlled grazing means letting cattle graze certain
paddocks while allowing other paddocks time to
regrow. With controlled grazing, you ensure that your
cattle get the forage that is the nest nutritious and
palatable. You den t need a lot of land or expensive
fencing. When livestock are trained, a single strand of
electric fence provides sufficient control to implement a
controlled grazing system. Start small and expand as
you sharpen your management skills. As you rrove to
a more intensive grazing system by adding more
fencing, watering systems, and other features, you will
reap additional benefits. Regardless of the grazijng
technique, your goal should be to provide the amount
and quality of forage your animals need while
rraintaining the vigor of the plants.
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)lled
Use flexible fencing options, shade structures, and
d: f icient watering systems that allow ycu to respond to
changing conditions. Innovations in electric fencing
and improved watering systems make controlled
grazing more convenient than ever.
Cure and store baled hay properly to avoid leaf shatter,
bleaching, and moisture intrusion. A±pt feeding
methods that avoid trampling, fecal contamination, and
over-consunpticn. Cut feeding losses even more by
restricting animal access to feed pens use racks,
panels, or temporary fence and adjust feeding
intervals and amounts. Eon t forget to test stared feed
quality can vary greatly depending on cutting frequency,
harvest season, soil fertility and type, and forage species.
The benefits of these simple strategies
include increased stocking rates, higher forage
yields, better forage quality, and more
liveweight gain per acre. You can also save on
fertilizer purchases because controlled grazing will
more evenly distribute the manure and urine on your
pasture and recycle the nutrients to the pasture plants.
These benefits all mean more profits for your agri-
business. Your land and the generations to follow are
the real winners, because controlled grazing reduces
soil erosion, improves air and water quality, and
supports a greater variety of plant species.
McKams
Angus breeder
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n
Increasing your herd s weaning percentage will Icwer
your costs per calf and increase your profits.
Nutrient deficiencies can cause low pregnancy rates,
high calf rrortality, and lower weaning weights. Your
pasture forages or winter feed nay not meet the
nutrient requirements of your cow herd, so your
animals may need supplements to thrive. Seek
professional advice to analyze your forage and develop
a nutrition program.
and
A cost-effective plan wall include:
a vaccination program
a quarantine area for new or sick animals
pregnancy checking
/ health and medication records
This quick and easy strategy lets you time calving and
breeding seasons with your forage production, so you 11
have a readily available feed supply during the nest
critical part of the cattle production cycle. B/ shorten-
ing the calving season, you 11 reduce labor costs and be
able to market calves in more uniform groups.
To enhance cattle performance even more, consider
teat syndnrcnizatim, teat detactim, and artificial
insemination along with improved genetics.
8
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Some calves are worth more than others.
Healthy, uniform groups of calves, with the traits and the
proven performance buyers want, bring you higher prices.
Consider your natural resources and management style
and choose your market, whether it s lean beef, high-
quality beef, or low-cost hamburger beef. Select the
genetics and the management program that will
achieve the highest returns for that market. Cattle
producers must consistently provide consumers with
what they want. Use local quality assurance programs
to let your buyers know the full value of your calves.
Preconditioning programs add value to your calves and
den t have to cost a bundle. Include basic vaccinations,
such as seven-way blackleg, Easteurella, PI3 and IBR,
and consider dewormers and growth implants. Wean
calves and start them en feed prior to marketing. Be
sure to keep records on any preconditioning program so
you can get full value for your calves on the market.
Uniform calves of a similar genetic make-up often sell
for $7 $9 per hundred-weight more than calves with
unknown genetics. You can promote uniformity by
using bulls of similar genetic heritage, preferably half
brothers, and using a short breading season. If you
plan to crossbreed, be sure to pick breeds that
complement each other and can produce vigorous
calves.
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Ruminant Livestock and the Global Environment
Ruminant animals, such as
cattle, sheep, buffalo, and
goats, are unique.
Because of their special digestive systems, they can
convert otherwise unusable plant naterials into nutritious
food and fiber. This same helpful digestive system,
however, also produces methane, a potent greenhouse
gas that can contribute to global climate change.
Global climate change could have serious
consequences for U.S. agriculture. At the
regional level, changes in precipitation and temperature
patterns could jeopardize current agricultural practices.
Additionally, the frequency of extreme weather events
such as floods, droughts, and severe storms is
expected to increase. Sea level could rise, threatening
vulnerable coastlines around the world. Tropical
diseases could spread northward. In recognition of the
scientific consensus regarding the threats of human-
induced climate change, 165 countries have signed the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, which
coordinates international efforts to cut emissions and
enhance sinks of greenhouse gases.
Scientists estinate that global ruminant livestock
industries produce about 20 percent of the world s
methane emissions associated with human activity.
Fortunately, reducing livestock methane emissions is not
df ficult and can even provide economic benefits. In most
cases, producers can both increase their profits and
reduce emissions by making simple management
improvements. For example, increasing the number of
calves weaned for every 100 cows from 65 to 85 reduces
methane emissions per pound of calf weaned by about
20 percent. As a result, the RLEP and similar programs
in other countries focus on improving production ef ficdaxy
as a way of reducing methane emissions.
The most promising approach for
reducing methane emissions
from U.S. livestock is to improve
livestock productivity so that
less methane is emitted per unit
of product.
Cattle emit methane through their digestive processes.
High emissions from cattle represent wasted feed
energy that has been converted into methane instead
of meat or milk. If fewer animals are required to
produce the same amount of product, then the
emissions per unit product go down and less total
methane will be emitted by U.S. herds to produce the
milk and meat the nation requires.
Improved livestock management can also reduce
atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, the
chief greenhouse gas, through the mechanism of
carbon sequestration. An important environmental
benefit that accompanies improved grazing management
is increased organic matter production, namely increased
forage production. Even though a portion of the forage is
removed by the grazing cattle, significantly increased
residues remain that add to the organic content of the soil
and thus increase the carbon held in the soil. Some of this
1O
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cartm will retain in the soil or plant root systars for Icng
periods cf tins instead cf being released into the
atncsphere as carbon dioxide. Eastures could t±erefore
act as carfccn sinks, reducing concentrations of
atmospheric carbon dioxide. Eastures that have been
established on soil that was previously cultivated or
overgrazed for a long period of time have a high potential
to replenish the carbon stock.
Soil
More even distribution of manure means less
naad for fertilizer
-/' Healthy root systems make soil less
vulnerable to erosion
Surface drainage systems and. grade
stabilization reduce soil erosion
More organic material encourages more
vigorous and nutritious plant growth
Water
W ater quality is improved because healthy
plant root systems and complete soil
coverage reduce erosion and other runoff
problems
Plants
Greater density of high-quality grass and
forage
/ Increased species diversity
/ Increased annual forage production
Strong root systems
Animals
Improved animal health
Maximum liveweight gain per acre
...
•/ Improved conditions for wildlife
Humans
Increased farm income
Good environmental stewardship
Long-term sustainability of operations
Greater production of meat and other
products from the same land
Ruminants are large sources of both U.S. and
world methane emissions, providing many
opportunities to improve production efficiency.
£s the most productive nation in terms of livestock
output, the U.S. must lead the way in efforts to reduce
emissions in order to demonstrate to other countries
that we are responsible world citizens. By meeting the
demand for meat with the most ef ficient national herd,
we benefit both the global environment and our own
livestock production.
11
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Take the Next Step—Find Out More
There are many resources
available to help you evaluate
your current situation, identify
your goals, and develop a better
management plan.
The Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program
(RLEP) can give you more information on any of the
cow-calf management steps discussed in this booklet.
In addition, the RLEP is establishing projects in several
states to demonstrate how easy and worthwhile
management changes can be.
If you would like more information
about RLEP publications or
services in your area, contact:
Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program
U.S. EPA (6202J)
401 M Street, SW
W ashington, DC 20460
Telephone: 202-564-9043 or -9108
Fax: 202-565-2077
In addition to RLEP services, you can get information
and technical assistance through the Agricultural
Extension Service and the NRCS. The National
Cattlemen s Beef Association and other industry
organizations are also working to inprove production
deficiency and can provide you with many valuable
tools. Regional workshops and management courses
may also be available in your area.
Don't delay! Begin now and develop a management
system that will give you the most for your tine
and money.
What is the RLEP?
The RLEP is part of the President s Climate Change
Action Plan (CCAP), which is designed to reduce the
threat of global warming. It focuses on reducing
methane emissions from U.S. livestock. Like other
CCAP programs, the RLEP s goal is to help industry
voluntarily cut greenhouse gas emissions, while
inproving the efficiency of industry production and U.S.
competitiveness abroad.
E-mail: RuminantOepamail.epa.gov
visit us on the web at
http://www.epa.gov/ruminant.html
12
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Additional Resources
Table 1
Use Table 1, at right,
to find sources of
cow-calf management
information, then use
Table 2 to locate the
phone number in your area
Record Forage
Keeping Production
Forage
Utilization
Calf
Evaluation
Breeding and Environmental
Performance Marketing Issues
County Agricultural
Extension Service
State University
Cooperative Extension
USDA-NRCS
National and State
Cattle Associations
Agricultural
Consultants
National
County Agricultural
Extension Service
State University
Cooperative
Extension Service
(can provide you with
references to county
extension services)
USDA-NRCS
EPA-RLEP
National and State
Cattle Associations
Agricultural
Consultants
Steve
Carmichael
(404)
562-9374
(202)
564-9108
or 564-9043
NCBA
(303)
694-0305
American
Society of
Agricultural
Consultants
(303)
759-5091
Alabama
State
Extension
Service
Auburn
University
Dr. James
Floyd
(334)
844-1501
Ken Rogers
(334)
887-4564
ACA
(334)
265-1867
Florida
State
Extension
Service
University of
Florida
Dr. Kunkle
(352)
392-9059
Pete Deal
(352)
338-9546
FCA
(407)
846-6221
/
Georgia
State
Extension
Service
University of
Georgia
Dr. Mark
McCann
(706)
542-2584
Holli
Kuykendall
(706)
546-2095
GCA
(912)
474-6560
Kentucky
State
Extension
Service
University of
Kentucky
Dr. Nevil
Speer
(502)
745-5959
David Stipes
(606)
224-7392
KCA
(606)
233-3722
Louisiana
State
Extension
Service
Louisiana
State
Paul Morris
(318)
256-3406
Stewart
Gardner
(318)
893-5664
LCA
(504)
343-3491
Mississippi
State
Extension
Service
Mississippi
State
(601)
325-8594
or 325-2802
Vic Simpson
(601)
965-4339
MCA
(601)
354-8951
North
Carolina
State
Extension
Service
N.C. State
Dr. Roger
McCraw
(919)
515-7722
Kelly Jo
Driggins
(704)
637-2400
NCCA
(919)
552-9111
South
Carolina
State
Extension
Service
Clemson
Dr. Bruce
Pinkerton
(864)
656-2822
Michael Hall
(864)
388-9163
SCCA
(803)
348-3737
Tennessee
State
Extension
Service
University of
Tennessee
Dr. Kirk
Patrick
(423)
974-7294
Greg Brann
(615)
736-7241
TCA
(615)
896-2333
Virginia
State
Extension
Service
Virginia Tech
Dr. Paul
Peterson
(540)
231-9590
Glenn
Johnson
(540)
231-2257
VCA
(703)
992-1009
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^
Ruminant Livestock
Efficiency Program
U.S. EPA (6202J)
401 M Street, SW
W ashington, DC 20460
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