Tew displays a Halter collar.
CattleFax Market Analyst Terrel Platt discussed the current state and outlook for the cattle market during the August 27 KLA/Kansas State University Ranch Management Field Day near Hoxie. He told the nearly 140 producers in attendance that record prices have been driven by tight cattle supplies and consumers’ demand for the high-quality beef they provide. Platt said while prices likely have peaked in this cycle, they still should remain high for the foreseeable future. Fed cattle prices are expected to average $220/cwt., with short-term rallies from $230/cwt. to $245/cwt. Feeder cattle prices likely will range from $310/cwt. to $330/cwt., with calf prices averaging $350/cwt.
A panel of local ranchers shared their perspectives on rotational grazing during the field day. They said this form of pasture management has allowed for more efficient forage use, which lets more animals graze the same acres over time. Prolonged rest periods, sometimes as long as a year, are key to improving forage quality and diversity. These rest periods can be supplemented by shifting cattle to cover crops planted in adjacent pastures. The panelists agreed that a combination of rotationally grazing pastures and cover crops has greatly reduced their need to feed hay.
Finally, Cam Tew, western Kansas territory manager for Halter, a virtual fencing company, walked attendees through how the technology keeps cattle contained without fences with phones and collars. Via sound and vibration, the collars can be used to guide animals into new paddocks and away from certain areas to prevent overgrazing. The collars are solar-powered and designed to stay on year-round, having a less than 1% loss rate. He said while the Halter system is not for everyone, it can help lower labor and fuel needs and improve pasture utilization.
HP Rafter Lazy T Ranch, owned by Keith and Shirley Popp and their son, Trevor, hosted the event. The proceedings from the field day can be found here. The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Huvepharma sponsored the field day.