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GRICULTURE
Freeman Courier
/ May 9, 2012 / page 5
FSA crop certification
deadline July 15
by Rodney Strand, CED
USDA Farm Service Agency
(FSA) State Executive Director Craig
Schaunaman, reminds producers that
the annual crop certification deadline
is July 15, 2012.
Producers who file accurate and
timely reports for all crops and land
uses, including prevented planted and
failed acreage can prevent the poten-
tial loss of FSA program benefits.
“I encourage all producers to con-
tact their local FSA office to make
an appointment to file their annual
acreage report by the July 15 dead-
line in order to comply with FSA pro-
gram eligibility requirements,” said
Schaunaman.
South Dakota FSA offices no lon-
ger mail appointment cards and maps
to producers for acreage reporting
purposes. Producers are responsible
for contacting their local FSA office
to set up an appointment to file their
2012 acreage report. Hard copy maps
will be provided to the producer at the
time the acreage report is filed. Pro-
ducers wishing to obtain digital color
copies of their respective maps are
encouraged to provide their email ad-
dress or a new jump drive to their lo-
cal FSA office to facilitate the request
for digital maps.
Producers are also reminded to
report crop losses insured through
Federal Crop Insurance and the Non-
insured Crop Disaster Assistance Pro-
gram (NAP) within 15 days of the
disaster or as soon as the loss is ap-
parent.
Additional information about the
acreage reporting process or programs
administered by FSAmay be obtained
by contacting your local FSA office or
on the web at
FSA Notes
Turner County
Farm Service Agency
Parker - 297-5564
Managing for
reproductive success
Fertility is influenced by many fac-
tors, and one of the best methods to
look at factors that influence fertility
is with the ‘Equation of Reproduc-
tion,’ says George Perry, SDSU Ex-
tension Beef Reproductive Manage-
ment Specialist.
Perry explains that the ‘Equation of
Reproduction’ includes the following
four areas:
• Percentage of animals detected
in standing estrus and inseminated;
• Inseminator efficiency;
• Fertility level of the semen and;
• Fertility level of the herd.
Each of the preceding areas will be
discussed in the four-part series on
managing for reproductive success by
SDSU Extension.
This is the first article in the series
and will discuss the importance of de-
tecting cows in standing estrus.
Detecting cows
in standing estrus
For successful insemination of cat-
tle to occur, animals must be detected
in standing estrus, Perry says.
“Detecting standing estrus, which
is also referred to as heat detection
or detecting standing heat, is simply
looking for the changes in animal be-
havior associated with a cow/heifer
standing to be mounted by a bull or
another cow/heifer,” he said.
Since cows not detected in estrus,
and consequently not inseminated in
artificial insemination (AI) programs,
have no opportunity to conceive,
Perry says heat detection becomes
the single greatest limiting factor in
managing beef cow reproductive pro-
grams.
“For successful artificial insemina-
tion of cattle to occur, the producer
must take the place of the herd bull
in detecting the cows/heifers that are
ready to be inseminated,” Perry said.
“Accurate detection of animals in
standing estrus is the goal of good es-
trous detection and plays a vital role
in the success of any AI program.”
He points to a Colorado State Uni-
versity study in which animals were
administered an estrous synchroni-
zation protocol, then monitored for
standing estrus 24-hours a day with
a computer assisted estrus detection
system (HeatWatch®) or twice a day
for 30 minutes by visual observation.
By day 5, after estrus synchroniza-
tion, 95 percent of animals moni-
tored 24-hours a day, were detected
in standing estrous, while only 56
percent of animals observed twice a
day for 30 minutes were detected in
standing estrus.
With a 95 percent estrous detec-
tion rate and a 70 percent concep-
tion rate (95%x70% = 67%), 67 per-
cent of the animals will be pregnant;
whereas, only a 39 percent (55%
x70% = 39%) pregnancy rate will
occur with a 55 percent estrus detec-
tion rate.“Accurate detection of estrus
can be a difficult and time-consuming
activity,” Perry said. “Continuous ob-
servation of over 500 animals exhib-
iting natural estrus in three separate
studies indicated 55.9 percent of cows
initiated standing estrus from 6 p.m.
to 6 a.m.” Perry said.
Based on research, Perry encour-
ages producers to observe cows for
estrus as often as possible. The re-
search showed that when cows were
observed for standing estrus every six
hours (6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., and mid-
night), estrous detection increased by
10 percent with the addition of a mid-
day observation and by 19 percent
when observed four times daily (ev-
ery six hours) compared to detecting
standing estrus at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
alone.
“Therefore, detection of standing
estrus can be one of the most time-
consuming chores related to artificial
insemination,” he said.
Let the bulls do the work
With natural service, Perry says
estrous detection is considered to be
easy, as it is “the bulls’ job.” How-
ever, he says differences in estrous
detection exist among bulls.
“Libido refers to a bull’s desire to
mate. Research from Kansas State
has reported that Libido is a highly
inherited trait with heritability rang-
ing as high as 0.59,” he said. “This
is because there is more variation in
libido between sons of different sires
than between sons of the same sire.”
He reminds cattle producers that
scrotal circumference, semen qual-
ity, and physical confirmations all
traits evaluated in a Breeding Sound-
ness Evaluations, are not related to
libido.
“Libido has a direct affect on preg-
nancy rate and, as such, it can influ-
ence the success of an entire breed-
ing season,” Perry said. “Libido can
be practically evaluated by closely
watching a bull after introducing
him to a cow herd and determining
his desire to detect cows in estrus.”
Although several factors are criti-
cal to the success of any well-man-
aged beef reproductive program,
estrous detection is one of the most
limiting and most time consuming.
Without identifying cows in estrus,
cows will not have an opportunity to
conceive.
For more information related to
detecting standing estrus contact,
Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/
Calf Field Specialist at jim.Krantz@
sdstate.edu or 605-995-7381 or Dr.
George Perry, SDSU Extension Beef
Reproductive Management Special-
ist at
r
605-688-5456. To listen to a recent
iGrow Radio Network interview on
this topic with Dr. George Perry, and
to review all four articles in this four-
part series released by SDSU Exten-
sion visit iGrow.org.
S.D. ag report
Week ending May 6, 2012
AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY
: Rain slowed planting progress in some
areas of the state as farmers try to finish planting corn. Crops continue to look
good with the help of recent rains. There were 3.9 days suitable for field work
this past week. Major activities last week included; planting of row crops, lin-
ing up seed delivery, weed control, caring for livestock, calving and lambing.
WEATHER INFORMATION
: Heavy rains and hail covered several counties
in the east central part of the state roughly along a band from Mitchell to Flan-
dreau, causing local flooding and some soil erosion on bare fields, according
to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Precipitation totals had several
counties with 4-6 inches of precipitation from this storm. Across the state pre-
cipitation was reasonable, though not nearly as heavy. Oelrichs had the least
precipitation for the week at 0.14 inch. Madison (in the core of the heavy rain)
had the most for the week at 6.28 inches. Despite recent rains, several locations
are slightly below average for the growing season. Several are obviously well
above average at this point. Temperatures once again were well above average
across the state. Stations in the far southeast were the warmest with averages
in the 60s. These were 8-11° F above average. Most of the rest of the state had
average temperatures in the 50s ranging from a few degrees above average in
the northwest to the much warmer temperatures in the southeast. Centerville
and Mitchell shared the high for the week at 87° F. Custer had the low at 27°F.
Other locations in the far southwest and north central reached the low 30s.
SOIL CONDITIONS
: Soil temperatures rebounded well across the state
with most stations reaching around 60° F. Bowdle had the low 4 inch soil tem-
perature at 51° F; Oacoma was the warmest at 65° F. Topsoil moisture is rated
at 93 percent adequate to surplus, and 7 percent short. Subsoil moisture is rated
at 85 percent adequate to surplus, 13 percent short and 2 percent very short.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
: Winter wheat conditions are rated at 3 percent
poor, 24 percent fair, and 73 percent in good to excellent condition; compared
to 67 percent in good to excellent condition last week. Winter wheat is at 37
percent boot and 4 percent headed. Spring wheat conditions are rated at 1 per-
cent poor, 22 percent fair and 77 percent good to excellent. Spring wheat is 89
percent emerged, up 10 percentage points from last week’s emerged estimate.
Barley conditions are rated at 9 percent fair, and 91 percent in good to excel-
lent condition. Barley is at 95 percent seeded with 78 percent emerged, up 23
percentage points from last week’s emerged estimate. Oat conditions are rated
at 1 percent poor, 16 percent fair and 83 percent good to excellent. Oats are
reported at 93 percent seeded and 81 percent emerged, up 5 percentage points
from last week’s emerged estimate. Alfalfa conditions are rated at 2 percent
poor, 22 percent fair, and 76 percent good to excellent. Corn is at 57 percent
planted, up 26 percentage points from last week, with 11 percent emerged.
Sorghum is at 2 percent planted and soybeans are at 9 percent planted.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE, AND RANGE REPORT:
Cattle are rated 7
percent fair and 93 percent in good to excellent condition, down from last
week’s 96 percent in good to excellent condition. Calving was at 86 percent
complete. Cattle moved to pasture is rated at 51 percent complete. Sheep are
rated 7 percent fair and 93 percent in good to excellent condition. Lambing was
at 90 percent complete. Stock water supplies are 94 percent adequate to surplus
and feed supplies are 99 percent adequate to surplus. Range and pasture condi-
tions are rated 75 percent good to excellent, 23 percent fair and 2 percent poor,
compared to 70 percent good to excellent last week.
FEED AND WATER SUPPLIES COMPARISON — MAY 6
FEED SUPPLIES
STOCK WATER
This week Last year 5-yr. ave.
This week Last year 5-yr. ave
Very short
0
1
3
1
0
4
Short
1
8
12
5
1
6
Adequate
92
85
79
89
70
70
Surplus
7
6
5
5
29
20
SOILMOISTURE CONDITION COMPARISON — MAY 6
TOP SOIL
SUBSOIL
This week Last year 5-yr. ave.
This week Last year 5-yr. ave
Very short
0
0
0
2
2
1
Short
7
9
4
13
17
4
Adequate
85
83
57
79
74
58
Surplus
8
8
39
6
7
37
STATEWIDE CROP/LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS — MAY 6
% Rating
V Poor
Poor
Fair
Good Excel
Winter Wheat
0
3
24
58
15
Spring Wheat
0
1
22
63
14
Barley
0
0
9
89
2
Oats
0
1
16
70
13
Alfalfa
0
2
22
63
13
Cattle
0
0
7
73
20
Sheep
0
0
7
67
26
Range and Pasture
0
2
23
63
12
STATEWIDE CROP PROGRESS — MAY 6
This Last
Last 5-year
Crop
week week
year average
Winter wheat boot
37
10
11
13
Barley seeded
95
80
23
52
Barley emerged
78
55
2
15
Oats seeded
93
92
54
68
Oats emerged
81
76
17
28
Spring wheat emerged
89
79
13
33
Corn planted
57
31
13
23
Corn emerged
11
0
0
1
Soybeans planted
9
2
1
2
Sorghum planted
2
1
0
1
TEMPERATURE
PRECIPITATION
GDD
Last Week
This
Since Since Oct. 1 April 1
Since April 1
Station
Ave +/-
Hi Low
Week Oct. 1 April 1
+/-
+/-
Total +/-
Academy
61
8
86 40
1.97 11.12
5.81 2.40 2.44
304 66
Centerville
64 10
87 44
0.40
7.09
2.59 -2.14 -0.35
301 83
Madison
60
8
82 42
6.28 13.36
9.26 3.61 6.07
260 74
Mitchell
64 10
87 41
4.09 14.86
9.31 5.70 6.01
322 108
Pickstown
63
8
85 42
0.98
9.40
5.74 0.13 2.29
370 135
Sioux Falls
62 10
84 44
0.60
8.24
3.00 -1.58 -0.23
308 99
Vermillion
68 11
86 44
0.22
9.15
4.77 -0.86 1.34
422 134
Yankton
65 11
86 44
0.70
9.25
3.23 -0.23 0.06
347 114
Planting grain sorghum
has many benefits
Dryland farmers in South Dakota
may benefit from planting grain sor-
ghum this season, says John Rick-
ertsen, SDSU Extension Agronomy
Field Specialist.
“Grain sorghum is much more
adaptable to dry conditions than
corn,” said Rickertsen, of the crop
also known as milo.
Not only is grain sorghum more
drought tolerant than corn hybrids,
but Rickertsen says the grass species
is a more economical option than corn
for most dryland farmers in central
and western South Dakota.
“The further west we move we be-
come more cost-conscious because
there isn’t the corn production out
here that there is along the I-29 cor-
ridor. Seeding costs of grain sorghum
are significantly lower because the
seed costs less and a bag of sorghum
seed will plant 10 to 15 acres versus 3
to 4 for corn,” Rickertsen said.
He adds that some years, milo mar-
kets are equal to, or greater than corn.
“Milo, like corn is mainly used as a
feed grain, however, in South Dakota
it’s also sold into the bird seed mar-
ket, which is why prices are some-
times better than corn.”
Grain sorghum is an easy crop to
introduce into a wheat rotation. The
crop can be planted utilizing a con-
ventional drill or row crop planter.
When it comes time to harvest, Rick-
ertsen says wheat farmers can use
their conventional header.
“For wheat farmers there, they can
add milo to the rotation without buy-
ing new equipment,” he said.
He adds that weed control is yet
another benefit to planting grain sor-
ghum.
“There is a huge advantage that
comes with adding a warm season
grass, like milo, to the rotation. It pro-
vides a great opportunity to control
those early season weeds like cheat-
grass,” Rickertsen said.
Grain sorghum also promotes my-
chorizae production in the soil.
“Mychorizae are small fungi that
attach to the plant’s root hairs and en-
hance the absorption of nutrients and
water,” he said.
Although grain sorghum is similar
to corn in its nutrient requirements,
unlike corn, grain sorghum does not
do well if it’s planted in cool soil.
Rickertsen recommends waiting until
soil temperatures reach 60 degrees.
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