According to Dr, Corriher, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist for forages in Overton Texas, the principle limiting nutrients for ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, etc.) are either energy (total digestible nutrients, TDN) or protein (crude protein, CP). For cattle grazing dormant pastures or consuming poor quality hay, protein is usually the most limiting nutrient. When you have to buy supplemental feed, protein is often the most expensive component. Forage nutritive value has dramatic effects on livestock productivity (weight gain, reproduction, etc.), so it is critical to match the nutritive value of the hay to the nutrient requirements of the target animal. For beef cattle operations, the most common source of stored feed is hay. If hay is harvested at the proper stage of plant growth and stored properly, it can, with the possible exception of grazing, provide nutrients at the lowest possible cost. A cow’s nutrient requirement is the greatest 60 to 80 days after calving. Stockering young, growing cattle requires an average daily gain of at least 1.5 pounds for the season, and high-quality forage is essential to meeting this goal. A growing beef steer or heifer requires forage with about 12 percent CP and 65 to 68 percent TDN. To promote the evaluation of hay produced in Hopkins County, Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers has conducted the Hopkins County Hay Show for the last 40 years or more. During the hay show, samples of hay produced in Hopkins County are taken and tested in a laboratory courtesy of The Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-Op. Top ranking hay samples will be awarded a $100, $75 and $50 price for the top three entries during the Professional Ag Workers BreakfastOctober 5, 2017 at 7:00 AM at the Hopkins County Extension Office located at 1200B Houston Street, followed by a fundraiser to support educational opportunities to youth, NETLA livestock Show and other youth related activities in Hopkins County.
Upcoming events:
- Red Alliance Red Angus Production Sale. Registered Bulls, Females, and Commercial Red Angus. Oct 2, 2017 in the Hopkins County Civic Center. Sale starts 10 am / 150 head can be previewed on Sunday afternoon. Call John Macek @903-348-2138 for a catalog or www.redalliance.biz
- Cattlemen Classic and Ribeye Cook-off. October 6, 2017, downtown Sulphur Springs. A great opportunity to learn and enjoy the beef industry in Hopkins County. We will host a producer trade show with companies and support industry (starting at 2:00 PM) at the downtown area (free), a feature keynote speaker Trent Loos at the Courthouse (free) as part of the 2017 NETBIO producer meeting. The celebration continues with the cook-off competition, dinner (tickets available for $25 at Texas Heritage Bank and Brookshire’s in Sulphur Springs) and a free concert featuring Stoney Larue starting at 8:00 PM.
- DOPA Training at the Southwest Dairy Museum October 25, 2017. 8:00 to 12:00 Free. Register by calling 903-885-4334.
- Private Applicators CEU and Hamburger Cook-Off. November 1, 2017. Join us to learn new techniques in weed management in pastures (1hr) hay production (1 hr), pond weed management (1 hr), Laws and Regulations related to use of restricted pesticides (1 hr), and protection of pollinators in agriculture (1 hr. IPM). Regional Civic Center. Call The Hopkins County Extension office at 903-885-3443 to register. Cost $30 lunch included.
- Private Applicators Licensing Training. November 29, 2017 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. $25.00 for new private applicator applicants only. Register by calling at 903-885-3443.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
