Monthly Archives: April 2011

Food & FamilyKicking Up Their Heels for National Beef Month

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Ron and Trudy McGrain

It’s not only planting season for Latham® seed customers Ron and Trudy McGrain. It’s also calving season for this Mapleton, Iowa, couple. Their first calf of the 2011 season was born March 24, and they’ll have 95 cow-calf pairs on pasture this summer.

The McGrains raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa on their scenic farmstead nestled in the Loess Hills. During my recent visit, there were 57 black Angus-Limousin calves dotting the hillside like wildflowers in the prairie.

Calf at the McGrain's Farm

“It’s so much fun to watch those calves kick up their heels and run around the pasture,” says Trudy with a smile on her face. “Ron keeps an eye on all of them. He pays close attention to the cows that are ready to calve and makes sure the newborn calves nurse as soon as possible.”

As any good cattleman can tell you, it’s important to make sure newborn calves nurse as soon as possible. It’s also important for calves to be born in a relatively clean environment. Although the wet, cold weather conditions haven’t been ideal for calving this spring, the McGrains cattle herd is doing well. They have a 100% calving rate, and overall their herd health is very good.

Ron checks his calves to ensure all are doing well during these cold rainy spring days.

Helping maintain good herd health is extremely important to Trudy, who is a registered nurse a former home healthcare provider. She grew up on a farm in nearby Oto and has been even more actively engaged in farming since she married Ron in 1979. She helps Ron catch the newborn calves, give them vaccinations and tag them. The two of them also take turns going out to the cattle yard to check on the herd during the calving season. During the summer months, she helps haul bales of hay – that is, when their daughters aren’t home because they love to help haul bales.

The McGrains are the proud parents of four grown daughters: Nicole, age 29, is married to Sean; Angie, age 28, is married to Greg, who’s serving in Afghanistan; Jennifer, age 26, who is married to Ben; and Kristina, 24. They’re also the proud of their three-year-old granddaughter, Chloe.

“Our girls love to come home,” says Trudy. “They experience a freedom here they don’t have in the cities where they live. They even think the food tastes better here!”

When their daughters comes home, they’re sure to request beef for dinner. Grilled steaks are the favorite, but hamburgers run a close second. And with Trudy’s recipe for “Scrumptious Hamburgers,” I can see why! I’m looking forward to giving that one a try. Trudy also shared a recipe Prime Rib Roast in a crock pot; I’ve already tried that one and would count it among my favorite recipes, too.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy beef? We’ll be celebrating May Beef Month for the next four Fridays, you’re invited to share recipes for your family’s favorite beef entrees.

Scrumptious Hamburgers

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef
½ c. diced onion
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. pepper
1 c. shredded cheese
¼ c. ketchup
1 slice bread, broken into pieces

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Form into patties, and then grill or fry in pan.

COOK’S NOTE: You can place uncooked patties in freezer and use as needed. It freezes well!

Prime Rib Roast

Ingredients:
3- to 4-lb. roast (I use sirloin tip)
1, 14.5-oz. can beef broth
1 package of Good Seasons® Italian Seasoning
1 package of Au Jus mix

Directions:
Put small amount of water in crock pot and then set roast in the pot. Place sliced onion over the roast. Combine the broth with the Italian seasoning and Au Jus. Then pour this mixture over the roast. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Work Your Crop Plan – Don’t Switch Maturities Yet

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With saturated soil conditions and more rain in the short-term forecast, some farmers are talking about switching maturities or even making the switch from corn to soybeans.

Producers are questioning whether longer season maturity hybrids should be swapped for shorter season hybrids, says Iowa State University Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore, and the quick answer is “no.”

There are several good reasons why farmers should wait at least until mid-May before making any changes to their current crop plan:

  • We’re still within the window of opportunity for maximum yields. Although corn is not being planted as early as last year, it’s still “early.” There are literally weeks of optimal planting dates remaining. Since hundreds of acres of corn can be planted in just one good day, take the time to wait for suitable planting conditions. Iowa State University research shows there is very little yield difference between hybrids planted April 20 and May 20. Corn planted between April 20 and May 5 resulted in 100 percent yield potential, however, 99 percent yield potential was achieved with a planting date up to May 20.
  • Hybrids adjust to delayed planting dates. Adapted full season corn hybrids can compensate somewhat for later plantings. As planting is delayed, hybrids shorten the time between planting and silking. Research shows that development and final yield of these hybrids will not be largely affected unless frost occurs especially early in the fall. That’s why ISU field agronomists recommend waiting until May 25 before switching to an earlier maturing corn hybrid.
  • In general, fuller season corn hybrids out-yield shorter season hybrids. Expected corn prices can significantly affect one’s decision to switch maturities or even crops. Consider the yield potential and the cost of production before making your final decision. With corn at $7, it could be worth sticking with a fuller-season hybrid in hopes of increased yield.

For these reasons and more, there’s no need to switch hybrids at this point. Patience is the key word this planting season!

Ways to Reduce Soil Compaction

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After unseasonably wet, cold weather this spring, farmers are eager to get their seed in the ground. We understand their sense of urgency, but we also know they’ll have better results if they wait for more suitable field conditions.

The best rule of thumb is to let the field dry before doing fieldwork. Use a quick field test to check the soil moisture: mold a length of soil between your index finger and thumb, or roll it into a ball in your hand. Observe whether the soil breaks apart as you work it. If you toss the ball of soil into the air and it shatters or cracks upon falling to the ground, then conditions are likely suitable for tillage or planting.

Working soils that are too wet this spring could have negative impacts on your crops during the growing season including: stunted plant growth; slow infiltration of water and/or ponding; high surface runoff and soil erosion under normal or light rainfall; poor root system establishment; and nutrient deficiency.

To reduce or minimize soil compaction, consider taking the following steps:

  • Avoid working wet soil. Soil is most susceptible to compaction when it’s saturated and cannot absorb any more water. Use the quick field test method above to access the soil conditions, and begin planting or working the soil only if the proper conditions exist.
  • Reduce tillage. Crop residue can intercept raindrops and prevent the soil surface from sealing and compacting.
  • Use the right implements. The degree of compaction is determined by the moisture content of the soil, as well as the weight of the equipment in the field. Reduce the weight on each axle, choose wider tires and adjust air pressure to reduce the load on the soil surface. Iowa State University research shows that using equipment with 6 pounds per square inch (psi) of surface pressure yielded 9 bushels per acre more than equipment with 16 psi.

Soil compaction can be avoided with better management. For more information, click here to download Iowa State University Extension’s publication, Understanding & Managing Soil Compaction.