Raising beef cattle is a good way to utilize farm acreage but it takes more than just buying some cattle and turning them out to graze.

Perfect for the beginner and a great review for the experienced producer, Cowboys to Cattlemen is the first in a series of workshops planned to help you learn about the basics of beef cattle production.

Planned from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Westmoreland County Extension Center, the workshop topics will help participants gain a better understanding of herd management, keeping calves healthy, making use of hay in rations and designing an effective handling facility.

Future workshops are planned to include hands-on opportunities to practice beef production skills.

Speakers for the program are John Comerford, Penn State University beef Extension specialist, and Dustin Heeter, Westmoreland County Extension educator.

Registration is $20 per person and includes all program materials and refreshments. Registration deadline is Nov. 2.

Copies of the brochure and registration forms are available from the Butler County Extension Office, 724-287-4761, or by logging into the Westmoreland County Extension website at http://westmoreland.extension.psu.edu/.

Follow the links for the Agriculture and Livestock Notes Newsletter. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Dustin Heeter at 724-837-1402 or ddh7@psu.edu.

Hay analysis for beef farmers

With escalating prices for corn and feed grains, it is important for beef producers to know the value of the hay they are feeding their herd to make informed decisions and provide appropriate feed supplements at the lowest possible cost.

Arrangements have been made with Cumberland Valley Laboratories to provide an opportunity for beef producers to have hay analyzed at a reduced cost.

The NIR1 analysis includes tests for dry matter, moisture, crude protein, ADF protein, NDF protein, soluble protein, ADF, NDF, lignin, starch, sugar, fat, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium with pH by traditional method on an ensiled forage.

Calculated values are provided for available protein, adjusted protein, degradable protein, NEL, NEM, NEG and NFC.

To submit a sample, all of the following must be provided or followed:

4 A representative sample of dry hay (no fermented feeds can be tested in this process because of a storage period) contained in a quart or gallon-sized Zip-Lock bag or a sealed plastic bread bag.

4 The sample must be delivered to the Butler County Extension office by Dec. 10.

4 The sample must contain your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and a designation of the type of hay (grass, alfalfa-grass, alfalfa, etc.). The submission should also include a check for $14.25 per sample, payable to Penn State University.

Samples will be pooled and delivered to Cumberland Valley Lab by Dec. 15th. Results are usually available by e-mail within 48 hours.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.