DSAC Podcasts
DSAC Podcasts
Subscribe to this podcast! 
DSAC Podcast 02/22/07 - Premiere podcast for Dixon Springs.
DSAC Podcast 07/05/07 - Frank Ireland, Research Animal Scientist, University of Illinois, Animal Sciences Department talks about a research project conducted at the University of Illinois’ Dixon Springs Agricultural Center (DSAC) comparing producing beef without the use of antibiotics, implants or ionophores for a “natural” product vs. producing beef under a traditional system utilizing antibiotics, implants, and ionophores.
Frank also recommends that producers use caution when utilizing drought stressed forages, particularly, immediately after a drought-ending rain. Frank references the University of Illinois extension website: http://ilift.traill.uiuc.edu/pasture/training for more information.
The DSAC calendar of events includes the DSAC Crop Sciences Field Day on Aug. 2 and the DSAC Beef Day on Aug. 21.
DSAC Podcast 07/05/07 Extra - Powerpoint presentation referring to research at DSAC.
DSAC Podcast 11/06/07 - Frank Ireland talks about winter feed costs and feed supplementation for beef cows.
Winter feed costs comprise the largest cost for the cow/calf producer. In drought years, the quantity and quality of forage production becomes an increasing problem. During these times, producers have access to limited quantities of high quality forage due to availability and/or price. Alternative feeding programs are investigated to provide winter feed for the cow herd. Evaluating these alternatives requires some basic knowledge of nutritional supplementation for the beef cow.
Low quality roughage, either harvested or as crop residues, will generally provide adequate energy for the open or bred beef female if protein supplementation is provided. Lactation increases both energy and protein requirements and will require supplementation of both for the beef cow consuming low quality forages. Sources of natural plant protein will supplement low quality forages more efficiently than feeding low levels of high energy, low protein grain. The digestibility and intake of low quality forages, as well as intake in energy, is increased with protein supplementation.
Grain co-product feeds, such as corn gluten feed, distillers dried grains and soybean hulls may be economical and should be considered when energy is not adequate in the diet. These co-products are a source of highly digestible fiber and provide energy as such, whereas, grains, such as corn, provide energy in the form of starch. Research indicates that when forages are supplemented at low levels, less than 0.5% of body weight, with co-products there is no detrimental effects on forage digestibility. In contrast, when forages are supplemented with a starch-based energy source, such as grain, forage digestibility decreases. Feeding of co-products to supplement poor quality forages has the advantage of increasing protein and energy in the diet without the decrease in forage digestibility associated with feeding grain.
DSAC Podcast 01/14/08 - Frank Ireland talks about winter feed access and sorting the herd.
DSAC Podcast 03/11/09 - Frank Ireland talks about Dixon Springs activities