The dog days of Summer have officially arrived here in DeSoto Parish. We are reaching highs in the triple digits just about everyday with little to no relief in sight. Many pastures and hayfields are completely burned up and several ponds are starting to deplete. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, DeSoto Parish is in a D1 Moderate Drought at the moment. I expect this to change to a D2 status soon with the lack of precipitation and the extreme heat. The cattle market is still strong so if you have any cattle that need to be culled, this is a good time to do so. With the declining forage conditions, producers should begin a supplementation program to help keep cattle in an acceptable body condition score of around 5 to 6. Spring calving producers may need to look into weaning early this year to alleviate stress on the cows. Remember to stay hydrated when working out in this heat!

DeSoto Parish 4-H Jr. Livestock Club

Our DeSoto Parish 4-H Jr. Livestock Club is growing and we need YOUR help! If you or your farming operation would like to make a financial donation to the DeSoto 4-H Jr. Livestock program, contact our office at (318) 872-0533.

Bull Breeding Soundness Exams

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 starting at 9:00 a.m. by appointment only. Breeding Soundness Exam will be $75.00 and Trichomoniasis Testing will be $50.00. Other educational information will be provided. Pre-registration is required.Registration closes November 1, 2023. To pre-register, contact Joshua Salley at jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu or (318) 872-0533. (More details are listed on the .pdf of newsletter.)

Northwest District Livestock Show Commercial Heifer Pen Sale & Show

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, Red River Livestock Auction, 6066 LA-1, Coushatta, LA. Any 4-H'ers or FFA members in the Northwest Livestock District, (Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Jackson, Lincoln, Red River, Sabine or Webster parishes) may participate. For registration forms and more information, please contact any of the following listed below: Lee Faulk (318) 927-2578 Ext. 205, Josh Salley (318) 872-0533, John Terrell (318) 226-6805, Erika Derma (318) 965-2326. (more details are listed on the .pdf of newsletter)

LSU AgCenter 2023 Grazing School

The LSU AgCenter Grazing School takes place over five sessions, providing information and hands-on experience with a variety of different topics associated with forage production for livestock operations. Class dates are September 15^th and 29^th, October 13^th and 27^th, and the last is on November 17^th, 2023. (Class topics and registration information is listed on the .pdf of this newsletter.)

Cattle Pregnancy Determination Clinics

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 and Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, La. You will learn: Basics of Reproductive Anatomy, Pregnancy Management Strategies, as well as Determining Pregnancy by Blood Testing, Ultrasound, and Rectal Palpation. For more information contact Lee Faulk at (318) 245-4200 or Dr. Ashley Keith Edwards at (512) 818-5476. (see .pdf of this newsletter for more details)

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