Drought-stressed soybeans are a potential forage source for ranchers that can be grazed or harvested. Check with your crop insurance agent and the local Farm Service Agency to determine impact on farm program payments.
The drought in North Dakota is impacting the yield of small-grain crops such as barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat, leading some producers to harvest the small grains as hay.
This summer's hot, dry weather is increasing the risk of fire in the hay fields. Producers are reminded to provide proper maintenance and regularly inspect the equipment.
Farmers and ranchers who have feedstuffs such as hay or corn for sale can list it on NDSU’s FeedList website, which is designed to connect feed sellers and buyers.
Ranchers across the Northern Plains face forage quality and quantity issues this year due to the continuing drought. Extension experts provide tips for supplementing cows to meet nutrient requirements economically.
Utilizing drought-affected crops for livestock feed is a common practice; however, producers must consider the potential risks. One factor that needs to be considered is the risk of nitrate toxicity.
Piled-up stress during a drought can lead farmers and ranchers to develop physical or mental health issues, but they can take steps to reduce stress and create healthy ways to manage it.
Veterinarians are cautioning horse owners to be wary of alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles this year as consumption of the beetles pose a risk of serious illness or death for horses.
Small-grain hay and silage can make excellent forage. That is good news for producers because forage supplies will tighten if the drought conditions persist.
North Dakota ranchers are experiencing an historical widespread drought and the window for forage production is closing for 2021. Many producers may not have adequate production to justify haying.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people. The growth of this bacteria is aided by high temperatures.
When commodity feed prices become high, cattle producers should consider options for getting more out of their livestock feeds. Using other methods to get more nutrients out of the feed is now cost effective.
Summer pneumonia is respiratory disease/pneumonia that occurs in beef calves nursing their dams. The age range of calves affected can be as early as 3 to 4 weeks and from 3 to 5 months of age.
A sacrifice area is an area where animals stay at times when pasture grazing is detrimental to land and plants. This area can be in a dry lot pen or a fenced-off area of the pasture.
The northern Plains has experienced severe drought since 2020, with alfalfa plants stressed due to a shortage of water. The lack of snow cover and temperatures below 0 F in February likely caused alfalfa winter-kill.
Managing infectious diseases in cattle involves all aspects of the cow-calf system. A systems approach includes matching genetic selection to resources, nutrition, reducing stress and the use of vaccine protocols.
Many cattle operations will find themselves without enough feedstuffs to maintain their current herd size. Producers have several strategies to manage herds with limited resources, including creating a culling plan.
About 70% of North Dakota is in extreme drought (D3 on a scale of D0 to D4). This created a “perfect storm,” with dry vegetation, low humidity, dry soils and wind fueling a high-risk environment for wildfires.
With breeding season approaching, cattle producers must develop or modify management plans in anticipation of a drought to keep the most productive and valuable cows in the herd.
When surface waters become low, the mineral component of the water becomes more concentrated because minerals do not evaporate with the water. The quality of water has impacts on cattle intake and weight gain.
In the midst of one of the mildest winters in North Dakota history, many ranchers are faced with lice infestations in herds even though they have treated their cattle.
Distillers grains are unique in that the price of this byproduct of ethanol production is usually priced relative to the corn market. However, distillers grains prices have increased in line with protein markets.
Determining the nutrient content of forages and other feeds through laboratory analysis is the best way to design a nutrition program that meets livestock requirements.
Pastures stressed by drought and/or overgrazing this fall more than likely will experience a delay in grazing readiness in 2021, irrelevant of the amount of snow received this winter and rainfall received next spring.
As feed prices rise, calf prices tend to trend lower, and ranchers may consider backgrounding calves for a period of time to help get calves through weaning stress and develop immunity through administered vaccines.
Several of cyanobacteria blooms have produced high toxin levels, requiring the issuance of a water advisory for recreationists and resulting in the death of several livestock.
Sweetclover can provide good nutrition to cattle because it is high in protein and energy when not mature, but it can become toxic to cattle if fed as hay.
Conducting an inventory of your forage supplies now will give your a good idea of possible deficiencies and allow time to develop the best options for the upcoming feeding season.
Pinkeye can result in increased labor, the need to purchase antibiotics, decreased weaning weights and lower prices paid for animals with scarred eyes.
Early pregnancy testing provides a number of benefits, and can be conducted as early as 30 to 45 days after the end of the breeding season through ultrasound, rectal palpation or blood-based pregnancy tests.
Early pregnancy testing provides a number of benefits, and can be conducted as early as 30 to 45 days after the end of the breeding season through ultrasound, rectal palpation or blood-based pregnancy tests.
A grant from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture will allow North Dakota State University to study four rangeland management strategies that use fire and/or grazing as critical ecosystem processes.
Integrated pest management is commonplace for controlling crop pests and similar concepts apply to controlling livestock pests including using the right type of control at the right time for the right duration.
First responders aren't always trained how to handle an accident involving cattle. The Bovine Emergency Response Plan (BERP) teaches emergency responders to address accidents involving cattle transport vehicles.
As temperatures begin to increase, health officials in several states are warning livestock and pet owners to be aware of dangerous blue-green algae blooms.
Producers should be aware of the increased risk of "summer pneumonia" in suckling calves following heat stress. An increased respiratory rate and stress of heat may overwhelm the natural defense mechanisms of the lungs.
