Mark Z. Johnson

Latest Stories
Heifers
Beef Production
Building Back Better: Tips for Replacement Heifer Development
Analysis of your production system, breeding objectives, mating decisions and development ensures the your heifers are the right fit for your environment and set your operation up for success.
November 12, 2025 10:43 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Cow-and-calf-standing-in-front-of-creep-feeder-stock-photo.jpg
Beef Production
When Should You Creep Feed?
Oklahoma State’s Mark Johnson explains when creep feeding is a good option for fall calves and what makes the ideal feed for nursing calves.
October 30, 2025 08:02 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Hereford cow-calf.
Beef Production
Preventing Anaplasmosis in Cattle
Anaplasmosis can be devastating with death losses in some herds approaching 50%.
October 03, 2025 10:44 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Angus cows at hay bale BT
Beef Production
3 Rules When Figuring Winter Hay Supply Needs
OSU’s Mark Johnson shares strategies to follow when estimating winter hay needs for your cow herd.
September 24, 2025 11:38 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Now is a good time to assess both cow body condition and feed resources and develop a plan to provide adequate nutrition to meet cow needs.
Beef Production
Body Condition Scores: The 7% Rule
When condition scoring cows, producers should look beyond age, frame size, depth, length pregnancy status and hair coat. BCS is intended to provide a consistent system to quantify relative fatness regardless of other factors.
September 12, 2025 07:40 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
.
Beef Production
Cost-Effective Supplementation for Growing Calves
OSU’s Mark Johnson reviews the Oklahoma Gold and Oklahoma SuperGold supplementation programs as a means of adding profit potential.
September 05, 2025 06:59 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
BT_Beef_Carcass_Meat
Education
Answers to 3 Questions Regarding Carcass Yield
OSU Beef Extension Cattle Breeding Specialist Mark Johnson answers follow-up questions to what is expected when butchering a beef animal.
August 04, 2025 12:30 PM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Expected-Beef-Yield-from-a-Butcher-Calf.jpg
Education
Expected Beef Yield from a Butcher Calf
The amount of product yielded from a finished beef calf is often misunderstood.
July 30, 2025 05:53 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Hereford bull
Beef Production
Is It Time to Pull Bulls?
Factors to consider when deciding if it is time to pull bulls.
July 14, 2025 12:27 PM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Driving cow calf pairs
Beef Production
Upside of a Short Calving Season
What is the value of a single cow calving one heat cycle earlier? If calves gain about 2 lb. a day from birth to weaning, in the current market with a pound of weaning weight valued in excess of $3, the added 40 lb. of weaning weight is worth at least $120 per cow.
May 27, 2025 07:45 AM
 · 
Mark Z. Johnson
Load More