Latest News From University News Release

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Getting Started with Cow-calf Production - Part 2: Business Plan

The six key sections to include in your business plan.

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Road Trip Reveals Good Crop and Pasture Conditions

A 1,200 mile drive by an agriculture economist reveals crop and pasture conditions are doing well.

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Prepare for Heat Stress in Cattle

Heat and humidity could lead to heat stress this week.

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Marketing Calves, Already?

Now is the time to start thinking about marketing opportunities for calves this fall.

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BeefTalk: Tag Calves for Maximum Marketing Opportunities

No producer should be shut out of competitive bidding simply because the calves are not identified adequately.

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The "Positive Associative Effect" of High Protein Supplements

Protein supplementation of low-quality, low protein forages results in a “positive associative effect”.

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Market Highlights: Cash Cattle Price Better Than Futures

The market is well supported at the current cash price levels even though live cattle futures continue to fall. 

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Cattle Outlook: Choice Beef Retail Price Runs Higher

The average price of choice beef at retail was $6.20 per pound during June. 

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Thinking Ahead to Fall Calf Marketing

Even though fall calf sales seem a long way down the road, now is the time to plan for marketing. Being prepared with a marketing plan will allow you to take fullest advantage of prices and maximize the value received for your calves.

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Winter Small Grains or Spring Small Grains: Which Should I Plant?

Using small grains as a dependable forage source will depend on several factors, including production potential, season of production, and winterhardiness. 

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Producers Should Guard Against Heat Stress in Cattle

Most areas of Oklahoma experience 70 or more days each year with temperatures that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, providing ample reason for cattle producers to guard against heat stress in their herds.

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In The Cattle Markets: Summer Plods Along

Summer brings bullish and bearish news in cattle markets.

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BeefTalk: The Missing Sock

Successful beef operations are based on an attitude of “how can I help?”

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Drylot Feeding Cows in the Summer may be Cost Competitive with Grazing Pasture under Current Feed Prices

Dry lot feeding of summer calving cows may be a cost competitive production system when grass prices are high, distillers grains prices are comparatively low, and corn stalks are readily available for grazing.

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Smooth Bromegrass Grazing Management

Smooth bromegrass is a cool-season introduced grass with an advanced root system that tolerates temperature extremes and drought exceptionally well. 

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Getting Started with Cow-calf Production

Beef cow-calf production is a popular business venture for many beginning farmers. Good production management practices is critical.

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Keep a Watchful Eye Out for Anaplasmosis in Cattle Herds

The occurrence of anaplasmosis has been shown to be more widespread in the United States than once thought, underscoring the need for cattle producers to be aware of causes for and clinical signs of the disease.

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BeefTalk: Commercial Beef Production Benchmarks for 2016

Achievable goals are the first steps toward improvement in a beef operation.

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Feeder Cattle Markets: Crossroads of the Cattle Industry

Feeder cattle markets are the one and only place in the cattle industry where cow-calf, stocker and feedlot producers all communicate, albeit indirectly through feeder cattle prices, as cow-calf producers sell calves, stocker producers buy stockers and sell feeders and feedlots buy feeder cattle.

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Consideration of Fat and Protein in Alternative Feeds

Cattle are tremendous creatures that can handle many feeds that non-ruminant animals, pigs and chickens, for example, cannot eat. Thus, beef cattle producers are uniquely positioned to use new and changing feed ingredients.

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Tips for Breeding Tricky Two-Year-Olds

Here are some tips for how can we get more of these tricky two-year olds’ pregnant.

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Prevent Heat Stress in Feedlot Cattle

Summer heat waves pose a serious danger to cattle in feedlots.

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Dairy Herds Expected to Have Decreasing Effect on U.S Beef Production

Although beef, as a by-product of the dairy industry, rarely exhibits a major influence on dairy industry production decisions, it is important to note that dairy animals contribute a significant portion of total animal slaughter and beef supply.

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Multiflora Rose Control in Pastures

The spread of multiflora rose in Pennsylvania has caused it to be designated as a noxious weed. Multiflora rose can be controlled but it takes considerable effort.

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Problem Pasture Weeds

Tips for controlling thistles, multiflora rose, and other troublesome pasture weeds.

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In Search of the Perfect Steak

Washington State University researchers tested steaks to find that beef tenderness is an inherited quality.

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Utilizing Natural-Service Synchronization

Have you ever wanted to shorten your breeding season, but don’t want to AI and are afraid of pulling the bull out early and potentially increasing the number of females that come up open? 

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BeefTalk: Management and Genetics Make the Cow Whole

Good records help producers make good management decisions.  

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Using Growth Implants in Yearling Stockers

Generally, implants are expected to increase rate of gain by 10 to 20% for yearling cattle on grass.

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More Grazing Dishes for the Summer Salad Bar

We’ve heard “North Florida can grow forage 365 days a year!” for ages, and that’s true. However, those of us who’ve carried livestock through more than one winter with our own money, or worse, a bank’s money, know that it’s just not that simple. 

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Managing Stress to Reduce Early Embryonic Loss in Beef Cattle

The last thing producers want to hear at pregnancy check time, is the call of “Open!” from their veterinarian. It is often assumed that open females failed to conceive; however, fertilization rates in beef cattle typically range between 90-100%. Nonetheless, only around 70% of fertilizations result in conception.

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Harvesting Sunlight

Improving the amount of green leaves capturing sunlight begins with proper stocking rates.

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U.S. Beef Trade Situation Down for April but Improving Slowly Overall

Recent beef and cattle trade data shows a mixed bag of global market impacts, with total U.S. beef exports decreasing 5.3 percent in April compared to last year.

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Effects of Shade and Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride to Finishing Steers

The effect of shade had no significant effect on body temperature or performance for cattle fed Zilmax or in the control group. 

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In The Cattle Markets: Feedlot Placements up Considerably

Placements in feedlots during May totaled 1.884 million head.  This was as expected, up 9.6% compared to May 2015 and up 13.2% over previous month.

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Summer Turns up Heat for Ranchers to Aggressively Manage Fescue

When summer turns the heat up, ranchers in the fescue belt need to manage pastures more aggressively. 

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Market Highlights: Brexit's Impact on Cattle Futures

The decision of Great Britain to separate itself from the European Union has sent shockwaves through most markets.

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Follow BQA Guidelines When Treating and Selling Cows

On very rare occasions violative residues of pharmaceutical products have been found in carcass tissues of cull beef cows.  

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Cattle Outlook: Fed Cattle Prices Lower

USDA released their June Cattle on Feed report this afternoon. It said there were 2.2% more cattle on feed than on June 1, 2015.

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Dairy Influence on Beef Markets

The impact of dairy on beef markets varies over time depending on long term trends and short term market conditions in both beef and dairy markets.  

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In The Cattle Markets: Future of North America's Beef Industry

The key comparative advantages currently enjoyed by North America’s integrated industry include a strong trust and premium being placed on their grain-finished beef. 

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Market Highlights: Cattle Prices Hitting a Wall

Live cattle prices are hitting the summer wall and hitting it hard. 

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Should you Purchase Stockers this Fall?

Where do we go from here? After a rough ride so far this year, one can only imagine what lies ahead for feeder cattle prices the rest of 2016.

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Cattle Outlook: Retail Beef Prices Come Down

The average retail price for choice beef in May was $6.081 per pound. 

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Good-bye High Cost of Gain

Feeding cost of gain is expected to drop for the remainder of 2016. Small net returns could be on the horizon for cattle finishers. Where are feeder cattle prices headed? Does it pay to retain ownership?

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Beef and Cattle Trade a Mixed Bag

The latest beef and cattle trade data shows a mixed bag of global market impacts. Total beef exports were down 5.3 percent in April compared to last year. 

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Summer Fly Control in Feedlots

Just as longer days mark the beginning of summer, so does the arrival of increased number of flies in feedlots.

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BeefTalk: Proper Achievement of Immunity in Cattle a Good Goal

A good immune system protects cattle again disease-causing pathogens.  

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In the Cattle Markets: Choice Select Spread Hits Record

The Choice-Select spread hit a record high weekly average of $23.81 per cwt. 

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Heat Stress can Reduce Pregnancy Rates

The effects of heat stress on reproductive performance of beef cows has been discussed by many animal scientists in a variety of ways.