Latest News From University News Release

USDA's February Cattle on Feed reports said the number of cattle in large feedlots on February 1 was down a tiny 0.04% compared to a year ago.   

Each year new across-breed adjustment factors are released at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting.

With the final 2015 trade data in hand, it is possible to look back and summarize 2015 North American cattle trade. Limited cattle inventories, market conditions and exchange rates all played a part in 2015 cattle trade between the U.S. and Canada and suggest what might be expected in 2016. 

Two speakers at the Range Beef Cow Symposium addressed today’s issue of disconnect between consumers and producers. Dr. Ronnie Green addressed why this disconnect is occurring while Michele Payn-Knoper discussed how to fix the problem. 

International markets continue to put a damper on cattle markets as commodity prices tend to follow the international economy for certain durations. 

As single digit and below zero temperatures arrive, be happy if you received snow recently. Sure, snow created some problems, but snow is good – for alfalfa.

Finding genetics information on current and previously purchased bulls is easy.  

U.S. beef imports were down 35.2% in December at 186.2 million pounds.

With cow herd rebuilding still in progress in the United States, K-State Research and Extension cow-calf specialist Bob Weaber offers advice on selecting herd sires to make the most valuable replacement daughters.

While there are many positives to incorporating forage cover crops into existing forage systems, differences in production, nutritional value, and animal gain exist.

Three key management concepts can help commercial cow calf operations improve the productivity of their cow herds. However, planning and preparation must take place well in advance of the spring breeding season.

Steer by-product values continue to drift lower in 2016.   

As bull buying season approaches, a K-State cow-calf specialist provides strategies to choose an appropriate herd sire.

The annual Cattle report estimated that total cattle inventories in the U.S. were up 3.2 percent year over year at 92.0 million head.  

Cattle inventory in Tennessee increased 6.4 percent to 1.83 million head while the beef cow herd increased 2.6% to 896,000 head. 

The January cattle inventory survey said the U.S. herd has grown for the second consecutive year.  

Saying you are happy, satisfied and content with what you’re doing is OK.

Insights about the recent market price shocks and potential for future turbulence were discussed today with more than 2,000 beef producers at the CattleFax Outlook Session held during the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. 

More than 100,000 cattle move through the Bluegrass Stockyards each year. The facility has been a mainstay in Central Kentucky since the mid-1930s. Recently a massive fire completely destroyed the location near downtown Lexington, and local producers will feel its absence.

Genetics is a vital part of cattle production.  

Beef cow numbers increased 3.5% to 30.33 million head while beef heifers held as replacements increased 3.3% to 6.29 million head.

In an indication of the pace of herd expansion, the number of steers on feed was up 3.1% and the number of heifers down 7.3% at the start of this year. 

Managing cows through the winter provides different challenges compared to managing those same cows during the growing season. 

Proper nutrient supplementation and vaccination programs can help prevent losses in calving herds.  

The USDA Cattle on Feed Report released last Friday contained some surprises and is notably lacking news that the price trend established through the last half of 2015 would be reversed.    

As the spring calving season begins, it is inevitable that a young cow (probably a two-year old heifer) will need assistance at calving time. 

The recent cattle on feed report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture depicts fewer heifers placed on feed, signaling continued expansion among producers across the country.  

While there are many positives to incorporating forage cover crops into existing forage systems, differences in production, nutritional value, and animal gain exist. 

Some winter storms affect beef production and supply; some impact demand; and sometimes winter weather affects both beef supply and demand.  

Chances are you’re not thinking about forage testing in January but maybe you should be.  

Calving season is either here or fast approaching for many cattlemen. 

The eastern part of the country is a primary beef eating region and this storm could impact the market for as many as two to three weeks depending on the ability of consumers to get to the grocery store and restaurants.

The 2016 Mid-South Stocker Conference “The Next Decade, Capturing Opportunities,” aims to help stocker operators turn these challenges into opportunities to produce and market feeder cattle as efficiently as possible.

With the spring breeding season closing in, it is a good time to review bull breeding evaluation. 

USDA's January Cattle on Feed report said December placements were down 0.8% while marketings were up 1.1%. 

Selection indexes can help producers buy bulls destined to sire terminal calves.

For sex sorted semen, the ability to shift the gender ratio of a calf crop comes from the fact that gender is determined by the sperm cell that fertilizes the egg. 

The basic concept of stockpiled forages is to utilize forage varieties with high digestibility such as Tifton 85 Bermudagrass or limpograss, that maintain their quality even when mature. 

Because native grasses produce large amounts of forage and strong gains at a low cost, they can be a good tool for heifer development.

Beef production for 2015 was revised up by 35 million pounds from last month’s estimate to 23.7 billion pounds.

A K-State beef specialist discusses cold stress factors and how to ensure cattle get the proper dietary energy and nutrients.

Feeder cattle futures are very thinly traded relative to many of the other futures contracts being traded which can induce increased volatility and make hedging difficult. 

Cow-calf production occurs across most of the U.S. in a wide variety of production environments.  

Selection indexes are valuable resources for cattle producers.

The stock market is off to a dismal start in 2016. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of a weakening economy.   

As you make plans for this year, decide now to schedule time that will be spent working on the business in the year ahead. 

What goes up must come down! That is exactly what has happened to cattle prices, but the task now is determining where the market is headed in 2016 and beyond. 

The latest international trade data for November confirms that the trade picture for beef and cattle is recovering from the dramatic changes in recent months. 

Given developments in multiple financial markets it is useful to pause and appreciate the broader situation underpinning the start of 2016 “outside” of the cattle markets to further assess possible upcoming changes within the cattle complex.