Beef Production
Experiencing colder temperatures can have a significant impact on livestock in areas that experienced relatively mild fall conditions.
The need to feed hay is not eliminated through winter grazing, especially during inclement weather and as cows advance in pregnancy. However, winter grazing can be used to reduce the amount of supplementation required.
USDA’s December Cattle on Feed report totaled over 12 million head for the first time since May of 2022.
Cattle traded in moderate volumes at higher prices, posting the first weekly gains in more than six weeks. USDA’s Cattle on Feed total was 2% higher.
Being prepared ahead of calving season is the best way for producers to assure they will bring home the newborn calves successfully.
The shift to tighter fed cattle supplies and smaller slaughter head counts pushed year to date (YTD) fed cattle prices up 22% on average for the year.
Leasing pasture is common in the beef industry, especially for those just getting started. However, fencing leased pastures can be a challenge depending on the conditions of the existing fences.
New research at Oklahoma State University is adding to our understanding of stocker cattle nutrition programs and its affect on finishing performance.
With limited options to address the disease, pharmaceutical stewardship must be considered when using antimicrobials in the treatment and control of anaplasmosis to maintain long term effectiveness of these products.
The pool of bred beef heifers is likely to remain low going into 2024, keeping the prospects of beef cow herd growth minimal in the coming year.
Increased packer margins in recent weeks has encouraged a quicker chain speed. That speed likely will not be supported through the end of the year with two Holiday shortened weeks.
Futures markets posted solid gains for the week, but cattle feeders continued to lose marketing leverage as cash prices declined a sixth consecutive week.
The percent calf-crop weaned is of paramount economic importance in a cow-calf operation, so let’s examine selection, mating and management to improve reproductive efficiency.
Looking to improve your grazing and nutrient management? A grazier can affect the manner that nutrients are distributed in a pasture simply by managing the grazing animals.
New selection traits are being developed to reduce maintenance energy requirements, increase feed efficiency and decrease methane emissions.
Taking the road less traveled, this Wyoming rancher finds reward in running a cattle operation rooted in history, regenerative practices and relationships with the community.
Cattle feeding margins fell deeper into the red while packer losses doubled from the prior week. Pork producer margins have now printed red every week for the past year.
Another round of falling futures produced another round of lower cash bids. Cattle feeders now offer their smallest showlists of the year.
Four grants have been awarded by ICASA totaling roughly $1.15 million to identify why liver abscesses occur and develop diagnostic tools to enable informed decision-making to treat the condition.
Under current market conditions beef exports are expected to decrease and beef imports should increase...exactly the outcome observed thus far in 2023, says economist Derrell Peel.
To optimize performance and production, ranchers must understand the factors that impact post-partum interval length (PPI), the time from calving until the cow resumes a fertile estrous cycle.
New precision feed system drives 5% to 15% increase in ROI in beef production. The system balances beef diets for amino acid requirements relative to energy consumption,
Cash cattle and wholesale beef prices continued their fourth quarter retreat and record heavy carcass weights suggest cattle feeders have lost marketing leverage.
Cattle feeders and beef packers both printed closeouts with red ink last week, slight advantage packers. Pork producers also operated underwater but pork packers saw improving margins.
“Although pregnancy losses in beef cattle are a fact of life, late-term losses are likely the most discouraging,” says Gerald Stokka, NDSU Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist.
Whether it is data as simple as calving and vaccine records or as encompassing as DNA, weights, foot scores and anything else you can think of; it matters in today’s beef industry.
Few things in cattle market trends are entirely predictable but the fact that carcass weights peak in November is as close to a sure bet as one could identify.
Road ditch hay can provide needed forage. With a few precautions and a forage analysis, it can help you meet your cow’s nutrient requirements this winter.
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers investigate the impact of adaptive grazing management on the long-term sustainability and biodiversity of landscapes enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.
Help cattle weather the elements and combat cold stress when the temperature drops.