Beef Production
During the Ranchers Lunchtime webinar series produced by Oklahoma State University, James Henderson encouraged beef producers to “hold cows accountable.”
In order to make progress and grow toward our true potential, our mindset needs to be in the right place.
A late April blast could bring sub-freezing temperatures as far south as northern Texas, sparking growing concerns about the potential damage to winter wheat.
Implanting preweaning is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase production for the cow-calf producer, and research shows implanted steer calves outgain bull calves.
Spring calving brings the promise of working calves and branding season. Each operation is set up differently with varying resources to work calves. How do you minimize cattle stress during this event?
Building a battle plan to protect calves from bovine respiratory disease (BRD) long before antibiotics are necessary should be incorporated into every cow-calf operation.
The Red River Basin is at severe risk of flooding along rivers and overland flooding. Ranchers can take steps to ensure that livestock have safe housing and access to feed resources and clean water.
It does not appear that consumer beef buying behavior has changed significantly thus far with higher retail beef prices.
Packers continue to haul cheaper inventory to regions grinding higher and peel back harvest to stall the market. This is all friendly, one does not cut kills with peak demand on the forefront.
Passing on bids at record levels was common early last week and negotiated sales printed new record highs for the third week in a row. Analysts and cowboys are eyeing additional gains next week.
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it,” Dr. Clint Rusk reminds cattle producers to think about as they do or don’t collect herd data.
Plowing headlong into spring we’re now observing the impacts of not only smaller weekly slaughter but lighter carcass weights in the north.
Adaptability of parasitic worms makes a proactive deworming protocol a top priority for grazing beef cattle.
AI gives producers access to high-powered genetics for their operation’s goals. Let’s look at the supplies you’ll need and best practices for the most success.
Milk fever, winter/grass tetany and pregnancy toxemia are the three most common diseases associated with poor or improper diets. Good stewardship includes providing nutrients to keep cows healthy.
OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association will host a Beef Finishing Field Day on April 27th in conjunction with OCA’s Steer Carcass Challenge.
As spring nears and grass begins to turn green, producers are anxious to get cows out to grass. However, cool season predominate areas tend to have lush spring growth which can lead to grass tetany in cows.
Cattle markets surging $10 higher over the past two weeks have pushed the 5-area average price to record levels and the rally may continue this week.
With cattle feeders in the driver’s seat, packers will seek leverage to price cattle for future delivery. They aren’t looking to do feeders a favor with the strategy.
The American Hereford Association announces an expansion of their popular Hereford Feedout Program to accommodate more producers.
Packers chased finished cattle into the evening on Wednesday last week and the result was another rally in cash prices to new record highs, eclipsing the mark set in November 2014.
In a steady market, fed prices would typically peak seasonally about now and move lower through the third quarter before increasing to year end, but there is good reason to expect the uptrend will continue in 2023.
The U.S. bovine semen industry reports a decline of 5% in total unit sales, reaching 69 million total units reported for all categories combined. However, Beef-on-dairy semen sales continue to increase.
Calving is underway across the country, which means calf processing and branding (if applicable in your area) is just around the corner. Here’s some things to remember heading into the season.
Young calves continue to dot fields across the country. To help offer young calves a healthy start, Tony Hawkins, DVM, and Ray Shultz, DVM, shared some tips.
There are few options once muddy conditions are in place, so preventive practices are key. Here’s some tips for protecting livestock health and managing muddy conditions.
More than 500 bidders from 35 states, Canada and Mexico competed for 772 lots at Gardiner Angus Ranch’s 44th Spring Sale held on Saturday at the ranch near Ashland, Kansas.
Callahan Grund, a cow-calf producer in Kansas and executive director of CattleTrace discusses traceability and biosecurity, why they matter and some potential solutions being explored.
Hay inventories at the start of winter-feeding were largely depleted and there appears to be little carryover for next year. Limited regrowth for most native hay meadows last fall will limit production.
The Livestock Indemnity Program may provide payments to agricultural producers for livestock deaths caused by adverse weather in excess of normal mortality.