Beef Production
University of Missouri researchers are tracking the invasive longhorned tick, which causes weight loss, lost pregnancies and even death in cattle.
Understanding why scours occurs is the first step in preventing the problem. Calf scours outbreaks are the result of a contaminated calving and nursing environment.
Given growing expectations that drought conditions will moderate through the coming months, bred cow and heifer values are likely to increase sharply by this fall.
Last week’s huge cash rally featured all packers vying for position to tie up cattle in all regions. Yet, packers aren’t gaining inventory.
Cash cattle prices turned sharply higher last week as supplies continue to tighten. Moderate to active trade pushed cash prices to new highs for the year with some eyeing another surge next week.
Veterinarians with experience dealing with this bovine medical emergency offer insights and recommendations to help other practitioners and producers know what to do in this situation.
An analysis of calf sales through the Superior Livestock Auction by Kansas State University and Merck Animal Health looked at traits of load lots of calves that had impacted sales price.
Although mastitis, an infection of the udder, is often considered a dairy cow problem, the disease may also impact beef producers. Here’s what you need to know and look for and how to help protect your herd.
With current fed cattle carcass weights 16 lb. lighter than a year ago marbling achievement, on average, is likely to underperform in contrast to the past two years.
Proper range management is critical over the next few months. Resist the temptation caused by green grass, hold off on grazing pressure and manage your grazing eco-system for optimum, long-term benefit.
Managing cows in a drylot can be a way to maintain the herd when forage production is reduced. However, it’s important to make sure cows are getting the vitamins and minerals they need.
Ranchers should make plans for moving feed and livestock to higher ground before flooding this spring, according to North Dakota State University Extension specialists.
Over the past four weeks beef production has averaged 6.4% lower than last year. Production is expected to drop more sharply the remainder of the year.
AGA’s Carcass Data Collection Project will provide vital genetic information to re-charge the carcass database and enhance the predictability of current selection tools.
Packers put wheels under cattle to buy themselves time as Southern cattle are hauled to Northern plants.
Northern feeders have experienced considerably more adverse weather and muddy pen conditions than southern yards, contributing to the tightening supply of well-finished cattle.
Regardless of your market segment or marketing method, the increased visibility to premiums and discounts through the cattle contract library provides further guidance as to where the packers assign value.
Cattle sometimes eat objects that they shouldn’t. On a recent Cattle Chat podcast, veterinarians discussed the signs of hardware disease and offered suggestions on ways to manage the incidence.
So-called “sacrifice pastures” might be needed to help promote forage production the rest of this cattle grazing season.
With large economic losses attributed to parasites, many forms of parasite control have been developed to target unique operational goals. Treating with feed and mineral supplements has been growing in favor.
Regardless of when your calving season occurs, manipulating the reproductive process of your cow herd can result in shorter breeding and calving seasons and allow producers to add value to calves.
Weeds impact the performance of the rest of your forages and can even be detrimental to the health of your livestock if they are poisonous. Here’s some strategies cattle producers can use to prevent and control them.
Sound care and handling practices, based on years of experience and research are known to impact the well-being of cattle, individual animal health and herd productivity.
Equine leaders will discuss the importance and sustainability of the working ranch horse at NIAA’s Annual Conference in April.
Feedlot inventories are at their lowest point in 29 months and placements have been lower in 10 of the past 12 months. Here’s what historical data shows about how the trend may evolve in the coming months.
Instability in equity markets proved a drag on futures last week, providing an incentive for feeders to trade on lower bids. Packers will continue to struggle with inventory going forward.
The positive basis created by weaker futures prices enticed hedged feeders to accept lower bids early in week. Friday’s cattle on feed report further confirms a shrinking supply and will lend price support.
A defined breeding season is important to permit meaningful record keeping, timely management and profit potential.
Oklahoma State University meat scientist Gretchen Mafi has studied the scientific differences between beef that comes from animals finished on a grain diet versus those animals finished on grass.
Recurring drought calls for forage producers to get back to the basics of farming and prepare for the inevitable – there’s going to be drought.