Beef Production
In a year like this, taking time to evaluate your herd and its present genetics may be valuable to set your operation up for success in the coming years.
Ongoing research at Oklahoma State University shows that the process of patch burning has the potential to save cattle producers $20 per cow per year in supplemental feed costs.
Winter is coming and though simply finding hay for your cattle may be a relief, it’s important to remember that not all hay is created equal.
Cleaning and maintaining animal health equipment are important considerations when implementing BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) on your cattle operation.
Marketing calves through a value-added program shows real results for a Missouri family farm.
While all packers were in the market for cattle last week, none were aggressive enough to push the cash market any higher than steady.
Cash fed cattle traded flat with most activity on Thursday ahead of Friday’s CME futures rally. Expectations of tighter cattle supplies this fall supports bullish ideas for prices.
Even though prices have been exceptional for calves and feeder cattle, feedlot breakeven projections are rapidly moving higher, discouraging ranchers to consider retaining ownership.
If pastures are managed properly during times of low moisture, the effects of drought will be less severe and pastures will rebound faster when precipitation is sufficient.
With much of the US cow herd in some form of drought the odds of thin cows heading into weaning season are high. This month let’s look at practical approaches to wrangling the challenge of dry pastures and thin cows.
Grouping cows or growing cattle in larger groups to maximize feed delivery over groups to feed is an additional consideration under current economic conditions.
Hereford-cross cattle show better resiliency and feed efficiency in the face of challenging environments, according to the American Hereford Association.
Buying for a holiday-shortened week, packers were not aggressive and prices suffered. This week should produce more robust trading.
Calf prices typically reach a seasonal low around October. This year, however, calf prices have moved counter-seasonally higher this summer as part of a general trend of tighter supplies and higher prices.
Cattle in all categories traded mostly lower ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Packers head into next week with smaller inventories and cattle owners hope that encourages more aggressive bidding.
For 2022, the national average for cash rents on cropland is $148 per acre. That’s up $7 from last year and eclipsed the previous high of 2015’s $144 per acre.
Developing a supplementation strategy with precision that includes technologies to improve feed efficiency regardless of stocking method is fundamental to maximizing resources.
Marbling has more influence on tenderness, juiciness and flavor of cooked beef than the other types of fat. As a result, marbling and Beef Quality Grades are typically the biggest driver of beef carcass value.
Sustainable Beef LLC received a giant boost in its efforts to bring a new, 1,500 head per day beef processing facility online with a commitment from Walmart.
Why should buyers at cattle auctions pay $10 to $15 per cwt premiums for the best cattle that have received the best management, if they can get the same thing at commodity prices?
Given the limited hay supply, proportionally more wheat pasture is likely to be used for cow herds than for stockers. Even if there is wheat pasture, stocker demand may be somewhat lighter than usual this year.
Cash cattle trade was called moderate in all regions but estimated cattle slaughter will be higher this week. Auction prices for both calves and feeder cattle were stronger.
Shrink is a concern because it reduces sales weight, but abnormal levels of shrink is often used as a health indicator for cattle arriving in receiving facilities at stocker operations, grow yards, and feedlots.
The fight against bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a never-ending battle on a beef operation. It’s frustrating, costly, and the causes can be extremely hard to understand.
The Asian Longhorned Tick has been identified in 11 states and carries the tick-borne disease, Theileria orientalis (Ikeda genotype) “Ikeda”, which can be fatal to cattle.
Aided and abetted by drought, feedlots put together another month of large placements in July despite growing indications that feeder supplies are declining.
Blister beetles are appearing in large numbers in Missouri and entomologists warn the beetle’s toxin, called cantharidin, can cause animals to become sick and even die.
Active trade pushed cash fed cattle prices higher again as the market has now advanced $7 over the last three weeks. Drought-induced feedyard placements created a modest surprise for analysts.
If you’re out of grass and about to start feeding hay it’s time to take drastic action to maintain your cowherd and prevent further injury to pastures.
Weaning spring calves may be more of a challenge this year because of short pasture supplies and the questionable nutritional value of this year’s hay crop.