USDA said this week cow-to-cow transmission is a factor in the spread of avian flu in dairy herds, but it still does not know exactly how the virus is being moved around.
As the spring thaw in eastern North Dakota continues at a rapid rate, inspecting the dirty-water containment ponds and manure stacking areas daily is an important practice for livestock owners.
If drought conditions persist, feedlots may continue to borrow against the future with early weaned calves available through the spring and summer before facing the full reality of tighter feeder cattle supplies.
Fed cattle trades began the week at steady before finding higher bids late week. Cattle on feed numbers remain high as USDA reported a 9% increase in February placements over last year.
By adding one more pig to a litter, the U.S. pork industry could increase production by an estimated $120 million annually. To do that, Karl Kerns says we need to learn what influences the capacity of sperm to fertilize.
Dr. Bob Weaber shares how the beef on dairy phenomena is a disrupter in the usual dairy and beef business and discussed research findings from a beef on dairy carcass trait collaborative project.
Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist Mark Z Johnson provides an answer to the question he posed in Part 1: Which bull transmits more profit potential to this operation?
Feeder cattle markets have been in transition for several months and more transition is ahead. A strong uptrend in feeder prices is now reflected in Feeder futures prices, which may offset typical seasonal patterns.
Cattle feeders began last week optimistic that the market trend would be higher, but those ideas were quickly squashed as futures prices began trending lower.
Cash fed cattle prices traded mostly steady in what most describe as a disappointing market. Cattle feeders began the week asking higher prices but cash bids of $138 bought most cattle in the South.
A number of causes and contributing factors can result in hair loss and itching, and last year's drought has played a role as harvested forages may be low in vitamin A.
A bi-annual survey of the four largest packers showed a dramatic increase in rewards for the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand. Grid, formula and contract premiums paid on CAB carcasses in 2021 totaled $182 million.
By comparing the EPDs of new bulls under consideration to the five bulls that sired our existing cowherd, we can predict genetic change expected in the next generation of cows in an operation.
Three categories of pregnancy losses in beef cattle include early embryonic death, abortion and stillbirth. Many potential causes for stillbirths and abortions make it important to investigate each calf loss.
Castration is a key component to any preconditioning program that can greatly influence market price premiums or discounts, especially in older bull calves.
Warmer temperatures, low humidity, dry conditions and wind mean that wildfire risks are very high now. The drought conditions impacting the region will become much more apparent in the coming weeks.
The month of March will continue to bring more cooler cleanings on the packer’s part. This will continue to keep the number of cattle needed by the packer to minimum.
Access to adequate, good quality water will continue to be a challenge for ranchers in North Dakota who depend on surface water sources, such as dugouts and stock dams to provide water to livestock.
Maps show the severity of drought in eight Central Plains states and where they began 2022 in beef cow numbers. These eight states represent 52% of America's beef cows, and accounted for 67% of last year's herd culling.
Calves need to have a sound, balanced nutritional program and be free from internal parasites in order to have an immune system fit to withstand the marketing and transportation channels of our beef production system.
The tools for selecting your next herd bull have expanded significantly over the past several years. The following defines how genetic values are determined with examples of each and how to use them.
Higher grain prices raise the question of how cattle should be finished. A recent grass vs. grain discussion included the performance and economic perspectives but added an environmental evaluation.
The ongoing drought in south Texas has lowered the water level at the Rio Grande River making it easier for wildlife carrying cattle fever ticks to enter the U.S.
Beef demand has been strong up to this point but clearly there are more concerns about demand and input prices going forward. There is little choice but to stay tuned and try to remain as flexible as possible.
Cash fed cattle prices came under pressure last week as packer needs were lighter than in recent weeks. Wholesale beef prices have declined resulting in lower margins for processors.
Wheat and corn prices continued to find fuel this week from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but cattle markets were in retreat. The Russia/Ukraine conflict will continue to play a role in markets moving forward.
Drought covering the continental U.S. grew by 2 points this week, now covering nearly 60% of the country. As the drought grips the Wheat Belt and key areas for cattle production, it's creating concern for 2022.
Modest increases in cash prices for cattle and hogs helped boost average feeding profit margins the final week of February, while margins for beef and pork packers declined.
Nobody alive today has seen weather this dry in Northern California during January and February, normally the two wettest months of the year. That’s a dramatic turnaround from record snowfall in December.
With the low amount of moisture that ranchers have received over the winter, the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said now is the time to think about management strategies for a drought.
Quality grades set record highs for combined Choice and Prime carcasses during the first five weeks of 2022, slightly higher than last year. Prime grades are down marginally from year-ago at 10% vs. 10.8% last year.
Even in regions showing gains in beef cow inventories, price increases have been slow to develop this year. Overall, ranchers continue culling the breeding herd at a significant rate through the first quarter of 2022.
First it was just drought, now we have war in eastern Europe. On Feb. 24 Feeder Cattle futures were down over $4, Live Cattle were down over $2. The futures market jitters have given a lot of us more to worry about.
With uncertainty taking over the grain market, it’s a double whammy for livestock producers who are facing higher feed costs, as inflationary pressures may create more headwinds on the demand side in 2022.
Friday's Cattle on Feed was not expected to create any additional near-term market volatility. Yet, a closer analysis finds heavy front-end numbers along with signals the feeder cattle supply is tightening.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict produced another set-back for fed cattle last week. The industry is hoping this week will bring less volatility in the markets.
Cash cattle saw average prices move slightly higher for the week while CME futures tumbled lower. USDA’s reported cattle on feed February 1 inventory was the highest for that month in the series going back to 1996.
The strong volumes of fed slaughter suggest the large number of long-fed cattle are being worked through. Tightening supplies are being revealed and demand in the beef market is nothing short of incredible.
Cattle feeders saw active participation from all packers last week which helped push prices higher for a fourth consecutive week. Prices in the North remain at a premium.
If drought is not a limitation in 2022, will cattle producers continue herd liquidation?
The answer will be determined by what cattle producers want to do and can do relative to cow culling and heifer retention.
