Latest News From Beef Production

Zoetis announced Synovex® One Grower as the new trade name for the long-duration cattle implant producers have known as Synovex® One Grass.

Producers should manage their calving season, genetics, grazing system, supplementation program and herd health to achieve an average BCS of 5 to 6 (target 5.5) in the mature cow herd at calving time.

Cow and bull slaughter for 2021 continues outpacing last year’s totals, and cow processing plants are operating at higher capacity utilization levels than fed cattle plants.

Most round bales are typically stored outside and unprotected because of their ability to shed moisture.  It’s not always easy to control weather related losses, but producers can minimize storage losses. 

Producing Wagyu beef is as much an art as it is stockmanship, according to Kenichi “Ken” Kato, well-known butcher and restaurant owner in Japan, who is four generations deep in the Wagyu culture.

Average drought conditions currently are slightly worse than the drought conditions at this time last year. Although there has been some regional changes in drought situation, the overall picture has not changed much.

Cash fed cattle prices moved higher last week with all packers participating. This week cattle feeders will look to keep the momentum going.

Cash fed cattle prices finally broke out of a weeks-long rut, trading $2 to $4 higher in all regions. This week saw the highest prices of the year and the highest average since 2019.

Winter hay feeding is a reality for most producers and some use high quality hays such as alfalfa for supplementation.  In both instances, a forage analysis is essential to cost effective and efficient use of the hay.

Determining the most cost effective means of supplementing cows requires the evaluation of feeds on a cost per unit of protein and energy provided.

The fourth-quarter seasonal price pattern over five years has seen a 12% increase from September through year end. Weekly carryover must shrink before packers see a supply incentive to move bids significantly higher.

Producers who have relocated their cattle out of state for winter feeding this year should consider having a weed management protocol in place when the cattle return.

To identify unique proteins that can be used for interventions against BRD, scientists took a closer look at the genetic material of multiple strains of three groups of bacteria commonly implicated with the disease.

China’s recent announcement of its application for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is generating considerable attention. Here's why, says USMEF's Joel Haggard.

Complete reporting by breeders is essential to Wagyu breed improvement, according to Colorado State geneticist.

While it has taken longer than expected to turn the corner on tighter feedlot supplies, the change may be relatively sudden as the dynamics of fall placement weights should result in a rapidly changing inventory.

Packers were willing to take a little lower grading animal last week, but cattle feeders may have a limited window to get those undesirable cattle market before larger supplies appear on showlists.

Market-ready cattle numbers decline with little affect on prices, signaling supplies remain ample compared to slaughter capacity. Cattle on feed numbers were lower versus year-ago for the first time in 16 months.

Vermont Wagyu was only dabbling in e-commerce in late 2018 and 2019, sending emails to 200 contacts. When the pandemic hit and restaurants shut down they had 73 Wagyu steers on feed forcing the family into quick action.

Funds will help research social factors that influence farmer change, provide in-depth grazing management training, develop better educational resources for Virginia’s farmers, and broaden the use of technology.

Nutritional needs of cattle vary by age, size, stage of production, environmental conditions, weather and other factors.  Nutritional programs must first determine the objective of why we are feeding or supplementing.

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Professor at the University of California, Davis, gave a presentation, “Gene Editing Today and in the Future” during the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium June 24 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Insect vector transmitted diseases can affect both wildlife and livestock. Veterinarian Gerald Stokka warns two notable infectious diseases transmitted by insects are Bluetongue and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease or EHD.

The fall run of calves to auction markets is in full swing as the number of feeder cattle weighing over 600 pounds offered at auctions dipped below 40% last week.

Increased feed costs have impacted feedlots for several months and the trend will grow as cow-calf and stocker/background producers face additional feed and supplement needs this winter.

Cash cattle trade looked to be a repeat of the last several weeks with packers grudgingly upping bids. It was not a huge increase, but it is a sign that the number of front-end cattle available is becoming shorter.

Because of year-to-year variation in forage quality and weather stress, cow body weight and condition can have important year-to-year variation even when fed what appears to be the same diet.

Bion Environmental Technologies has announced plans to build a beef production facility near Fair Oaks, Ind., in the next phase of development of a sustainable grain-finished beef product line.

Cash cattle prices were steady to slightly higher as supplies of market-ready cattle continue to decline. Analysts believe the fall low is in and stronger prices will prevail the balance of the year.

Shipping can be one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life. Greater amounts of stress on cattle during shipping may increase the percentage of shrink loss of the animal.

The Crop Residue Exchange, developed by the University of Nebraska/Lincoln, is a free online tool designed to link cattle producers to crop producers with available grazing resources.

To promote improved heifer development, increase marketing opportunities for females and create reliable sources of high-quality replacement heifers, the Red Angus Association launched the “Red Choice” program.

On average, six calves are necessary for the female to pay for her development and maintenance expenses. That is, a 7-year-old female weaning her sixth calf is at the breakeven point.

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates released Tuesday project an overall decline in 2021 red meat and poultry production despite a higher beef production forecast.

The 2022 Hereford Feedout Program and NJHA Fed Steer Shootout provide breeders the opportunity to collect valuable carcass and performance data, maximize profit potential and expand marketing avenues.

Arizona rancher Ross Humphreys joined the cattle industry later in life than most, but his drive for raising high-quality beef earned the Certified Angus Beef 2021 Commercial Commitment to Excellence Award. 

The number of high end market ready cattle should be limited for the next several weeks. If the cattle feeder has any opportunity to take any of the margin from the packer the time may be upon us.

For producers relying on winter pasture to grow purchased or retained calves, weekend rains be what was needed to give us the prospect of at least some wheat grazing, although probably a month later than normal.

Overall declines in U.S. beef imports are tied to significant declines from Australia, and that’s a trend likely to continue into next year, Steiner Consulting Group analyst says.

August and September rains turned some drought-stressed pasture and rangeland in North Dakota looking green and lush, leading ranchers to wonder how grazing will influence forage production in 2022?

Consider the impact of your cowherd’s milk potential on energy requirements. Some cows respond better to their environment and this is often referred to as “adaptability.”

Fertility is an extremely important economic trait and genetic prediction of bull fertility is non-existent in most genetic evaluations, says a University of Wisconsin assistant professor of quantitative genetics.

Weaning heavy, fast growing calves starts with conception. Cows conceiving every year and weaning even the most marginal calf can and still compete with a genetic giant with a zero in her average.

U.S. agricultural organizations prepared for the UN Food Systems Summit with significant caution, due to concerns that it could generate undue criticism of animal ag and downplay the benefits of animal proteins.

October is historically the month with the most pressure on calf prices and last week saw auction markets with mixed prices, from $2 higher to $5 lower.

Their teamwork, values and ability to consistently raise high-quality beef earned Shaw Feedyard the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) 2021 Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award.

The latest USDA Crop Progress report showed that winter wheat planting was at 28 percent the last week of September, equal to the 2016-2020 average for the date.

Gardiner Angus Ranch’s 17th Fall Bull Sale saw a total of 343 Angus bulls sell along with the largest offering of genomically tested, bred commercial females ever to sell at GAR.

As feed resources start moving across the state, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension specialists warn of the potential to spread noxious and troublesome weed seeds.

Fed cattle prices remain locked within a range of $120 to $125 over a long 16-week period. Market-ready steers and heifers have, in total, been readily available throughout this extensive timeline.