Animal Nutrition
Beef-on-dairy calves arrive carrying the consequences of the dairy’s sire-selection policy. I sort them for what they are, not what the invoice says.
Tight forage supplies are pushing producers to evaluate silage. Here is how to accurately calculate standing, packed, and bunk values using the latest UNL data.
In a rush to supplement dry pastures, producers are using old chemical containers to haul water — with lethal consequences for their herds
Reduce postweaning setbacks and boost immunity with these practical herd management and feed bunk tips.
K-State veterinarians look at the benefits of supplementing calf nutrition with the practice of creep feeding.
Minimize treatment costs and prevent fatalities by spacing out stressors, optimizing nutrition and using the “Rule of Three.”
From body condition to vaccine timing, a roundtable of experts breaks down how to set calves up for success — and the pitfalls that derail it.
An Oklahoma State University study reveals a surprising “dead zone” for 45-to-59-day weaning premiums, pushing the case for a 60-day minimum.
Weaning success isn’t just about weaning day. A full calendar of nutrition, water access and stress management can protect your bottom line.
Analyzing data from more than 860,000 calves, Merck Animal Health and Kansas State University show how preconditioning and strategic implanting maximize auction revenue.
Traditional benchmarks fall short for Angus × Holstein crosses. To unlock their true feedlot potential, nutritionists must treat these animals as an entirely unique biological type.
Early weaning can save grass and body condition — but push calves too young and you create pot‑bellied orphans instead of profitable feeders or replacements.
Texas A&M veterinarian Kevin Washburn explains why a lush pasture doesn’t always equal a balanced diet and how producers can bridge nutritional gaps.
As drought limits forage quality and availability, soybean hulls offer producers a byproduct feed with near-corn energy value — here’s how to use them correctly.
In the shadow of the Mexican border, one family-owned feedyard is leveraging local byproducts and ironclad risk management to navigate a shrinking cattle supply.
From monitoring body condition to planning for early weaning, K-State’s Jason Warner shares a checklist to keep your operation on track through the summer heat.
Is creep feeding really “insurance” for your cows? Two Iowa State specialists analyze the science behind milk demand, forage disappearance and long-term heifer productivity.
Following a two-year interim term, Dan Shike has been named the permanent head of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, bringing a record of $12 million in research and a deep commitment to the beef industry.
Weaning creates major shifts in diet, intake and gut function, making rumen stability one of the most important parts of calf health management.
Cattle producers can now bridge the gap between feedlot data and veterinary oversight, creating a more efficient and profitable production model.
Scientists find naturally occurring gut microbes already capable of digesting key compounds from red seaweed.
A new interactive platform aims to help connect digestive health research with on-farm decision making. By expanding beyond the rumen, it reflects a growing shift toward whole-system management in cattle.
Success in artificial insemination depends on execution. Learn why the Beef Reproduction Task Force emphasizes fundamentals over advanced technology to drive genetic progress.
While feedlots are incentivized to push for record weights, ranchers are feeling the strain of larger, high-maintenance cows. Experts say matching your herd to your environment is the only way to win.
Whether driven by drought, fire or system integration, breeding in confinement requires precise nutrition and space management to maintain reproductive efficiency.
From age to environment, multiple factors determine whether bulls pass a breeding soundness exam.
From targeted nutrition to disciplined phenotypic sorting, learn how Schrader Ranch and Christensen Charolais are building the next generation of productive and efficient females.