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USDA’s May Cattle on Feed report said there were 1.3% more cattle on feed than a year ago. April placements were up a surprising 7.5% and April marketings were up 1.2%.
It seems certain that herd expansion has slowed to a snail’s pace compared to one year ago, but from a historical standard, expansion is likely still moving at a fairly rapid clip.
Cattle on feed continues to increase, while drought conditions go away in the Northern and Southern Plains.
As producers continue to make both short-term and longer-term decisions in managing their operations it is useful to periodically step back and take stock of characteristics depicting the industry more broadly. The recently updated estimates from USDA ERS of production costs and returns offer an opportunity to increase our understanding of regional variation in the U.S. cow-calf sector.
For years, the accepted target weight for yearling replacement beef heifers at breeding was 65% of their mature weight. Recently that target has been questioned.
Industry experts attribute Australia’s slide in cattle on feed to record breaking prices witnessed in the country.
Monday is the early bird deadline to register for Drovers Cow-Calf Cowboy College at a reduced rate.
Researchers say Montana elk are to blame for an animal disease spreading into new areas around Yellowstone National Park.
Genomic analysis shows elk serve as self-sustaining brucellosis reservoir.
Taking high-risk cattle to low-risk can be done, and it can be profitable when the calves are priced right.
The beef industry is still rebounding from 2012’s drought and now cattlemen are facing new challenges.
As we enter this branding season, producers may be asking some questions.
The state is seeking a new owner for the only federally approved slaughterhouse in southcentral Alaska, as funding for the facility could run out this year due to legislative budget cuts.
By keeping detailed records, producers can know how to best manage their costs in a market where they don’t set the prices.
A huge Montana nature reserve added a 47,000-acre historic ranch to its patchwork of lands along the Missouri River on Friday, a significant step in a privately funded effort to stitch together a Connecticut-sized park where bison would replace livestock and cattle fences give way to open range.
Monthly fed cattle net returns have been negative since December 2014. A few months ago, it appeared that we would climb above breakeven this spring. However, that was before the recent drop in fed cattle prices.
Recent changes in beef production have implications for the timing and possibly for total beef production for 2016.
Feeder futures have become increasingly volatile in ways that often appear unrelated to market fundamentals.
Small grains planted last fall are greening up and may be ready to graze soon. This spring, let’s make sure these pastures are productive and safe.
The devastating fire caused evacuations of several communities, herds of cattle have been corralled for safety and a state of disaster emergency has been put in place for Kansas.
Cattle feeders and veterinarians should keep an eye out for E. coli O165:H25, an enterohemorrhagic strain that can cause disease in cattle and potentially poses a food-safety hazard for humans.
Two research studies at the University of Nebraska suggest that the key information needed to identify heifers most likely to be successful as replacements is known the day the heifers are born.
Feed conversions of calves fed creep feeds have been quite variable to say the least.
Many cow-calf producers are asking whether artificial insemination (AI) or natural service bulls are more cost effective for their herd.
One of our best tools for increasing beef production is steroid implants. They’re also one of the most misunderstood technologies by consumers.
Key performance indicators, also known as KPIs, can assist beef producers in measuring factors crucial to an operation.
It appears herd expansion has tapered off as feedlots start to increase inventories with heifers.
Less beef was shipped to Mexico, Canada and Philippines than last year.
For five decades, my family has been ranching in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Nearly every one of those years we’ve taken in stocker cattle for our custom grazing business.