Latest News From Beef nutrition

February is Heart Month according to the American Heart Association. The association says heart disease is the number one leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. 

More than 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day.
 
As more people focus on a heart-healthy diet, there is growing uncertainty about animal proteins and cardiovascular health. Beef is often in question.
Debunking Myths About Heart-Healthy Proteins

As more people focus on a heart-healthy diet, there is growing uncertainty about animal proteins and cardiovascular health. Beef is often in question.

As winter feeding season continues with a forecast of Arctic weather in February, cow herd owners face dwindling hay supplies.
To Stretch Short Hay Supply, 'Feed Less, Need Less'

As winter feeding season continues with a forecast of Arctic weather in February, cow herd owners face dwindling hay supplies.

Facts and Fiction About Hemp in Animal Feed, page 2
Facts and Fiction About Hemp in Animal Feed, page 2

Here's what you need to know about hemp as a feed ingredient for cattle.

Forage Analysis: How Can We Use the Numbers?
Forage Analysis: How Can We Use the Numbers?

Analytical testing of forages is occasionally viewed by cattle producers as an exercise with limited practical application that generates numbers only a nutritionist can discern.

Do I really need to feed high-mag mineral?
Answers to the Four Most Frequently Asked Nutrition Questions of 2017

Do I really need to feed high-mag mineral?

This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory.
BeefTalk: Shop Around; Cattle Eat More Than Hay

This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory.

Spring-planted Oats May be Viable Option for Forage
Spring-planted Oats May be Viable Option for Forage

Producers in central Oklahoma who do not have sufficient wheat pasture, annual ryegrass or fescue pastures may want to determine if spring-planted oats are an option.

While cattle convert feed less efficiently than pigs or chickens, their ability to gain weight on forage-based diets keeps beef production competitive and enhances long-term sustainability.
Cattle Are “Up-Cyclers”

While cattle convert feed less efficiently than pigs or chickens, their ability to gain weight on forage-based diets keeps beef production competitive and enhances long-term sustainability.

As the availability of nutrients in corn residue declines, producers should adjust feeding management or institute rotational grazing.
Grazing Gold: Effects on Crop Yield

As the availability of nutrients in corn residue declines, producers should adjust feeding management or institute rotational grazing.

Grazing harvested corn fields offers a win-win strategy, but requires planning and management.
Grazing Gold: A Win-Win

Grazing harvested corn fields offers a win-win strategy, but requires planning and management.

Feeding calves high-priced hay needs to be a bridge from one low-cost production scenario to the next.
BeefTalk: Rolling Out Hay is Rolling Out Dollars

Feeding calves high-priced hay needs to be a bridge from one low-cost production scenario to the next.

BeefTalk: Will the Hay Inventory Feed the Cows?
BeefTalk: Will the Hay Inventory Feed the Cows?

Provide the proper supplementation to meet the current needs of the cow herd or reduce inventory.

Cold weather has struck the Southeast for the next several days with the most recent weather pattern change bringing arctic-like air to the region.
Cold Weather and Energy Demands for Cattle

Cold weather has struck the Southeast for the next several days with the most recent weather pattern change bringing arctic-like air to the region.

Driftless Region Beef Conference to Feature Feed Mycotoxin Issues
Driftless Region Beef Conference to Feature Feed Mycotoxin Issues

The upcoming Driftless Region Beef Conference will discuss possible mycotoxin issues in cattle feed, according to Denise Schwab, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

BeefTalk: Will the Hay Inventory Feed the Cows?
BeefTalk: Will the Hay Inventory Feed the Cows?

Provide the proper supplementation to meet the current needs of the cow herd or reduce inventory.

How Much Hay do I Need to Feed?
How Much Hay do I Need to Feed?

Calculating the amount of hay that is needed on both a short term and over the course of an entire winter are mathematical exercises that are required on any cow calf enterprise. 

Down Corn: Problem or Opportunity for Cattle Producers?
Down Corn: Problem or Opportunity for Cattle Producers?

With the delayed harvest and the wind over the last few weeks a lot of corn ears are on the ground.

Estimating Bushels of Corn on the Ground by Counting Ears Prior to Grazing with Cattle
Estimating Bushels of Corn on the Ground by Counting Ears Prior to Grazing with Cattle

Managing cattle that are grazing cornfields with excessive downed corn can be a challenge for producers.

Do the Math First Before Purchasing Feed to Supplement Hay
Do the Math First Before Purchasing Feed to Supplement Hay

The following are some general concepts that can help you put together an efficient supplementation plan.

Now is the Time to Evaluate Body Condition
Now is the Time to Evaluate Body Condition

Evaluating body condition has played a role in beef cow/calf systems for as long as they have existed – even long before the 1 to 9 scale was created.

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Evaluating Feed and Feeding Cost
Evaluating Feed and Feeding Cost

It’s hay feeding season and for many cow calf producers that means the more expensive time of the production cycle. Are there ways that we can cut feed cost while also improving forage digestibility?

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Nutritional Management of Gestating Spring-calving Cows Grazing Dormant Upland Pastures
Nutritional Management of Gestating Spring-calving Cows Grazing Dormant Upland Pastures

As we progress into the fall and winter months, forage quality in dormant upland pastures will be low while nutrient requirements of spring-calving range cows will increase

Nighttime Versus Daytime Feeding Influences Time of Calving
Nighttime Versus Daytime Feeding Influences Time of Calving

Supervision of calving process is best accomplished during daylight hours but Mother Nature and mama cows are not always so inclined, meaning cow-calf operators need to stack the odds in their favor.

Winter Feeding Hay in the Field
Winter Feeding Hay in the Field

Winter-feeding beef cattle on hay and pasture fields can minimize labor of hauling manure while still distributing fertilizing nutrients.

Now’s the Time to Put Body Condition on Cows
Now’s the Time to Put Body Condition on Cows

Save time and money on your cow herd this fall and winter, by doing one simple task—body condition score (BCS) your herd each month to monitor forage needs.

Stockpiled Forages Reduce Need, Cost of Hay, Supplemental Feed
Stockpiled Forages Reduce Need, Cost of Hay, Supplemental Feed

Stockpiled winter forages can provide four to six weeks of protein and energy for cows and calves and reduce the need for and cost of supplemental feed and hay.

Annual Forages Help Extend Winter Grazing, Especially for Hurricane Flooded Pasture
Annual Forages Help Extend Winter Grazing, Especially for Hurricane Flooded Pasture

In the Gulf Coast region where rain was plentiful thanks to hurricanes Harvey and Irma, re-establishing pastures might be a challenge.

Wintering Growing Calves Using Corn Residue: The Value of Bypass Protein
Wintering Growing Calves Using Corn Residue: The Value of Bypass Protein

If you are looking to background calves or grow replacement heifers this winter grazing corn residue and providing supplemental distillers may be a system to consider.

Feed Cost: Cow-Calf Cost Breakdown
Feed Cost: Cow-Calf Cost Breakdown

Feed cost represents approximately 40-70% of annual cow costs.

Three Reasons to Conduct a Forage Analysis
Three Reasons to Conduct a Forage Analysis

Focusing on pasture and grazing management is undoubtedly one of the most economical means of extending the grazing season and decreasing hay feeding requirements.

Drought Impacted Areas Should Test Hay Prior to Winter Feeding
Drought Impacted Areas Should Test Hay Prior to Winter Feeding

Hay should be tested for forage quality to better balance rations prior to feeding. For producers receiving hay from unknown sources this is vital.

Feeding Corn and Grazing Stalks Affordable Winter Feeding Options
Feeding Corn and Grazing Stalks Affordable Winter Feeding Options

For producers in corn growing regions of the U.S. grazing corn stalks is a cheap winter feeding option, along with supplementing corn.

Using Wheat Pasture as a Winter Supplement for Cows
Using Wheat Pasture as a Winter Supplement for Cows

Assuming rainfall comes to the Southern Plains, wheat pasture will again be a key source of protein and some energy for many cow herds starting in late November or early December.

 Fall Pasture and Grazing Management
Fall Pasture and Grazing Management

Careful management of pastures is essential for the over-wintering of forages and improvement into the next growing season.

How rotational grazing improves pasture health
How rotational grazing improves pasture health

Being a farmer is more than a day job, it's a lifestyle. Just like farmers, pastures also require rest from the stresses of daily farming life.

Ask a Nutritionist: Corn Byproduct's Impact on Conception Rates

Producer concerned about the impact feeding of corn by-products has on recip cows becoming pregnant with embryos.