Calves
Now is the time to start thinking about marketing opportunities for calves this fall.
A good immune system protects cattle again disease-causing pathogens.
Generally, implants are expected to increase rate of gain by 10 to 20% for yearling cattle on grass.
The last thing producers want to hear at pregnancy check time, is the call of “Open!” from their veterinarian. It is often assumed that open females failed to conceive; however, fertilization rates in beef cattle typically range between 90-100%. Nonetheless, only around 70% of fertilizations result in conception.
Price premiums are growing for preconditioned calves in every region.
As calving moves into full swing, many producers are thinking about vaccination programs they want to implement at branding. However, only a few are also considering how growth implants could be used as a management tool for the nursing calf.
Drovers Cowboy College tailored to cow-calf operators will be held June 20-21, at the Sheraton in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Here are some practical tips from special ranger Bart Perrier for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association on protecting your operation from theft.
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.
Monday is the early bird deadline to register for Drovers Cow-Calf Cowboy College at a reduced rate.
As we enter this branding season, producers may be asking some questions.
By keeping detailed records, producers can know how to best manage their costs in a market where they don’t set the prices.
Feed conversions of calves fed creep feeds have been quite variable to say the least.
One of our best tools for increasing beef production is steroid implants. They’re also one of the most misunderstood technologies by consumers.
Correct administration of any injection is a critical control point in beef production and animal health.
Antibodies in colostrum provide calves with their initial protection.
The USDA’s Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) regularly conducts major studies of livestock-production segments to track animal-health related trends and practices.
Winter and spring rains across much of Texas and the country have created good conditions for the cattle market.
As producers finish this (or any) calving season it is very important to record any multiple births that may have occurred.
Fetal programming is a term that many producers may have heard of in recent years, but may not have understood the concept.
Cow calf producers with fall-calving cows have options as to the optimum date to wean the calves.
Shifting calving from March to May didn’t change the cow herd’s reproductive performance.
Calving season is one of the most exciting, frustrating and tiring seasons of the year for many cattlemen. This is a time when the only thing that compares to watching a newborn calf struggle to its feet for the first time is the sound of it nursing its dam for the first time.
During 2017, USDA’s Animal Health Monitoring System will focus on the cow-calf segment, collecting data from producers around the country.
Cornstalk residue utilization is a great way for producers to integrate crops and livestock.
Severe winter conditions are commonplace in many geographical areas where beef is produced and this can lead to some less than desirable calving conditions.
It is important to capture added value when it comes times to sell calves.
Nearly every winter we spend time talking about the impact that harsh weather combined with less than adequate nutritional intake can have on cattle.
As you make plans for this year, decide now to schedule time that will be spent working on the business in the year ahead.