Turning out a subfertile bull means some cows in the herd won’t get bred or bred in a timely manner. Both problems are costly, says Chance Armstrong, DVM, Auburn University. Check out the two scenarios he outlines here.
We know a lack of water will affect cattle health and performance. What we may forget is that water is a nutrient and has nutritional value that can affect livestock as its quality changes.
The most stressful time in the life of a beef calf is at weaning when they are five to seven months of age according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock for University of Missouri Extension.
Weaning during very hot summer weather is stressful enough to the calves. Therefore any management strategy that can reduce stress to the calves should be utilized.
The bomb cyclone storm continues to move East. Ranchers are checking cattle in the middle of the night, as more than a foot of snow pelts of the Western Corn Belt.
The bomb cyclone storm continues to move East.
Ranchers are checking cattle in the middle of the night, as more than a foot of snow pelts of the Western Corn Belt.
Cow-calf producers are constantly bombarded with decisions and challenges as it relates to herd health, nutrition, retaining versus purchasing heifers, sire selection, timing of marketing and the list could continue.
Cold and wet weather have added to the calving challenges of Iowa cow-calf producers. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Beth Doran said both are ideal conditions for contributing to calf scours.
March could be the hardest month of the year on beef cattle according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension.
Even with nighttime feeding, a few calves still will be born in the coldest nighttime hours. These wet newborns may become hypothermic or cold stressed.
As snow and frigid temperatures remind us that it’s still winter, it’s a good time to remind cattle producers that calves are especially vulnerable in these conditions.
Eyes to the sky in search of black vultures, producer concerns are mounting over calf losses. Black vulture expansion is drawing attention in the Midwest as livestock owners note increasing accounts of depredation.
Eyes to the sky in search of black vultures, producer concerns are mounting over calf losses. Black vulture expansion is drawing attention in the Midwest as livestock owners note increasing accounts of depredation.
In a Drovers.com poll, readers share the timing of their primary calving season, giving us a glimpse into the diversity of cattle operations across the country.
The major Cattle Inventory report was supposed to be released this week but is delayed. NASS announcing this week when reports will drop. Both Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory will be released February.
The major Cattle Inventory report was supposed to be released this week but is delayed.
NASS announcing this week when reports will drop. Both Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory will be released February.
Whichever way you look at it, increasing the opportunity for profit or decreasing the risk for loss, having an advanced genetic “scouting report” on feeders has value.
Whichever way you look at it, increasing the opportunity for profit or decreasing the risk for loss, having an advanced genetic “scouting report” on feeders has value.
A basic understanding of genetics will help us understand why some traits are more heritable than others. The basis for heritability has to do with a phrase you have probably heard before – “nature verses nurture.”
When animals have health or performance problems it is almost always because the person in charge of taking care of them is not showing the proper interest in what they need.
When animals have health or performance problems it is almost always because the person in charge of taking care of them is not showing the proper interest in what they need.
Share with us the timing of your primary calving season, whether it’s a tight 60-day window or a seasonal timeframe. We'll report the results back to you.
Share with us the timing of your primary calving season, whether it’s a tight 60-day window or a seasonal timeframe. We'll report the results back to you.
Passive immunity obtained from colostrum was an important factor determining the health of calves both pre- and post-weaning, and indirectly influenced calf growth rate during the same periods.
Beef packers willl require Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification from fed cattle suppliers, starting Jan. 1, 2019. This is driven by beef retailers and consumers who want assurance about how cattle are raised.
Don’t get caught by higher hay prices later this winter—be as accurate with your hay needs as you can now while you still have time to adjust your feeding plans.
Don’t get caught by higher hay prices later this winter—be as accurate with your hay needs as you can now while you still have time to adjust your feeding plans.
While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?
While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?
Value-added programs don’t necessarily add value to a set baseline price. Rather, they begin by removing some of the discount (risk) that buyers assume exist.
Finished cattle continued trading steady for the fifth consecutive week. Early in this trend, one might say this was beneficial for cattle feeders as they were able to hold packers at bay and keep prices from falling.
Value-added programs don’t necessarily add value to a set baseline price. Rather, they begin by removing some of the discount (risk) that buyers assume exist.
Prices for feeder steers over 650 pounds were also higher compared to the previous week. However, prices for steers between 550 and 650 pounds declined compared to the previous week.
Newly weaned calves are faced with the stress of separation from the cow, deprivation of feed and water during transportation, and adaptation to the feedlot environment.
The calf and feeder cattle market have remained strong through the late summer months and the futures market is suggesting continued strength while seasonal price trends would suggest lower prices.