Cow-Calf
Ensuring that bulls are in good body condition and physically fit for the upcoming breeding season is key to reproductive success.
A bi-annual survey of the four largest packers showed a dramatic increase in rewards for the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand. Grid, formula and contract premiums paid on CAB carcasses in 2021 totaled $182 million.
Six best practices for safely pulling a calf, provided by Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian.
Castration is a key component to any preconditioning program that can greatly influence market price premiums or discounts, especially in older bull calves.
Three categories of pregnancy losses in beef cattle include early embryonic death, abortion and stillbirth. Many potential causes for stillbirths and abortions make it important to investigate each calf loss.
Maps show the severity of drought in eight Central Plains states and where they began 2022 in beef cow numbers. These eight states represent 52% of America’s beef cows, and accounted for 67% of last year’s herd culling.
Access to adequate, good quality water will continue to be a challenge for ranchers in North Dakota who depend on surface water sources, such as dugouts and stock dams to provide water to livestock.
Warmer temperatures, low humidity, dry conditions and wind mean that wildfire risks are very high now. The drought conditions impacting the region will become much more apparent in the coming weeks.
In a rebuttal to accusations of being an “ally” to big packers over federal mandates for minimum cash trades for live cattle, Steve Cornett pleads not guilty and offers additional arguments for consideration.
Self-interests of large packers has led to exploitation of independent cattlemen on one side of the supply chain and consumers on the other, says Bill Bullard. He believes Senate Bill 949 is the “packers’ kryptonite.”
Calves need to have a sound, balanced nutritional program and be free from internal parasites in order to have an immune system fit to withstand the marketing and transportation channels of our beef production system.
Speculators in the futures markets have a negative portrayal. But opposite sides of the market work in lock-step with one another - producers can’t hedge price risk without speculators on the other side.
Angus Genetics Program Director explains how ultrasound and genomic data will increase accuracy of expected progeny differences.
The tools for selecting your next herd bull have expanded significantly over the past several years. The following defines how genetic values are determined with examples of each and how to use them.
While we were busy exploring whether the government should make laws mandating how cattle are marketed, The New York Times has been writing beef’s eulogy. Indeed, “beef is the Kiev of foods, besieged on all fronts.”
Wheat and corn prices continued to find fuel this week from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but cattle markets were in retreat. The Russia/Ukraine conflict will continue to play a role in markets moving forward.
With the low amount of moisture that ranchers have received over the winter, the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said now is the time to think about management strategies for a drought.
You should provide assistance immediately if you notice an abnormal presentation of the calf (AKA back feet, only one leg, etc.) or when there is no progress after 30 minutes for a cow or 60 minutes for a heifer.
Even in regions showing gains in beef cow inventories, price increases have been slow to develop this year. Overall, ranchers continue culling the breeding herd at a significant rate through the first quarter of 2022.
First it was just drought, now we have war in eastern Europe. On Feb. 24 Feeder Cattle futures were down over $4, Live Cattle were down over $2. The futures market jitters have given a lot of us more to worry about.
With revenues and costs rising, cattle producers must adjust cattle production and marketing to maximize profits.
Bos indicus cattle lag in their reproductive efficiency, something researchers at Texas A&M are trying to help fix with a recent medical breakthrough.
Help make your calving season as successful as possible by ensuring adequate colostrum, preventing cold stress and having a calving kit at the ready.
If drought is not a limitation in 2022, will cattle producers continue herd liquidation? The answer will be determined by what cattle producers want to do and can do relative to cow culling and heifer retention.
Cattle prices are improving in all regions as cattle numbers have declined. Expansion and continuation of the current drought could cut cattle numbers even further and produce higher cattle prices.
Located in Limon, Colorado, and managed by the Frasier family, River Bend Ranch has been named the 2022 BQA Cow-Calf Award Winners.
Hardware disease can be difficult to conclusively diagnose and clinical signs will vary based on where the hardware has penetrated. The best prevention of hardware disease is good management.
The slaughter pace last week was the best we’ve seen in 2022, with an estimated Federally Inspected total of 659K. Given the previous week’s disappointing pace due to weather, these are very promising totals.
While livestock’s greenhouse gas emissions are relatively minor in the U. S., methane emissions can be reduced by improving forage quality with the use of cool-season forages and legumes and using rotational grazing.
Calves that have incurred traumatic births are often are lethargic, clumsy and have little interest in nursing. These babies may benefit from a simple procedure called the “Madigan Squeeze Technique.”