Cow-Calf
This week we discuss the EPDs to consider when selecting bulls that will be used as rotational sires. A rotational sire is a bull from which daughters will be retained to develop as replacements in our cowherd.
Economists warn that the increasing money supply and government stimulus will lead to inflationary pressure on the economy and a burden on all American consumers.
When calving in early spring with lush pastures we can find mature cows that are in otherwise good condition with unusual behaviors, unsteady gait or inability to rise—early signs of both grass tetany and milk fever.
Most industry analysts expect cow-calf operations will see positive margins in 2021 and over the next two or three years. That optimistic view is based on expectations for smaller cattle supplies going forward.
Recent updates were announced to the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program to make it more user friendly for producers who are using the program to increase profits.
Breeding season is just around the corner and it’s time to consider your investment in genetics to maximize the profit potential of the calves that will be born next year.
Heifers that calve unassisted do a better job of raising that calf, have shorter rebreeding intervals and calf earlier the following year. When calving ease as a priority, several selection tools are available.
Veterinarians remind ranchers to keep calving best practices in place for the healthiest herd possible, including good vaccination programs, clean calving environments and good nutrition.
The benefits of protein as part of a healthy adult diet was drawn from checkoff-funded research conducted by North Dakota State University and presented to dieticians and nutritionists at a recent symposium.
Through colostrum intake, the calf receives passive immunity from its mother to help protect it from diseases early in life. It is essential that calves receive quality colostrum as soon as possible following birth.
Feeder cattle markets have bounced back from the brutal February storm just in time for the termination of winter grazing of dual-purpose wheat.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis angered ranchers when he declared March 20 as MeatOut Day in his state, further promoting misinformation about cows and climate change.
Anaplasmosis and pinkeye can negatively impact the health, performance, and profit potential of the cattle operation. These control measures can help.
Livestock auction markets are built on relationships, but for LMA member market owners and employees, the importance of relationships isn’t limited to sale day.
DVMs Bob Larson and Jennifer Koziol will discuss how to evaluate bulls so only those that can get a high percentage of exposed cows pregnant in a short period of time are turned out into the breeding pasture this spring.
To further support cattle producers across the country the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has released the first in a series of Advanced Education Modules.
Researchers at Kansas State University analyzed 211 livestock video auctions and determined that trucking distance has an effect on the price that buyers are willing to pay.
Purina Animal Nutrition introduces Purina® Plus, an innovative feeder calf program, which aims to help cattle producers supply high-value, low-risk feeder calves to the marketplace.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association spokesmen gave an update on the state of the industry and priority issues in Washington, D.C. that may affect cattlemen during the group’s virtual Winter Reboot conference.
Last week’s winter storm and brutally cold temperatures caused many auction markets to cancel sales. Those that were open saw stocker and feeder cattle prices higher.
Our society’s focus on how cattle impact climate change is concerning, and ranchers should rightly be worried about how a bureaucrat could use regulation to change demand for beef.
Cows are beginning to calve and some newborns are certain to be cold stressed. Getting those calves back to normal body temperatures as soon as possible will save some calves and increase the vigor of others.
Very low night time winter temperatures can have an adverse effect on vaccines that are stored in refrigerators that are located in unheated enclosures such as tack rooms in barns.
When surface waters become low, the mineral component of the water becomes more concentrated because minerals do not evaporate with the water. The quality of water has impacts on cattle intake and weight gain.
Colostrum is of critical importance for young calves – providing some 95% of the antibodies a calf obtains – protecting newborn calves against infectious agents during the first few months of life.
Despite our best efforts at bull selection and heifer development, cows or heifers occasionally need assistance at calving time. Here are recommendations on when to provide calving assistance for cows and heifers.
As the calving season approaches, an increased understanding of the parturition process is helpful. The more we understand about the physiology of the process, the more likely we are to make sound decisions.
Drought persists across much of the west and has extended into much of the Great Plains, with several states showing the impact of the drought on hay production and supplies and the challenges for cattle producers.
Analyzing profit and loss relationships across the production end of both the beef and pork supply chains is key to decisions regardless of where you sit in that supply chain.
The American Angus Association® recently named Esther McCabe, Ph.D., a third-generation Angus producer originally from Elk City, Kansas, as director of performance programs.