Cattle producers are looking at astonishing prices for their livestock in 2014 which are leading many to be concerned about the tax bill that will inevitably follow.
Body Condition Score is a term used often in beef cattle discussions, however, some producers may not know what it means and how it can be used as a management tool for the herd.
As prices for calves continue to reach historic levels, beef cattle producers could see increased revenue by implementing cost-effective calf management practices.
What may seem a relatively small clause at the time of signing could mushroom into a major, if not unmanageable, fiscal request at some unknown future date for some future owner of the property.
Jim McCann hasn't taught his grandchildren how to drive a tractor yet, but they may already be able to teach him how to operate a piece of equipment that could be in farming's future.
Even though parts of Texas and across the nation have received beneficial rainfall, experts urge cattle producers to be cautious when thinking about restocking herds.
Whether you are a dairy producer who calves year round, a beef producer who may calve early, or if you have a calf that is born under less-than-desirable conditions, hypothermia is something that we need to be concerned about, especially this time of year.
With the ever-growing databases and improved techniques and computer applications to access the data, reviewing records of old bulls to access the current genetics within the herd aids in understanding the herd.
Many ranches and farms spend a lot of time working on business plans, mission statements, employee training, goals, and financial management, but how many spend time discussing a disaster plan?
The Iowa Beef Center in partnership with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is offering the series “Heifer Development 2: Maintaining Your Investment” to specifically focus on management practices to keep young cows in the herd to improve longterm profitability.
Non-traditional management systems such as drylot beef production may offer cattlemen an alternative to reducing stock cow numbers or total herd liquidation.
Open cows in the herd have a negative impact on profit as they are consuming expensive inputs without contributing back to the operation, but they are worth quite a bit of money, too.
Cattlemen challenged by dwindling grazing resources to support their production systems may find cow lease/share arrangements as an alternative to herd liquidation.