APHIS issued its final rule on animal ID that has been in place since 2013, switching from solely visual tags to tags that are both electronically and visually readable for certain classes of cattle moving interstate.
Cattle feeders are firmly in the driver's seat as cattle prices continue higher. Contract cattle and commitments to packers are dwindling and won't last long.
Many ranchers have successfully improved genetic potential for both growth and marbling, yet many simply wean and/or ship calves at a specified time and/or weight, forfeiting much of the value they’ve worked to create.
Uncertain when, but there will be strong interest in rebuilding the herd when conditions permit. Leaving aside the question of more drought, what's possible in 2023 given current availability of replacement heifers?
Real-world data confirms cattlemen are rewarded for high-quality carcasses through grid pricing. Why, then, would/should the industry regress back to selling more cattle on a cash basis?
The return of issues like 'Waters of the United States,' and new Endangered Species Act listings are examples of misguided, ineffective, and poorly implemented policies coming from federal regulators in Washington.
The fourth installment in a series surrounding international beef trade, this one focusing on the consistent and ever-growing return on investment beef exports provide to American cattlemen.
The smallest beef cow herd in 60 years will be rebuilt cautiously as ranchers struggle to recover from the perfect storm of economic and weather black swans.
Barry Whitworth, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian recommends cow-calf operators keep several doses of colostrum or colostrum replacer handy as calving season is underway in many parts of the country.
With extremely tight cattle numbers, how quickly can producers expand their herds - if at all. Drought and slim margins mean expansion will be a rather slow-go with many ranchers taking a wait and see approach.
Practices that decrease feed costs without affecting productivity have potential to improve profitability. Ionophores can increase energetic efficiency and reduce production of waste molecules such as methane.
Oklahoma has been impacted by drought more than any other state, by several measures. The January 1, 2023, inventory of all cattle and calves in Oklahoma was down 11.5 percent.
Calf scours results in sickness, poor performance, medical expenses and death. Here's a look at the complex disease and one management method found to decrease and even prevent transmission.
For many ranchers, large amounts of snow on ground not entirely frozen has led to some wet and muddy situations. Here's some tips to help make it through the calving season with focus on animal health.
It’s official. The 2023 cattle inventory report has been released. Here's a look at how the totals compare to previous years and what we may expect from the industry going forward.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your last calving season? Here's a few things to consider and have ready for when that first calf hits the ground.
While the relatively predictable cattle cycle has proved itself many times, Rabobank says the next cow herd expansion will face multiple headwinds that will affect the speed of rebuilding. Here's the details.
What should happen at the beginning of life for a baby calf to get off to a good start? Let's review the sequence of several steps that need to happen.
Given the fundamental importance of the land enterprise to any farming/ranching business, time and energy are best directed towards guarding against the never-ending barrage of regulation.
Raising an orphaned beef calf can be time consuming and may require additional expense. Additionally, calves may not be thriving at the time they are orphaned so managing health and nutrition can present challenges.
More Hereford breeders and commercial users of Hereford genetics are discovering the feedlot and carcass performance of their genetics through various American Hereford Association (AHA) programs.
The best market outlet for your cattle depends on multiple things, but much of it is determined by the attributes that you’ve built into your calves through your management.
The third column in a series focusing on cow-calf profitability with a focus on long-run profitability, and capacity to counteract business risk, is largely determined by correcting shortfalls on the cost side.
Reproductive performance is important to the overall success and bottom line of an operation. Benchmarking may help focus limited management time on critical areas of an individual’s beef cow business.
Caffeine may help stimulate at-risk calves that are the result of dystocia (difficult birth), hypothermia from being born in the cold, or being run down from a stressful event such as disease or transport.
Producers can prepare for drought by adding warm-season forages to pastures that grow during the warm, dry conditions of midsummer known as the “summer slump."
At approximately 90 to 120 days after calving, forage provides most of the calf’s nutrient requirements, which introduces a management decision: should I creep feed?
Beef producers should approach 2023 with cautious optimism – matched with resolutions of good management and investment in infrastructure, says a University of Missouri business specialist.
Growth rates and carcass weights have been increasing over the last 30 years. However, little research has been conducted to determine how aggressive selection for production traits affects cow maintenance requirements.
Some industry stakeholders believe a legislative “fix” is needed for the cattle markets. Nevil Speer argues the best “fix” is no interference, allowing cattlemen to enjoy the full benefits of a free market.
What’s the reason behind the length of your calving season? When it comes to your improving your bottom line, the length of your calving season may be a good place to start.
In a year with rising commodity prices and limited availability, strategically feeding forages may offer the best option to deliver supplemental nutrients using existing infrastructure and equipment.
The new year looks to contrast with last year with noticeably tighter cattle numbers, especially at the feedlot level, driven by previous herd liquidation and sharply lower feeder cattle supplies.
