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Cattle Production and livestock production articles will include information on production costs and those issues we face that influence our supply and demand.
Weaner cattle need their own trainer
published: July 19th 2019 by: Kirsten Nickles and Anthony Parker source: The Ohio State University Department of Animal Science
The most common weaning method in the United States beef industry is the abrupt removal of calves from cows at 5-8 months of age (Enríquez et al., 2011). Natural weaning in beef cattle however, occurs later in life for a calf at 7-14 months of age (Reinhardt and Reinhardt, 1981)....
Bruising in cattle
published: June 7th 2019 by: Steve Boyles source: The Ohio State University Extension
Cattle bruising is an animal well-being concern as well a loss in economic value. When loaded, 60% of cattle are in the middle portion of a trailer, 30% in the rear compartments and 10% in the nose. Cattle rarely change position while a trailer is in motion, and the cattle typically position themselves at right angles to the direction of travel to try to compensate for the trailer movement and focus energies on keeping their balance....
Not all cows are equal – some eat more
published: June 4th 2019 by: Jack Arterburn source: Nebraska Extension
On most ranches, average cow size has increased significantly over the last three decades as a result of genetic selection. These changes do not come without consequences to forage intake. If the per-head counting method has been used to plan and track grazing, stocking rates may have unknowingly increase over time caused by increased forage intake of larger cows....
Mud and how it leads to lameness
published: April 11th 2019 by: Alvaro Garcia source: Igrow
Melting snow and spring rains produce conditions that can increase lameness in beef cattle. Mud is among the predisposing causes for cattle lameness. Wetness decreases hoof hardness and increases the incidence of claw lesions....
Now is time for some "defensive driving"
published: April 9th 2019 by: John F. Grimes source: The Ohio State University Extension
The term “defensive driving” may seem like an odd choice of words to start an article about beef cattle. Stay with me on this one. When I think about defensive driving, I think about watching out for factors such as the surrounding traffic, weather conditions, time of day, driver fatigue, etc....
Ways to stretch cash flow
published: March 21st 2019 by: Robert Tigner and Austin Duerfeldt source: Nebraska Extension Educator
Over time, negative cash flows will put farm and ranch businesses, and the lifestyle of the owners, at serious risk. The following suggestions for additions to cash flow are adapted from Iowa State Extension AgDecsionmaker C3-58, Farm Financial Management: 16 Ways to Stretch Cash Flow, written by William Edwards, retired extension ag economist....
Using the DuPont System to increase profitablity
published: February 21st 2019 by: Robert Tigner source: Nebraska Extension Educator
One challenge farm/ranch operators have is to accurately find where to make changes to an operation to increase profits. Many have the records and numbers but don’t know where to start. A system of financial analysis developed nearly 100 years ago by an explosive salesman for DuPont Explosives Company is a useful tool for farm/ranch managers analyzing financial performance....
Resolve to get a personal assistant for your operation in 2019
published: January 7th 2019 by: Sandy Johnson source: K State Beef Tips
Most of our farming and ranching enterprises would welcome a little more help from time to time. That additional help can be hard to find or find with the skills desired. In other cases, hiring help may put too much strain on the budget....
Changes in carcass grade over time
published: November 5th 2018 by: Dr Andrew Griffith source: University of Tennessee
The beef industry, similar to other industries, is constantly attempting to be more efficient and create more value in the product produced. Most cow-calf producers concern themselves with reproductive efficiencies and pounds of weaned calf per acre of land....
Make weaning and preconditioning a worthwhile investment
published: November 2nd 2018 by: Jason Smith source: University of Tennessee Extension
Time and time again, the data tells us that properly weaned and preconditioned calves are more valuable than calves that were “weaned on diesel fuel.” And it is beyond the shadow of a doubt that weaning and preconditioning is the right thing for our industry....
Winning weaning time
published: September 21st 2018 by: Taylor Grussing/Warren Rusche source: Igrow
Weaning time is here which can be a stressfull event for calves, cows and families alike. While preconditioning prepares the immune system to better handle the stress of weaning, there are some other areas of the ranch that can be modified to aid calf adjustment to life without mom....
Performance of early weaned calves
published: July 31st 2018 by: Justin Waggoner source: K State Beef Tips
Under normal production circumstances calves are typically weaned at 180-220 days of age, however under circumstances where forage supply is limited or cow body condition is lacking weaning calves at 180 days of age or less may be one of the easiest ways to reduce cow nutrient requirements and improve cow body condition....
Removing beef cows from the herd before they become a problem
published: July 14th 2018 by: Dr. Justin Rhinehart source: University of Tennessee Extension
Cows generate 70‐75% of “non‐fed” beef in the U.S. and are used for more than just ground beef (roasts, steaks, fajita strips, etc.). Because these animals are worth a significant amount, it is important to market them while they are healthy and mobile....
Many aspects in measuring cow-calf production efficiency
published: July 13th 2018 by: Donald Stotts source: Oklahoma State University Extension
STILLWATER, Oklahoma – While economic efficiency measures focus on optimal use of inputs relative to the value of outputs in cow-calf operations, changes in output values or input costs can lead to improved returns due solely to changing market conditions while masking stagnant or even declining physical productivity....
Weaning: Avoid these 3 common pitfalls
published: July 2nd 2018 source: Purina
Arden Hills, Minn. [Have you defined what success and failure look like in your weaning program? Success might look like live, healthy calves that put on weight with minimal intervention....
An Inexpensive but Effective Method for Weaning More Total Pounds
published: June 7th 2018 by: Dr. Justin Rhinehart source: University of Tennessee Extension
Since all food production is based on reproduction of the commodity, it stands to reason that a technology which positively impacts reproduction would be widely adopted. One of the major benefits of crossbreeding is realized through improved reproductive function....
Is it profitable to add weight and sell heavier feeder calves this year?
published: May 16th 2018 by: Chris Prevatt source: University of Florida
Last spring I wrote an article entitled “At What Weight should I sell my Feeder Calves” that bought forth many questions on the value of each additional pound of gain. This article will serve as a follow-up to revisit the value of gain, and share the calculation for producers to use to evaluate their individual situation....
Ag Symposium April 17 in San Antonio will provide cost-saving tips
published: April 4th 2018 by: Paul Schattenberg source: Texas AgriLife Today
SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County will present the 2018 Ag Symposium “Putting $ Back in Your Pocket” from 8 a.m.-noon April 17 in San Antonio....
Beef influence on dairy cattle could improve marketing options, bottom line
published: March 23rd 2018 by: Kay Ledbetter source: Texas AgriLife Today
AMARILLO – Dairy owners might be able to add more to their bottom line if they introduce a beef bull into their breeding program for some of the producing cows in their herd, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist said....
Effects of horns on cattle bruising
published: December 21st 2017 source: Texas A&M Beef Cattle Browsing Newsletter
A sample was evaluated of 4,287 finished cattle in 27 lots slaughtered at one facility. Of all cattle, 7.7% had horns. Across lots this ranged from 0 to 26.5%. If present, horns were measured for length of longest horn and for distance between horn tips....
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