Make SLS your homepage!
Home → Articles → Production
Cattle Production and livestock production articles will include information on production costs and those issues we face that influence our supply and demand.
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....
Cow-calf cost breakdown – cow depreciation
published: October 17th 2017 by: Aaron Berger source: University of Nebraska
Depreciation is a non-cash expense that is often overlooked by cow-calf producers. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz. Cow depreciation is frequently the second or third largest expense to the cow-calf enterprise after feed....
A historical look at the cost of fall purchased stocker cattle
published: October 11th 2017 by: Dr. Andrew Griffith source: University of Tennessee Extension
Risks abound in the stocker cattle business. For fall stocker purchases, there are three major risks to navigate and two of them are immediate. The first major risk is the price when purchasing the animals....
The value of preconditioning calves
published: September 25th 2017 by: Brenda Boetel, Professor and extension e source: Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Preconditioning is a generic term that means different things to different people and encompasses the different operating procedures that may be applied to a calf prior to shipping. Preconditioning activities may include weaning, vaccinations, dehorning, castration, and starting calves on a high energy diet....
Preconditioning and weaning preparation
published: September 19th 2017 by: Rob Eirich source: Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance
Cow-calf producers are nearing weaning time of their 2017 calf crop, with current market and industry trends, producers should be considering and preparing for preconditioning or weaning programs. It is important to consider the best programs for the health of calves during these stressful periods and into the feeding phases....
Evaluating costs of livestock working facilities
published: September 8th 2017 by: Dr. Andrew Griffith source: University o Tennessee
Labor and material costs in constructing livestock working facilities can eat a livestock producer’s lunch and put a serious damper on the checking account. However, the cost of working facilities is not so expensive when the costs associated with not having facilities are considered....
Body Condition Score as a Tool for Cow Herd Management
published: September 5th 2017 by: Ryon Walker, Ph.D. source: Noble Research Institute
Technology has provided agriculture with new, creative and efficient ways to accomplish production goals. However, sometimes traditional tools still provide effective ways to manage the cow herd at different stages of production....
Budget spreadsheets available for small grain, stocker cattle fall
published: August 15th 2017 by: Blair Fannin
COLLEGE STATION – Budget spreadsheets are available for wheat growers and stocker cattle operators planning fall operations, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist....
Managing heat stress in cattle
published: July 24th 2017 by: Travis Meteer source: University of Illinois Beef Extension
As the temperatures and humidity elevate, it is important to understand and manage to prevent heat stress in your cattle herd. Heat stress can lower performance and in severe cases cause death. Here are some recommendations to keep heat stress at a minimum....
Creep Feeding Considerations
published: July 7th 2017 by: Travis Meteer source: University of Illinois Beef Extension
When considering creep feeding your spring born calves, many factors will play a role in the decision. While it might always seem like a good idea to supplement calves to push them to heavier weaning weights, there are negatives as well....
Early weaning benefits first-calf cows, calves
published: July 6th 2017 by: Robert Wells source: Noble Foundation
The southern Plains summer heat can be hard on pastures, cows and calves, especially first-calf cows. These cows are in a special class as they are still trying to maintain body condition, actively grow, support reproduction by gestating with her second calf, and lactating....
next page of Production →
Site: Home Publications Market Reports Sale Reports Sale Calendar Cattle & Service Directory Full Commodities Report Services About Us Contact Us
Article Categories: All Industry News Herd Health Feed & Nutrition Pastures & Forages Reproduction Marketing Columnists Production Genetics & Performance Weather Forecast Breed News Producer Feature Stories Items of Interest New Products Recipes
User: Login Logout Register/Profile Submit Market Report Submit Sale Report
© 1989–2018 Southern Livestock Publishing. All rights reserved.