Manage Your Semen Tank to Insure Semen Quality

Manage Your Semen Tank to Insure Semen Quality

 

by: Mel DeJarnette, Select Sires Reproductive Specialist

Cattle Today

 

When was the last time you stopped to think about the dollar value of the semen inventory in your liquid nitrogen refrigerator? You might be surprised at the final tally.

 

Although semen costs are only a small percentage of overall expenses in a dairy or beef cattle operation, the absolute value of your semen inventory at any given time may represent a significant sum of money. Proper tank management is essential to keep your investment secure.

FULL STORY

Care of the Newborn Immediately After Calving

Care of the Newborn Immediately After Calving

 

Dr. Glen Selk, Oklahoma State University

 

       Delayed passage through the birth canal in the face of a faltering placenta compromises oxygenation of the calf.  Although the calf is able to breathe as soon as its nose passes the lips of the vulva, expansion of the chest is restricted by the narrow birth canal.  This situation is seriously aggravated when continuous forced traction is applied.  As soon as the calf’s head has passed the lips of the vulva, traction should be interrupted, the nostrils cleared of mucus and cold water applied to the head. 

FULL STORY

Ethanol production is linked to cattle in Nebraska

Ethanol production is linked to cattle in Nebraska

 

By: Michelle Haney

Daily Nebraskan

 

The growing ethanol industry in Nebraska is creating benefits, opportunities and challenges for researchers and beef producers in the state.

 

Nebraska’s ethanol industry is at an advantage because its plants are close to where the corn is produced. Also, there is a large cattle industry to take advantage of the wet and dry byproducts of ethanol production, which can be used for feed.

 

“If ethanol production is increased, then byproduct production is increased as well,” said Galen Erickson, an associate professor of animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

 

Nebraskans need to find ways to take advantage of those byproducts, he said.

FULL STORY

Muddy feedlots a negative for cattle

Muddy feedlots a negative for cattle

 

By Adrian Sanchez

Columbus Telegram (NE)

 

COLUMBUS – The recent snow and rainfall isn’t helping groundwater levels much but is having a negative effect on livestock.

 

Allan Vyhnalek, agricultural extension educator for the Platte County Extension Office, said the recent moisture will not contribute much to the coming growing season, but is causing great difficulty for livestock producers.

 

“The weekend precipitation is not going to help the crops a whole lot (because) it will have little effect on ground moisture because the ground is frozen,” Vyhnalek said, but the “cattle and feedlots are thawing. (The animals) are pushing that water in,” creating mud.

 

Because of the cold, wet and muddy conditions, he said, the local cattle industry is negatively affected from a loss of net profit.

FULL STORY

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Begins

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Begins

 

Clickhouston.com

 

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has officially started, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.

 

An international crowd flocked through the gates when they opened at 9 a.m.

 

A family of cattle breeders from Honduras makes the rodeo an annual trip.

 

“We come here every year to see what’s new,” Jose Ramirez said. “If there’s cattle we like and we can buy, we’ll take it.”

 

There are things for everyone of every age spread over 300 acres at Reliant Park.

FULL STORY

USDA supply and demand report supports long term

USDA supply and demand report supports long term

 

By Brian Hoops, Midwest Market Solutions, Inc.

The Prairie Star

 

Corn – The November USDA supply/demand report was a very supportive long term report as the USDA once again lowered the 2006 production forecast as well as tightened the ending stocks forecast.

 

The USDA estimated the 2006 corn crop at 10.745 billion bushels, down 160 million bushels from last month’s report. Carryover was also lowered from 996 mb from the October report to 935 mb in this report. Total usage remains record strong at 11.790 billion bushels, meaning the U.S. will use over 1 billion bushel more than what it produced in 2006. This is amazing considering the crop in 2006 was the third largest in history.

FULL STORY

Profit priorities revealed in new cattle producer study

Profit priorities revealed in new cattle producer study

 

American Cowman

 

A comprehensive study to prioritize management and economic issues for commercial beef cow-calf producers has been unveiled. In fulfilling the mission to provide programs and services that will aid commercial cattle producers to achieve profitability, the American Angus Association ^SM commissioned an independent, in-depth study to provide a blueprint for prioritizing profit drivers in today’s cattle operations.

FULL STORY

Cattle Preconditioning Forum: Manage Lice To Maximize Production

Cattle Preconditioning Forum: Manage Lice To Maximize Production

 

Cattlenetwork.com

 

Each winter, producers battle parasites, such as lice and mange, that can rob their herds of production and profits. These bothersome parasites can make cattle uncomfortable and suppress their appetites.

 

“Mange and lice are present all year-round and build during the cold weather months,” says Dr. Roger Moon, professor, University of Minnesota, livestock entomology.

 

Lice are most common on mature cattle in December through March, with peak populations found in March. They are most often found on the neck, back, hips and around the tailhead regions of cattle.(1) There are four species of lice that may affect cattle. They are the chewing lice and three species of sucking lice. Chewing lice cause damage by biting hair and skin, while sucking lice penetrate the skin and suck blood.

FULL STORY

All-Natural Beef at Every Black Angus Steakhouse Is a Cut Above the Rest

All-Natural Beef at Every Black Angus Steakhouse Is a Cut Above the Rest

 

National Provisioner

 

As consumers grow hungrier than ever for steak, Black Angus Steakhouse announced today that 100 percent of the beef served at all 84 locations is now exclusively all-natural beef from corn- fed Black Angus cattle. Black Angus Steakhouse is the first major steakhouse chain to make a system-wide commitment to serving all-natural beef that is free from all additives, artificial flavors or colors and preservatives, and that is rigorously tested for hormones and antibiotics.

FULL STORY

Electronic ID required for cattle movement under new rules

Electronic ID required for cattle movement under new rules

 

WOOD-TV (MI)

 

LANSING, Mich. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is imposing new requirements for moving cattle to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

Department Director Mitch Irwin said today the changes are necessary to bring the state into compliance with federal rules.

 

Last November, the state required that cattle leaving farms be tagged with electronic identification so their movements could be traced.

FULL STORY

Stocker Cattle Forum: Developing A Rational Treatment Program

Stocker Cattle Forum: Developing A Rational Treatment Program 

 

Cattlenetwork.com

 

Any time that you are dealing with calves that are co-mingled in sale barns and hauled long distances, you are going to be faced with developing a treatment program. While pull rates are highly variable in these calves, we normally plan on treating at least 25-30% even if we give an antibiotic at arrival (metaphylaxis). Of the animals that we pull, over 85% of these calves will be diagnosed with respiratory disease of some form or fashion. So when you look at the sheer number of calves we are forced to treat for respiratory disease, it is imperative that we use a rational approach to make sure it is done effectively and economically.

FULL STORY

Top-quality cattle coming to Kentucky Beef Expo

Top-quality cattle coming to Kentucky Beef Expo

 

Newsdemocratleader.com

 

Beef cattle breeders will bring some of their best animals to show and sell at the 21st annual Kentucky Beef Expo March 2-4 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

 

“The Kentucky Beef Expo is one of the top shows of its kind,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Exhibitors show and sell some of the best cattle Kentucky has to offer. Buyers improve their herd genetics. And our youth can purchase a show calf for the 2007 show season or sharpen their skills in the shows and judging competitions.”

 

The 2006 Expo generated $895,300 in gross sales, 10.7 percent higher than the 2005 Expo, and an average of $1,848 per head, 7.9 percent higher than the previous year. For the first time, four breeds grossed more than $100,000 each.

 

“Last year’s sale results were significantly higher than those of the year before,” Farmer said. “I expect that trend to continue because of the quality of the cattle offered for sale at this event.”

FULL STORY

Growth strategy for Indiana’s beef cattle industry being considered

Growth strategy for Indiana’s beef cattle industry being considered

 

by Dave Russell

Brownfield Network

 

At the Indiana Beef Cattle Association convention this past weekend, Andy Miller, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture talked about the decline in the beef cattle industry in the state. Something that Miller would like to see turn around. “Really the key first step is why did we see such a precipitous decline? Do we know all those reasons? If we do, are all of those obstacles overcomeable, if that’s a word, and then what are the opportunities,” said Miller.

FULL STORY

Indiana Beef Industry Ready to Grow

Indiana Beef Industry Ready to Grow

by Gary Truitt

Hoosier Ag Today

 

In 2005 when the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced its strategic plan for Indiana agricultural growth, expansion of the ethanol and pork industries topped the list. The Hoosier beef industry was not sited as a major growth sector for the state. That has changed. In remarks to the Indiana Beef Cattle Association on Saturday, ISDA Director Andy Miller said recent studies have shown Indiana’s Beef industry is ready for a major growth spurt. Miller said he is bullish about the Hoosier beef industry, “With a change in corn production and a change in ethanol production, do we have an opportunity for the beef industry that we did not see two years ago?” He told IBCA members his department will begin working with their organization to examine the possibilities to increase cattle production and processing in the state.

FULL STORY

Morgan County cattleman elected IBCA president

Morgan County cattleman elected IBCA president

 

by Dave Russell

Brownfield Network

 

Joe Rode, a cow-calf operator from Morgan County was elected president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA) at the organizations annual meeting on Saturday, February 24.

 

Looking at his year as President, Joe Rode expects the IBCA will continue to promote beef to consumers, emphasizing the health benefits of beef in the diet. In an interview with Brownfield, the Morgan County cattleman also said it was going to be important for IBCA to educate those outside the industry about how cattle are raised and that cattlemen are good stewards of the land. Rode also sees an opportunity for the industry to grow, brought about by the growth in the state’s ethanol industry. “We’re going to have a lot of feed for cattle here in Indiana and we hope to promote this and bring cattle back as one of the top producing commodities in Indiana,” said Rode.

 

Also elected to serve the IBCA in the coming year; President-elect, Todd McGraw of Lafayette; Vice President, Dave Smith of Greensburg and Treasurer Jim Lankford of Martinsville.

FULL STORY

Cattle Identification: State Premises Registration Stats As Of 2/20/07

Cattle Identification: State Premises Registration Stats As Of 2/20/07

 

Cattlenetwork.com

 

State Premises Registration Statistics as of 2/20/07

Many Factors Affect Rebreeding and Pregnancy Rates

Many Factors Affect Rebreeding and Pregnancy Rates

 

by: Heather Smith Thomas

Cattle Today

 

There are many things that can affect pregnancy rate in a herd, and number of open cows at the end of the breeding season, including nutrition, calving difficulty, disease, level of expertise in doing an A.I. program, and bull fertility if breeding by natural service.

 

Some of the problems with calving difficulty (which can lead to injury, bruising or infection in the cow–all of which can delay her recovery and inhibit her ability to rebreed) can be avoided these days with use of EPD’s and selective genetics. The rancher has more information now when selecting bulls and replacement heifers, on inheritable factors that affect calving, such as birthweight.

 

Some of the disease problems in a herd that can affect rebreeding and pregnancy rate can be resolved or avoided with good bull management, eliminating some of the major contagious diseases such as trichomoniasis, with regular bull testing.

FULL STORY

The cattle price roller coaster of 2006

The cattle price roller coaster of 2006

 

by Tim Petry, livestock marketing economist, North Dakota State University

Angus Journal

 

Another interesting year for cattle prices is behind us. It seems like each year the September to December time period usually spawns an unexpected event that causes dramatic swings in prices.

FULL STORY

Livestock Markets Legislation Introduced

Livestock Markets Legislation Introduced

 

Anguselist.com

 

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Feb. 15 introduced legislation aimed at correcting “deficiencies” in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) enforcement of agricultural markets. Known as the Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act, the bill would reorganize and streamline USDA while establishing an Office of Special Counsel, whose sole responsibility would be to investigate and prosecute violations on competition matters. Harkin stated in a release the position, which would also serve as a liaison between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

 

“Producers need to have a fighting chance in an industry that is becoming far too consolidated and vertically integrated,” Harkin stated. “I will propose and seek to include this legislation as part of a competition title in the Farm Bill.”

FULL STORY

U.S. cattle on feed down three percent

U.S. cattle on feed down three percent

 

Meatnews.com

 

Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market are down about three percent from last year.

 

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on February 1, 2007, according to statistics released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

 

The inventory was three percent below February 1, 2006 but three percent above February 1, 2005.

FULL STORY