Improving Cow-Calf Profitability through Enterprise Analysis

Improving Cow-Calf Profitability through Enterprise Analysis

Rodney D. Jones, Extension Agricultural Economist, Livestock Production, Danny D. Simms, Extension Specialist, Livestock Production, Kansas State University

An enterprise analysis is an in-depth evaluation of the profitability of a specific enterprise, in this instance the cow-calf enterprise, separate from the rest of the business or farm. Profitability is dependent on both the production or performance aspects and financial factors, such as costs, associated with the enterprise. In order to analyze a specific enterprise, good records of both production and financial factors are essential.

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Storage of Wet Corn Co-Products

Storage of Wet Corn Co-Products

G. Erickson, T. Klopfenstein, R. Rasby, A. Stalker, B. Plugge, D. Bauer, D. Mark, D. Adams, J. Benton, M. Greenquist, B. Nuttleman, L. Kovarik, M. Peterson, J. Waterbury and M. Wilken, University of Nebraska

Three types of distillers grains can be produced that vary in moisture content. Ethanol plants may dry some or all of their distillers grains to produce dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS; 90% dry matter [DM]). However, many plants that have a market for wet distillers locally (i.e., Nebraska) may choose not to dry their distillers grains due to cost advantages. Wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) is 30-35% DM.

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ELISA testing for BVD

ELISA testing for BVD

Heather Smith Thomas

Tri State Livestock News

There are several tests a producer can utilize to see if cattle are harboring BVD virus or is persistently infected (PI). Acute BVD is not as big a concern as persistent infection – in which the animal can never get rid of the virus. PI calves are the result of fetal infection with a certain biotype of BVD virus at an early stage of pregnancy before the fetus’ immune system is fully developed.

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Dairy producers participate in largest-ever buyout

Dairy producers participate in largest-ever buyout

Ching Lee

California Farm Bureau

To help temper the nation’s milk supply and strengthen prices for dairy farmers, the National Milk Producers Federation is moving forth with its largest herd retirement to date, removing more than 100,000 dairy cows and 2 billion pounds of milk from the market.

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Nebraska cattle herd tests positive to bovine TB

Nebraska cattle herd tests positive to bovine TB

NELSON LAMPE

Forbes

State and federal officials are trying to find out whether bovine tuberculosis has spread from a herd of beef cattle in north-central Nebraska’s Rock County.

The herd has been quarantined, said a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture on Monday. The department is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stem any spread of the usually fatal disease to neighboring herds and beyond.

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NAIS system will hurt industry competition

NAIS system will hurt industry competition

The Westerner

Inherent to every competitive industry is proprietary information. If one competitor gains access to the proprietary information of another, then any competitive advantage associated with that proprietary information is at best lost.

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Slaughterhouse 0ne

Slaughterhouse 0ne

Jessica Arriens

The Keene Sentinel

In 2006, two New England slaughterhouses were destroyed within eight months of each other: Adams Farm Slaughterhouse in Athol, Mass., and Fresh Farm’s Beef Slaughterhouse in Rutland, Vt.

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Heart Of Texas Cow Calf Clinic set for June 18 in Brownwood

Heart Of Texas Cow Calf Clinic set for June 18 in Brownwood

Steve Byrns, Scott Anderson

The perennial Heart of Texas Cow/Calf Clinic conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is set for June 18 at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Brownwood on U.S. Hwy 377 South.

The clinic will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a catered barbecue meal.\

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Seedstock: Registration Transfers Help Open Markets

Seedstock: Registration Transfers Help Open Markets

Beef Today

Communicating seedstock ownership transfers to the proper breed associations sets the stage for satisfying relationships between commercial cattle producers and their genetic suppliers. Transferred registration certificates and performance records authenticate pedigree, performance and genetic information. Those documents communicate genetic merit, help manage the chances for genetic defects and provide essential information for maximizing returns from seedstock investments.

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Congress urged to remember farmers in climate change bills

Congress urged to remember farmers in climate change bills

The Prairie Star

National Farmers Union is calling on members of the House Agriculture Committee to remember the unique role America’s farmers and ranchers can play as climate change legislation is considered in the coming weeks.

In a letter sent to Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., today NFU President Roger Johnson expressed the organizations priorities and concerns relative to the cap and trade section of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

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Cone Feeders and Hay Feeding Losses

Cone Feeders and Hay Feeding Losses

e-extension

Beef cows in their study were allotted to one of eight pens with four feeder designs: cone, ring, trailer or cradle. All feeder types provided about 14.5 in. of linear feeder space/animal. Alfalfa and orchardgrass round bales were weighed and sampled before feeding. Hay that fell onto the concrete surrounding the feeder was considered waste and was collected and sampled daily. At the end of a seven-day period, each feeder type was assigned to a different pen for a second, seven-day period.

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UW Ag Dean Outlines Brucellosis Plan of Action

UW Ag Dean Outlines Brucellosis Plan of Action

Thebeefsite.com

Wyoming has emerged as a national leader in combating brucellosis, but more research and additional management solutions are needed to fight the disease, according to testimony presented (Wednesday) to members of the state’s Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee.

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Brazilian beef industry blamed for Amazon deforestation

Brazilian beef industry blamed for Amazon deforestation

Environmental News Network

Boots and training shoes are not the first things that spring to mind when you think about the causes of rainforest destruction and climate change, but just because the connection isn’t obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t realm, says Greenpeace in a new report, “Slaughtering the Amazon”.

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Grubs in Pastures

Grubs in Pastures

Dr. Bruce Anderson, Professor of Agronomy, Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska

It had to happen. Grubs have been a turf grass problem for years and now grubs are becoming more common in pasture grasses as well. Many counties in eastern and central Nebraska have reported finding grubs in scattered areas within pastures over the past several years.

Most of the time grubs have been found in pasture areas dominated by bluegrass, which seems logical since they also like bluegrass lawns.

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Cattle Health: Giardiasis & Cryptosporidiosis

Cattle Health: Giardiasis & Cryptosporidiosis

cattlenetwork.com

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum are parasitic protozoans and infections are common in domestic ruminants. Infections can lead to moderate to severe diarrhea with occasion mortalities. Clinical disease with Cryptosporidium parvum occurs in calves between 1 and 3 weeks of age lasting 1-2 weeks in duration. Giardiasis is observed in calves older than 3 weeks of age and is chronic.

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