Video Feature: Belgian Blues, Meet the Super Cow

Video Feature: Belgian Blues, Meet the Super Cow

National Geographic

These gigantic cows resemble bovine body-builders. See how breeders have achieved such amazing results.

Drought-Related Cattle Feeding Problems

Drought-Related Cattle Feeding Problems

 Carole H. Brannen, Extension Animal Scientist, University of Georgia

Drought does not develop overnight but progressively over time. Proper management during a drought period can make or break a producer’s ability to stay in the cattle business. One main concern during a drought period is feeding and nutrition of the cow herd. Several problems could arise due to drought conditions. A good producer should stay alert for warning signs and avoid potentially damaging situations.

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Bull Management After the Breeding Season

Bull Management After the Breeding Season

Dr. Glenn Selk, Extension Cattle Specialist, Oklahoma State University

After the breeding season, bulls become a necessary evil or unwelcome visitor.  Many producers might like to forget about them for the balance of the year and some almost do.  While it is true that bulls during the post-breeding season don’t require much management, adequate planning and care can help insure that bulls costs will be kept within reason and that bulls will be ready to go again the next time they are needed.

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EPD Basics: What They Are and How to Use Them

EPD Basics:  What They Are and How to Use Them

Evan Whitley

Hereford World

Expected progeny differences (EPDs) are one of the most useful tools cow-calf producers have at their disposal. The usefulness of EPDs is paramount due to the importance of selecting and purchasing the right bull for the commercial or purebred operation.

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BeefTalk: Why Are the Raspberries Still Here?

BeefTalk: Why Are the Raspberries Still Here?

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Where did all the birds go? Too many of us did not even notice the birds were missing. Where did all the birds go? Too many of us did not even notice the birds were missing.

If we are going to feed the world, we at least need to engage the world.

In food production, things are never the same because many variables come into play on a daily basis.

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Wisconsin Emergency Declared

Wisconsin Emergency Declared

Hoosier AG Today

  The governor of Wisconsin has declared a state of emergency due to current drought conditions. Governor Jim Doyle says farmers continue to feel the effects of a long term shortage of rainfall. Some areas of Wisconsin have adequate soil moisture, but many farmers are experiencing drought conditions at a critical point in the growing season which could mean significant crop damage and economic losses.

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If We Could Just Manage Like The Politicians Do

If We Could Just Manage Like The Politicians Do

Troy Marshall

BEEF Magazine

Across the board, government revenues are down dramatically. The federal government is in a very similar situation to the dairy industry, which has suffered a dramatic drop in revenues. In fact, tax receipts are on pace to drop 18% this year, the biggest single-year decline since the Great Depression.

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Service sought by customers

Service sought by customers

Kindra Gordon

"Customer service is not a ‘big’ thing, it is a million little things," says California-based David Aaker, a national speaker and corporate trainer on customer service.

Similarly, Shep Hyken is a St. Louis-based author and professional speaker who works with companies and individuals on building loyal relationships with their customers.

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Wyoming Ranchers Struggling In Decade-Long Drought

Wyoming Ranchers Struggling In Decade-Long Drought

Matt Joyce

IMPOmag.com

Wyoming’s cattle population dropped 21 percent during the past decade as ranchers struggled through a persistent drought that gripped much of the state from 1999 until last year.

The cattle count in Wyoming dropped from 1.66 million in 1998 to 1.3 million in 2008, according to the newly released 2009 Wyoming Agricultural Statistics report. This January’s count was up 3 percent from the year before.

The United States Department of Agriculture, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming produce the annual report.

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Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame

Betty Jo Gigot

Calf News

In recognition of their vision, inspiration and leadership that has helped shape today’s cattle feeding industry, Paul F. Engler and the late William D. “W.D.” Farr were honored as the inaugural inductees into the newly established Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.

While both inductees have a list of accomplishments that span the decades, Engler, 79, is most recognized as founder and chairman of Cactus Feeders, the largest, privately owned fed-cattle producer in the United States.

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Grass-fed beef and greenhouse gas

Grass-fed beef and greenhouse gas – now with data! (Some data, anyway.)

Backseat Driving

Not looking good for grass-fed beef. Story’s not completely over, though. The commenter acknowledges earlier that indirect land use changes aren’t accounted for. He or she thinks that could make cattle effects worse, but not necessarily. The main alternative use I’d expect of ranchlands in the San Francisco Bay Area in lieu of cattle would be sprawl. Also it doesn’t include soil carbon, which would be a significant benefit I’d expect (maybe) from switching from tilled agriculture to pasturage.

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Trading Carbon Credits, How does that work?

Trading Carbon Credits, How does that work?

Troy Smith

Hereford World

Surely, by now, you’ve heard about carbon credits. You’ve heard about the concept of capturing and storing (sequestering) carbon in the soil. It’s something all forms of plant life do — remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester carbon in soil organic matter. And there has been a lot of talk about how the sequestered carbon represents a potential cash crop for farmers and ranchers.

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More Evidence of HSUS/Terrorism Ties

More Evidence of HSUS/Terrorism Ties

Advocates For Agriculture

My post yesterday concerning several animal rights groups being linked to eco terrorism drew quite a bit of attention from both sides of the debate. A representative from the HSUS contacted me to suggest that they had been completely cleared in this matter and told me I should update my blog.

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Nursing Calf Deworming

Nursing Calf Deworming

Jeffrey N. Carter and Matthew J. Hersom

University of Florida

Historically, the predominant health problem worldwide for ruminant animals has been the presence of internal parasites. The continued use of anthelmintics, or dewormers, remains controversial among researchers because there is wide variation among results when these products are used on cattle with moderate to low levels of parasite infestation. It is clear, however, that with any level of infestation above moderate, dewormers provide almost immediate responses and improvement in animal health and performance.

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Preconditioning Programs: Vaccination, Nutrition, and Management

Preconditioning Programs: Vaccination, Nutrition, and Management

Dr. Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension Veterinarian

Dr. Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension Beef Specialist

Preconditioning, by definition, is a vaccination, nutrition, and management program designed to prepare young cattle to withstand the stress associated with weaning and shipment to a backgrounding yard or feedlot. It is unfortunate that pre-conditioning is a term that has been loosely applied in the beef industry.

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