Video Feature: Drovers TV

Video Feature: Drovers TV

In this episode of Drovers TV

-Jim Miles with an update on the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame
-Craig Alford, from DuPont Crop Protection on weed control and pasture productivity.
-Dr. Tom Noffsinger on low-stress animal handling
-Bill Davis from Rolling Rock Angus in Montana discusses genetics and consumer trends.

Steve Cornett: Beef Bucks Brouhaha: Round 2

Steve Cornett: Beef Bucks Brouhaha: Round 2

Beef Today

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, prodded by a none-too-cordial note from Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, has backed down some on its reorganization plans. They expect to hear “soon”—in, of course, the bureaucratic sense of “soon”—whether they’ve backed down enough or need to go further.

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Trich: Not Just a Western States Disease

Trich: Not Just a Western States Disease

Kim Holt

Angus Journal

Cow-calf producers may be leaving money on the table when it comes to assessing the reproductive — and trichomoniasis or “trich” disease status — of their resident herd bulls.

USDA’s Beef 2007-2008 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study, conducted in 24 states, questioned producers about their bull management practices and the methods they use to prepare for breeding season. The study represented nearly 80% of U.S. cow-calf operations and just under 90% of U.S. beef cows.

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The Price Of Predators: An Economic Impact Model For Livestock Ranches

The Price Of Predators: An Economic Impact Model For Livestock Ranches

Bovine Veterinarian

Rangelands – In Wyoming, about $4 million worth of rangeland cattle and sheep were lost to predators in 2005. Using a computerized model, researchers have now simulated an individual ranch’s economic impact of livestock losses to predators such as wolves and coyotes. Both short-term profitability and long-term viability were found to be affected by predation.

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Many hoof problems can be avoided with good conformation and management practices.

Many hoof problems can be avoided with good conformation and management practices.

Thefreelibruary.com

More than 90 percent of lameness problems in cattle originate in the feet. Lameness takes a toll on herd production, whether in beef or dairy cattle. Research at Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; a few years ago showed that lame cows were 16 times more likely to exceed herd average for days open (being slower to breed back) and nine times more likely to exceed herd average for services per pregnancy–and eight times more likely to be culled than non-lame herd mates.

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Bingaman working to open export markets for cattle

Bingaman working to open export markets for cattle

ConnectAmarillo.com

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman is working to open up export markets to New Mexico cattle ranchers.

Bingaman co-sponsored a senate passed resolution aimed at opening more opportunities for New Mexico beef exports. That resolution calls on seven countries Bingaman says has imposed unfair restrictions against U.S.beef exports to reopen their markets to American exports.

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Elanco Appoint New Beef Technical Consultant

Elanco Appoint New Beef Technical Consultant

Thebeefsite.com

Elanco has announced the hiring of Dr Nathan Pyatt as a beef technical consultant. In this role, he will work with Elanco’s marketing and sales team, providing technical support for the company’s feed-company outreach in the upper Midwest, while also working with nutritionists and producers.

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Commonsense Investments in Herd Health

Commonsense Investments in Herd Health

Boyd Kidwell

Angus Journal

In a roller-coaster cattle market, it’s tempting to cut back spending on virtually everything. But timely investments in herd health pay off in more calves at weaning, and that’s the profit center of a beef herd.

Veterinarians Heidi Hart of Bolton, N.C., and Kate Hussman of Louisa, Va., have forged sets of commonsense practices for their family commercial Angus operations. The large-animal veterinarians recommend similar herd health programs to clients with beef herds.

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Take precautions for livestock during hurricane season

Take precautions for livestock during hurricane season

Victoria Advocate

Sam Womble

It’s hard to believe that hurricane season is already upon us. Many of you may have heard the prediction for this year, very active. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is a 70 percent chance of 14 to 23 named storms, with eight to 14 growing into hurricanes. Three to seven of those could become major hurricanes reaching category three status or higher.

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UNL Extension Offers Mid-Plains BEEF Practicum

UNL Extension Offers Mid-Plains BEEF Practicum

KTIC

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Mid-Plains Beef Education in Economics and Forages Practicum programs will be offered beginning in September at the Dalbey-Halleck Research Farm near Virginia, Neb.

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Abundant Clover Sets Stage For Bloat Problems

Abundant Clover Sets Stage For Bloat Problems

Thebeefsite.com

Several University of Kentucky College of Agriculture specialists weighed in with possible explanations for the higher incidence of bloat. Ray Smith, extension forage specialist, said he and his colleagues have been in regular contact with livestock producers and industry representatives throughout the state.

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Study aims to maximize return on dairy beef

Study aims to maximize return on dairy beef

Nathan Phelps

Green Bay Press Gazette

Ultrasounds tell farmers how cattle will fair at market

With a black and white computer monitor behind her, Amy Radunz placed the ultrasound probe behind the shoulders of the Holstein steer.

Radunz took measurements of back fat and loin depth from the steer’s ribeye as part of a project aimed at getting farmers more information about raising dairy steers that are sold to market as beef.

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Measuring Supply-Use Of Distillers Grains In The United States

Measuring Supply-Use Of Distillers Grains In The United States

cattlenetwork.com

As grain-based ethanol production has expanded in the United States in recent years, so too has the production of distillers grains, a co-product of dry mill ethanol production processes. Distillers grains in its various forms are used in livestock feed rations as a competitive substitute for feed grains and sometimes soybean meal

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Has the Market Outgrown Bonds of Word and Handshake?

Has the Market Outgrown Bonds of Word and Handshake?

John Harrington

DTN

Once upon a time not that long ago, thousands and thousands of head of livestock traded each day with no more legal pretense than a terse "done" and a firm handshake. Though the standard assumption that "my word is my bond" was occasionally proven to be unjustified, it seemed to be a dependable, no-fuss-no-muss standard that successfully handled the vast majority of country commerce.

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Selecting beef cattle temperament receives more support

Selecting beef cattle temperament receives more support

David L. Morris, DVM, Ph.D.

The Fence Post

Every beef production operation is unique. Whether the operation is intensive where human-animal interactions are more frequent, or extensive operations where the human-animal interactions are generally less frequent, recognition of varying levels of cattle docility is apparent.

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