Size Matters More Than Age At Breeding

Size Matters More Than Age At Breeding

Dr. Ken McMillan

DTN/Progressive Farmer

QUESTION: I have a small herd of crossbreed cows, primarily Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis. Our new bull is a Limousin. I have three heifers about 24 months old that have never been bred. What is a good age to breed to the Limousin? Should I expect any problems with calving?

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Ultrasound for small herds

 Ultrasound for small herds

Southern Livestock Standard

Everything from agriculture to the competitive business world is experiencing vertical integration to some degree.  While economies of scale seem to win out in many cases, the beef industry should not try to act like Wal-Mart.  A few of their consolidation efforts can be effectively applied to beef cattle production, but striving to be a “one-stop shop” for every producer in the country is a bit of a lofty goal.

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Examining cow-calf costs

Examining cow-calf costs

Ivan G. Rush

Tri State Livestock News

Many cow-calf producers are pleased to see the relatively good calf prices being reported this year on video auctions and a few early calf sales. Unfortunately, all of the improvement in calf value is needed to offset what seems to be ever increasing costs.

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Q&A: What is the value of ground ear corn per ton?

Q&A:   What is the value of ground ear corn per ton?

Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, Animal Science, University of Nebraska

A:   The energy value of regular corn is 88% TDN. The energy value of ear corn is around 80% TDN.

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Age and source verification can pay

Age and source verification can pay

Drovers

U.S. beef exports have risen to levels the cattle industry has seen only once since December 2003, when the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in the country.

However, U.S. cattle producers face stricter regulations if they plan to market their beef overseas. For example, Japan won’t accept cattle for slaughter more than 20 months old, and Korea won’t take cattle more than 30 months old.

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BeefTalk: Five Key Points to Calf Records

BeefTalk: Five Key Points to Calf Records

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Center

Fall is, depending on where one lives, the time to process calves. As producers, fall also is the last time we physically have the calf in our possession. We need to take the time to note or record the information we would like to have for each calf.

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More meat eaters will require doubling of world livestock

More meat eaters will require doubling of world livestock

Google.com

With meat eating on the increase, livestock producers will have to double their output when the world population hits nine billion, experts attending the World Meat Congress said Monday in Buenos Aires.

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Tool Time: A review of the tools in a breeding kit

Tool Time: A review of the tools in a breeding kit

 Mel DeJarnette, Reproductive Specialist, Select Sires

Tim Allen will tell you that a quality repair job depends on having the right parts and tools for the job. If you’re like me however, your most frequently used tool is the hammer (even for repairing electronics). If a hammer is not within arm’s reach, a crescent or pipe wrench will suffice.

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Take the Stress Out of Calving Season

Take the Stress Out of Calving Season

Becky Mills

DTN

In his 50 years of practice, veterinarian Fred Ingle has seen just about everything. Still, there is one bovine delivery complication that stands out. "I reached in and felt two heads," recalls the Clermont, Ga., practitioner. Not twins, but two heads on one calf.

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NCBA Echoes Temple Grandin’s Animal Welfare Concerns

NCBA Echoes Temple Grandin’s Animal Welfare Concerns

AGRI AMarketing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule on livestock marketing poses concerns to animal welfare, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

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