Proper Vaccinations Can Protect Calves Until Weaning
Heather Smith Thomas
Cattle Today
Newborn calves gain temporary (passive) immunity from disease when they ingest colostrum from the dam—since this “first milk” contains maternal antibodies. After a few weeks or months this temporary protection begins to wane, however, and calves must build their own immunities.
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Grazing Fertilized Pastures Safely
Dr. Ken McMillan
DTN/The Progressive Farmer
In most cases it’s safe to fertilize pastures while grazing, but be wary of grass tetany.
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You Can Stretch Your Hay Supplies as You Feed Your Cattle This Winter
Oklahoma Farm Report
Hay in Oklahoma and Texas continues to be a scarce commodity- and prices of hay rolling in on semis from the north are extremely high. Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, says there are some relatively simple ideas that ranchers can put into place that will help stretch each large square or round bale that you may open up to feed.
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Optimizing Forages Discussed At Alfalfa Expo
Hay & Forage Grower
Ways producers can maximize forages will be the topic that Rick Rasby, a University of Nebraska cattle feeding expert, will discuss at the Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference, set for Feb. 7-8 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, NE.
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My Prices Are Not Too High: A Farmer Fires Back
Shannon Hayes
YES
Every week during the growing season, my husband and I cart our family’s grassfed meats to market. We sell pork chops for $11 a pound; ground beef goes for $7.50.
Every week, we meet someone who tells us the prices are too high.
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Patience Is The Key In Recovering Drought-Stressed Pasture
Burt Rutherford
BEEF
Cattlemen in drought-stricken Texas and Oklahoma, as well as a number of other states, may want to find their favorite version and take a listen. Whether it’s the Sons of the Pioneers or Fleetwood Mac, its story of a cowboy and his horse searching for a drink of cool, clear water speaks of hard times that remain etched in the psyche of the West even now.
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New Federal Proposal Moving Towards Ear-Tagging Cattle
Tammy Mutasa
NBCDFW
A Texas tradition of cattle branding may soon be a thing of the past for more than 13 million head in the state.
There’s a new federal proposal to move to ear-tagging as the Department of Agriculture is trying to come up with the best way of tracking cattle when it comes to diseases and outbreaks.
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The Great Northern Migration — of U.S. Cattle
P.J. Huffstutter and Theopolis Waters
Scientific American
For more than a century, through a dozen dry spells when lakes disappeared and the land died, thousands of cows from the Swenson Land & Cattle Co have roamed the fields of Texas.
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Animal scientists respond to ‘useless college major’ slam by Yahoo
Tri State Livestock News
Students in animal science programs learn skills that are vital in food production and animal and human health. Enrollment in animal science majors is increasing, and job opportunities for animal science majors continue to expand.
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Livestock Groups Find US Forest Service Planning Rule Unworkable
NCBA
“Rather than listening to concerns from those of us who have devoted our livelihoods to raising livestock on federal lands, the Forest Service is continuing down a path with this forest planning rule that will have long-term, chilling effects on my ability to do my job,” John Falen, PLC president and Nevada rancher, said.
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What does a cattle disease look like in a human?
TERRI ADAMS
Farm & Ranch Guide
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 75 percent of the newest emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are diseases of animal origin. They also report that approximately 60 percent of all human diseases are zoonotic – meaning they can spread from an animal to a human.
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Cattlemen speak out on downer livestock ruling
Red Bluff Daily News
Following this week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the slaughter of non-ambulatory livestock, there is some lingering confusion about the slaughter of non-ambulatory cattle.
In short, the court’s ruling that California law cannot be stricter than federal law does not affect the slaughter of non-ambulatory cattle because federal regulations already prohibit the slaughter and sale of meat from cattle that are unable to walk.
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Cow/Calf Beef Improvement Seminar-Cattle Disposition
Malory Dolin
Beef cow/calf producers have the opportunity to learn about the effects of temperament on cow/calf productivity. A group of Purdue Extension Educators are hosting a seminar at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds on Saturday February 11th and registration will start at 8:00 a.m.
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Animal Performance Shaped By Genetics, Environment
Chad Gulley
Tyler Paper
When it comes to livestock, animal performance is determined by two factors — genetics and the environment.
Environmental factors may include climate, topography, forages, disease, management practices and economics. In 2011 with the drought, several of these factors came into play.
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Presidential Candidates and Animal Issues
Petbreedersandowners.com
It is our hope that the above will help to answer some of the questions you may have in regards to where the candidates stand on animal issues. It is intended to only be one resource, guiding you to do further research on the issue. Considering the ongoing legislation and the agenda of the animal rights groups, our next Presidential choice will have great impact on future animal legislation.
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Nutrients vital to beef cows, despite mild winter
Tri State Livestock News
A summer of excessive moisture and good grass growth followed by record high temperatures and record low precipitation this winter has provided many northern plains cattle producers with the opportunity to extend their grazing season well beyond normal.
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Cattle-Fax’s Blach: A great time to be in the cattle industry
Larry Dreiling
High Plains Journal
"If you’ve been around this business for any period of time, you’re probably feeling pretty good today, and darn it, we shouldn’t have to apologize for these high prices. They’re a long, long time coming," said Blach, president and CEO of Cattle-Fax.
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Bloat at this time of year could be deadly for cattle
Fred Hall
Wichita Falls Time Record
Frothy bloat occurs when the gases produced during ruminal fermentation cannot be expelled from the rumen by eructation (belching). At the onset of bloat, cattle may cease eating and the bloat may dissipate.
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Southeastern Cattle Producers Could Make Money with Stockers
Cattle Today
“Rain or shine, wet or dry, do you want to make more money from your cows next year?” asks a Texas AgriLife Research forage scientist.
“It’s possible primarily as today’s high-priced corn has changed the way feedlots are doing business,” said Dr. Monte Rouquette, AgriLife Research forage scientist.
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Where’s the beef? Cattle inventory falls
Elizabeth Campbell
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The U.S. cattle inventory fell to the smallest size in 60 years as of Jan. 1, dropping more than expected, after a drought in the southern U.S. scorched pastures, spurring ranchers to shrink herds.
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