Baxter Black, DVM: The Food Age

Baxter Black, DVM:  The Food Age

According to a food scientist at the University of Arizona, more than 100,000 plant and animal varieties have become endangered over the last quarter century.

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BeefTalk: Calves That Create Fervid Gusto Are Good

BeefTalk: Calves That Create Fervid Gusto Are Good

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Buying bulls means buying a good bull with structure, fertility and the desired traits that correspond to a market driven to buy the offspring with fervid gusto. Most livestock buyers purchase with gusto, but the right genetics will add fervor. With fervor comes more money and value.

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The Nutritional Value Of Distiller’s Grains Is Changing

The Nutritional Value Of Distiller’s Grains Is Changing

Burt Rutherford       

BEEF

As ethanol plants look for ways to extract more value from distillers grains, the nutritional value of the byproduct is changing.

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How do cattle nutrition requirements change during extended periods of cold weather?

How do cattle nutrition requirements change during extended periods of cold weather?

Dr. Rick Rasby, University of Nebraska

Cattle typically have a lower temperature comfort level at around 20° to 30° Fahrenheit under dry, still conditions. When air temperature or wind chill drops below this threshold then cattle begin to need more energy from feed or use their own fat reserves in order to maintain body temperature.

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Zilmax suspension and carcass weights

Zilmax suspension and carcass weights

Chris Reinhardt

Drovers

After Merck Animal Health temporarily suspended sales of its Zilmax feed additive in August 2013, industry analysts speculated on the potential impacts on slaughter weights and beef production.

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Open Cows? Lepto Might Be The Culprit

Open Cows? Lepto Might Be The Culprit

Heather Smith Thomas

BEEF

Leptospirosis is a common bacterial infection of cattle. Clinical illness can be mild or severe, but the cattle disease is economically important as it can cause abortion, infertility, illness — even death.

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Clemson Extension scientists rekindle a famous beef bloodline

Clemson Extension scientists rekindle a famous beef bloodline

Southeast Farm Press

The sale this fall of a $25,000 bull to a Texas ranch is important for more than just bragging rights for the Clemson University Extension Service. It’s one step on a long road toward rebuilding a herd of Herefords that once provided a research and teaching platform for improving cattle genetics on South Carolina farms.

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Higher cattle prices put premium on growing the herd, finding new pastures

Higher cattle prices put premium on growing the herd, finding new pastures

James A. Jones, Jr

Bradenton Herald

Manatee County has herds totaling about 40,000 with an annual market value estimated at $21 million — the ninth largest for beef production among Florida counties. Some say the higher prices for beef has pushed that value to more than $30 million.

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Tight feeder cattle supplies, lower feed costs impacting feedlots

Tight feeder cattle supplies, lower feed costs impacting feedlots

Ashley Bechman

Improving pasture conditions and strong cattle feeder prices are providing opportunities for cattlemen to begin rebuilding the U.S. cowherd.

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Ionophores In Rations Give Cattle More Energy, Less Gas

Ionophores In Rations Give Cattle More Energy, Less Gas

McDonald County Press

Despite all the talk from feed salespeople and extension specialists estimates are that less than 25 percent of beef producers in southwest Missouri use ionophores in beef rations. According to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, ionophores are antimicrobial compounds that modify microbial fermentation in the rumen.

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