Factors That Affect Breeding Ability in Bulls
Heather Smith Thomas
Hereford World
There are many factors that play a role in fertility and breeding ability in bulls, including semen quality, soundness, desire to breed cows, etc. Most producers make sure that every bull passes a breeding soundness examination (sometimes referred to as a BSE) before putting him out with cows.
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BeefTalk: It Pays to Read the Tag
Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service
Early discussions of animal breeding and selection always grouped producers into three types, which were the breeder, multiplier and commercial producer.
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Chipotle Unnecessarily Tears Down Agriculture to Build a Brand
Ted Sheely
The Truth about Trade and Technology
In the boardrooms of Madison Avenue, they call it “values branding”: a marketing strategy in which a company tries to instill a feeling of righteousness in the customers who buy its products. But what kind of values would inspire a corporation to wage a smear campaign against America’s farmers?
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Small cattle feeders hold an advantage
Iowa Farmer Today
Five years ago, Duane and Jodi Steenhoek decided they wanted a little more control over the calves they sold. So, with that thought in mind, they put up a hoop building on their Lucas County farm. Instead of selling calves at the sale barn, the couple started feeding their cattle.
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Ranching as a business – not a lifestyle
Laura Mushrush
Drovers
It’s often said that ranching is a lifestyle, but it’s much more than that. Without a business mindset ranch owners can struggle to turn a profit. This includes prioritizing resources on cattle operations and evaluating their interactions will help with business decisions.
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Taking DNA samples
Bovine Veterinarian
Dr. Kevin DeHaan, technical services director, Igenity, offers tips about collecting DNA samples to ensure the best possible results.
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Lack of Oxygen Complicates Calves’ First Breaths
Beef Producer
Cow-calf producers typically spend plenty of time preparing for the arrival of new calves: carefully selected genetics for ease of birthing, plenty of herd checks and a heat lamp or two. But once the calf hits the ground, the next step is to ensure it is breathing properly.
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Harvest quality grass and preserve it well
Nick Paulson
Hay and Forage Grower
To make good grass silage, producers must first harvest high-quality forage, use the right type and amount of inoculant, and pack and cover the product tightly and properly.
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Why The Godfather Of Natural Beef Cut Ties With Niman Ranch
Hayley Peterson
Business Insider
Bill Niman spent more than three decades building Niman Ranch into one of the most beloved natural meat suppliers in the nation from just 200 acres of land and six calves.
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How big meat recalls hurt small cattle ranches
Nathanael Johnson
Grist
Whenever there’s a giant meat recall, the first and often only reaction is disgust. It’s entirely justified self-interest: People want to be sure that their ground chuck hasn’t ever shared a vat with pathogens. But these recalls also have an effect on the other end of the food chain, which we rarely consider.
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Goals Establish Bull Buying Criteria
Clifford Mitchell
Cattle Today
Tough decisions are part of the deal for those who call themselves cattlemen. A lot of conclusions are focused on the bottom line. Cutting expenses or increasing revenue to create profit.
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Biosecurity: Tips on Bringing Home a New Bull
Heather Smith Thomas
Hereford World
Maintaining optimum herd health depends on many things — including a good nutrition program, vaccination and minimizing the possibilities for new diseases to enter the herd. One of the most common ways that new diseases come into a herd is with new animals.
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Bargain-Basement Stockers Turn a Profit
DTN
Mark Bray has one of the toughest jobs in the cattle business. He makes a living buying 370- to 440-pound highly stressed calves from sale barns and turning them into valuable feeder cattle. It’s a job that starts the minute the calves step off the trailer at Ridgecrest Farm in Stokes County, N.C.
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Quick Spring Forage Crops
John Jennings
University of Arkansas
Spring oats (not winter oats) may provide a fairly quick spring forage crop. Other forage management options to improve spring pastures include improved grazing, fertility management, weed control, and deferred grazing to allow other winter-damaged fields to recover. Spring oats are an option where no winter annuals were planted in fall.
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What’s on the Consumer’s Mind?
Katie Allen
Angus Beef Bulletin Extra
When it comes to buying livestock products, consumers value freshness and safety most, according to a recent K-State study.
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Future Uncertain For California Cattle Feeders
Burt Rutherford
BEEF
The future is uncertain not just for Imperial Valley cattle feeders, but for the entire economy of the borderland area of Southern California now that National Beef will go ahead with plans to close its Brawley, CA, beef packing plant.
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Corn-Soybean Silage May Cut Feed Costs
Neil Tietz
Hay and Forage Grower
Combining vining soybeans (inset photo) with MasterGraze corn will make silage high in energy and protein, South Dakota researchers predict.
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A Cold Dry Spell Doesn’t Hurt Much
Beef Producer
For more than 40 years I have listened to veterinarians and producers from the upper Midwest describe the long, frigid winters of the North Country.
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Spring breeding: Preparing bulls for the big dance
Laura Mushrush
Drovers
As calving season ramps up across the country, it’s time to start planning ahead for spring breeding.
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Iowa Beef Center Asks Feedlot Operators for Feedback
Iowa Beef Center
Iowa feedlot operators may soon be receiving a survey in the mail from Iowa Beef Center. As part of its ongoing commitment to providing accurate and timely information to the state’s beef industry, IBC is now asking the feedlot segment for opinions on a variety of topics, according to director Dan Loy.
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