Early cold blast prompts livestock cold stress warning

Early cold blast prompts livestock cold stress warning

Aimee Nielson

Drovers

An early blast of arctic cold has landed in the Bluegrass, and that puts pressure on farmers to make sure their animals are ready for the assault.

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BVD: Biosecurity, vaccination and diagnostics

BVD: Biosecurity, vaccination and diagnostics

John Maday

Drovers

While the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a complex and challenging problem in beef and dairy cattle, the industry possesses an array of tools for effective control and, potentially, eradication of this destructive pathogen. These include effective vaccines, accurate and affordable diagnostic tests and a good understanding of how the disease spreads within and between herds.

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Sprouted grains as part of livestock rations

Sprouted grains as part of livestock rations

Sue Roesler

The Prairie Star

Rain and hail in parts of Montana and North Dakota delayed small grain harvest this year, which in some cases lowered the quality of the grain.

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The Two-Week Window That Changes Everything

The Two-Week Window That Changes Everything

Becky Mills

Progressive Farmer

Two weeks after calving, cows lose body condition. But if she is short on nutrients, too, that drop-off can set off a chain reaction that’s hard to stop.

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Treated Residue Beats Corn Silage In Beef Rations

Treated Residue Beats Corn Silage In Beef Rations

Nick Paulson

Hay and Forage Grower

Will Allen can’t picture going back to corn silage in his beef rations. The Dalhart, TX, feedlot owner has moved entirely to crop residue treated with Second Crop, a new process from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). His operation, Kabil Cattle Company, grows cattle to feeder weight, raises replacement heifers and also runs a cow-calf operation.

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Candy fed to cows

Candy fed to cows

Lois Trader

Examiner.com

Cattle farmers struggling with record corn prices are feeding their cows candy instead. That’s right, candy. Cows are being fed chocolate bars, gummy worms, ice cream sprinkles, marshmallows, bits of hard candy and even powdered hot chocolate mix, according to cattle farmers, bovine nutritionists and commodities dealers.

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A one-man cattle ranch near Statesboro

A one-man cattle ranch near Statesboro

Al Hackle

Statesboro Hearld

Through technological wonders that include cryogenic storage and the bovine equivalent of surrogate motherhood, a one-man ranching operation near Statesboro gives a start to some of the top-rated beef cattle growing up on ranches across the country.

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The Most Inspiring Bits of Temple Grandin’s Reddit AMA

The Most Inspiring Bits of Temple Grandin’s Reddit AMA

The Daily Beast

Renowned livestock specialist and autism advocate Temple Grandin brought her unique intellect and wit to Reddit. Here’s what she had to say about sexism, autism, and more.

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Beef’s Production Efficiency Contributes To Environmental Quality

Beef’s Production Efficiency Contributes To Environmental Quality

Wes Ishmael

BEEF

“Whenever climate change gets introduced, the conversation tends to turn political," says Linda Prokopy, an associate professor of natural resource social science at Purdue University. “Scientists and climatologists are saying climate change is happening, and agricultural commodity groups and farmers are saying they don’t believe that.

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Raising beef without hormones or antibiotics

Raising beef without hormones or antibiotics

Luke Moretti and Rose Ciotta

WIVB

At Hanova Hills Farm in Forestville, Chautauqua County beef production is taking a step back in time. “Basically we’re just trying to raise good beef,” said Dan Egan, the farm’s manager and a partner. Egan says his herd of cattle is split into four breeding groups on 570 acres, pasture raised and finished without growth hormones or antibiotics.

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