The politics behind USDA’s checkoff actions

The politics behind USDA’s checkoff actions

Steve Dittmer

Drovers

In an administration where the president’s approval rating is in the 40s and Congress’ approval rating – shameful under any president – hovers in the teens, there is a program which has consistently ranked in the 70 to 80 percent approval range for many years.

Full Story

Feeding wheat to cattle without causing acidosis

Feeding wheat to cattle without causing acidosis

All About Feed

Wheat tends to ferment quickly in the rumen more so than corn or barley. This increases the risk of ruminal acidosis, however researchers at from Lethbridge Research Centre have concluded that wheat can be fed at more than 50 percent of dietary dry matter without an adverse impact.

Full Story

As beef prices rise, cattle herds go missing in Idaho

As beef prices rise, cattle herds go missing in Idaho

Messenger Inquirer

More than 150 cattle valued at about $350,000 have been reported missing in southeastern Idaho, and authorities suspect modern-day cattle rustling as beef prices have soared. "Right now it’s just insane what those things are worth — it scares me to death," Idaho State Brand Inspector Larry Hayhurst said. "Which means the incentive is there."

Full Story

Learning from tragedy

Learning from tragedy

John Maday

Bovine Veterinarian

On June 16, 2014, twin tornados roared through the small Nebraska town of Pilger, leaving two people dead and much of the town destroyed. North of town, the funnels merged and the resulting tornado slammed into a 6,000-head feedyard, causing extensive damage, killing numerous cattle and injuring hundreds more.

Full Story

Model Shows Impacts of Regional Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Model Shows Impacts of Regional Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Beef Producer

Kansas State researchers have completed a the largest model to date to evaluate impacts of a potential foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in livestock. The researchers, Mike Sanderson, professor of epidemiology, and Sara McReynolds, a former graduate student of Sanderson’s, published the results of their research in the December issue of the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

Full Story

A Good Bull Pays His Own Way

A Good Bull Pays His Own Way

Victoria G. Myers

Progressive Farmer

Putting a new face in the bull pen has become a pricey move. Depending on the bull, most commercial cattle operations are looking at spending $3,000 for those muscled-up genetics. But he’s really an investment for the entire operation.

Full Story

Heifer retention shapes current feedlot, carcass performance

Heifer retention shapes current feedlot, carcass performance

Drovers

It’s hard to pick up a farm paper without seeing an article speculating on cowherd expansion. Yes, there are logical reasons for that, starting with the obvious: cattle prices. Next in line is the above-average forage now available in much of cow-calf country, long plagued by drought.

Full Story

A little rest from grazing improves native grasslands

A little rest from grazing improves native grasslands

Innovations Report

Just like us, grasslands need rest to improve their health. A study just published by Point Blue Conservation Science in the journal Ecological Restoration shows a 72 percent increase in where native perennial grasses were found on a coastal California ranch when cattle grazing was changed to give the land more time to rest.

Full Story

K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series Set for January; Focuses on Replacement Heifers

K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series Set for January; Focuses on Replacement Heifers

McPherson Sentinel

Record high calf prices and projected cow-calf profitability have many producers considering expansion. Selecting, feeding and breeding the right replacement heifers could have a large impact on future profits.

Full Story

Mandatory country of origin labeling: Economic impacts to consider

Mandatory country of origin labeling: Economic impacts to consider

Glynn Tonsor

Progressive Cattleman

Few things have been more contentious in recent years within the U.S. meat and livestock industry than mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL). The debates around MCOOL have a long history now encompassing the originally implemented rule in 2009, the modified rule of 2013 and multiple rounds of the World Trade Organization (WTO) assessment regarding international trade appropriateness.

Full Story