Culling Criteria Checklist

Culling Criteria Checklist

Becky Mills

Progressive Farmer

Culling should ultimately be an economic decision. If it costs more to keep a cow than she will make the operation, culling is the surest path to long-term profitability.

Every operation is different, but a checklist of common culling criteria offers a good starting place to develop a ranch "cull policy." Stan Bevers, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension economist, said the goal should be to minimize the number of low-producing and/or high-risk females in a herd.

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Why all the fuss about body condition?

Why all the fuss about body condition?

Warren Rusche

Bovine Veterinarian

Why is it that nearly every article on beef cow nutrition seems to focus on body condition? Surely with all the advanced knowledge and research that has been done over the years we have something better to go on than a visual estimation of body fat on a cow to evaluate the success or failure of nutritional status?

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Nation’s top bull sellers are seeding beef’s future

Nation’s top bull sellers are seeding beef’s future

Wes Ishmael

BEEF

“Some will take advantage of the opportunity to position themselves for better rewards down the road, whether the market is good or bad,” says John Burbank, CEO of Missouri-based Seedstock Plus.

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Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association to Hold 30th Annual Convention in Murfreesboro

Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association to Hold 30th Annual Convention in Murfreesboro

WGNS

The 2015 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s (TCA) Annual Convention and Trade Show will meet January 15-17 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro. Attendees will hear from top cattle industry speakers addressing herd health, sustainability, forage systems, and beef cattle business. There will also be an update on current public policy issues from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

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Canada says it’s not bluffing

Canada says it’s not bluffing

Ken Anderson

Brownfield Network

Canada’s agriculture minister is warning the U.S. that time is running short to avoid trade tariffs over its country of origin labeling (COOL) law. Gerry Ritz says if Washington doesn’t change COOL to comply with WTO rulings in the coming months, Canada will apply to impose retaliatory tariffs on a long list of U.S. goods including beef and pork. Ritz says that action could come as early as this summer.

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What Should You Feed Your Cows This Winter?

What Should You Feed Your Cows This Winter?

Evan Whitley

Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that, as a society, we are getting busier. The feelings aren’t just anecdotal, because it seems every morning when I watch television there is someone saying, "according to statistics of some new study, Americans are busier."

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Winter Mineral Nutrition for Beef Cows

Winter Mineral Nutrition for Beef Cows

Adele Harty

iGrow

Winter supplementation often focuses heavily on meeting protein and energy requirements of cows and tends to leave mineral nutrition as almost an afterthought. In reality, meeting all nutrient requirements, including energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water are equally important.

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Preparing Cattle For Winter

Preparing Cattle For Winter

Pipestone Veterinary Services

As winter approaches, there are many steps that need to be taken to prepare your cattle.  Because we never really know how long, how cold, and how wet and snowy any given winter will be, the best approach is to plan for a severe winter, be ready to address any disastrous stretches of extreme weather, and hope that the winter is actually much more mild than expected.

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Harsh Weather Affects Cattle Performance

Harsh Weather Affects Cattle Performance

University of Wisconsin

Poor cattle performance can be attributed more to muddy conditions, harsh wind and wet resting areas than to low air temperature.  All animal types and sizes must have adequate wind protection.  Natural bush offers good protection.  Properly designed windbreak fences and open front sheds supply adequate protection but involve a cost.

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