Herd bull’s value isn’t in genetics only

Herd bull’s value isn’t in genetics only

Beef Producer

The value of a herd bull is determined not just by his genetic merit, but also by the number of calves he may or may not sire, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

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Nighttime cattle feeding increases daytime calving

Nighttime cattle feeding increases daytime calving

Robert Bourne

Durant Democrat

Most cattle producers would agree that keeping a closer eye on cows and heifers at calving time reduces the chance of calf death loss and other complications. This has become even more important with the use of larger beef breeds and cattle types with larger birth weights.

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Bigger Beef Cow Herd, Fastest Growth in Southern Plains

Bigger Beef Cow Herd, Fastest Growth in Southern Plains

Oklahoma Farm Report

The inventory of all cattle and calves was 89.8 million head on January 1, 2015, up 1.4 percent from one year ago but, except for last year, still the smallest total herd inventory since 1952. The 2014 calf crop was up 0.5 percent from 2013 at 33.9 million head. The 2014 calf crop percentage (calf crop as a percent of all cows) was 88.5 percent, the highest percentage since 2006.

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Red Angus Youth Participate in 2015 Young Stockman Program

Red Angus Youth Participate in 2015 Young Stockman Program

Red Angus juniors from across the country came together Jan. 8 – 9 for the 2015 Junior Red Angus Association (JRA) Young Stockman Program in Denver, Colo. The 26 participants who attended the event enjoyed the Rocky Mountain air while becoming Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, touring local feedyards, and competing in a Beef Quiz Bowl.

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Rotational grazing during winter

Rotational grazing during winter

Roger Gates

High Plains Journal

Winter feed represents one of the largest costs for a livestock production enterprise. Grazing pasture that has been stockpiled for winter use is a rational alternative to limit costs resulting from both harvest (or purchase) and feeding of hay. Allocation of feed resources available from winter pasture is simplified to a degree because the quantity available can be determined as the winter grazing period begins.

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Forage: “Unless you test, it’s just a guess”

Forage: “Unless you test, it’s just a guess”

Jennifer Johnson

Southeast Farm Press

Forage quality is one of the most influential factors in livestock production.  Providing good quality, well-managed forage can decrease reliance on stored feeds, decrease the need for added supplementation and increase animal performance.  Whether for hay or grazing, the only way to determine the quality of your forage is by implementing a forage test.

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Exploring Cow Confinement and Semi-Confinement

Exploring Cow Confinement and Semi-Confinement

Beef Today

Cattle producers across the U.S. are heeding economic indications to rebuild and expand their herds, but a 32 million-acre decline in pasture availability over the last ten years is hindering expansion and causing producers to weigh options that require less land, according to a new report from the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness (FAR) Research and Advisory group.

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Bulb Yield and Quality of Forage Turnips

Bulb  Yield and Quality of Forage Turnips

K. J. Simon, D. Philipp, J. A. Jennings, R. Rhein and M. S.Gadberry

University of Arkansas

Brassica species are being used as livestock fodder around the world and have been predominantly used in temperate zones such as New Zealand as sheep fodder. In the southern U.S., brassicas are an attractive choice of fall and early winter grazing for beef cattle. Brassicas are fast-growing, high in nutritive value, and thus complement the existing forage base by closing gaps in forage production.

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Angus Convention to Host First-Ever International Genomics Symposium

Angus Convention to Host First-Ever International Genomics Symposium

Angus.org

The American Angus Association® and Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) will host the first-ever International Genomics Symposium as part of the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show. The event takes place Nov. 3 in Overland Park, Kan., and will provide cattle producers with cutting-edge information about advancements in genomics technology – and how these advances impact their businesses.

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Factors causing calving difficulty

Factors causing calving difficulty

University of Missouri

About 80 percent of all calves lost at birth are anatomically normal. Most of them die because of injuries or suffocation resulting from difficult or delayed parturition (calving). Factors contributing to calving problems fall into three main categories — calf effects, cow effects and fetal position at birth.

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