BeefTalk: The Big 60 Means 60 Percent Calved in 21 Days!

BeefTalk: The Big 60 Means 60 Percent Calved in 21 Days!

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

The big 60 means that 60 percent of the cows calved in the first 21 days of the calving season. That is achievable, doable and good. Sixty percent was the goal. The evaluation of the cattle business is ongoing, and producers always should take advantage of the quick and easy ways to evaluate the operation. Calving time is here or soon will be, so it’s the best time to make the mental note and paint it on the barn wall.

Full Story

Reports finds recent cattle prices ‘not so high’, in adjusted terms

Reports finds recent cattle prices ‘not so high’, in adjusted terms

Beef Central

The recent early-February peak in the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator at 451.25¢/kg poses the question: Are farm-gate prices the highest they have ever been? The short answer is “yes” in nominal terms, but “no” in real terms, judging by content in an important new report being issued by MLA this evening.

Full Story

Effects of Ralgro implants administered at branding on growth performance of steer calves through weaning

Effects of Ralgro implants administered at branding on growth performance of steer calves through weaning

C. L. Bayliff

Drovers

Previous studies have shown that Ralgro implants administered at 30 to 90 days of age increase weaning weight in suckling steer calves by 24 lb. (Mader et al., 1985) and 23 lb. (Gill et al., 1986). However, these and other peer-reviewed research results from experiments conducted in the U.S. were completed nearly three decades ago.

Full Story

Measuring the impact of changing antibiotic rules

Measuring the impact of changing antibiotic rules

John Maday

Bovine Veterinarian

Ever since the FDA issued its Draft Guidance 213 and the proposed Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules in 2013, veterinarians and industry stakeholders have wondered about measurement.

Full Story

Estate tax repeal back on the table in 2015

Estate tax repeal back on the table in 2015

Beef Producer

‘Death tax’ repeal bill introduced in Senate; House Ways and Means committee approves estate tax repeal bill

Full Story

Here’s what cow-calf producers can learn from grain farmers

Here’s what cow-calf producers can learn from grain farmers

Troy Marshall

BEEF

The cow-calf industry has always had one significant advantage, which conversely can also be a disadvantage, compared to other agricultural segments. Whether you’re talking farming or our pork and poultry competitors, the genetic interval doesn’t allow the beef industry to adjust supply as quickly, or correspondingly, prices.

Full Story

Recent rains could improve outlook for Texas cattle herds

Recent rains could improve outlook for Texas cattle herds

BILL HANNA

Beaumont Enterprise

Rancher Pete Bonds likes what he’s seen of the rain in 2015. He is optimistic that the above-average rainfall for North Texas could turn things around for the drought-stricken region.

Full Story

DNA data enhances use of EPDs

DNA data enhances use of EPDs

Benjamin Herrold

Missouri Farmer Today

For centuries, cattle producers selected their breeding stock based on appearance, or phenotype. Due to the vagaries of heritability and recessive traits, selecting based purely on appearance had limitations.

Full Story

2015 National Junior Angus Show Takes Place in Tulsa

2015 National Junior Angus Show Takes Place in Tulsa

Angus.org

The annual summer highlight will be July 13-18 in Tulsa’s Expo Square. Let the countdown begin for the 2015 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Tulsa, Okla. National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members and their families will travel from coast-to-coast to compete in the year’s most prestigious junior livestock event.

Full Story

Purdue specialist explains ways to best establish for spring forage

Purdue specialist explains ways to best establish for spring forage

Emma Hopkins

Ag Answers

With planting season approaching, farmers planning to grow forage should keep in mind six major considerations that could determine the success of their crop, a Purdue Extension specialist says.

Full Story