Baxter Black, DVM: Vegetarian’s Guide to Cowboys

Baxter Black, DVM: Vegetarian’s Guide to Cowboys

Many myths have been promulgated that have fostered a misunderstanding of cowboys by herbivores. It is incumbent on me to shed some light on this subject for my vegetarian readers.

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Meat’s color shouldn’t be dealbreaker, video explains

Meat’s color shouldn’t be dealbreaker, video explains

Beef Producer

The video features Brad Kim, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal sciences at Purdue University. Dr. Kim explains the science of meat color and the many factors contributing the color of meat, particularly the role of oxygen and myoglobin which can turn meat from a purple color to bright red to brown depending on oxygen exposure.

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Marbling Research Shows Healthy Fat in Beef has Benefits

Marbling Research Shows Healthy Fat in Beef has Benefits

Beef Today

Beef with reasonable marbling and juicy taste is preferred among consumers, and industry leaders continue to monitor how to consistently produce a product with these traits. A recent research article addresses the biology and biochemistry of beef marbling and its effects on production systems, carcass and fat quality.

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Consider Culling Cows With Mastitis

Consider Culling Cows With Mastitis

Dr. Ken McMillan

DTN/The Progressive Farmer

If mastitis is caught early it can be treated with intramammary infusions of an antibiotic.

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Battle over dietary guidelines is all about politics, not science

Battle over dietary guidelines is all about politics, not science

Troy Marshall

BEEF

The battle over the federal dietary guidelines is now in full swing. Public hearings got underway this week on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) proposed recommendations for the five-year update that will become the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

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Inspiration for Making Good Grazing Management Decisions

Inspiration for Making Good Grazing Management Decisions

Meg Grzeskiewicz

On Pasture

For every grazing manager there are times when making decisions about what to do with your stock and pastures are hard.  We run into days when the weather has impacted grass growth, and we have to balance the needs of our livestock with the needs of the forage in the pasture.

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Six major considerations that could determine the success of a forage crop

Six major considerations that could determine the success of a forage crop

Keith Johnson

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.

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Assessing the many benefits of planned grazing

Assessing the many benefits of planned grazing

Doug Warnock

Capital Press

Water quality is affected by the practices of the livestock operator and one of the most overlooked methods of improving water quality is through planned grazing. This follows a discussion in my last column on livestock management practices that help to promote and support higher levels of water quality.

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Using Your Holidays to Make Money: Converting to a Controlled Breeding Season

Using Your Holidays to Make Money: Converting to a Controlled Breeding Season

Dr. Lawton Stewart

Southeast Cattle Advisor

nverting to a controlled breeding season can be overwhelming. It’s a process that can take years and involves keeping up with dates and records and culling what you may think are your better cows. However, the long term benefits are well worth the work. For any task this large, it’s best to develop a plan of attack.

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Precondition for performance, quality, cash

Precondition for performance, quality, cash

MIRANDA REIMAN

Southern Livestock Standard

It’s been talked about for 60 years. It’s better for animals, preferred by most cattle feeders and could provide a 169% return on investment. “2014 was the biggest ‘no brainer’ year in history to precondition your calves,” says Purdue University veterinarian W. Mark Hilton. “2015 could be even better.”

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