First two hours of calf’s life critical to survival
David Cooper
Progressive Cattleman
If you think calving season is rough on the ranch, consider what the calf has to go through once it hits the ground. Frank Garry, a veterinarian and coordinator for Colorado State University’s Integrated Livestock Management, doesn’t mince words on the critical steps needed to manage compromised calves at birth.
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Injection biosecurity: Rethink the routine
Mark Thomas
Bovine Veterinarian
Bovine leukosis virus (BLV) is a very common disease, but many people do not believe it is of economic importance for commercial dairies. Some estimates put prevalence at >40% with some herds exceeding 80%.
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Flex stocker program to maximize grazing
Robert Fears
Beef Producer
Stockers are a margin driven business with flexibility of buying and selling calves when cattle prices and forage availability dictate. Because of this flexibility, stocker cattle are an excellent grazing management tool. When quantity of forage is decreased due to drought or overuse, remove animals from the pasture.
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Six factors interact to affect farm and ranch profits.
Jay Jenkins
University of Nebraska
The most basic factor affecting profit in any business is the number of production units. This may be acres for the farmer, cows for the rancher, or factories for the industrialist. It doesn’t matter what business you are in, your potential for profit (or loss) is closely tied to your number of production units.
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Cattlemen Optimistic about Growth but Face Financial Challenges
Steve White
Nebraska TV
Creating jobs in rural Nebraska may depend on growing opportunities for livestock. And State Ag Director Greg Ibach points to an unlikely turning point. "Downturn of 2008 really turned into a great opportunity for Nebraska," he said. The nation’s great recession showed Nebraska’s strength was on the farm. Ibach said local leaders are embracing livestock, to help their communities grow. He said, "Our beef industry is strong, we’ve had a significant strong pork industry for a long time that is showing signs of growth, we’re going to have opportunities in poultry and dairy emerging over the next few years."
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How to build a successful stocker business
Robert Waggener
BEEF
Wyoming is one of the most conservative states in the nation. That’s fine with Cowboy State beef producer Jon Kirkbride because that’s exactly how his family has succeeded in the cattle business.
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Farm Journal Media Purchase the Assets of Vance Publishing Corporation
Farm Journal Media and Vance Publishing Corporation announced today they have reached an agreement for Farm Journal Media, Bobit Business Media and CCI Media to acquire the assets of Vance Publishing Corporation. Under the agreement, Farm Journal purchases the agricultural properties while Bobit buys the beauty market products and CCI obtains Woodworking Network and related assets. The deal will be finalized this week.
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