First two hours of calf’s life critical to survival

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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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Small amount of feed likely cause of Alberta mad cow disease case: CFIA

Small amount of feed likely cause of Alberta mad cow disease case: CFIA

John Cotter

CTV News

Canada’s food safety watchdog says a small amount of leftover contaminated feed was the most plausible cause of mad cow disease discovered in a cow last winter on an Alberta farm. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency released a report Monday that says no part of the Black Angus beef cow entered the human food or animal feed systems.

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House Passes Bill to Address Abuse of EAJA

House Passes Bill to Address Abuse of EAJA

Beef USA

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council applaud the House passage of H.R. 3279 Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), requires oversight and transparency of funds awarded under EAJA. Philip Ellis, NCBA president and Wyoming rancher, said the bill is critical to leveling the playing field between private citizens, for which the law was intended, and the vast resources of groups who repeatedly abuse the system.

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