Battling dehydration with electrolyte use

Battling dehydration with electrolyte use

Don McKillip and Dave Lindevig

Progressive Cattleman

When I am on the highway and pass a truck hauling calves to the feedlot, I am always reminded of the complex process that it takes to keep them healthy. The producer has to have a bit of faith when managing calves prone to stress-induced health difficulties in each step of their development, but there are items on the market that can help ease concern.

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Using Performance Data in Judging Classes

Using Performance Data in Judging Classes

John Massey

University of Missouri

Judging contests are an important educational tool. Someday young cattle producers will be faced with selection decisions that affect the profitability of their operations. They should be prepared to use all information available to them, including performance data.

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“Grass fed” label dropped by USDA for beef

“Grass fed” label dropped by USDA for beef

Wyatt Bechtel

Drovers

The “grass fed” beef label is going out to pasture, along with “naturally raised” claims for other livestock. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is getting rid of a labeling program focusing on grass fed beef and naturally raised claims on livestock.

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Measuring Your Cost of Production and Profit Margin

Measuring Your Cost of Production and Profit Margin

Jay Parsons

University of Nebraska

The cost of producing one unit of output is extremely important information in any business. It determines your break-even price which, in turn, helps determine pricing decisions and profit margins. It also provides a baseline for comparison to other producers with the same or similar output so you can see how competitive you are at producing the product in question.

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Precondition as a marketing strategy

Precondition as a marketing strategy

Bob Larson

Angus Journal

Cattle producers who manage newly weaned feeder cattle recognize that calves castrated and dehorned, trucked, commingled with new penmates, and given a completely new diet — all near the time of weaning — are at high risk for bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

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Understanding tendon problems in young calves will help cattlemen respond to and treat the issue

Understanding tendon problems in young calves will help cattlemen respond to and treat the issue.

Hereford World

Occasionally a calf is born with crooked legs or contracted or lax tendons. Some of these straighten out on their own with time and exercise, while others require intervention to resolve the condition. Some defects are so severe the calf must be euthanized.

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Winter Water Systems

Winter Water Systems

Feedlot Magazine

In northern climates winter is a big deal. Neither your cow herd nor machinery should go into it unprepared. For cattle, make sure they head into winter with extra body fat. They need reserves of energy—a good store of back fat–to draw on to help maintain body heat on cold days.

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