Risk management in the beef feedlot starts with resources
Shelia Grobosky
The cattle business, like most agricultural endeavors, is filled with risk. And with fluctuating markets, fad diets and news media that is not “beef friendly”, cattle feeding is as risky as ever. With a volatile market, and prices declining compared to the past few years, cattle feeders are planning ahead, properly managing their resources and optimistic about the future.
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Mark Parker: The Top 10 characteristics of small town cafes
FarmTalk
10. The waitress knows the patrons well enough to tell them to get their own darn coffee.
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Beef home study course 2016
The Cattle Business Weekly
The University of Minnesota is hosting a home study course for those wanting to learn more about beef production. This course is designed to offer an introduction to health management of the cow calf herd through each phase of production. Materials will focus on practical information and strategies to promote the health and productivity of the cow calf herd.
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Hay Quality Determines Supplementation Needs
Jeff Fisher, Chris Bruynis, Jeff Moore, and Steve Boyles
Ohio State University
Rain in the late spring through early summer delayed hay harvest in some areas of the state. Additionally there were some high temperatures that caused an increase in the rate of maturity of forages. For example alfalfa grown at 63°F may take 52 days to reach early bloom but only 21 days at 90°F.
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What Can We Expect From Forage Cover Crops?
Daren Redfearn
University of Nebraska
There are (and should be) variable growth and production patterns for forage cover crops. Since forage cover crops are planted following grain crop production, their growth is influenced by the amount of light penetration (affected by residue amount), water availability (including soil moisture plus precipitation), appropriate growth temperature (planting date and accumulated growing degree days), and soil fertility (residual N and availability of nutrients).
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How did your nutrition program perform?
Rick Rasby
Angus Journal
Feed costs account for 60%-70% or more of annual cow costs. Any time feed inputs can be reduced without having a negative impact on cow and calf performance should result in a positive impact on the profit potential of the cow-calf enterprise. Body condition of the cows is linked to the nutrition program.
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Colostrum replacers and supplements may provide a life-saving immunity boost to newborn calves.
Kindra Gordon
Hereford World
It’s a message most producers have heard before: getting colostrum into a calf as soon as possible after birth is essential. Beth Saxton, who is national sales manager for APC Consumer Products, which offers a line of colostrum supplements and replacers under the brand name LIFELINE, explains, “A calf is born with absolutely no immunity; there are no antibodies circulating in the blood stream.
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The What If Exercise
Ellen H. Brisendine
The Cattleman
There is something about the start of a new year that just screams “get organized!” Maybe it was the lecture from your CPA last year when you dropped off that shoebox of receipts.
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Supplementing Winter Wheat Pastures – Whats Needed and What Isn’t
Terri Queck Matzie
Feedlot Magazine
Grazing stocker cattle on winter wheat during the fall and winter months can provide cost-effective gains. Wheat pasture is succulent, palatable and nutritious – high in protein, energy and minerals.
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President Vetoes Resolution of Disapproval of WOTUS
NCBA
After bi-partisan passage in both chambers of Congress, President Obama vetoed Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA’s “waters of the United States” rule. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis said this is a clear indication the President does not understand the role America’s cattle producers, land owners and state governments play in preserving our natural resources.
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The Beef Blog 