Mark Parker: The Top 10 humbling experiences for farmers

Mark Parker:  The Top 10 humbling experiences for farmers

FarmTalk

9. Explaining to the auctioneer you were swatting a mosquito, not making the winning bid on a set of cows.

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Are you prepared to select your future herd sire?

Are you prepared to select your future herd sire?

Bill Halfman

University of Wisconsin

For some cattle enthusiasts, opening the pages of a bull sale catalog brings the same joy going through toy catalogs did as kids. For others it’s an overwhelming task, with a growing list of genetic indices and options. And for some there is no selection process; a bull is just a bull. Here are a few considerations on why and how to start sorting through your bull selection process for your next herdsire.

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Tires covering silage piles: Do you need an environmental waiver for that?

Tires covering silage piles: Do you need an environmental waiver for that?

Progressive Forage Grower

Last August, a Georgia dairyman contacted Farrah Newberry with the Georgia Milk Producers after he was unable to acquire spare tires from a local dealer due to new EPD rule changes.

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What’s dining at your feedbunk doesn’t all have four legs

What’s dining at your feedbunk doesn’t all have four legs

Jamie Keyes

Progressive Cattleman

They stand about 7 inches tall, weigh around 4 ounces and can eat any cattle operation out of house and home. House sparrows, blackbirds, magpies, starlings and several more birds aren’t a typical invasive species – but to any livestock operation, they’re detrimental.

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Did Your Wet Pasture Get Mucked Up? Don’t Worry!

Did Your Wet Pasture Get Mucked Up? Don’t Worry!

Jim Gerrish

On Pasture

Occasionally we can experience what looks like some pretty substantial pasture damage with high high stock density grazing in wet conditions, but first looks aren’t always what they appear to be. Each picture tells a little bit about the results

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New GeneSTAR test from Zoetis identifies polled genotypes

New GeneSTAR test from Zoetis identifies polled genotypes

Bovine Veterinarian

Commercial beef producers have long-established breeding programs that propagate polled animals.  Now, by using a new genomic test called GeneSTAR Horn/Polled available from Zoetis, beef producers can identify homozygous and heterozygous polled for Brahman, Brangus, Limousin, and Simmental at an early age. This latest innovation from Zoetis has the opportunity to positively support the welfare of these animals as well as the beef industry overall, proliferating the number of polled animals in the marketplace. 

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Cattlemen’s Beef Board Being Led by a Texas Cattlewoman Passionate About the Beef Industry and the Beef Checkoff

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Being Led by a Texas Cattlewoman Passionate About the Beef Industry and the Beef Checkoff

Oklahoma Farm Report

A Texan and an Oklahoman are helping lead the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board in 2016- the body that is responsible for collecting and investing federal beef checkoff dollars on behalf of the nation’s beef cattle producers.

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Burwell family ranch produces Wagyu beef for global clients

Burwell family ranch produces Wagyu beef for global clients

KETV

The audible sound of dozens upon dozens of cattle makes it easy to see, it’s lunchtime on the Morgan Ranch. At least, for the cows. Dan Morgan spent much of his life here, just outside Burwell, Nebraska. He represents one of four generations of the Morgan family working on the ranch.

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Preventing Enterotoxemia in Young Calves

Preventing Enterotoxemia in Young Calves

Heather Smith Thomas

Angus Media

“The best way to prevent acute toxic gut infections in young calves caused by Clostridium perfringens is to vaccinate the dam,” says Robert Callan, chief of staff at the large animal hospital at the Colorado State University (CSU) James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “Then the antibodies will be in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract as soon as the newborn calf nurses, to neutralize the toxin.

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Beef recaptures market share from pork and poultry

Beef recaptures market share from pork and poultry

Nevil Speer

BEEF

Beef is back in the saddle, and the shopping cart, after recapturing market share from pork and poultry. Can beef hold that position? Growing a business or industry is reliant on consumer spending – no matter the product. Topline, or revenue growth is the lynchpin to new opportunities. And it is far more important than simply looking at sales volume, as that doesn’t reflect total dollars coming into the business.

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