Feeding strategies during drought conditions

Feeding strategies during drought conditions

Bob Larson

Angus Journal

Every year, some part of the United States deals with a shortage of rainfall and reduced  forage availability. If grazing is not modified during periods of drought, reproductive and  growth performance of cattle is harmed, and long-term damage to the grazing ecosystem  can occur. Because total annual rainfall explains most of the variation in forage production  from year to year, it is important to monitor the amount and timing of precipitation.

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Iowa producer relies on cross genetics for longevity

Iowa producer relies on cross genetics for longevity

Jeff DeYoung

Iowa Farmer Today

Blistering heat has sent most of his cattle in pursuit of shade as Todd Dunphy drops a salt block near a small group of cow/calf pairs. The Union County producer is worried about the heat index, knowing it is breeding season on the Southwest Iowa farm. “This is prime time for us,” Dunphy says. Dunphy farms with his cousin Tim Dunphy near here. He says improving the genetics of his commercial herd is a never-ending process.

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Understanding income, expenses and proactively manage finances

Understanding income, expenses and proactively manage finances

Farm and Ranch Guide

Money. For many people, it’s a topic they’d rather avoid. Often times, money is something they’d like to have more of – especially in this farm economy. Crops, dairy, and livestock operators are all in the midst of tight margins. Data from FinBin, a database of farm-level financial and operation data, support this.

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Watch out for ergot-infected grass this summer

Watch out for ergot-infected grass this summer

Bovine Veterinarian

ISU Extension beef veterinarian Grant Dewell and ISU Extension beef program specialist Joe Sellers say the climate this summer has produced a favorable environment for Ergot fungus to infect seed heads of many forage grasses. The toxins produced by the Ergot fungus will compound fescue toxicity.

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Conditions right for anthrax in livestock

Conditions right for anthrax in livestock

Tri State Neighbor

North Dakota’s state veterinarian is reminding livestock producers to vaccinate their animals against anthrax. Dr. Susan Keller says that with the precipitation which has fallen in much of the state, conditions are right for the disease to occur.

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BeefTalk: Management and Genetics Make the Cow Whole

BeefTalk: Management and Genetics Make the Cow Whole

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

After listening to the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) annual meeting presentations through media services provided by Angus Media, many thoughts come to mind. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the annual gathering, which finished recently in Manhattan, Kan.

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Heat vs. Humidity: Which is worse?

Heat vs. Humidity: Which is worse?

Ben Potter

Drovers

People love to complain about the weather, and the “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” argument is a perennial summertime favorite. But which is actually worse – dry heat or humid heat?

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On Arrival Vaccination Research Shows Benefit to Bottom Line

On Arrival Vaccination Research Shows Benefit to Bottom Line

Douglas Hilbig, DVM

Giving an antibiotic to high-risk cattle on-arrival helps control  bovine    respiratory disease (BRD) in stocker and feedlot operations. While this    offers an effective approach, recently we asked the question, would    vaccination on-arrival reduce illness and death due to BRD?

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Hot Weather Could Help Increase Cattle Prices

Hot Weather Could Help Increase Cattle Prices

Wyatt Bechtel

AgWeb

A rally in cattle and beef prices might be coming soon if the summer heat wave holds on. Rumors of beef demand slipping have caused speculation the market could drop, but Ted Seifried, vice president for Ag Hedge Group, believes cattle markets are going to be in a holding period, possibly even increasing.

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Cattle actually benefit the environment

Cattle actually benefit the environment

Tom Lynch

The Record

Although cattle do indeed produce methane as part of their digestive process, it is important to note that any tax to encourage reduced consumption of beef in Canada will not have any significant impacts to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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