Mark Parker: The Top 10 things city people learn when they move to the country

Mark Parker:  The Top 10 things city people learn when they move to the country

FarmTalk

10. Even though their pasture is almost as big as a football field, there’s not enough grass for six horses, two llamas and four cows — even miniature cows!

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Prevention is a Producer’s Best Tool for Managing Their Herd Health Program

Prevention is a Producer’s Best Tool for Managing Their Herd Health Program

Oklahoma Farm Report

When it comes to managing any cattle operation, herd health is one of, if not the top priority for producers. Especially with recent pressure coming from the consumer base, scrutinizing the use of antibiotics in modern production practices, says Dr. Tim Parks, manager of beef cattle technical services for MERCK Animal Health.

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The Dance Steps of Genomics Part I: Understanding Genomic Prediction

The Dance Steps of Genomics Part I: Understanding Genomic Prediction

Jared Decker, PhD

Brangus Journal

Whenever I hear the words “two-step” my mind goes back to my teenage years when I danced with cute girls at the county fair. But, in this article we will be discussing a different type of two-step. There are two common methods, referred to as two-step or one-step, for including genomic (i.e. DNA) information into the genetic evaluations we use to estimate expected progeny differences (EPDs). Two-step genomic predictions use the genomic and pedigree information separately in two different prediction steps. In one-step genomic predictions, genomic and pedigree information is combined and used in a single step.

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Size matters when it comes to feeding forages

Size matters when it comes to feeding forages

Kay Ledbetter

Southern Livestock

Dr. Jenny Jennings, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research beef nutritionist in Amarillo, and her team are on their second research trial aimed at determining forage needs for proper rumination in beef cattle consuming high concentrate diets. "We want to feed finishing cattle in an efficient manner that best utilizes our commodity resources while maintaining animal health and well-being," Jennings said.

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Keynote speaker busts myths about cattle grazing

Keynote speaker busts myths about cattle grazing

Tri State Livestock news

“Overall, we must maintain grazing as a necessary force for positive environmental impacts,” she said in her keynote speech. “If you raise cattle, and other grazing animals, well, they’re actually a necessary part of our ecosystem.”

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American Farm Bureau opposes IRS proposal for estate taxes

American Farm Bureau opposes IRS proposal for estate taxes

On the Farm Radio

The nation’s largest farmers’ advocacy organization is urging Congress to pass legislation to block a recent IRS proposal that would result in higher estate taxes for farmers and ranchers.

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Common methods to avoid inbreeding

Common methods to avoid inbreeding

Heather Smith Thomas

Progressive Cattleman

Inbreeding is defined as the mating of related individuals. In the broadest sense, all animals within a certain breed are somewhat related. But the term inbreeding refers to mating of individuals that are more closely related than the breed average – such as sire to daughter, half-siblings, sire to granddaughter, etc.

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