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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Not all forage-finished beef is created equal

Not all forage-finished beef is created equal

Jerrad Legako

Hay and Forage

Birdsfoot trefoil matched grain-fed beef in consumer overall liking. Numerous studies have revealed that the beef finishing diet prior to harvest impacts meat quality. Specifically, diet is believed to influence the amount of intramuscular fat (marbling) and ultimately beef eating quality.

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Election 2016 – What does it mean for the cattle markets?

Election 2016 – What does it mean for the cattle markets?

Brenda Boetel

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

Last Tuesday, Donald Trump became the President-elect. Although the U.S. stock market initially declined, the losses were made up later that day, and the market has continued to react positively. What will happen long-term is up for debate. The question for this report, however, is what immediate decisions President-elect Trump will make that will have long-term impacts on the cattle markets.

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Scientist concerned by US decline in meat protein consumption

Scientist concerned by US decline in meat protein consumption

Medical Express

Dr. Guoyao Wu, distinguished professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, said U.S. consumers have been overwhelmed with misinformation about protein and fats in meats, which in turn has led to many consuming less meat or no meat at all. "Obesity rates have gone up the last 20 years, while consumption of meat has declined," Wu said. "So I don’t believe that we can blame obesity on eating meat. Rather I think excessive portion sizes and lack of exercise are more likely the causes of obesity."

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Baxter Black, DVM: My 10 Most Unforgettable Lifetime Experiences

Baxter Black, DVM:  My 10 Most Unforgettable Lifetime Experiences

1.     Lying flat on my back in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix at 2 a.m. I passed the carafe of Chablis to my reclining colleague who looked at me and said, “Pardner, I don’t think you’re executive material!”

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Putting the numbers to feeder calf potential

Putting the numbers to feeder calf potential

Samantha Athey

FarmTalk

At the recent feeder calf grading and evaluation clinic held at the Joplin Regional Stockyards, over a dozen cattle producers entered cattle into the Missouri Steer Feedout. Rick Huffman with the Missouri Department of Agriculture explained how each set of steers graded and Bailey Moore with the Joplin Regional Stockyards and Mike John with MFA evaluated the steers’ potential feedlot performance.

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Consider mob grazing to control costs

Consider mob grazing to control costs

Robert Fears

Beef Producer

Higher stocking rate, better quality forage, less hay fed and more drought resistance typically are benefits of mob grazing.

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Take steps to ease cold stress on animals

Take steps to ease cold stress on animals

Tri State Neighbor

We have received a reminder of what winter is really like, and so while we had been enjoying the 70-degree weather, we knew it wouldn’t last. We need to remember that cold stress affects animals, too, and that we can help them handle the cold a little better.

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Pre-calving nutrition requirements

Pre-calving nutrition requirements

Ryan D. Rhoades

Progressive Cattleman

Calving season is quickly approaching and, as we should all know, nutritional requirements increase as cows get closer to calving. Cow mineral needs can increase 60 percent during the last trimester – making it a critical time for mineral supplementation. Proper mineral nutrition can help prevent a number of health disorders prior to calving.

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Pre-weaning BRD

Pre-weaning BRD

John Maday

Bovine Veterinarian

While a great deal of study has taken place on bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlots, BRD also sometimes affects young calves, and less is known about the disease complex at that production stage. During the recent American Association of Bovine Practitioners conference, veterinarians provided some insight into pre-weaning incidences of BRD.

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Management tips for top forage production

Management tips for top forage production

Delta Farm Press

The drought covering more than 86 percent of Arkansas in mid-November was severely impeding winter forage growth, but that shouldn’t stop ranchers from using good management practices, said John Jennings, professor of animal science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

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Prepare Now for the Spring Calving Season

Prepare Now for the Spring Calving Season

Glenn Selk

Drovers

Someone once said “that Success occurs when Opportunity meets with Preparation”.  Planning and preparing ahead for next spring’s calving season can help increase the chances of success.  There are several key preparation steps that would be good to conduct in December to insure success in February, March, and April.

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Beef producers: Ask the right questions

Beef producers: Ask the right questions

Wes Ishmael

Beef Magazine

“We took everything we thought we knew about the game, everything we thought made a championship player, everything we thought made a great team, all of the clichés in our industry we’d grown up to believe, and we tossed them out the window, and we said we’re starting over. Unless we can prove an idea’s relevance in today’s game, under today’s circumstances we’re just not going to believe it anymore.”

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Here’s how to add value to beef cattle

Here’s how to add value to beef cattle

Ron Smith

Southwest Farm Press

Managing beef herds, including taking care of recommended practices such as castration, will add value at the sale barn. Southwest cattlemen facing a weakening beef market would welcome any sort of new system, practice or marketing niche that would put a few more dollars in their pockets. Unfortunately, the market is what it is; no new miraculous production systems are evident; and nothing groundbreaking seems likely to put more weight on calves in less time and for less expense.

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