Winter Hay Considerations
Steve Tonn
University of Nebraska
Hay feeding time has started and feeding big round bales sure makes the job easier. Large bale feeding systems are designed to minimize labor but not waste. Most producers feed hay in some kind of feeder, but did you know the type of feeder can affect how much hay is wasted?
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Feeding Cull Cows Prior to Sale May Add Value
Ag News Feed
Every year beef cattle producers have to make decisions about how to handle open cows that didn’t become pregnant. Most producers simply sell the animals after pregnancy check time. However, it’s possible that with a little more investment, they can provide more revenue to their operation, according to Kansas State University professor Chris Reinhardt.
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Anthrax Discovered on Indiana Livestock Farm
Gary Truitt
Hoosier AG Today
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) has been diagnosed on a Southern Indiana beef cattle farm. A veterinarian collected tissue samples for laboratory testing after the animal died unexpectedly. Only a single, mixed-breed bull died; other animals in the herd have not shown clinical signs. The infected animal was incinerated on-site, and the farm was placed under a 30-day quarantine and observation order by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). BOAH advised vaccination for all other animals in the herd.
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Cattlemen concerns about transparency
Mark Dorenkamp
Brownfield AG News
The director of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association says producers have concerns about the amount of transparency some consumers are asking for. Ashley Kohls says there’s ongoing discussion about identifying appropriate access to individual cattle farms and ranches.
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Maryland Farm Contributes to Improved Chesapeake Bay
Beefusa.org
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation Districts hosted an event today to highlight the successful conservation efforts by farmers and ranchers that have led to the improvement of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Scott Yager NCBA’s Environmental Counsel said voluntary conservation efforts have proven successful at Hedgeapple Farm, an Angus operation located in Frederick, Md.
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Driftless Region Beef Conference to Feature Cattle and Corn Synergies
Iowa Beef Center
The upcoming Driftless Region Beef Conference will spotlight competitive advantages of Midwest beef producers, according to Denise Schwab, beef program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The conference will be held Jan. 26-27, 2017, at the Grand River Conference Center in Dubuque.
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Should You Cull Cows that Prolapse from Your Herd?
Glenn Selk
University of Florida
Prolapses occur occasionally in beef cows. Most prolapses occur around calving time. Two distinct kinds of prolapse exist. Uterine prolapses are most likely to occur during or shortly after calving, whereas vaginal prolapses occur before the calving process begins.
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Why Beef Sustainability Matters
John Maday
Drovers
Regardless of what you think of the sustainability issue, you might need to measure and document more practices in the future. The retail market will drive that need, as consumers increasingly pressure corporations to verify their supply chains are sustainable. McDonald’s, for example, announced in 2014 its commitment to begin sourcing at least some of its beef from verifiable sustainable production chains by 2016.
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How one rancher has found success in the Russian beef business
Codi Vallery-Mills
Beef Magazine
Darrell Stevenson of Hobson, Mont., isn’t sure where the last six years have gone. Like many folks who jump head first into a new venture, Stevenson has been focused on seeing that his new ranching enterprise is successful.
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Growth pattern of cattle affects beef eating quality
FG insight
Dr Mary Vickers, AHDB Beef and Lamb senior scientist, said: “The project tested the theory that cattle which undergo a store period produce meat with more gristle that is less tender.” The cattle were managed to finish at different slaughter ages between 12 and 36 months. Cattle on a short-duration growth path were finished indoors and slaughtered at 12-16 months old. Animals on the medium-duration growth path were grazed on a high-quality grass reseed then finished indoors during the subsequent winter feeding period. They were slaughtered at 18-24 months, having reached commercially acceptable carcase specification (target R4L).
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