BeefTalk: Breeding Systems are Coming of Age

BeefTalk: Breeding Systems are Coming of Age

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Pondering in life is good. So let’s ponder this: “Can the beef industry produce terminal and replacement bulls?” Historically, the answer is “yes.” Through the decades, many breeding programs have been proposed to offer cattle producers the opportunity to implement cattle-breeding systems that involve terminal and replacement bulls.

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Proper management can help cattle handle frigid start to winter

Proper management can help cattle handle frigid start to winter

Ryan Crossingham

Farm & Ranch Guide

The official start to winter was Dec. 21, but everyone in the Northern Plains would argue that winter had arrived much earlier with the combination of blizzard conditions and back-to-back rounds of artic air tormenting the region.

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Vaccinating for scours, a game with Mother Nature

Vaccinating for scours, a game with Mother Nature

Jamie Hawley

Progressive Cattleman

No one can deny the excitement that comes with calving time. Healthy newborn calves can give anyone hope for the years to come. But when scours hit the herd’s new prospects, it can put a real damper on all of the excitement.

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Remember what caused all the dystocia? I do.

Remember what caused all the dystocia? I do.

Alan Newport

Beef Producer

Some time back a reader wrote a letter to chastise me for advocating smaller cows. In the February issue of Beef Producer, which I am producing right now, I thought it worth discussing the topic of dystocia, so I was reminded of my response at the time.

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Mixed views on Farmer Fair Practice Rules

Mixed views on Farmer Fair Practice Rules

The Cattle Business Weekly

News coming out of Washington the week of Christmas swirls around the USDA’s Dec. 14 posting of “The Farmer Fair Practices Rules”.  Held under the Packers & Stockyards act, the rules have been around in some form since 2008, but have been repeatedly blocked by lawmakers who have failed to give USDA funding to finalize them.

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Cattle Consume 30 to 50% More During Extreme Cold

Cattle Consume 30 to 50% More During Extreme Cold

AG News Feed

The Artic air that hit the Northern Plains last week caused consumers to turn up the thermostat, which increased energy bills. Farmers spent more on fuel as well during the cold snap, for livestock.

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Agriculture’s Best Defense, is a Good Offense

Agriculture’s Best Defense, is a Good Offense

Jared Wareham

Drovers

A life spent dedicated to production agriculture teaches you that aggressive planning and strategizing pays off. For generations, these skills have been honed, perfected and passed on. Hours are spent detailing the precise methods and timing for calving, planting and feeding to gain every advantage possible.

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Producer Spotlight: Huseman Ranch, Ellsworth, Kansas

Producer Spotlight:  Huseman Ranch, Ellsworth, Kansas

The Beef Institute

Huseman’s passion has always been in production agriculture. While living in Topeka, he and Mary Jo decided that they didn’t want their sons, Clayton and Mark, 4 and 2 at the time, to “look funny on a horse.” So, they made the decision to move home.

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Winter Weather Requires Major Shift in Cattle Management

Winter Weather Requires Major Shift in Cattle Management

North Dakota State University

Cattle need extra feed while they get acclimated to cold temperatures. Winter weather has replaced warm fall temperatures, so cattle producers need to change the way they care for their animals, North Dakota State University Extension Service livestock specialists say.

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So, just how does Santa get around so fast?

So, just how does Santa get around so fast?

Burt Rutherford

Beef Magazine

Those of you who had small children in the late 70s and 80s most likely are familiar with Sesame Street and the Muppets. And especially at this time of year, you likely watched the Christmas specials that this talented and creative group of people produced.

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