BeefTalk: The Wind, Soil and Grass Are Dry
Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service
On the drive home this past weekend, I saw green grass. Once home, I felt the dry wind and dry grass and saw seeded fields that were not experiencing much growth. In this part of the world, dryness is here. Throughout the years, I regularly have visited the drought map at http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ because drought and excess moisture are frequent concerns in the agricultural community.
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Using genomics to fine-tune your herd to its environment
John Paterson
Progressive Cattleman
While we may be a long way from designer cows bred for unique production conditions, today’s DNA screening tools help producers select heifers well suited to different grazing environments. For example, cows from where I grew up in the desert of New Mexico range from 900 to 1,200 pounds. But where I live now, in the higher-rainfall, cool-season grasslands of Montana, the environment can support an optimum size that ranges between 1,400 and 1,800 pounds.
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Antibiotic Alternative for Cattle – On Pasture
Kathy Voth
On Pasture
Ruminants are unique in that they have an upper digestive system that consists of four compartments, says FAPRU microbiologist Michael Flythe. The largest compartment, the rumen, contains many types of helpful bacteria, such as those that break down fiber and allow animals to get energy from grass or hay. But other types, such as hyper ammonia-producing bacteria (HAB), are referred to as “wasteful” because they digest protein and convert it into ammonia.
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Monitor Mineral Intake This Summer
Sara Brown
Drovers
Hay season is already beginning, but don’t be too disctracted from simple herd nutrition management. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University emeritus Extension animal scientist, says producers should check the mineral feeders or blocks to be certain that they are supplying the minerals your cows need.
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BIF 2017: Where are we going with genomics and genetic improvement
Matt Spangler, Alison Van Eenennaam
A Steak in Genomics
Before, we were trying to fit genomic prediction into established genetic prediction systems. The move to single-step is the first real redesign of genetic prediction systems. These new systems will have genomic prediction at their core. We now have the ability to do gene editing.
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Manage cattle for success with estrus synchronization, artificial insemination
Tri State Livestock News
Using estrus synchronization and artificial insemination to control breeding in cattle has several benefits, according to North Dakota State University livestock experts. "Artificial insemination (AI) offers the opportunity to use semen from high-accuracy, genetically superior sires at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a herd bull of similar genetics," says NDSU Extension Service beef cattle specialist Carl Dahlen.
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Pay attention to your plants
R. P. "Doc" Cooke
Beef Producer
Oh, it’s whining time again as government bureaucrats struggle with budgets in hard times. The ultimate problem is caused by an entitlement attitude on the part of voters and their representatives alike, and nowhere is this more plain than in agriculture.
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Effects of Nutrition Changes Following Artificial Insemination
Christina Mogck
Ohio Beef Cattle Letter
Nutritional stress following artificial insemination (AI) has been reported to have negative effects on conception rates. This decrease in conception rates could be from an increase in embryonic mortality due to nutritional stress following breeding. When considering heifer development strategies, it may be important for a producer to consider nutritional stress from changes in the diet following breeding, and this nutritional stress could be initiated by how you manage heifers between weaning and breeding?
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Perfecting the beef palatability puzzle
Jeff Savell
Texas A&M University
Research suggests that a 25-year effort by the beef industry to improve beef palatability is on the right path. As we look at the evidence, we see that beef in the 21st century is different from the product in the 1990s, and in some very positive ways. In terms of tenderness, in fact, we might have found the sweet spot — or at least part of it.
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Farmer dumped thousands of pounds of cow dung into French Broad tributary
Joe Marusakjmarusak
Charlotte Observer
A 65-year-old Asheville area cattle farmer was sentenced to six months of “house arrest” on Thursday for dumping thousands of pounds of solid and liquid animal waste into a tributary of the French Broad River.
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