Mark Parker: The Top 10 ways farmers stay in shape

Mark Parker:  The Top 10 ways farmers stay in shape

FarmTalk

10. You find that newborn calf and then its mother finds you — new 100-yard dash record for rough terrain in cowboy boots.

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‘Hurry up the first chance you get’: Managing postpartum interval

 ‘Hurry up the first chance you get’: Managing postpartum interval

Justin Rhinehart

University of Tennessee

How a cow’s genetics respond to the environment she is managed under largely influences the length of her postpartum interval.

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Time Grazing to Increase Warm Season Grasses

Time Grazing to Increase Warm Season Grasses

Kathy Voth

On Pasture

Fifteen years after they’d planted a pasture of big bluestem (Andopogon gerardii), Brad and Leslea Hodgson of Root Prairie Galloways noticed that it was beginning to be overtaken by cool season grasses and weedy forbs. They had an idea that grazing the cool season plants early in the spring, before the big bluestem broke dormancy, would set the cool season plants back, and give the big bluestem the advantage it needed to begin increasing again.

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U.S. cattle official says Trump has been good for agriculture

U.S. cattle official says Trump has been good for agriculture

Alexis Kienlen

Canadian Cattleman

“If you listen to the media, it’s nothing but conversations about Russia, South Korea and the overall general hatred for people who just don’t like Donald Trump,” said Colin Woodall, senior vice-president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

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Behind the Scenes Shipping Cattle in the Flint Hills

Behind the Scenes Shipping Cattle in the Flint Hills

Wyatt Bechtel

Drovers

My family has been custom grazing cattle for four generations in Greenwood County. We took in more than 5,000 head of steers and heifers from several different customers this year. Overall gains were better than expected ranging from 2.1 to 2.85 lb. per day across the native pastures we grazed this year. The grazing season ran from 90-110 days depending on the cattle.

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Tradition is killing our profits

Tradition is killing our profits

Alan Newport

Beef Producer

I’m often reminded that Dave Pratt, owner of Ranching for Profit schools, says most ranchers don’t even believe they can made a profit. I’d answer that if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.

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Body Condition Score as a Tool for Cow Herd Management

Body Condition Score as a Tool for Cow Herd Management

Ryon Walker, Ph.D.

Noble Research Institute

Technology has provided agriculture with new, creative and efficient ways to accomplish production goals. However, sometimes traditional tools still provide effective ways to manage the cow herd at different stages of production. One of these traditional tools is body condition scoring (BCS). Most cattle producers are familiar with BCS and its impacts on fertility. However, how can BCS be used as a tool to prevent negative impacts on fertility?

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Finding profit discussed at Feeding Quality Forum

Finding profit discussed at Feeding Quality Forum

Miranda Reiman

The Fence Post

Opportunity. It’s there, but you may have to look a little harder for it. That’s what this year’s Feeding Quality Forum attendees learned during the daylong meetings on Aug. 29 in Omaha, Neb., and repeated in Garden City, Kan., Aug. 31.

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Montana fires: Here’s what the nation hasn’t seen

Montana fires: Here’s what the nation hasn’t seen

Ag Daily

While our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Harvey and in the path of Hurricane Irma, we must not forget about our ag community up north. As of August 31, the state of Montana has fought 1,589 fires, scorching more than 759,000 acres. Many Montana ranchers are facing long-term livestock challenges amid the wildfires.

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Cowgirl Camp helps build skills, network among women ranchers

Cowgirl Camp helps build skills, network among women ranchers

Matthew Weaver

Capital Press

The first participants in the five-day New Cowgirl Camp in Eastern Washington learned about livestock management, planning grazing and other practical skills. Cheney, Wash., rancher Beth Robinette hopes the camp leads to a network of women ranchers supporting one another.

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