Mark Parker: The Top 10 observations on winter weather

Mark Parker:  The Top 10 observations on winter weather

FarmTalk

10. When you’re praying for moisture, please be more specific as to the form you want it to take.

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Prepartum Nutrition

Prepartum Nutrition

Alicia Lansford

University of Nebraska

Recent research has shown maternal nutrition during late gestation can have lasting impacts on calf health, growth, and performance postnatally. These impacts can include improved weaning weights, yearling weights, and marbling scores of progeny.

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What If the U.S. Got Rid of All Livestock?

What If the U.S. Got Rid of All Livestock?

Kathy Voth

On Pasture

What if we got rid of all livestock? Would that reduce greenhouse gases? And what would we eat instead? Those are some of the questions that authors Robin White and Mary Beth Hall tried to answer. To see what would happen they modeled a United States where no livestock existed, and we ate only plant-based diets. Their conclusion, published in their paper,  “Nutritional and greenhouse gas impacts of removing animals from US agriculture,” is that the total US greenhouse gas emissions would only be reduced by 2.6% and that this decrease would come at a high cost.

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Livestock Water is Essential, Even in Winter

Livestock Water is Essential, Even in Winter

Ted Wiseman

Ohio Beef Cattle Letter

Water is essential for all livestock regardless of the time of year. So far this year we have certainly had our share of chopping ice, thawing water lines and troughs. With recent temperatures many of us often focus on keeping livestock well fed and with adequate shelter. However, often times we forget about the most important nutrient which is water.

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Farmers and ranchers need to be aware of tax changes

Farmers and ranchers need to be aware of tax changes

The Fence Post

“Tax rules and regulations change annually, so it is important for producers and tax professionals to stay up to date,” said Shannon Sand, SDSU Extension livestock business management field specialist. “These changes to the tax rules and regulations for 2017 can have some significant impacts on a producer’s ability to plan for the next year and beyond.”

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The lawman and the outlaw: How cattle rustling and drugs are roiling rural America

The lawman and the outlaw: How cattle rustling and drugs are roiling rural America

Simon Montlake

Christian Science Monitor

The first time Scout Thrasher stole two cows and hauled them across a state line and sold them, he was 17 years old. After he pocketed the cash and drove home, his stomach-churning fear of being caught in the act turned to euphoria. “After you make that much money that quick, [there’s] really no other way to do it,” he says.

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Online shoppers will change the way you manage your cattle and produce beef

Online shoppers will change the way you manage your cattle and produce beef

Burt Rutherford

Beef Magazine

Oldtimers will remember the saying that our folks would use to describe something great, some new innovation—“It’s better than sliced bread.” Enter online grocery shopping. Now-a-days, maybe we can say it’s better than a trip to the supermarket.

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NCBA Announces 2018 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

NCBA Announces 2018 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

Drovers

The National BQA Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers and marketers that demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of their day-to-day operations. A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the comprehensive cattle management program.

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Benefits of Growing Multiple Types of Forage Grasses

Benefits of Growing Multiple Types of Forage Grasses

Jesse Morrison

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

Although it might seem like grazing animals will eat any grass in the field, they are actually picky eaters. They prefer a “buffet” of grass choices. While it’s good for the grazing animals, growing a variety of forage plants in the field also benefits the plants, the soil and the environment.

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Castrate Calves at a Young Age to Reduce Stress

Castrate Calves at a Young Age to Reduce Stress

Heather Smith Thomas

Cattle Today

There are several ways to castrate calves and bulls. Regardless of the method, it’s generally less stressful for the animal at a young age. Daryl Meyer, a veterinarian in North Platte, Nebraska, says that his personal preference is the earlier the better, and the cleaner the better.

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