Bringing farm records into the 21st Century

Bringing farm records into the 21st Century

Samantha Athey

FarmTalk

These days it seems like our entire world revolves around electronic devices — smartphones, computers and tablets. From Facebook and Instagram to emails and text messages, we’re constantly checking and updating information. So, why not manage your farm and livestock while you’re at it? HerdOne — a livestock and farm management application developed in northwest Arkansas — allows you to do just that.

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Short Pastures and Supplementation Considerations

Short Pastures and Supplementation Considerations

Jeff Lehmkuhler

Ohio Beef Cattle Letter

Several county Ag Agents have reported producers asking what to do supplement-wise for grazing livestock with the slow pasture growth this spring. A lot of this is related to the fact that we are roughly 100 growing degree days less this year than the same time frame a year ago. Combine this with the wet weather leading to muddy feeding conditions, producers were happy to see cows begin to pick grass.

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Virginia Farm Known for Exceptional Cattle

Virginia Farm Known for Exceptional Cattle

Vic Bradshaw

Lancaster Farming

The farm that David and Charlotte Caldwell bought in 1988 and built into an Angus and Braunvieh seedstock powerhouse went through a radical downsizing two years ago. But it didn’t fold. Grandsons Daniel and David Chevalier have joined the Mystic Hill team, and new farm manager Jessee Tate has been tasked with rebuilding the herd and the brand. The farm, which at one time counted about 1,000 head, was down to 300 head when Tate arrived last fall. He’s boosted the head count by 50 and is slowly adding additional cattle to the herd.

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Ty Lawrence Pushes Beef Quality to the Limit

Ty Lawrence Pushes Beef Quality to the Limit

John Maday

Drovers

Lawrence, the director of the West Texas A&M University (WTAMU)Meat Laboratory and the Beef Carcass Research Center, conducts research, teaches meat science and animal science courses and supervises the university’s meat judging teams. Lawrence grew up on a Texas cow-calf operation and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WTAMU before completing his doctorate at Kansas State University. He’s been on the faculty at WTAMU since 2004.

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Exotic tick now found on Virginia cattle farm

Exotic tick now found on Virginia cattle farm

Ag Daily

On May 14, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa confirmed the finding of the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (otherwise known as the East Asian or Longhorned tick) in Virginia. The tick appeared on an orphaned calf on a beef farm in Albemarle County.

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Is blackleg a threat lurking on your beef cattle operation?

Is blackleg a threat lurking on your beef cattle operation?

Beef Magazine

Blackleg is a clostridial disease that can be devastating for beef producers.¹ “It’s a disease that’s difficult to treat and often fatal,” remarked Dr. DL Step, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim. “When cattle are put out to pasture, it’s a great time for producers to start taking steps toward clostridial disease prevention.”

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Genetic Engineering and Animal Feed

Genetic Engineering and Animal Feed

Alison Van Eenennaam

GMO Answers

In the United States, livestock have been fed genetically engineered crops since these crops were first introduced in 1996. In 2005, 87 percent of the U.S. soybean crop and 52 percent of the U.S. corn crop were grown from genetically engineered seed (see the USDA ERS Briefing Room website). Because the majority of corn (72 percent) and soybeans (60 percent) are used for livestock feed, it is clear that the livestock industry is a major user of genetically engineered crops.

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Bale grazing can lead to nutrient excesses

Bale grazing can lead to nutrient excesses

Jesse Bussard

Beef Producer

Much is said about the boosts in soil health and forage productivity seen from bale grazing pastures. Less is mentioned regarding the potential nutrient management concerns associated with this winter feeding method. “The most un-talked about aspect of bale grazing is the potential nutrient loading and runoff that takes place,” says Idaho forage and grazing expert, Jim Gerrish.

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Grazing Can Reduce Wildfire

Grazing Can Reduce Wildfire

Heather Smith Thomas

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

If livestock can be grazed in balance with their feed source, wildfires are kept to a minimum and are not as devastating. Many people today think fire is “natural,” but devastating fires are not. Grazing is healthier for the landscape.

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Flies Can Impact Summertime Beef Cattle Production

Flies Can Impact Summertime Beef Cattle Production

Farms.com

High populations of different flies can have a negative impact on the productivity and profitability of beef cattle enterprises. High populations of different flies can have a negative impact on the productivity and profitability of beef cattle enterprises.

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