BeefTalk: Economic Greats – 93 Percent of Cow’s Weight Harvested

BeefTalk: Economic Greats – 93 Percent of Cow’s Weight Harvested

Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension

As I was reviewing Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS) records recently, cow Y1002’s record popped up. Because of the weight of her calves at harvest (93 percent of her weight), she is one of the economic greats of the Dickinson Research Extension Center’s herd.

Full Story

Consumer Report’s article about food safety illustrates magazine’s bias

Consumer Report’s article about food safety illustrates magazine’s bias

The Fence Post

Today’s Consumer Reports article “What’s Really in Your Meat?” is nothing more than sensationalist journalism. The article, which bases its findings on unconfirmed residue screening tests of meat, draws false and misleading conclusions meant to deceive consumers and reduce the consumption of meat.

Full Story

Mycotoxins in forages – what about my pastures?

Mycotoxins in forages – what about my pastures?

Paige Gott

Progressive Cattleman

Throughout history, outbreaks of illness and disease in humans and animals have occurred where the true cause was unknown. Such challenges have fueled the pursuit of identifying causal agents such as a bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Full Story

Red Angus Association of America, IMI Global join forces in support of cattle producers

Red Angus Association of America, IMI Global join forces in support of cattle producers

High Plains Journal

An agreement between the Red Angus Association of America and IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc., will provide convenient access into natural and non-hormone treated cattle programs to producers who utilize the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program.

Full Story

Study shows eating red meat and cheese is beneficial

Study shows eating red meat and cheese is beneficial

David K. Li

New York Post

Grill up that steak and roll out a wheel of cheddar — because red meat and cheese are back on the menu for healthy living.  Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, found that people who scarf down higher levels of red meat and cheese are likely to live longer.

Full Story

Blockchain technology will provide beef market with greater visibility, safety and efficiency.

Blockchain technology will provide beef market with greater visibility, safety and efficiency.

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

Kelly Products announced that the company has started a blockchain system for tracking proteins in the Southeastern United States. The new blockchain system will address current issues producers face with building a traceable brand for beef and other proteins. A blockchain database is one shared by participants in a network system, where participants can add information to the system and access information shared through the system.

Full Story

Control of Estrus and Ovulation in Beef Cows and Heifers

Control of Estrus and Ovulation in Beef Cows and Heifers

David Patterson

A Steak in Genomics™

Make sure you are using the protocols for the current year. Don’t use protocol sheets that are several years old, as the protocols are changed and improved. “With an MGA program, intake is key” Patterson said. He does not recommend top dressing the MGA, but mixing it into a 3 to 5 lbs carrier.

Full Story

‘Sook,’ and the art of the cattle call

‘Sook,’ and the art of the cattle call

Glenn Ayers

Smith Mountain Eagle

One Saturday morning, not so long ago, my late neighbor, Jerry Meador, was out early, calling his cows; a sound frequently heard in the River days, nearly silent today. Calling cows was something most everyone did—at least for the morning milking, as the cows would wander farther from the barn at night than during the day.

Full Story

Why Your ‘Product Of U.S.A.’ Steak May Not Actually Be From A Cow Raised On American Soil

Why Your ‘Product Of U.S.A.’ Steak May Not Actually Be From A Cow Raised On American Soil

Nicole Rasul

Forbes

American shoppers face yet another dilemma in the grocery store aisle. According to a petition submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) by the Organization for Competitive Markets and the American Grassfed Association, not all meat labeled “Product of U.S.A.” is actually from animals raised within U.S. borders.

Full Story

A Sniff Test for BRD?

A Sniff Test for BRD?

John Maday

Drovers

As the search continues for reliable chute-side tests for early signs of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), researchers work to identify indicators beyond gross signs, body temperature and other traditional methods of field diagnosis.

Full Story

Tips for farmers and ranchers on buying a semi and trailer

Tips for farmers and ranchers on buying a semi and trailer

Heather Smith Thomas

The Fence Post

Many farmers and ranchers today are buying their own semi-trucks and trailers, to haul hay, grain and livestock. Before making the big purchase, they will want to consider some key points.

Full Story

Twelve do’s and don’ts to take your creep feeding program to the next level.

Twelve do’s and don’ts to take your creep feeding program to the next level.

Kindra Gordon

American Hereford Association

If you creep feed calves prior to weaning each fall, are you managing your feeding program effectively and efficiently? Dustin Elkins, a nutrition consultant for CHS Southwest Grain in Richardton, N.D., advocates creep feeding for the benefits it provides calves, cows and pastures. However, he emphasizes “the devil is in the details” when developing a successful a program.

Full Story

There is no real parasite puzzle in the natural model

There is no real parasite puzzle in the natural model

R.P. “Doc” Cooke

Beef Producer

“Lee County Syndrome” was a very common diagnosis at Auburn University Veterinary College when I was stationed there in the mid 1970s. Up at Columbia, Missouri, at the vet school I heard they termed it “High Trough Disease.”

Full Story

K-State’s Megan Rolf Continues Search for Elusive Genetic Trait to Improve Cattle’s Water-Efficiency

K-State’s Megan Rolf Continues Search for Elusive Genetic Trait to Improve Cattle’s Water-Efficiency

Oklahoma Farm Report

Former Oklahoma State University faculty member and now a member of the Animal Science Department at Kansas State University, Dr. Megan Rolf has always had an interest in animal nutrition and in conjunction with that the efficient use of resources as well. Before leaving OSU to return home to Kansas, Roth began a study on the concept of finding the most efficient cattle genetics that reflect water efficiencies within those beef cows and has since continued her work at K-State.

Full Story

Jail time ordered for man who stole from deceased rancher

Jail time ordered for man who stole from deceased rancher

Feedstuffs

A Woodward, Texas, man will spend five years in prison after pleading no contest to four felony charges. The charges and subsequent jail time are the result of an investigation led by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. (TSCRA) special ranger Ben Eggleston.

Full Story

The numbers are clear: Weaned calves bring a premium

The numbers are clear: Weaned calves bring a premium

Beef Magazine

Here are a couple of scenarios to ponder: Weaned at home, preconditioned for 45 days with all the necessary shots versus stripped from the cow and weaned in the trailer on the way to the sale barn. Buyers know the difference and increasingly will pay for calves that are healthy and ready to hit the feedbunk with a full appetite.

Full Story

Yellowstone grizzly bears are not an endangered species — but ranchers like me are

Yellowstone grizzly bears are not an endangered species — but ranchers like me are

Mary A. Thoman

USA Today

No longer an endangered species, the Yellowstone grizzly bear population is soaring. But now bears are driving ranchers from their grazing lands.

Full Story

When Should I Harvest My Small-grain Forage?

When Should I Harvest My Small-grain Forage?

James Isleib

Angus Beef Bulletin Extra

Farmers plant small-grain forages in two basic systems. One is as a nurse crop for a perennial hay crop such as alfalfa. A second is as a stand-alone annual forage crop. Harvest decisions depend largely on the system used. If the small-grain forage is a “nurse crop,” then the effects of the harvest decision are based on what is best for the perennial hay crop underneath.

Full Story

Science Proves 45-Day Weaning Period for Calves Adds Significant Value

Science Proves 45-Day Weaning Period for Calves Adds Significant Value

Farms.com

It is weaning time for many cow-calf producers who wish to take advantage of value-added calf sales beginning in October. “Most cow-calf producers are aware of the 45-day weaning period requirement associated with these sales, but some may wonder why the post-weaning period needs to be so lengthy,” said Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension emeritus animal scientist and managing editor of the university’s popular Cow-Calf Corner newsletter.
Full Story

Atypical BSE case found in a cow in Florida

Atypical BSE case found in a cow in Florida

Meghan Grebner

Brownfield Network

The USDA has discovered a 6-year-old cow in Florida was infected with atypical BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).  The animal never entered slaughter channels and does not present a risk to the food supply or to human health. Atypical BSE is not associated with feed and APHIS says it happens rarely and spontaneously.  The cow was found as part of routine surveillance of cattle that are deemed unsuitable for slaughter.

Full Story