Can genomic tests work for the commercial beef producer?

Can genomic tests work for the commercial beef producer?

Beef Magazine

The short answer to the question posed in the headline is yes, but it depends. It starts with being able to capture commercial-level data, says Matt Spangler, animal geneticist at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Spangler was speaking at King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) Lectureship on genetics recently in Denver. In addition to KRIRM, the symposium was sponsored by NCBA and Colorado State University.

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Farm Animal Safety

Farm Animal Safety

Dr. Lew Strickland

University of Tennessee

A majority of the general public has not been raised around an agricultural setting, so these individuals may not be familiar with animal behavior. Most of you have animals that are responsible for your income. However, animals are the second most likely cause of injury on the farm after farm machinery accidents. Following a few simple rules should allow young people and ourselves to safely work around and enjoy farm animals.

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Urban sprawl brings challenges and opportunities for agriculture

Urban sprawl brings challenges and opportunities for agriculture

Rachel Robinson

Angus Journal

Horns honking, sirens blaring, traffic congestion, people crowding. The city never sleeps. There is no peace and quiet. And, many urbanites like it that way — they love the hustle and bustle. At the other end of the spectrum are the people who prefer the rural lifestyle. Farmers, ranchers, cattlemen and cattlewomen. That rural lifestyle is the antithesis of the urban. Space. Quiet. Outside. But, in many areas of the country, that space is disappearing. The cities are encroaching upon the rural areas. The population is growing, and they want to live near the city conveniences

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It was supposed to be me

It was supposed to be me

James Beckham

Progressive Cattle

It was supposed to be me – I was supposed to be the first to go. Statistically, the husband dies first, so Pam and I made provisions for that far off, but seemingly inevitable, event.

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Improving the Reproductive Efficiency of Beef Cattle Herds

Improving the Reproductive Efficiency of Beef Cattle Herds

Angela Gonella-Diaza

Farms.com

The profitability of the cow-calf operation is directly related to herd reproductive efficiency. The efficient cow is the one that calves every year at about the same time. As is shown in graph below, to calve every 12 months, a cow must be bred and became pregnant within 85 days post-calving (280-day gestation + 85 days = 365 days).

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Northern ND cattle producers dealing with ‘pretty devastating’ drought

Northern ND cattle producers dealing with ‘pretty devastating’ drought

Jenny Schlecht

Agweek

Richard Hoffart has about 210 cows, but he anticipates he may sell down by fall. “I’m hoping we can keep 120, 130 at least,” he says. But that’ll depend on how many bales of hay he can put up this summer. With dry conditions on his Pierce County ranch, that isn’t looking good. Most fields are producing only about half of normal, he says. An oats field he planted for hay is yielding a bale an acre when it should be giving him close to four.

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NCBA Hails Increased Access to European Markets for U.S. Beef

NCBA Hails Increased Access to European Markets for U.S. Beef

Jennifer Houston, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), today joined President Trump and other NCBA officers at a White House signing ceremony for an agreement that will establish a duty-free quota for high-quality American beef in the European Union (EU).

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U.S. bill raising debt ceiling for farm bankruptcies heads to White House

U.S. bill raising debt ceiling for farm bankruptcies heads to White…

P.J. Huffstutter

Reuters

With farm bankruptcies rising and agricultural debt loads soaring, the U.S. Senate has passed a bill that will make it easier for more farmers with larger amounts of debt to file for bankruptcy protection.

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Ute Cattle Company receives regional environmental stewardship award

Ute Cattle Company receives regional environmental stewardship award

High Plains Journal

Ute Cattle Company, in Bueyeros, New Mexico, has been selected as one of seven regional finalists of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The award, announced during the 2019 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Denver, recognizes the operation’s outstanding stewardship and conservation efforts. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas, in February.

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Cover crops may have value as cattle feed

Cover crops may have value as cattle feed

Feedstuffs

Cover crops are known to protect soil and water quality, but they also can offer valuable livestock feed, according to Iowa State University research.

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