08/22/2008 11:32AM
Colorado State: Animal Diseases and Traceability
Concerns regarding animal diseases and related perceptions about food safety have escalated substantially in recent years. The terrorist attack on the United States in September 2001 greatly increased awareness of vulnerability of U.S. agriculture to
02/25/2008 11:36AM
Cattle on feed are animals being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement in another feedlot.
07/13/2007 08:53PM
Because condition at calving and breeding are so important, it may at first seem silly to begin worrying about condition in the middle of July. However, it must be remembered that there are few economical ways to increase body condition once winter has arrived. So, good body condition in
04/17/2007 01:12PM
My definition of feedbunk management is to deliver a consistent, nutritious, fresh ration in a manner that maximizes (or nearly maximizes) feed intake and minimizes waste and spoilage. Therefore feedbunk management includes not only feed delivery decisions, but also feed mixing, nutrient balancing, feedstuff
03/29/2007 02:29PM
Several factors impact shrink including transit time, transit distance, environmental conditions (weather and transit conditions), cattle handling methods, and cattle management including nutrition. Research indicates that the combined effects of shipping and handling result in greater weight loss than
02/15/2007 11:02AM
With the expansion of the U.S. ethanol industry and higher prices for corn, a reduced share of the corn crop is used directly for domestic livestock feeding. However, a coproduct of ethanol production, distillers grains, may substitute for corn in some livestock rations, particularly for beef and dairy
02/12/2007 01:24PM
As corn prices rise a common question among cattle feeders is, How much can I feed?. The desire to feed higher levels has been tempered by concurrent increases in the prices of corn coproducts. However as of early 2007, wet CGF, modified DG and wet DG are priced at 75-85% of the price of corn, adjusted
01/10/2007 03:42PM
According to the Renewable Fuel Association (2003) nearly half of the U.S. fuel alcohol production occurs in Illinois and states immediately adjacent. In 2001 approximately 1.8 billion gallons of ethanol were produced in the U.S. and ethanol production is projected to reach four billion gallons this
01/04/2007 10:18AM
For stocker operators or cow-calf producers who retain ownership of cattle through the finishing phase of production, feedlot selection is a critical decision.
Whether feeding cattle for the first time or having had many years of retained ownership experience, choosing the “right” feedlot remains