Monitoring failure of passive transfer in calves
This article looks at using a refractometer to determine failure of passive transfer and how to apply that information to your colostrum management program.
FULL STORY »
Recordkeeping will document production practices
The recent release of the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) conducted by beef industry researchers reconfirms the importance for beef producers to continue to focus on improving recordkeeping methods and tracking.
FULL STORY »
Iowa State researchers seek right mix of bacteria in cattle
Bacteria often get a bad rap. Frequently the targets of aggressive hand-washing campaigns, they get the blame for causing a wide range of nasty diseases in humans and animals.
FULL STORY »
Measuring cow herd performance
Fall is a great time of year to put pencil to paper and evaluate the overall productivity of your cow herd, as well as the individuals within it.
FULL STORY »
BeefTalk: Marketing calves - Let buyers know they are yours
All calves compete with each other, so a unique market identification is critical, just like the fancy jersey of your favorite sports team or beverage label.
FULL STORY »
Production records for the commercial cow herd
Every rancher’s wife knows the panic that ensues when she takes a load of laundry out of the wash during calving season and realizes she has washed the calving book! Hopefully that is not the only copy because the value of good herd records is irreplaceable when it comes to cow herd management.
FULL STORY »
Did that calf get enough good quality colostrum?
Whether raising, buying or selling calves, producers should be concerned about the calf’s immune status, by knowing if they’re getting enough good quality colostrum.
FULL STORY »
Help your pasture and forage recover from the drought
While most of the drought attention was given to corn and soybeans, pastures and hay crops were suffering just as much. Many Corn Belt operations had to ship cattle early and liquidate beef herds because of the lack of forage.
FULL STORY »
Supplement cuts cows' winter-feed cost 10 percent
With high costs of feed for wintering cows, herd owners should consider adding monensin to grain supplements for winter forages.
FULL STORY »
Cold weather livestock tips
Yvonne Bellay, DVM, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, advises livestock owners to prepare for cold-weather care of their animals.
FULL STORY »
Turn to surrogacy to increase calf crop value
Cattle producers looking for a new way to add value to their calf crops can try raising someone else’s calves instead of their own, an Ohio State University Extension beef expert said.
FULL STORY »
- Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early
- Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
- New animal identification rules aid disease traceability
- Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
- Drought losses in Oklahoma top $400 million for 2012
- Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally
