Feed Efficiency
Cattle weights and the Choice-Select spread
This week the 5-area fed steer carcass weights exceeded 900 pounds. I believe that is a record. Weights have been running above year ago levels for most of 2011. This probably is partially a result of negative feeding margins for much of the year and higher cattle prices. This may not seem intuitive at first, but let’s consider the economic forces. If I am losing money on a pen of cattle, I am looking for every advantage to try and salvage a few more dollars per head. Even though we have had higher feeding costs in 2011, the fed cattle price per pound as still exceeded the cost per pound of gain.
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Iowa State invites producers to Beef Research Showcase
People who attend Iowa State University (ISU) football games and who also are interested in beef research have a unique opportunity awaiting them on the date of the final home ISU football game on Nov. 18. ISU’s Iowa Beef Center and beef nutrition faculty and staff are planning the “Beef Nutrition Research Pre-game Showcase” beginning that morning.
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Backgrounding prospects in the northern Plains
The prospects for backgrounding fall calves certainly improved from the end of August into October. In late August, December corn futures prices had advanced to $7.80 per bushel and January feeder cattle prices had declined to about $134/cwt.
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Veterinarians’ role to grow in ensuring judicious drug use
Veterinarians will become increasingly more involved with judicius use of antimicrobials in food animals.
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Managing feed costs
Feed costs have been in an increasing pattern since 2007. The cattle industry has been slowly adapting to these new economics. Recent developments, however, have moved feed costs into uncharted territory.
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Finding a genetic connection: Diseases and defects in cattle
It's no secret that genes play an important role in genetic abnormalities in cattle, but could a gene be responsible for resistance or tolerance to diseases? That's what Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers are trying to find out.
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Improving the efficiency of hay use
Like never before, this is the winter feeding season to consider ways to improve efficiency of harvested forage use. And fortunately, a few relatively simple concepts or strategies when combined could reduce the need for hay to about 2/3 of what most of us think we need.
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North Dakota backgrounding videoconference
As feedyard production costs increase, backgrounding could be an economically viable alternative to selling calves at weaning for some producers. To help producers learn more about backgrounding opportunities and how they might benefit their operations, North Dakota State University will host a videoconference next Monday, with access at several locations.
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AgriLife Research beef cattle studies focus on residual-feed intake
Feed efficiency in beef cattle is getting a closer look by a Texas AgriLife Research scientist, who is evaluating both feedlot performance and feed intake to improve profitability and reduce the environmental impact of beef production systems.
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Prepare cattle for a parasite-free winter
Whether marketing calves or caring for bred cows this fall, every cattle producer has to make the most of each pound of feed. So why feed parasites too?
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Prepare cattle for a winter without parasites
Deworming cattle in fall helps maintain health and condition
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- New school lunch beef recipes win approval from kids, foodservice
- Prices for corn and soybeans, five years from now
- Drier weather to give big boost to U.S. corn plantings
- The relationship between retail gasoline prices and futures prices
- Agriculture is expected to remain strong in the coming decade
- Domestic ethanol production starts to grow again
