Kris Ringwall
BeefTalk: Am I short of feed or short of cash?
Today, cattle producers market cows and bulls in much the same way they market the annual production of calves.
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BeefTalk: May you find all your ear tags
As fall markets prepare to receive the current calf crop as it comes off the cow, producers initiate late-summer and fall roundups in what becomes an annual, well-planned exercise that repeats every year.
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BeefTalk: Uff Da!
Seven hundred eighty dollars' worth of hay for a calf: uff da! Seasonal and yearly trends repeat. In fact, in 2008, the same concerns were very evident as the hay yards were empty.
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BeefTalk: Who said change would be easy
Is the cattle industry really changing? The industry may or may not be changing, but at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, the cow business has changed.
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BeefTalk: Grass versus corn, TDN cost per unit
In years past, given the price of feed grains, it was a given to buy grain. If one was short of forage, buy grain. If one was looking to expand, buy grain. If one was thinking of the future, build feed bunks and pens and buy grain.
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BeefTalk: Calculating cost per unit is critical
The world of costs is not really that complicated, but often it is overlooked. Although it is true that feed must be edible, free of digestive problems and compatible with the beef cow, that still leaves a large selection of alternative feedstuffs.
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BeefTalk: Tough decisions but cattle must pay for themselves
As summer comes to a close, the first step is to establish an inventory of our cattle, remaining pasture availability, carryover hay and potential hay production.
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BeefTalk: Let cattle rest and check water and check water again
There are days when finding bright spots is hard because the beef industry is in a bit of a tough spot. Things will work out, but, for today, it is tough.
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BeefTalk: How to survive the cattle business
As the Fourth of July passes by again and numerous gatherings of family and friends wrap up, there is a call for a little time to rest and catch up.
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BeefTalk: 4, 3 or 2 pounds of gain, so what?
Cattle always are on the cutting edge, at least commercial cattle are. That means the average cow can be called upon to fit many niches.
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BeefTalk: Integrating a new grass and beef production model
In recent years, much discussion has been held regarding grass and beef production. The concept of integrating the two production activities seems like a no-brainer.
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