BeefTalk: Good marketing captures available dollars
Cattle producers need to set focused, systematic goals to capture more net dollars. When the discussion rests on the income side, marketing is the focus. Special sales for bred and replacement heifers a success
The Wyoming Premium Heifer Program successfully closed its first year of sales yielding positive results for livestock producers who participated in the initiative. We must have a hole in the fence, the cows are gone
It has been 61 years since the U.S. cattle inventory was as small as it is now. And it has been 64 years since the calf crop was as small as it is now. At the first of the year the cattle inventory was 89.3 mil. down 2 percent from last year. Rethinking heifer development
During the recent conference of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Trey Patterson, PhD, who is COO of Padlock Ranch Company, Ranchester, Wyoming, outlined the ranch’s systems approach toward developing replacement heifers. Fresh grass means new calves
As ol’ man winter releases us from his grip, the pastures will begin to flourish. We’ve had a good fall and winter as far as precipitation is considered and forages are expected to take off quickly once the temperatures warm. Impacts of nutrition on health of newly received calves
Most beef producers are well aware that if growing calves don’t eat or don’t have enough to eat that they won’t gain, and won’t make a profit. However, most producers don’t realize that what that calf eats, or doesn’t eat, also has a big impact on the health status of that calf. Look back at calving season and start to make improvements now
Only 1 to 2 months ago the spring calving cows were calving, the temperatures were colder and the calving pastures were covered with muck and manure. BeefTalk: One-way ticket to town
Bull 50 just bought himself a one-way ticket to town. For bulls, there are only two pens. One is the pen for breeding bulls, while the other bulls go to the "for beef market" pen. Alternative weaning dates for fall-calving cows
Oklahoma State University animal scientists evaluated weaning dates of 158 Angus fall-calving cows over a 4 year period. BeefTalk: To pass, 60 percent must calve in 21 days
As the calving season winds down, check the calving book. Count the number of cows that calved within 21 days from when the third mature cow calved. Keep counting until you get to the end of the calving book. How to keep the herd
The drought has eased in places, but it persists in 40 percent of the U.S. and another 10 percent could revert if seasonal rains stay away this summer. That outlook from the USDA Drought Monitor has many ranchers short on grazing or water at a crossroads. Livestock risk protection for calves
Cattle producers can use Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) to guard against lower calf prices this fall, says Matthew Diersen, SDSU Extension Risk/Business Management Specialist.