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High Fed Cattle Prices but Narrow Margins: Strategies To Consider
High Fed Cattle Prices but Narrow Margins: Strategies To Consider

Although U.S. cattle inventories declined, following widespread drought, cattle feeding margins are not as wide as in the previous period of low cattle inventories. Here's some management strategies to consider.

Cattle Producers Livestock Auction
Money On The Table: Top 9 Factors That Influence Cattle Price on Sale Day

For cow-calf producers, fall is often a time for preconditioning, weaning and marketing calves. While prices will likely be towards the top end this year, could you still be leaving money on the table?

Preconditioning Calves: Is It the Right Choice?
Preconditioning Calves: Is It the Right Choice?

Preconditioning has benefits for those looking to sell their calves and to those retaining ownership. Though it is not a “one size fits all” for operations. The benefits need to be considered along with practicality.

Thinking of Backgrounding Calves this Fall?
Thinking of Backgrounding Calves this Fall?

Cattle prices have responded to lower cattle inventory. Yet, with increasing costs of maintaining a cow, producers may wonder: to increase revenue in 2023, is it worth retaining or backgrounding calves?

Feed Prices Favor Limit-Feeding Stockers a High Energy Diet
Feed Prices Favor Limit-Feeding Stockers a High Energy Diet

For cattle producers that are set up to feed calves in a bunk, limit-feeding a high energy diet may be a cost-effective option for growing calves this fall and winter.

Could BRD Cases Decline In High-Risk Cattle With Delayed Vaccination?
Could BRD Cases Decline In High-Risk Cattle With Delayed Vaccination?

While vaccination is widely considered a critical component of cattle health management, could the timing of vaccination impact the efficiency of the product?

It's Time to Plan for Backgrounding Weaned Calves
It's Time to Plan for Backgrounding Weaned Calves

As we move into late summer and early fall, we begin think about weaning time. Getting those calves on feed is critical, requiring a good diet and proper feed management.

Preconditioning Improves Calf Health, Performance and Carcass Quality
Preconditioning Improves Calf Health, Performance and Carcass Quality

Calves enrolled in the OQBN Vac-45 Program attained an average market premium of $18.67/cwt in 2022 and an average of $13.06/cwt over the past 12 years, compared to similar nonpreconditioned calves.

The 'Golden Ticket' To Cattle Feeding Efficiency? It’s Been Found, FBN and Boveta Suggest
The 'Golden Ticket' To Cattle Feeding Efficiency? It’s Been Found, FBN and Boveta Suggest

Has the 'golden ticket' to cattle feeding efficiency and carcass yield with reduction in methane gas emissions and wet waste been found? FBN, along with its partner, Boveta Nutrition, LLC, believe so.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Ionophore Toxicity Discovered the Hard Way
Too Much of a Good Thing: Ionophore Toxicity Discovered the Hard Way

When calves on grass drop like flies, have minimal gains and many carcasses are condemned on the rail, Kansas State University experts uncover the unfortunate cause.

BT_Red_Angus_Calves
Limit-Fed ‘High-Risk’ Cattle: Greater Performance, No Negative Health Effects Found

While “high-risk” cattle are often given high levels of hay or forage to aid in the transition to a milled diet, a study at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researches ways to increase performance.

Thirty Calves Found Dead in Two Hours; Producer Seeks Answers
Thirty Calves Found Dead in Two Hours; Producer Seeks Answers

When a significant number of cattle died in less than two hours, a number of questions are raised. Kansas State University experts discuss this toxicology case and the answers that were found.

From Adversity to Diversity: A Ranch's Tough Decisions Led To Opportunity
From Adversity to Diversity: A Ranch's Tough Decisions Led To Opportunity

"The goal is to all be here, have the kids here and to keep the ranch going," says Sarah (Switzer) Sortum. Despite challenges, this family ranch has found ways to diversify and enable a future for generations to come.

BRD Battle Plan: Provide Powerful Protection on All Fronts
BRD Battle Plan: Provide Powerful Protection on All Fronts

The fight against bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a never-ending battle on a beef operation. It’s frustrating, costly, and the causes can be extremely hard to understand.

BT_Stocker_Cattle_Kansas
2022 K-State Beef Stocker Field Day Scheduled for Sept. 29

From beef cattle economic outlook to improving efficiency in feeding strategies, the 2022 KSU Beef Stocker Field Day is set to be held on Sept. 29

Supplementing Yearlings in the Summer Grazing Season: Is it Worth it?
Supplementing Yearlings in the Summer Grazing Season: Is it Worth it?

Strategically supplementing yearlings with dry distillers grains in the second half of the summer as the grass quality declines will increase average daily gain (ADG), but will it increase returns?

Managing Early Weaned Calves
Managing Early Weaned Calves

Feeding, management and marketing needs to be evaluated prior to weaning so the best options and management practices are selected.

Managing Early Weaned Calves
Managing Early Weaned Calves

Feeding, management and marketing needs to be evaluated prior to weaning so the best options and management practices are selected.

BT_Kansas_Stocker_Cattle
Implanted Stocker Cattle Could Improve Average Daily Gain by 20%

Administering implants can be economically justifiable to help stocker cattle be more efficient on grass. Choosing the right implant is key.

PurinaCattle_Early_weaning_031215
Management Practices for Cows at Weaning (Part 1)

Weaning is time to focus time and management on ways to eliminate stress, maintain health and maximize the value of weaned calves, but also a critical time to manage the cow herd.

Backgrounding Can Add Value, Flexibility
Backgrounding Can Add Value, Flexibility

How backgrounding may boost feeder calf value.

Hughes Abel TSCRA
Abell: The Lasting Effects Of Winter Storm Uri

The lack of electricity and fuel during last winter's historic storm has the Texas state legislature considering an exemption for dyed diesel fuel and increased truck weights on public roads during an emergency.

Weaning
Glenn Selk: Why 45-Day Weaning Is Important

If you are targeting selling your calves during one of this fall's value-added or preconditioned sales, be mindful some of the required weaning dates are only days away.

Stock image of a water tank.
Weaning Fall-Born Calves: Remember to Plan for Water Needs

Weaning during very hot summer weather is stressful enough to the calves. Therefore any management strategy that can reduce stress to the calves should be utilized. 

Results of the Kansas State University trial indicate cattle feeders can boost the percentage of energy in the receiving ration while use limit-feeding strategies to minimize negative effects.
Limit Feeding Allows Higher-Energy Receiving Rations

The transition to high-energy rations, particularly those with high starch levels, can involve risk of acidosis, stress and compromised immunity in feeder calves.

Implementing Low Stress Fence-Line Separation for Calf Weaning
Implementing Low Stress Fence-Line Separation for Calf Weaning

Weaning is one of the most stressful times for cattle. You remove the source of security calves have had since birth, and change their routine.

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to $2.4 Million Cattle Wire Fraud Scheme

More than $2.4 million worth of cattle were never bought in wire fraud scheme that spanned Missouri and Texas.

Thinking About Feeding Soybeans This Year?
Thinking About Feeding Soybeans This Year?

Low prices and adverse harvest conditions often drive us toward alternative options that – if nothing else – are perceived to add value to a crop.

Poll: Weaning Strategies | Producers Searching For Additional Hay

While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?

What is your weaning strategy this year?
Poll: Weaning Strategies | Producers Searching For Additional Hay

While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?

Make weaning and preconditioning a worthwhile investment.
Weaning and Preconditioning Calves: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Make weaning and preconditioning a worthwhile investment.

We Live in a Discount World

Value-added programs don’t necessarily add value to a set baseline price. Rather, they begin by removing some of the discount (risk) that buyers assume exist.

Selling in semi-load groups might be one of the largest discounts that can be removed.
We Live in a Discount World

Value-added programs don’t necessarily add value to a set baseline price. Rather, they begin by removing some of the discount (risk) that buyers assume exist.

Nalivka: Pay Heed To Break-Even Prices

Hedging opportunities for cattle marketed into the beginning of next year are becoming more attractive.

Hedging opportunities for cattle marketed into the beginning of next year are becoming more attractive.
Nalivka: Pay Heed To Break-Even Prices

Hedging opportunities for cattle marketed into the beginning of next year are becoming more attractive.

Long stem, grass hay is a recognizable feedstuff to calves.
Starting Newly Weaned Calves on Feed

Newly weaned calves are faced with the stress of separation from the cow, deprivation of feed and water during transportation, and adaptation to the feedlot environment.

Bunk space can vary depending on if calves were preconditioned or not prior to entering the feedlot.
Preconditioned vs Weaned Calves can Affect Bunk Space Requirements

Bunk space can vary depending on if calves were preconditioned or not prior to entering the feedlot.

Weaning or Backgrounding Calves
Feeding Weaned Calves During a Pre-conditioning Program

Spring born calves have already been, or soon will be weaned to meet the 45 day requirement for value-added calf sales.

Weaning or Backgrounding Calves
Why is 45 Day Weaning Important to Feeder Calf Health?

Most of the “Value-Added” calf sales require that the calves are weaned at least 45 days prior to sale date.

Completing a number of management techniques and vaccine protocols prior to the stress of weaning, comingling and transport will help assemble a calf crop more resilient to disease challenges.
Assemble a Calf Crop Resilient to the Challenges of Disease

Completing a number of management techniques and vaccine protocols prior to the stress of weaning, comingling and transport will help assemble a calf crop more resilient to disease challenges.

Preconditioning programs can vary greatly from one operation to another but share the common goal of preparing calves for the next phase of production.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Preconditioning

Preconditioning programs can vary greatly from one operation to another but share the common goal of preparing calves for the next phase of production.

Implanting your calves has many benefits, and can easily be done during a summer processing event.
Implanting Beef Calves at Summer Processing

Implanting your calves has many benefits, and can easily be done during a summer processing event.

Early Weaning Calf Health Considerations
Early Weaning Calf Health Considerations

The most successful early wean programs begin with a healthy calf prior to weaning. Calf age plays a crucial role on when to early wean.

Starting Backgrounding Weaning Calves
Performance of Early-Weaned Calves

Many cattle producers express concerns over the thought of weaning 350-450 lb calves during the heat of the summer and believe that early-weaned calves will not perform well in a dry lot environment.

Breakevens Remain Key in Determining Retained Ownership
Breakevens Remain Key in Determining Retained Ownership

Adding value and capturing that value (making money) versus adding value and losing value (losing money) is largely a function of your break-even price. 

Early weaned calves need to be adapted physically and behaviorally to their new environment.
Comparing Weaning Dates for Fall Calving Cows

The effect on the cow as well as weaning weight of the calf must be considered when the impact of the weaning date is considered.

<p>Mike John MFA injectable parasite control</p>
Refine Your Deworming Program

In his cow herd, Missouri rancher Mike John uses a long-acting injectable and pasture rotation to keep parasites under control.

<p>Of the four tick&nbsp;species known to&nbsp;carry anaplasmosis, the American Dog Tick is the most widely prevalent.&nbsp;</p>
Control External Parasites, Prevent Disease

Producers should focus more on parasite control and less on medicated feeds for dealing with diseases. 

 Cattle conditioning or flesh is probably one of the largest contributing factors to reduce value at time of sale.
Go Green When Marketing That Next Set of Feeders

Cattle conditioning or flesh is probably one of the largest contributing factors to reduce value at time of sale.

You’ve got calving on your mind now, but that means weaning will surely follow this fall and some of your decisions then will be framed by decisions made this spring.
A Little Background May Help

You’ve got calving on your mind now, but that means weaning will surely follow this fall and some of your decisions then will be framed by decisions made this spring.