Dr. Ralph Williams, Purdue University, discusses identification and control of flies in Beef herds. Source: Purdue University
Dr. Ralph Williams, Purdue University, discusses identification and control of flies in Beef herds. Source: Purdue University
USDA-NASS released the monthly Cattle on Feed report on May 17, 2013. The report documented cattle and calves on feed on May 1 for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 head or more, cattle placements on feed during April, and fed cattle marketings during April. Prior to the report, news agencies such […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
LAMAR, Mo. — It is essential to treat weeds to reduce the competition to desired plants in a field or pasture according to Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County. “When weeds are present, they are competing for nutrients, sunlight, air and moisture,” said Scheidt. However, in order to have […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
At first glance, the life of the herd bull looks pretty easy. Work 2-3 months of the year and get the rest of the year for rest and relaxation. However, things aren’t quite that simple. The bull’s year should be thought of as three seasons: 1) Pre-breeding and conditioning for at least 2 months; 2) Breeding season for […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In April 2010, Congressman Blaine Leutkemeyer of Missouri wrote Lois G. Lerner, director of the IRS’s tax-exempt organizations division, to inform her that the Humane Society of the United States—unaffiliated with local humane societies—may have been engaging in excessive attempts to influence public policy in violation of the rules for nonprofits. Over the past week […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Choice boxed beef finished last week at a record weekly average of $207.49/cwt., up $4/cwt. from last week and up $17/cwt. from the recent lows last month. Though this market may be near a peak, the strength and duration of the recent run has been impressive and sets the stage for a stronger summer beef […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
USDA says the number of cattle on feed in large feedlots at the start of May was down 3.4% compared to May 2012. The pre-release trade forecast was for the on-feed number to be down 3.7%. This is the ninth consecutive month the number of cattle on feed has been below the year-ago level. The […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The USDA-AMS LGMN Branch provides a weekly video providing timely market information and quotes pertaining to feeder cattle. The LGMN Branch compiles and disseminates information aiding producers, consumers, and distributors in the sale and purchase of livestock, meat, grain, and their related products.
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma temperatures will be soaring upwards soon and that can be quite a shock for horses, especially given how Old Man Winter hung on until recent weeks. “The sudden shift from cooler-than-normal temperatures to those associated with summer underscores the need for horse owners to monitor their animals closely,” said Tommy Puffinbarger, […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding yet another chapter to the dismal saga of its strained relationship with American agriculture. Its sordid history of aerial surveillance over ag operations, attempts to regulate farm ponds and ditches and efforts to corral dust clouds are just a few examples of how the agency has actively made […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Branding of livestock has served as an important method of permanent identification for thousands of years. Use of brands as identification is important to be able to determine ownership of an animal in public grazing land situations, on large acreages where cattle may be lost or mixed with other herds, and ranches that have cattle […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Koch Nitrogen Company, LLC is moving forward with plans to build a new urea plant at its Enid, Oklahoma facility. In addition, the company is revamping existing production processes at the facility. Combined, the investments are estimated at $1 billion and are expected to increase fertilizer production at the facility by more than 1 million […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
With the Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2013 Farm Bill completed today, farmers and ranchers now look toward the House Agriculture Committee markup of its version of the bill, scheduled for May 15, as Congress moves one step closer toward passing a full 2013 Farm Bill, which would set American agriculture policy for the […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
STILLWATER, Okla. – Old Man Winter held on longer than usual this year, but now summertime temperatures are taking hold, providing ample reason for cattle producers to guard against heat stress in their herds. Brian Freking, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Southeast District livestock specialist, said understanding and avoiding heat stress in cattle can be […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
On May 17, 2012, someone opened fire in a remote Hankinson, N.D., pasture, killing 13 cows and a calf and shattering the sense of security for many in the small Richland County community. That someone is still at large, but officials are hopeful a beefed-up reward will generate new interest and leads in the case. […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Cattle feedlots face significant market risk during each feeding period. Research on Midwest feedlots has indicated that approximately 74 percent of the variation in cattle feeding returns is due to changes in the prices of fed cattle, feeder cattle, and corn, while approximately 10 percent of the profit variation is due to production risk from […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
WASHINGTON — With the Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2013 Farm Bill completed today, farmers and ranchers now look toward the House Agriculture Committee markup of its version of the bill, scheduled for May 15, as Congress moves one step closer toward passing a full 2013 Farm Bill, which would set American agriculture policy […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday discussed his vision for U.S. organic agriculture and USDA efforts to ensure its continued success during remarks to the Organic Trade Association. Vilsack announced a number of changes and new initiatives to support the continued growth of organic agriculture, including that the USDA’s Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) federal crop insurance […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
As part of a long-standing partnership with the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA), the Ram Truck brand is funding nearly 80 scholarships to FFA members across the country. The Ram Truck brand has awarded approximately $600,000 in scholarships throughout its 29 year sponsorship of the FFA scholarship initiative. More than 6,000 FFA students […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Often times, marketing and increasing value of cull cows are overlooked by producers. Mainly due to the fact that the cow is open or aborted and that feed is limiting and it is not cost effective to keep a non-efficient part of the ranch around with increasing feed prices and decreasing forage availability. However, cull […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
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. Experience would say that you do not want to ask cow calf operators how calving is then, because the response would be less than objective, reflecting bone-chilling cold and […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Mitch Blanding, Zoetis, and Gary Fike, Certified Angus Beef, talk about stocker strategies that set cattle up for success. This video news is provided by Certified Angus Beef LLC and the American Angus Association. Visit www.CABpartners.com or www.angus.org for more information.
Crop and livestock producers alike are understandably anxious for some resolution of weather uncertainty with particular current focus on corn planting. Last week, the USDA released information that is also heavily weather influenced and of elevated cattle producer interest. Table 1 was derived to present a summary of regional range and pasture conditions. This table […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
WASHINGTON, D.C., – The May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released today by the Agriculture Department shows that a record corn crop is still reachable despite a slow start to planting season, according to American Farm Bureau Federation analysts. The report forecasts a corn yield of 158 bushels per acre, implying a record […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Cattle & Corn Comments: Corn Supply & Use In 2013/14
USDA’s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released last Friday, was the first to include forecasts of corn production and use for the upcoming 2013/14 marketing year (beginning September 1, 2013). While the February Outlook Forum and March Prospective Plantings numbers provided the foundation for the projections for next year, this was […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…