Calving ease (the opposite of calving difficulty or dystocia) is dependent upon several factors. The most obvious factor affecting calving ease is calf birth weight. But, a small heifer can calve without difficulty just as a very large heifer can experience calving difficulty as not only the calf size (as measured through birth weight), but […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In this neck of the woods, there is nothing better than having coffee shop bragging rights. However, in many cases those bragging rights leave out a few important details. These details are often overlooked, and while it is not intentional, knowing the difference between conception rate and pregnancy rate, will make or break many producers’ […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved use of newly formulated PULMO-GUARD® PH-M, a vaccine used in preventing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) caused by Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida that is marketed by AgriLabs®. Made with a low-reactive, water-soluble adjuvant, PULMO-GUARD PH-M is easy on animals and offers exceptional effectiveness. “M. haemolytica and P. […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
It’s not uncommon for the best performers at any given job to deviate over time from set protocols and procedures (the experts refer to this as “Procedural Drift”). Some repetitive tasks become second nature to us and we start forgetting to check the basics. When trouble shooting, it’s easy to overlook these basics. A herd […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
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…