What Does the Increased Grain Prices Mean for Backgrounders?

Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, PAS, Associate Extension Professor, University of Kentucky This time of year, we receive several questions regarding supplementing cows and calves. Often, I must ask what feeds are available and prices as this is rarely included in the original request. I see a wide range in feed prices when this information comes back. However, one thing is certain, feed prices are higher in 2021. What impact will this have on the…

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Antimicrobial stewardship a vital element of livestock operations

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Every livestock producer’s to-do list for February should include an in-depth review of his or her operation’s antimicrobial stewardship program, according to Oklahoma State University Extension recommendations.  Since the introduction of antimicrobials in the 1940s, illness and deaths in both people and animals from infectious diseases have been greatly reduced. However, given that these drugs have been used so widely for so long has resulted in bacterial…

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Trends in nutrition for 2021 and beyond

Pandemic, increased knowledge lead to changes in perceptions of food, nutrition The pandemic and other factors in 2020 have not only changed the way consumers relate to food but also how they evaluate their food choices and perceive nutrition in general.   Preparing meals at home allows for greater flexibility and personalization in food choices. With unprecedented access to research-based information as well as new technological tools, consumers are better understanding the connection…

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Cattle Chat: Managing mother’s milk

K-State beef cattle experts say the first 24 hours after birth is an important time for calves to absorb colostrum. | Download this photo. K-State veterinarians discuss the importance of a calf nursing in the first 24 hours of its life MANHATTAN, Kan. — The old phrase “Milk Does A Body Good” is an advertising slogan from the 1980s but still rings true today not only for people but for cattle as well. And…

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Kansas Cattleman and Veteran Jerry Bohn Becomes New NCBA President

DENVER (Feb. 4, 2021) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today concluded its virtual Winter Business Meeting with the election of Jerry Bohn, a cattle producer from Wichita, Kan., as NCBA president. Bohn, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has been a part of the cattle industry his entire life. Bohn has had an expansive career in the cattle industry since his early days of custom grazing cattle with…

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BEEF, SHIITAKE & SWEET POTATO POT PIES

For best results use Certified Angus Beef ® brand BEEF, SHIITAKE & SWEET POTATO POT PIES SERVES 6 Share your great taste! Use leftover roast to make these hearty beef pot pies with shiitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, rich sauce and flaky crust. Classic comfort food at a whole new delicious level! INGREDIENTS: 1 pound Certified Angus Beef ® leftover roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes2 1/2 cups beef stock1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms (18-20), cut in 1/4-inch slices6 tablespoons butter1…

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DRIVING DEMAND: RETAIL

CAB VOLUME LEADING DIVISION SELLS MORE OF EACH QUALIFIER By: Abbie Burnett 2021 Two million, four hundred and thirty-two thousand. That’s how many cattle it took to supply the 608 million pounds (lb.) of Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) cuts sold by 3,000 retail partners in fiscal 2020. As the heavyweight champ in brand volume, retail accounts for 55% of total pounds sold. Brand sales have surpassed the supply of USDA Select beef because CAB retail…

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Calving Management and Reducing Calf Losses in Beef Herds

Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Becky Funk, DVM, Animal Health Teaching and NE Extension Specialist Factors contributing to calving problems fall into three main categories – calf effects, cow effects and fetal position at birth. Photo credit Chandra Giles. Factors Causing Calving Difficulty Every year a significant number of calves are lost at birth due to complications of parturition (calving).  The most common factor in loss due to dystocia is time delay of…

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Managing for Heterogeneity on Rangelands in the Nebraska Sandhills

Kayla Mollet, UNL SRMC Research Project CoordinatorMitch Stephenson, UNL Range Management Specialist Nebraska Sandhills rangeland near Hyannis, NE. Photo credit Kayla Mollet. The Nebraska Sandhills is one of the most intact grasslands in the Great Plains of North America. The topography and soil substrate of the Sandhills has limited farming development and allowed for this region to be one of the prime native working landscapes for cattle production in the United States. While…

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Winter Interseeding Legumes

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator Legumes are well-known for their ability to pull nitrogen from the air and fix it in a form useable by plants. Photo credit Troy Walz. From a forage perspective, winter is typically a time for using the resources we have on hand and planning ahead to next year’s growing season.  However, there may be some opportunity to take this time to improve your…

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