“Why would I want to work for you?”

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Fair and competitive compensation for work that is done is certainly important in attracting and keeping employees in agricultural operations, but it is only a part of what motivates people. Photo credit Troy Walz. Unemployment across the United States is at historically low numbers.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nebraska ranks in the top 25% of states in having one of the lowest unemployment rates. …

Continue Reading“Why would I want to work for you?”

Keys for Corn Stalk Grazing

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Corn residue is a tremendous feed resource for cattle in Nebraska. Photo credit Troy Walz. Corn harvest will be underway soon in much of Nebraska. Corn residue is a tremendous feed resource for cattle in Nebraska. With Nebraska’s 9 million corn acres and 1.8 million beef cows, there is more than twice the number of corn stalk acres needed for grazing all of Nebraska’s beef cows! The…

Continue ReadingKeys for Corn Stalk Grazing

Feeding Light Test Weight Corn in Growing and Finishing Diets

Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator Cattle feeders that grow their own corn have the opportunity to market light test weight corn through their cattle without sacrificing cattle performance. Photo credit Troy Walz. The number of growing degree days remaining for the season will influence the amount of light test weight corn harvested this fall. The current standard test weight for corn is 56 pounds per bushel. When corn test weight is below the…

Continue ReadingFeeding Light Test Weight Corn in Growing and Finishing Diets

Feeding Elevated Levels of Corn Silage in Finishing Diets

Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator Feeding corn silage gives cattle feeders the opportunity to capitalize on maximum quality and tonnage of the whole corn plant, while stockpiling large quantities of feed. Photo credit Troy Walz. Corn silage can be an economical feedstuff in finishing diets, especially when corn prices are high. Feeding corn silage gives cattle feeders the opportunity to capitalize on maximum quality and tonnage of the whole corn plant, while stockpiling…

Continue ReadingFeeding Elevated Levels of Corn Silage in Finishing Diets

Crawford Livestock Market LLC to host World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier October 11

Crawford Livestock Market, LLC, 100 W Beech St., will host the first of three regional qualifying events for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The western regional qualifying event will be October 11. Opening ceremonies will commence at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) with the awards ceremony to follow. A total of 36 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the semi-finals for the 2020 WLAC at Dickson Regional…

Continue ReadingCrawford Livestock Market LLC to host World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier October 11

K-State Swine Day set for Nov. 21

Annual event focuses on increasing profitability, mitigating risk in swine industry MANHATTAN, Kan. – Research updates are the cornerstone of Kansas State University’s annual Swine Day, planned for Thursday, Nov. 21. “Swine Day incorporates the latest K-State research information on feed, pig livability, management, and disease mitigation,” said Mike Tokach, University Distinguished Professor and swine extension specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “We highlight thought leaders from the U.S. and Canada on threats…

Continue ReadingK-State Swine Day set for Nov. 21

Japan-U.S. Agriculture Agreement Could Help U.S. Catch Up to Global Competitors

Farmers, ranchers and many others involved in U.S. agriculture are eagerly awaiting the announcement of a mini-trade deal between the United States and Japan, a long-time, steady customer of U.S. ag products. Over the last 20 years, ag exports to Japan averaged $10.7 billion, dropped only once below $8 billion ($7.9 billion in 2005), and reached $12.9 billion in 2018. Japan is already the fourth-largest buyer of U.S. farm and ranch goods –…

Continue ReadingJapan-U.S. Agriculture Agreement Could Help U.S. Catch Up to Global Competitors

Secretary Perdue Statement on Signing of US-Japan Trade Agreement

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement regarding the signing of the new United States-Japan Trade Agreement:   “This agreement between the United States and Japan is a better deal for the entire U.S. economy, but is a particularly big win for our farmers and ranchers. When I visited Japan in May for the G20, I made it clear that the U.S. is Japan’s best customer and we felt…

Continue ReadingSecretary Perdue Statement on Signing of US-Japan Trade Agreement

South Dakota: Feed Situation

Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University Large rainfall events have made it a challenging growing season in South Dakota and neighboring states. The quantity and quality of feed from pastures and crops have been affected. The resulting feed situation is influenced by both local and national factors. Cattle inventories are expected to be constant to slightly lower locally and nationally, meaning steady…

Continue ReadingSouth Dakota: Feed Situation

Cattle Handling and Carcass Value

Steve Boyles, OSU Beef Extension Specialist Utilization of proper cattle handling is key. It can eliminate carcass bruising and the presence of dark cutters. Although the industry has observed a decrease in the presence of carcass bruising according to the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit results, the “2016 Lost Opportunities in Beef Production” publication indicated that carcass bruising cost the industry approximately $62.15 million. Additionally, the presence of dark cutters cost the beef…

Continue ReadingCattle Handling and Carcass Value