Analyze Cow Production Performance at Weaning

Identify the cow herd’s performance and see where improvements can be made with these calculations. by Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Regular and consistent performance analysis can help a cow-calf operation: 1) identify where the business has excelled, as well as opportunities for improvement; 2) make informed management decisions; and 3) formulate goals and monitor progress toward goals. Analyzing cow herd performance for only one year will not accomplish all the above. Regular…

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High Nitrates and Pregnant Cows

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Drought poses many challenges to the beef cow herd. Nitrates in feed is one of the challenges that producers need to be aware of, especially in the reproductive herd. Nitrates can be found in multiple forages and weeds, such as millet, oats, wheat, corn, sorghum, sudan, kochia, pigweed, lambsquarter, brome grass and orchard grass, to name a few. Nitrates are taken up from the soil by…

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Exercise Caution when Grazing Cattle on Drought Stressed Cornstalks

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef EducatorMary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Cattle prefer and will select the grain as well as leaves and husk first which tend to be lower in nitrates. Photo credit Troy Walz. Cornstalk residue is a tremendous resource for fall and winter grazing; however, this year care needs to be taken in grazing drought stressed cornstalks due to the potential of high nitrates in the feed. Cattle prefer…

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Developing Heifers to Fit Their Production Environment

Determining the most cost-effective system to develop heifers in a given production environment is critical to keeping those females in the herd long-term. Photo credit Troy Walz. This article was originally featured in Progressive Cattle. As producers begin selecting replacement heifers, a commonly asked question is, “What is the best method for developing heifers?” Considering the expenses involved in developing replacements, determining the most cost-effective system for a specific production environment is important…

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When All Else Fails, Read the Feeding Instructions

Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, PAS, Extension Professor, University of Kentucky This is the time of year when calves are starting to come to market. Backgrounders and fall stocker programs are buying lightweight feeders for their operations. Some operations in consultation with their veterinarians may obtained a veterinary feed directive (VFD) for medicated feed to help in the prevention or treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Medicated feeds are a tool in the toolbox and…

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Marketing as Part of the Plan

Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman Early Fall, 2021 edition) Plan now to make the most of your spring calf crop While summer is winding down there is no shortage of things to keep a beef producer busy this time of year. Depending on the calving season of choice, we are either approaching fall calving or wrapping up the breeding season for some spring calving herds. There…

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K-State vet shares tips for handling vaccinations, maintaining effectiveness

Vaccines are less effective if not kept within accepted temperature range By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news writer MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University veterinarian is reminding producers that properly handling bottles containing livestock vaccinations is crucial so that it remains effective for the animal. Gregg Hanzlicek, director of the Production Animal Field Investigations at K-State, said that keeping the vaccination bottles between 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit and out of UV…

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