Winter Cow Supplementation: Protein and Energy Explained

By Caitlin Hebbert, Livestock Consultantand Ryon Walker, Ph.D., Livestock Consultant In the article “Nutrient Synchrony: Protein and Energy Working Together,” we discussed how protein and energy act synergistically in the rumen to booster animal performance: Each requires the other for peak function. We also mentioned how winter supplementation often consists of a protein supplement but that protein is not always the limiting nutrient. In this article, we will talk about both protein and energy supplementation and how…

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Plan Your Winter Cattle Feeding Program and Save Money

By Robert Wells, Ph.D.Livestock Consultant How would you like to save $15 per cow on your winter feeding bill? What if I said you could easily do it by making one timely change to what you are feeding your cows grazing on native grass pasture? Many people only buy one feed type during the winter. This mindset may be costing a 50-head cow herd the equivalent of the value of a $750 calf. Remember…

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Fencing & Water for Beef Cattle

Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Basic grazing infrastructure for livestock includes fencing, water, and a method of controlling grazing activity. Photo credit Steve Niemeyer The goal of any grazing operation is to introduce the cow or calf to forage in adequate quality and quantity for their needs.  A majority of cattle operations in Nebraska use pasture or native range for grazing during the growing season and crop residues or harvested purchased feed for…

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Assessing Temperament in Cattle Using Chute Score – New Learning Module

Jamie T. Parham, former UNL Graduate StudentRonald M. Lewis, UNL Professor Animal Breeding & Genomics Temperament in cattle is often evaluated using a common six-point chute scoring system. Temperament is an animal's behavioral response to handling by humans, or to any potentially fearful situation. Since these reactions are often linked with stress, they have negative effects on production and profitability. Because of its impact on pregnancy rates, growth, meat quality, and safety, producers…

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Ways to capture the marketing value on calves

K-State experts offer advice on how to maximize the return on investment MANHATTAN, Kan. — When putting money in the stock market, there is nothing like the feeling of watching a return on investment grow. The same can be true when cattle producers are financially rewarded at the point of sale for their time and money invested in pre-conditioning calves. But as the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute recently…

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Farm analyst develops ‘Eight Knows’ from years of working with farm families

Hund provides thoughts on current farm situation PAXICO, Kan. – Duane Hund spent a recent, beautiful fall day much as he always does, talking with a farmer about his costs of production and expense-to-income ratio. Not exactly light coffee shop talk but something Hund has done most days for the last 36 years – working with Kansas farmers to improve their operation’s bottom line. As director of the Farm Analyst program at Kansas State University,…

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Tips to Improve the Success of Weaning Beef Calves

Jeff Lehmkuhler, Associate Extension Professor, University of Kentucky Fall is officially here and with it will bring the country sound of calves bawling as weaning occurs on beef cattle farms. This time of year can be busy with field crops, getting the last cutting of hay and other farm activities. Take some time to prepare for weaning of the beef calves to add value to the calf crop prior to marketing. Weaning preparation…

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Capitalizing on Cow Costs: Part 2

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist In a previous article, Capitalizing on Cow Costs, reducing feed costs to improve cow efficiency was discussed. To continue the conversation, another area of cost reduction is in cull cows, bulls and calf death loss. Cull cows and bulls as well as calf death loss in the herd can play a significant role in profitability. Producers need to determine their profit margins and decide what options or…

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Safety, design top priorities when designing cattle processing facilities

K-State experts say facilities should be safe for people and cattle MANHATTAN, Kan. — Many a rancher will say there is nothing that tests the bonds of a relationship more than processing cattle together. Between the quick movements of the calves and the short tempers of the humans it can be a trying experience for all. One way to help ease some of the potential for frustration is to make sure cattle are…

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K-State team eyes facial recognition technology for cattle

Smartphone app could boost biosecurity for the beef industry MANHATTAN, Kan. – If you’ve stared one cow in the face, you’ve seen them all … right? New technology being developed at Kansas State University is likely to debunk that thought, capitalizing on the power of artificial intelligence to build a database of facial recognition technology for the cattle industry. In other words, just like humans, each cow in the herd has a set…

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