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…
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…
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…
Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cull cows represent approximately 20% of the gross income of any commercial cow operation. Cull beef cows represent 10% of the beef that is consumed in the United States. Therefore, ranchers need to make certain that cow culling is done properly and profitably. Selling cull cows when they will return the most income to the rancher requires knowledge about cull cow health and body condition. Proper cow culling…
In a different approach, agricultural economists use ‘cause of loss’ crop insurance data MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University agricultural economists have taken a different approach than most to determine the risk farmers face in growing crops under increasingly higher average temperatures. The results indicate that yield risk will increase in response to warmer weather, with a 1 degree Celsius increase associated with yield risk increasing by approximately 32% for corn and 11%…
https://u.osu.edu/beef/2020/09/09/transportation-shrink-in-beef-cattle-2/#more-8533
Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management While body condition is critical for all lactating cows going into the breeding season, this is especially important for the fall calving cow. Photo credit Troy Walz. With much of the eastern and western borders of Nebraska in a drought, producers with fall calving cows need to be especially mindful of body condition on fall calving cows. In Nebraska, most fall calving herds actually…
Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Sampling and testing forages for quality can make designing a feeding program easy and economical. Photo credit Troy Walz. As cow-calf producers strive to reduce feed costs by finding different avenues to increase grazing days, many still have to use harvested forages in their year-round feeding program. Sampling and testing forages for quality can make designing a feeding program easy and economical. Nutrient concentration can vary considerably in…
Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist Pregnancy diagnosis is a very valuable tool in the beef industry. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz. Previous research has shown the benefit of pregnancy diagnosis and how it adds to a producer’s bottom line. Keeping one cow over winter can cost $100-$200 in feed and supplements so removing open cows can help decrease winter feed costs. Pregnancy diagnosis is a very valuable tool in the…
The training course, geared toward farmers and ranchers, is open to the public and will help individuals identify signs of chronic stress and offer effective communication skills Following the December 2019 announcement of a new farm stress management online training course for employees and members of Farm Credit, Farm Bureau and Farmers Union, these organizations have supported the launch of a free online training available to the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension…