Heavier Feeder Cattle Placements Amid Meat Processing Plant Issues

Elliott Dennis, Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Economist Photo credit Troy Walz. Listen to a discussion of the content in this article on this episode of the BeefWatch podcast. You can subscribe to new episodes in iTunes or paste http://feeds.feedburner.com/unlbeefwatch into your podcast app. Current Market Situation Domestic red meat demand and corn prices are two current drivers of the fed cattle market. The historical corn purchases from China, reduced planted corn acreage in the U.S., and poor…

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Where is Value being created in your Ranch Operation?

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Identifying where value is being created and costs are occurring can show where opportunities exist to change and improve the profitability of the ranch business. Photo credit Troy Walz. For many ranch operations multiple enterprises are a part of the overall business.  In addition to the cow-calf enterprise, land is owned, replacement heifers are developed, hay is harvested, and often, yearlings are wintered and grazed through the…

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Preparing for Cattle Transport Saves Time, Money and Stress

Jesse Fulton, Extension Educator, Director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance There are several important factors that should be considered when cattle are being transported. Photo credit Troy Walz. With fall upon us, many producers are beginning to plan shipment of this year’s calf crop or moving cattle from summer pasture to crop residues, fall/winter pastures, or to a dry lot. Each and every year, millions of head of cattle are transported from point…

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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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