University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Page 14

Selecting and Developing Replacement Heifers

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 17, 2020
Post category:Cow Herd University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Bred heifers are valuable and represent the future of your herd. Photo credit Aaron Berger. Fall is the time of year when many cow-calf producers make their replacement heifer selections and begin planning for the development of those heifers into bred females. The following are tips for selecting and developing replacement heifers. Selection The following are suggestions for replacement heifer selection from Dr. Jim Gosey, Beef Specialist…

Keeping an Eye on Body Condition in Fall Calving Cows

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 14, 2020
Post category:Calving Cow Herd Management University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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…

Keep it Tight; Store Hay Right

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 14, 2020
Post category:Hay Quality University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator No matter the type of forage, a tight, well-made bale is the best way to reduce the risk of storage loss. Photo credit Troy Walz. Setting the Stage Even before storing, producers can give hay a better chance to make it from the field to the cow with as little loss as possible. Baling at correct moisture levels will lead to proper curing…

Forage Testing Can Save Dollars

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 11, 2020
Post category:Feedstuff Hay Quality Management University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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…

Limit Feeding Cows Corn as an Alternative to Hay

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 11, 2020
Post category:Corn Cow Herd Feedstuff Hay Quality University of Nebraska-Lincoln

While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay. Photo credit Troy Walz. Feed costs make up the largest expense in a cow-calf operation. While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay. Considering corn has a higher energy content than hay, the cost of feeding hay is often…

Choosing a Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:September 10, 2020
Post category:Calving Cow Herd Management University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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…

Is That Corn Crop Worth More as Silage or Grain?

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:August 20, 2020
Post category:Corn Feedstuff Silage University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef EducatorGalen Erickson, Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist There are three points in time where corn silage is often priced: standing in the field, packed in the silo, and delivered in the bunk. Photo credit Troy Walz. Ongoing dry and drought conditions in many parts of the state are supporting hay and forage prices as we look towards this fall. Perennial dryland hay production in many parts of Nebraska…

Utilizing Summer Annuals

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:August 19, 2020
Post category:University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator With a proper understanding of the end goal and taking steps to mitigate risks from prussic acid and nitrates, summer annual grasses can be an invaluable part of your summer forage systems. Photo credit Troy Walz. Whether grazed, harvested for hay, or cut for silage, warm season annual grasses are the kings of forage production. Common species like forage sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum/sudangrass hybrids, and millets grow best under…

Creep Feeding Calves

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:July 15, 2020
Post category:Cow Herd Management University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension EducatorTravis Mulliniks, UNL Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Range Production Systems The cost of the gain from creep feeding has to be less than the value of the gain to be a profitable nutritional strategy. Photo credit Steve Niemeyer. Keeping a tight grip on feed costs is a priority for every beef producer. Creep feeding calves can be a good return on investments in certain situations. Maintaining the calf’s efficiency at…

Drought Monitor: June 30 2020

Post author:thestockexchange
Post published:July 2, 2020
Post category:Drought Monitor University of Nebraska-Lincoln Weather

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

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