Latest News From Beef Cattle

Protein Supplementation: What Should I Know Before Purchasing?
Protein Supplementation: What Should I Know Before Purchasing?

In developing a protein supplementation strategy, it is important to consider what is the goal of feeding the protein supplement and that not all protein sources are equal.

Successful Administration of an Implant begins with the Right Technique
Successful Administration of an Implant begins with the Right Technique

Poor implanting techniques can significantly impact how well implants work and can result in poor gains, feed conversion and behavior issues. Some precautions make sure common mistakes don’t cause problems.

BIF Releases Decision Support Tool for Beef Cattle Selection
BIF Releases Decision Support Tool for Beef Cattle Selection

The iGENDEC product was developed with the financial support of a USDA NIFA grant with the aim of helping enterprises make genetic selection decisions that are specific to their unique circumstances.

Sustainable Beef Systems Can Achieve Climate Neutrality
Sustainable Beef Systems Can Achieve Climate Neutrality

Jason Sawyer, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, explained the state of the beef industry with regard to climate concerns and discussed mitigation pathways that might help achieve climate neutrality.

Management Tools to Maximize Reproduction
Management Tools to Maximize Reproduction

Elanco Animal Health is addressing reproductive factors for the cow-calf herd during a one-hour webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. Central. The program is approved for 1 hour of continuing education (RACE credit).

Cattlemen Raise Concerns with Executive Order on Biotechnology
Cattlemen Raise Concerns with Executive Order on Biotechnology

Last week the White House announced an Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.

Breeding for Survivability with Genetic Selection and Measurement
Breeding for Survivability with Genetic Selection and Measurement

The general manager of Southern Cattle Company describes how the ranch uses genetic selection to breed heat tolerant animals with survivability and stayability in a harsh climate.

Vytelle Expands Network of Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Laboratories
Vytelle Expands Network of Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Laboratories

Vytelle announces the opening of a laboratory in New Zealand, part of a five-year plan to double the laboratory capacity to produce bovine embryos through in vitro fertilization.

NCBA Urges Senate Committee to Pass Livestock Regulatory Protection Act
NCBA Urges Senate Committee to Pass Livestock Regulatory Protection Act

The Livestock Regulatory Protection Act aims to prevent EPA from issuing Clean Air Act Title V permits for emissions like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane that result from livestock production.

When Disaster Strikes: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Provides New Insight
When Disaster Strikes: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Provides New Insight

What do the pork, beef and poultry industries have in common? Taking a look at the impacts of a disease outbreak might lead to striking similarities.

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Beef Quality Assurance Program Injection Site Guideline

In order to reduce the incidence of injection site lesions, injectable products should be administered subcutaneous (SQ)if the label allows.

Strategies For Drought Management on Pastures
Strategies For Drought Management on Pastures

If pastures are managed properly during times of low moisture, the effects of drought will be less severe and pastures will rebound faster when precipitation is sufficient.

Feeding Cows While Coping with Drought and High Input Costs
Feeding Cows While Coping with Drought and High Input Costs

Grouping cows or growing cattle in larger groups to maximize feed delivery over groups to feed is an additional consideration under current economic conditions.

Sexten: Sorting for Options With Thin Cows
Sexten: Sorting for Options With Thin Cows

With much of the US cow herd in some form of drought the odds of thin cows heading into weaning season are high. This month let's look at practical approaches to wrangling the challenge of dry pastures and thin cows.

Profit Tracker: Feedings Costs 25% Higher YOY
Profit Tracker: Feedings Costs 25% Higher YOY

The average cost of feeding a steer to finish weight was 25% higher for cattle marketed last week and is projected to be 31% higher for cattle placed on feed last week at roughly $600 per head.

Peel: Oklahoma Fall Forage Situation
Peel: Oklahoma Fall Forage Situation

Given the limited hay supply, proportionally more wheat pasture is likely to be used for cow herds than for stockers.  Even if there is wheat pasture, stocker demand may be somewhat lighter than usual this year.

Third AFBF Survey Reveals Stark Reality of Western Drought
Third AFBF Survey Reveals Stark Reality of Western Drought

Drought continues to hammer farmers and ranchers in Western, Central and Southern Plains states, with far-reaching implications for farmers’ and ranchers’ bottom lines, and also food availability and affordability.

Swath Grazing
Swath Grazing

As expenses increase and producers evaluate more-efficient management techniques to lower production costs, one alternative may be to incorporate swath, or windrow grazing.

Blister Beetles Reported in Large Numbers in Missouri
Blister Beetles Reported in Large Numbers in Missouri

Blister beetles are appearing in large numbers in Missouri and entomologists warn the beetle's toxin, called cantharidin, can cause animals to become sick and even die.

Premium Alfalfa Hay Delivered by Amazon Prime
Premium Alfalfa Hay Delivered by Amazon Prime

California dairy farmer, Steve Maddox found a newfound love for Amazon Prime, who hauled premium alfalfa dairy hay from his Logan, Utah hay ranch to his Riverdale, Calif. dairy farm.

Producer Owned Beef Packing Plant Coming To Amarillo
Producer Owned Beef Packing Plant Coming To Amarillo

During a ceremony in downtown Amarillo, principals for Producer Owned Beef announced their plans for a 3,000-head per day beef packing facility that will break ground next year.

Asian Longhorned Tick Questions to be Answered in Upcoming Webinar
Asian Longhorned Tick Questions to be Answered in Upcoming Webinar

Ticks have become a common topic of conversation in the cattle industry. NCBA and the USDA will host a two-day webinar to answer looming questions about the expanding Asian Longhorned Tick population.

Expanded Labels for Beef Implant Products Approved
Expanded Labels for Beef Implant Products Approved

 Zoetis announces it has received expanded label approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on three beef implant products.

A Million Beef Cows Gone? Texas’ Devastating Drought Could Leave Generational Scars
A Million Beef Cows Gone? Texas’ Devastating Drought Could Leave Generational Scars

Beef producers are culling older cows, cows with any health concerns and selling calves earlier, plus planting and trying to store up some hay. Without rain, it's a struggle.

Mob Grazing Debunked: Is it the ‘Golden Ticket’ to Grazing Efficiency and Soil Health?
Mob Grazing Debunked: Is it the ‘Golden Ticket’ to Grazing Efficiency and Soil Health?

Intensive or ‘mob’ grazing allows for higher stocking densities, but does it provide benefits to soil health and biodiversity? UNL researchers share their findings after an eight-year study.

Tips To Avoid Nitrate, Prussic Acid Poisoning Following Drought
Tips To Avoid Nitrate, Prussic Acid Poisoning Following Drought

Nitrates and prussic acid build up in forages to levels dangerous to livestock during drought. Consuming such forages can cause illness and even death to livestock.

Managing Early Weaned Beef Calves
Managing Early Weaned Beef Calves

Early weaning can help reduce the pressure on drought-stressed pastures, but ranchers should evaluate feeding, management, and marketing options prior to weaning.

Cattle Producers Face Relentless Heat and Drought, Hard Decisions To Be Made
Cattle Producers Face Relentless Heat and Drought, Hard Decisions To Be Made

Challenging conditions continue to plague cattle ranchers as they run short of feed and are forced to make tough decisions for their operation.

Dr. Billy Powell Receives Beef Checkoff Visionary Award
Dr. Billy Powell Receives Beef Checkoff Visionary Award

Former Alabama Cattlemen's Association executive vice president Dr. Billy Powell was presented with the second annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award during the 2022 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting, Reno, Nevada.

Speer: Turns Out Alternative (Meat) Isn’t Really An Alternative
Speer: Turns Out Alternative (Meat) Isn’t Really An Alternative

Recent sales data suggest alternative proteins are struggling to maintain the momentum the products enjoyed after first hitting the market.

Researchers Successfully Test First Vaccine to Prevent Bovine Anaplasmosis
Researchers Successfully Test First Vaccine to Prevent Bovine Anaplasmosis

A new study involving the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is paving the way forward in controlling a devastating and costly cattle disease: bovine anaplasmosis.

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Improve Performance with Effective Fly Control for Cattle

Flies can cost producers approximately 20 lbs. of lost weight gain. Planning now to prevent and control both face and horn flies can help put your beef producers pounds and dollars ahead this fall.

July Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory Reports: Here’s What to Expect
July Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory Reports: Here’s What to Expect

As Cattle on Feed and Cattle inventory reports release today, economist Kevin Coburn shares his expectations and how the numbers might affect the cattle cycle.

Groups Urge EPA To Target CAFOs
Groups Urge EPA To Target CAFOs

Environmental and advocacy groups are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its authority to conduct more oversight of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO).

Plan Now to Make It Through the Winter: Part I
Plan Now to Make It Through the Winter: Part I

Worries about drought and how to make it through the winter with limited or no stored forage has monopolized our thoughts, energy, and time. There are critical steps that need to be made in order for us to make it.

Managing Cows Through Dry Conditions: What Options Do I Have?
Managing Cows Through Dry Conditions: What Options Do I Have?

Hot, dry conditions have taken a toll on pasture growth this year. What should cattle producers consider to conserve grass in these dry areas?

Be Aware of Toxic Cyanobacteria
Be Aware of Toxic Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people.

Devastation of Drought Industry Discussion Planned
Devastation of Drought Industry Discussion Planned

Join us for a conversation with cattlemen at 3 p.m. CST, Wednesday, July 27, to learn how they’re managing through the situation. 

Mobile Veterinary Clinic is the Cornerstone for Young Couple's Agricultural Endeavors
Mobile Veterinary Clinic is the Cornerstone for Young Couple's Agricultural Endeavors

Brendan and Elaine Martin's clinic, Valley Herd Health, just celebrated its seventh birthday. The business has grown steadily due to a key focus on customer service. They also have two additional agri-businesses. 

New Enrofloxacin Injectable Solution Now Available
New Enrofloxacin Injectable Solution Now Available

Tenotryl (enrofloxacin) injectable solution for use in cattle and swine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Supplementing Yearlings in the Summer Grazing Season: Is it Worth it?
Supplementing Yearlings in the Summer Grazing Season: Is it Worth it?

Strategically supplementing yearlings with dry distillers grains in the second half of the summer as the grass quality declines will increase average daily gain (ADG), but will it increase returns?

AHA to Host Sustainable Genetics Research Webinar
AHA to Host Sustainable Genetics Research Webinar

AHA webinar to provide details about ongoing research with Colorado State University to characterize the relationship between genetics associated with efficiency and those associated with cattle's carbon footprint.

Growth Promoting Technologies Important with High Input Costs
Growth Promoting Technologies Important with High Input Costs

Growth promoting technologies for cattle provide even more impact on net returns when costs are high.

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No, Grass-Finished Beef Isn't Healthier or Better for the Environment

Oklahoma State University meat scientist Gretchen Mafi has studied the scientific differences between beef that comes from animals finished on a grain diet versus those animals finished on grass.

Good Enough to Drink?
Good Enough to Drink?

Providing access to water can be challenging especially for operations enduring drought conditions. Water related toxicities and fatalities may be seen with greater frequency under hot and dry time periods.

Packing Plant Fool's Gold
Packing Plant Fool's Gold

Monday morning packers are convinced the solution to low cattle prices is more carcass hooks. Reality, however, suggests proposed new packing plants are out of step with cattle inventories and available labor.

Baxter Black, DVM: 1945 - 2022
Baxter Black, DVM: 1945 - 2022

Baxter Black, the veterinarian turned cowboy poet, storyteller and philosopher of rural life in America, died Friday, June 10, at the age of 77.

Act Now To Add Value To Weaned Calves
Act Now To Add Value To Weaned Calves

Producers can capture added value by preconditioning and weaning their calves. Along with weaning at least 45 days, preconditioning includes several practices that add value for both the buyer and seller.

Managing Heat Stress: How to Help Cattle Through High Summer Temps
Managing Heat Stress: How to Help Cattle Through High Summer Temps

In hot summer conditions, heat transfer failures cause accumulation of body heat resulting in heat stress, reduced performance, animal discomfort, or death. Here's some tips to help get your cattle through high temps!

Creep Grazing Offers Benefits
Creep Grazing Offers Benefits

Creep grazing programs can produce additional calf gains using forage rather than the traditional grain-based creep diets. There are many ways to adapt this system to each individual situation.