Latest News From Beef - General

Vaccinating pregnant heifers and cows can provide protection for calves at birth – when they are most vulnerable.

There can be little doubt that the biggest issue in the cattle industry right now is the question of when herd rebuilding will begin. The challenge of herd rebuilding can be summed up with three questions.

The goal of any feedlot receiving strategy is to make the transition from calf origin into the feedlot or backgrounding yard as seamless as possible in order to achieve best cattle performance.

To further understand the links between genetics and cattle growth efficiency, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are focusing on cattle’s mitochondria—a piece of DNA inherited exclusively from the mother.

Bull purchases are among the riskiest decisions commercial cow-calf operators make, says University of Tennessee professor Dr. Troy Rowan.

The company announces it is voluntarily recalling four additional batches of Banamine/Banamine-S (flunixin meglumine injection) 50 mg/mL in the United States. The product is commonly used in cattle, swine and horses.

Given the value of the current fed market, widening quality grade spreads and longer feeding periods across the industry, the importance of preventing BRD has never been more important.  

Less than 5% of new grads choose rural food animal practice. That needs to change to protect the U.S. food supply and public health. Contacting legislators is one way farmers and ranchers can weigh in and help.

Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode, but when asked to rank commodities, economists are the most bullish on beef. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor also asked economists what could impact livestock prices over the next 6 months.

A record-keeping app for cattle producers using iPhones and Android devices has been developed by Kansas State University.

Drs. Grant Dewell and Mike Apley, respectively, and Extension nutritionist Paul Beck weigh in on some things they believe contribute to the disease and how you can stem its development from the farm to the feedlot.

Making culling decisions sooner rather than later and will help producers hold feed costs down.

While vaccination is widely considered a critical component of cattle health management, could the timing of vaccination impact the efficiency of the product?

Congestive heart failure is estimated to cause 4% of feedlot mortality causing significant economic losses to feedlots as the majority of these deaths occur late in the finishing period.

Windrow grazing, sometimes called swath grazing, is a management practice that can significantly reduce harvesting and feeding costs.

Drought conditions in portions of North Dakota has forced ranchers to consider supplemental feed to offset nutrient deficiencies in pasture forages.

Pioneering an investigation into the potential use of discarded canola as a dietary supplement for pregnant cows, graduate student, Erika Cornand, aims to enhance both their health and the well-being of their calves.

One may argue teenagers have a lot of learning left to do, but I could argue they are wiser than they get credit for. After all, they are in a period of life where they hear a lot of advice from well-meaning people.

Protecting the health of cattle herds is an important part of a successful plan to have a profitable and sustainable ranching operation.

Dry conditions persist across parts of the U.S., with nearly half of the nation’s corn crop and 37% of the nation’s hay crop areas experiencing drought. Cattle producers could be forced to make more tough decisions.

Sound management decisions to improve genetics, management practices and profit potential of cow-calf operations should be based on data. Weaning time is the best time of year to measure, and document herd performance.

Gains to quality are documented along with areas for improvement identified.

The company, based in Columbia, Mo., manufactures vaccines for livestock to aid in the protection of numerous diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria. 

Sound management decisions that will impact future profit potential is based on facts arrived at through mathematical analysis. Decisions based on emotions and/or tradition seldom lead to success. 

He is not your average Watusi bull. He enjoys long walks in the road ditches and joy rides with his owner Lee Meyer of Nebraska. In case you missed Howdy Doody’s rise to fame, here’s a look at how he gained attention.

Last week I learned I'm a 12-percenter, and if you're a Drovers reader it is likely you are a 12-percenter, too. That's not good, at least according to those who would regulate our dietary choices.

The study of epigenetics identifies changes in gene function that are not due to mutations but rather how the DNA is packaged in the cell and turned on or off in the wrong conditions.

Fall calving is in progress for many ranchers. A veterinarian offers tips to give calves the best chance to thrive and survive.

The August Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor asked economists when they think cattle herd expansion will start to take place. The majority think cattle contraction will continue for at least another year. 

Rancher doesn’t know whether it was rustler’s remorse or publicity that gave the bandits cold feet about trying to sell the sheep that prompted their return.

When warm weather hangs on into late summer and early fall, the fly season may also persist at problematic levels longer than typical.

Gp40 antigen vaccine elicits immune response against Cryptosporidium parvum in pregnant cows to protect their newborn calves through antibodies in colostrum.

The heat is no joke, especially for cattle producers across the country as they look for ways to keep cattle cool and comfortable. Here's what some producers are doing.

Depending on the size of the animal, viscosity of the product and administration protocols, a variety of needles might be needed. Here’s some guidelines to help decide.

While fall calving is often easier than calving in the winter and early spring, when temperatures are high, it can create unhealthy conditions for calves.

Although drought persists north and south of Oklahoma, forage conditions have improved greatly in the state this summer. July was the seventh wettest July on record in Oklahoma.

We try to be good parents by setting boundaries for our kids. We want to raise decent humans who are kind, make good choices and respect others. But let’s be real. During fair week, that all goes out the window.

Dr. Troy Rowan with the University of Tennessee discussed sequencing strategies to enhance the next generation of genetic evaluations during the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium July 4 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

Grazing cornstalks or drought-stricken corn can fill feed gaps during drought, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.

The 2023 U.S. CattleTrace Symposium, which will be held November 14 and 15 at the American Royal Center, Kansas City, Mo., is now open for registration.

Weaning stressors include removal from the dam, nutritional changes, a new environment, and altered social structure. Understanding this time allows a better understanding of the importance of a 45-day weaning period. 

Certified Angus Beef recognizes the recipient of the Dr. Bobby VanStavern Award for Beef Quality Research and acknowledges other successful researchers for their contribution to improving beef quality.

Former student returns to lead world-class faculty, staff and students in animal science teaching, research and extension.

Weaning can be a stressful period for livestock and humans but making the extra effort to reduce stress on calves can lead to increased performance in the form of less illness and increased weight gain.

During drought, beef producers might find a best friend in their local veterinarian, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.

Despite sharply higher cattle prices, there is no data to suggest heifer retention or enough decrease in beef cow slaughter to initiate herd expansion, although the most recent weekly slaughter data are encouraging.

While stolen cattle headlines surface occasionally, cattle rustling is far from simply being a part of Wild West history. 

Drought stressed forages can be high in nitrates and potentially toxic for cattle, but with careful management there are options for ranchers to utilize those forages.

The American Hereford Association launches Baldy Advantage, a quarterly publication highlighting the experiences and insights of commercial cow-calf producers using Hereford-sired baldy cattle to their benefit.

Dry lotting cows can be a feasible way to allow pasture recovery, while feeding grain, forage, and crop stover to pairs. The system allows closer observation of the herd and low weaning stress.