UNL BeefWatch October 2017

Effects of a Freeze on Forages

Sorghum-related plants, like cane, sudangrass, shattercane, and milo can be highly toxic for a few days after frost.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.f you haven’t experienced a freeze yet this fall, you soon will. And remember, a freeze can cause hazards for using some forages.

When plants freeze, changes occur in their metabolism and composition that can poison livestock. But you can prevent problems.

Sorghum-r Continue reading…

 

Management of Non-Pregnant Cows

Frequently, cull cows are sold into slaughter in the fall when cull cow inventory is highest and prices are lowest. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Traditional practice has been to cull an open beef female after pregnancy diagnosis to avoid additional feed and labor costs on a non-productive animal. Frequently, cull cows are sold into slaughter in the fall when cull cow inventory is highest and prices are lowest.

Cull cow sales represent 10-2 Continue reading…

 

Tips for Pre-Tax Planning using Quicken Deluxe

1705.007_EXT-Pinterest_TaxPlanningTips_Horizontal.jpgFall is a good time to start thinking ahead to your farm or ranch taxes. If you have your farm/ranch financial records entered in Quicken (Deluxe), there are some key reports to make your tax planning easier.

Below are some Quicken tips to help you prepare for you for pre-tax planning with your Continue reading…

 

Pasture Growth After Rain

 If recent rain greens up your pasture so it grows enough to graze, will you succumb to the temptation?  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Today let’s play a little game of ‘what if’. As in ‘what if it rains enough this fall for your pastures and hay meadows to green up and grow’. Should you graze?

If recent rain greens up your pasture so it grows enough to graze, will you succumb to the temptation?

As tempting as it may Continue reading…

 

Managing Common Mullein

Common mullein is becoming an increasing concern to grassland managers.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Common mullein is becoming an increasing concern to grassland managers as the aggressive forb spreads from old fields, abused areas, and rights-of-way to grasslands. Woolly leaves complicate control by discouraging grazers and obstructing herbicide contact. Although seeds are not produced until the Continue reading…

 

Fall Cattle Louse Treatments

Cattle lice are a cold weather insect, thriving during wintery conditions.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.As livestock producers start planning for fall weaning, pregnancy observation, and vaccinations they often will apply an endectocide treatment for internal and external parasites such as cattle lice. While this practice is efficacious for most internal parasites and horn flies, it does not always co Continue reading…

 

Cow-Calf Cost Breakdown – Cow Depreciation

Depreciation is a non-cash expense that is often overlooked by cow-calf producers. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Cow depreciation is frequently the second or third largest expense to the cow-calf enterprise after feed. Depreciation is a non-cash expense that is often overlooked by cow-calf producers.

Depreciation for a cow is calculated as the following.
Purchase Price or Replacement Cost – Salvage Value/
Pr Continue reading…

 

Stockpiling Manure and Biosolids

Stockpiling of manure or other biosolids should be a temporary storage method. Photo credit Amy M. Schmidt.Manure, litter or other biosolids originating from feedlots, poultry houses, municipal waste treatment systems or industry sources are often stockpiled at the edge of a field to be readily available for land application when field conditions permit entry, such as after crops have been harvested. Sel Continue reading…

 

Choosing a Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis

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. Options for managing non-pregnant beef females are discussed i Continue reading…

 
Originally published October 1, 2017 - Submit an Item