UNL BeefWatch March 2018

Colostrum Helps Newborn Calves

Antibodies in colostrum provide calves with their initial protection. Photo courtesy of Troy WalzColostrum, or first milk produced by the mother after birth, is high in nutrients and antibodies. A newborn calf lacks disease protection because antibodies do not pass across the cow’s placenta to the fetus’ circulatory system. Antibodies in colostrum provide calves with their initial protection. Continue reading…

 

Estrus Synchronization Protocols

Estrus synchronization optimizes labor and time, and improves the ease of using artificial insemination.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Estrus synchronization optimizes labor and time, and improves the ease of using artificial insemination (AI) (Lamb et al., 2009). Use of AI allows access to superior genetics, accelerates genetic change within a herd, and is frequently less expensive than natural service (Johnson and Jones, 2004). S Continue reading…

 

Economics of Producing Forage on Cropland

It is important to seek the best long-term use of cropland that is both economical and sustainable. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Current corn prices coupled with reduced perennial pasture availability have producers asking questions about the economics of using cropland to produce forage for cow/calf production. This was the subject of a webinar offered by Nebraska Extension on the evening of February 13. Three specific ques Continue reading…

 

Plan for Drought When Preparing Pasture Lease

Who decides when drought has lowered pasture production low enough to remove the cattle?  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Do you rent pasture? What happens if drought lowers pasture production below expectations? Specifically, what does your pasture lease say about drought?

It’s hard to think about drought in mid-winter but drought can play havoc on pasture leases. All too often, pasture leases fail Continue reading…

 

Estrus Synchronization Products

Estrus synchronization can lead to an increased proportion of females conceiving earlier in the calving season and will wean older and larger calves at weaning.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Exogenous hormones and their analogues are used to manipulate the bovine estrous cycle and allow for use of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI). Estrus synchronization can lead to an increased proportion of females conceiving earlier in the calving season and will wean older and Continue reading…

 

Tell Us About the Impact of VFD Rules on Your Herd

Key questions to be answered are what the impacts of those changes have been on health management of herds and herd performance.  Photo courtesy of Troy Walz.Managing the health of your herd is a primary responsibility of all farmers. The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules that went into effect January 1, 2017 may have impacted how you manage herd health. The rules limited the use of medically important antibiotics to disease prevention, control or tr Continue reading…

 
Originally published March 1, 2018 - Submit an Item