As beef producers look ahead to 2016, what will the upcoming year bring? The annual “Ranching for Profitability” series will be held across Nebraska in mid-January to cover timely beef issues. Nebraska Extension beef specialists and educators will cover a variety of topics that may influence the cowherd. To find out what topics will be covered at your meeting, check with the local extension contact.
How will the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) affect you? Dee Griffin, Nebraska Extension Veterinarian, will discuss what the VFD is and how it will affect your operation. The FDA passed the final ruling of VFD in June 2015 to reduce antibiotic resistant bacteria. Products deemed “important for human medicine” and used by both animals and humans will be affected. Veterinarians and producers can still use these products to treat illness, but will not be allowed for growth or to improve feed efficiency in cattle. Dr. Griffin will also give a beef cattle disease update at the meetings.
Rental rates for pastures continued to climb in 2015, as hay prices fell. Nebraska Extension Beef Specialist, Rick Rasby, will cover management when “grass is high priced and hay is cheap.”
What is one of your biggest costs in your cowherd? This silent expense may surprise you- cow depreciation! Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator, talks about the shocking impact cow depreciation can have on your bottom line.
Economics show that an animal grazing is less expensive to feed, than hauling the feed to the animal. Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Specialist, will share ways to extend your grazing season into the fall and winter.
While winter brings a freezing halt to livestock pests, now is the time to plan ahead for good control this summer. Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Livestock Entomologist, will discuss control methods for pasture flies on your cattle.
Local beef educators will discuss tips to build your bottom line at each meeting.
Meetings will be held January 12-14, and January 19-20. Call the local extension office to register for a meal one week prior. Registration fee- $20.
January 12- 10 am MT, Kimball, Kimball Event Center, aberger2@unl.edu, 308- 235-3122.
January 12- 5 pm MT, Chadron, 4-H Building at Dawes County Fairground, mbremer3@unl.edu, 308-432-3373.
January 13, 10 am MT, Whitman, Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab, bjohnston3@unl.edu, 308-645-2267 or 1-800-657-2113.
January 13, 5 pm CT, Valentine, The Peppermill, jjenkins2@unl.edu, 402-376-1850.
January 14, 10 am CT, Ainsworth, Zion Lutheran Church, 402-387-2213.
January 14, 5 pm CT, O’Neill, Courthouse Annex, gstauffer1@unl.edu, 402-336-2760.
January 19, 10 am CT, Burwell, Burwell Legion, 308- 346-4200.
January 19, 5 pm CT, Broken Bow, Broken Bow Country Club, twalz1@unl.edu, 308-872-6831.
January 20, 10 am CT, Brady, Brady Community Center, Brady Nebraska, rsaner2@unl.edu, 308-532-2683.
January 20, 4 pm CT, 4 pm CT, Kearney, Buffalo County Extension Office, 308-236-1235.
Call the appropriate number one week prior for a meal count. Registration fee of $20. Special thanks to Zoetis, Farm Credit Services of America, Big Red Feeds, Merck Animal Health, and Security First Bank for sponsoring the meal!
To listen to BeefWatch podcasts go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unl-beefwatch/id964198047 or paste http://real.unl.edu/podcast/BeefWatch-15/BeefWatch.xml into your podcast app.