Calving season is getting underway and many producers choose to calve out on cornstalk fields. Residue fields can be a good place to maintain cowherds until cool season grasses are available but often times, calving occurs during February and March to avoid the busy farming responsibilities later in Continue reading…
The composition of distillers grain fed to feedlot cattle today may differ from what has been fed in the past. This change is due to technology advancements in ethanol production and the increased value of certain ethanol byproducts such as corn oil. A change in the composition of distillers grai Continue reading…
When going into the heifer pen to decide which of the calves stay in the operation and which are sold, producers are making choices that affect the profitability of their herd for years to come. A crystal ball would sure come in handy as we never really know the outcome of alternate choi Continue reading…
The following article is a summary of an article reviewing scientific literature evaluating bull:female ratios following estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) found in the 2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report on page 9, (http://beef.unl.edu/2016-nebraska-beef-cattle-report).
One of Continue reading…
Prolonged periods of mud and moisture in the feedlot can significantly hinder cattle performance and profitability. When cattle are standing in four to eight inches of mud, gain can decrease by nearly 15 percent. A feedlot with mud that is belly deep can depress gain by nearly 25 percent. Conseque Continue reading…
Progestin – based estrus synchronization protocols that utilize melengestrol acetate (MGA) or controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices can be effectively used for synchronizing estrus in heifers. A study conducted by the University of Nebraska – Lincoln compared these two protocols to one an Continue reading…
Selecting and buying the right bull for your herd is a complex question involving many factors including who you are, the type of cows in your herd, and the type of calves you are marketing. If you are only interested in producing terminal market animals you would likely select a herd sire strictly Continue reading…
With strong demand for summer pasture, producers are looking for alternatives to produce forage for grazing. Cattle can be grazed from mid-spring through the fall using an annual forage system. This involves timely planting of cool- and warm-season annual forages. These systems typically involve at Continue reading…