MANAGEMENT...
Calving in the Cold
When frigid temperatures hit during calving season, it can be a life-threatening situation for newborn calves. Beef producers know the best bet is to get calves out of the cold, but oftentimes there just isn’t enough barn space. We asked beef producers and Extension beef specialists experienced with cold winter climates to share their strategies to get through those cold spells. Read more.
Managing the Postpartum Interval
Do you want to receive more money for your calves this fall? Of course, we all do. The key is to receive a greater return than the investment. There are several critical success factors in every beef cattle operation, including managing cow costs, weaning weights and percent calf crop. The most critical time period for opportunity to influence these factors is just prior to and after calving. Management decisions made during these time periods will greatly influence profitability of beef cattle operations. Read more.
Kris Ringwall
Beef Talk
Responsibility from beginning to end
A troubling event occurred this past week at an auction barn. There was a feeling of “not wanting,” but also a feeling of “that is the way it is.”
The effects of a long and cold winter were evident. The cattle were thin, particularly the older cattle, and it was obvious the tough winter was gaining the upper hand. Read more.
When it comes to fertility
The Little Things Matter
Why can beef herd pregnancy rates vary so much? What causes the variation? The answer lies in management, said George Perry, assistant professor in beef reproductive management at South Dakota State University. Little mistakes can add up to a big impact on fertility, he said. Read more.
Managing Pasture Feeding Areas
Due to the increased production of corn coproducts and the increasing costs of forage and hay, there is a greater interest in developing low-cost beef cow rations. Plus, beef producers are exploring methods to deliver these diets to cow-calf pairs or pregnant cows not only in the winter, but also during the growing season. Read more.
Ron Torell
Back to Basics
Gestation length of the beef cow vs. dystocia
Everything is based on an average, but there is no average. For example, when was the last time we experienced a year with average precipitation?
Gestation length of a beef cow is an issue because it is associated with dystocia and it affects the postpartum interval, yet it is another example where the average is seldom the rule. Read more.
Getting through tough times:
Stretch Your Food Dollar
Food is a controllable expense, so it's one area to target when money is tight, said Shirley Camp, a University of Illinois Extension consumer and family economics educator.
To save food dollars Camp suggests these important steps. Read more.
Angus Advisor
Click here for February herd management tips from cattle experts across the nation. Advice separated by region.