Reasonable Expectations

Cattlemen can use EPDs with reasonable expectations in commercial crossbred operations.

Some people just don’t trust EPDs. The acronym stands for “expected progeny difference” — a numerical value that represents a prediction of the average performance, relative to a specific trait, among the progeny of a breeding animal. To aid genetic selection, EPDs are used to compare the expected performance of one sire’s calves with those of another sire.

“Some people are suspicious. They think someone is pulling strings to manipulate the numbers,” lamented animal geneticist Jared Decker while addressing a New Mexico gathering of cattle folk. “But EPDs work. They absolutely work.”

Check Facilities in Cold First

When working cattle in the cold, make sure facilities are ready to go to ensure comfort for all.

Inclement weather creates more challenge when processing cattle — whether preg-checking, vaccinating, weaning, or giving cows precalving vaccinations or delousing treatments in mid-winter. Veterinarian Eric Laporte reminds producers that if snow on the top rail of your running chute falls onto the cattle as they go through it, it may interfere with the efficacy of delousing or deworming with a pour-on product. Knock the snow off facilities before you start to put cattle through.

New Hauling Protocol in Nebraska

Nebraska cattlemen, State Patrol announce new hauling protocol and collaboration.

Nebraska Cattlemen is pleased to announce an important new collaboration between Nebraska’s livestock industry and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Over the course of the past few months, Nebraska’s ag industry and State Patrol have worked together to develop a series of checklists to help livestock haulers comply with the law, while also mitigating animal welfare concerns that arise when trucks are put out of service.

BQA Certification Importance

Producers gain many benefits from BQA certification.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) programs the past few decades have helped educate many producers about proper cattle-handling techniques and proper ways to administer injections. Producers can take BQA certification classes in person or online to gain their BQA certification.

Shannon Williams, Lemhi County, Idaho, Extension educator, says each state has their own BQA program and state coordinator. Producers can check with their state coordinator for in-person training.

They can also do online training. The national BQA program has a free, online training process.