ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA

September 7, 2021 | Vol. 14 : No. 8

Management


Management

Should We Let Cattle Swim?

Beef cattle experts talk benefits, drawbacks of giving cattle access to ponds.

On a hot summer’s day, there is nothing like a cool dip in the pond to leave a person refreshed. Just like people, cattle enjoy a swim, too, said veterinarians at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.

Consider Growing-season Burns to Manage Rangeland

Research supports value of prescribed fire outside of traditional time frames.

While most prescribed fires in the Plains are conducted during the dormant season — typically March through April — researchers and fire managers suggest growing-season burns done between July and September can provide benefits for land managers and public safety.

Gizmos & Gadgets

Products for use on the farm or ranch and in the feedlot.

This month’s column includes technology to determine which cattle are at risk upon feedlot arrival, two self-propelled windrower lines, a feed additive to improve heat tolerance, and a probiotic to improve rumen function and promote animal health.

Ensuring Cattle Maintain the Ability to Adapt

Researchers pave the way for genetic tests of cattle that can look for the presence of specific adaptations, such as heat resistance.

As a fourth-generation cattle farmer, Jared Decker knows that cattle suffer from health and productivity issues when they are taken from one environment — which the herd has spent generations adapting to — to a place with a different climate, a different elevation or even different grass. As a researcher at the University of Missouri, he also sees an opportunity to use science to solve this problem, both to improve the welfare of cattle and to plug a leak in a nearly $50 billion industry in the United States.

Angus Proud: Bubba Crosby

Fall-calving Georgia herd uses quality and co-ops to market calves.

Bubba Crosby is the owner of Circle C Farms, and his operation produces Angus cattle.

“We have about 200 straight-Angus mama cows, and we produce one calf crop per year,” Crosby says. His calves go to a high-end market along with several other calves from around the area.

Summer Culling

Considerations on adjusting herd size and related biosecurity concerns.

Culling open cows and adding replacement females are strategies for maximizing herd reproductive efficiency. Reproductive status and feed availability often drive those decisions. Culling and biosecurity were two topics of discussion on a recent Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute Cattle Chat podcast.

Keep it Quiet

Low-stress handling is affected by facilities, human actions.

The past 25 years have seen improvements in cattle-working facilities and handling philosophies, but some cattle operations still need to “tune up” their handling methods.

Angus Advisor

Our team of Angus advisors offer regional tips for herd management for the summer season.