February 22, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 2
Sometimes cattle must be restrained for medical or management procedures, and ordinary restraints are not adequate. There are methods to keep the animal calm without having to resort to tranquilizers that take too long to be effective and generally have too much aftereffect, especially when putting several animals through the chute.
Breeding and raising cattle should be a profitable business, but that’s easier said than done when the markets are low. Having a budget, paying attention to income and expenses, and trying to use cost-effective management practices can help ensure your herd can make money — even when times are tough.
In this month’s edition we highlight a self-propelled windrower, a utility tractor with deluxe features, a utility vehicle that can be adjusted to carry more cargo or more passengers, and a tractor cab designed to increase comfort and efficiency.
February 8, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 2
What does it cost to manage a cow on your operation? How do you calculate the costs? How do you value raised feed, labor and equipment, as well as replacement females grown on the ranch? These questions are frequently asked when the conversation of annual cow costs arises.
Bulls are expensive to buy, expensive to feed and expensive to keep because they can wreck fences and facilities. They also have a fairly high rate of injury when fighting. “The attrition from body condition loss, injury, etc., can be alarming,” says John Kastelic, University of Calgary.
From how many bulls to turn out to how a bull’s genetic profile will affect herd productivity, Mark Johnson offered commercial cattlemen tips to consider when selecting a new herd sire. The longtime livestock-judging coach and associate professor of animal science at Oklahoma State University shared his comments Jan. 5 during the “Bull Buying Blueprint” educational session hosted by Angus University at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Okla.
In this Angus Proud series, Editorial Intern Jessica Wesson provides insights into how producers across the country use Angus genetics in their respective environments.
Angus Proud: Scott SproulOklahoma operation learned wisdom of moving calving season to better suit their marketing needs.
Angus Proud: Bubba CrosbyFall-calving Georgia herd uses quality and co-ops to market calves.
Angus Proud: Jim MooreArkansas operation retains ownership through feeding and values carcass data.
Angus Proud: Les ShawSouth Dakota operation manages winter with preparation and bull selection.
Angus Proud: Jeremy StevensNebraska operation is self-sufficient for feedstuffs despite sandy soil.
