Activists (some would say anarchists) seem to be routinely using the method of releasing shocking undercover videos that attempt to create the perception that all producers are using horrible practices. Whether it be the W5 Poultry video, Ohio Hog Farm Video or any other, this undercover scenario is something that not many producers would be... Read More
Category: Cattle
Following extensive consultation with researchers, producers and industry, the revised Beef Code of Conduct has been rolled out. In it, ranchers and feedlot owners alike will see some changes, some of which are recommended and others that are required moving forward into 2016. A document that's nearly 70 pages long can seem a little overwhelming,... Read More
If you asked me a year ago today what I was up to for the winter, I would have grinned and said, "feeding cows." A few months in, and I may not have been grinning much, save for one thing: podcasts. (sorry AM/FM radio stations, our rural tractors don't come with 30' antennas) Long, cold... Read More
If you've been wary when fall-grazing alfalfa because of the risk of nitrate poisoning, you've been right to be careful, but for all the wrong reasons. Because alfalfa is a perennial legume, nitrogen is fixed and stored in the nodules of its root system and doesn't actually accumulate in the tissues (something that can be... Read More
In this edition of the Beef Market Update, Anne Wasko and Shaun Haney catch up on a few weeks' worth of news and market moves. Mid-November fat cattle supplies remain tight, leaving the feeder with a bit of leverage right now to, as Wasko says, "grind the market up into mid 120s, the highest we've... Read More
It's an unfortunate truth, but most dairy farmers are likely to come across a a few tough to explain instances of cows that aren't do well. A cow that's dropping in weight and production, but eating well may be a head-scratcher of a case until the vet arrives and confirms that the cow is suffering... Read More
If you've got livestock, eventually you've got deadstock, too. Disposing of that deadstock can be a source of disease transmission or environmental contamination if not done properly, so it's very important that ranchers and feedlot owners have a plan in place to deal with deadstock. There are several options available, all with pros and cons,... Read More
Preg-checking cattle can feel a little bit like heartbreak when the vet yells, "open!" But the disappointment of selling a good cow is nothing compared to the devastation that can occur from an undetected breeding problem. Feeding cows over winter is not cheap, nor is it always easy (as some of us newbies learned from... Read More
Respiratory disease and distress can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from viruses to drastic changes in diet. Signs and symptoms, though alike, often go undetected, their subtleties akin to those of other prey animals, who mask illness in order to fool predators. By the time producers or health professionals recognize symptoms, the... Read More
It's time to get down, get your hands dirty and take stock of, well, what you feed your stock. As discussed in the last Beef Research School, rangelands serve several purposes beyond just growing grass, and their health is a measure of five key components — species mix, nutrient cycling, site stability, water management and... Read More