Today, approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified producers, writes Clint Peck. He shares the history of capturing the value, challenges and opportunities BQA certification presents. We noted the comments about involving smaller producers and the need for continuously educating cattle producers about best practices. Source: BEEF, October 18, 2024. … [Read more...]
Blueprint for receiving new feeder calves
The objective of a receiving strategy is to make the transition from calf origin into the feedlot or backgrounding yard as seamless as possible. Jessica Sperber says the first 14 days upon feedlot arrival are critical in calf development and set the performance trajectory of the calf for the remainder of the feeding period. The main concerns are feed intake and water … [Read more...]
Changing weather patterns call for a change in deworming habits
Sponsored Content Lice over-summer instead of over-winter like many parasites. They hide on cattle in folds between the legs and body and the dewlap. One type of louse can even over-summer in the ear. Once they get cold, they wake up and start reproducing. If cattle are treated too early, the lice don’t become an issue until several months into an endectocide product’s … [Read more...]
Virtual BEEF experience promises context
Complimentary Consider this opportunity to engage with producers or advance your understanding of production issues and practices. BEEF’s free online event September 18th features updates related to market trends and forecasts, cattle health and new technology. Among the presenters are: Glynn Tonsor, PhD Dan Thompson, PhD, DVM Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM Grant … [Read more...]
Study finds each Beef Checkoff dollar returns $13.41
Statistics uncovered by an independent study indicate the goal to increase beef demand in the U.S. and worldwide is being achieved while providing producers and importers with an excellent return on their national Checkoff investments. Source: BEEF, July 10, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Preventing pink eye with autogenous vaccines
Includes Sponsored Content Before commercial pinkeye vaccines were approved, autogenous vaccines offered veterinarians and producers a way to protect against herd-specific strains of bacteria that cause pinkeye in cattle. In the article linked here, Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, PhD, reintroduces the value of autogenous vaccines, the challenges with cross-protection and how pinkeye … [Read more...]
Sweaty cattle may boost food security in a warming world
Unless we’re doing something to affect the ability of our cattle to thrive in heat stress conditions, they are not going to reproduce, so there’s a food security concern to consider, asserts Raluca Mateescu, PhD. Her team’s research shows it is possible to identify the genes within breeds of cattle that would lead to the sweatiest, heat-tolerant offspring Source: BEEF, June … [Read more...]
Asian long-horned tick associated with emerging risk in cattle
As if HPAI isn’t enough, Asian long-horned tick ranges are expanding bringing the potential for an emerging infection risk from Theileria orientalis Ikeda. The protozoa invades the red and white blood cells of cattle creating clinical signs of disease like those of anaplasmosis including anemia, jaundice, weakness, and even death. Source: BEEF, June 6, 2024. Link. Producers … [Read more...]
USDA moves to electronic identification tags for cattle
The new rule moves USDA official identification for bison, beef and dairy cattle to exclusively EID tags that can be read both visually and electronically starting in November 2024 and moves the USDA official identification tags from the metal option to EID tags. The classes of cattle requiring official identification have not changed and does not require the mandatory tagging … [Read more...]
Comparison of beef calves in conventional or natural systems for backgrounding and finishing
A recent study in Applied Animal Science offers guidance for producers weighing how to manage beef calves and meet market demands. The results offer perspective on the trade-offs between backgrounding and finishing systems: Conventionally managed steers in the study had greater average daily weight gain and feed efficiency and reached their target finished weight faster, … [Read more...]
Get cows bred earlier using estrus sync
The main constraints for producers considering adopting a synchronization protocol are labor, facilities and costs. Still, the main advantage of implementing synchronization technology is an added opportunity for more females to conceive in the first 21 days of the breeding season. The authors present benefits of estrus synchronization for beef cows in natural breeding … [Read more...]
Nebraska Range Short Course, NBLC Grazing School might offer DVMs time with clients
Commentary Quality time coupled with advancing learning could benefit DVMs and key clients. While fishing and golf might sound fun, the 2024 Nebraska Range Short Course combined with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Grazing School is an opportunity for veterinarians to participate alongside their producer clients. It’s something to consider especially if next-generation … [Read more...]
Humans pass more viruses to animals than we catch from them
In a paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, researchers reported that roughly twice as many host jumps were inferred to be from humans to other animals, anthroponotic, rather than the other way around. Anthroponosis is the opposite of zoonoses. The pattern was consistent throughout most viral families considered. They also found even more animal-to-animal host … [Read more...]
New beef-on-dairy resources available from Iowa Beef Center
Usurping the traditional information about feeding mostly Holstein, dairy-bred calves, a new web resource now focuses on the growing beef-on-dairy segment. It will offer producers and animal health pros current research and information about beef on dairy cross cattle. Source: BEEF, November 1, 2023. Link. Beef-on-dairy is such a new space, and we are constantly learning … [Read more...]
Sale day: 9 factors that influence cattle price
Fall is busy for cattle producers and this year’s market promises to be very strong. Reminding producers of the economic benefits shared in Paige Carlson’s article could increase their revenue as calves or culls are sold. She shares a list of the nine most influential variables when it comes to receiving the best price for cattle as tracked by South Dakota State University … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the bulls
Jobs done, herd sire health and nutrition need to be managed through winter so bulls are in prime condition when spring arrives. Chris Clark, DVM, says post-breeding season can be a good time to do an overall health evaluation and ensure biosecurity as well. Source: BEEF, October 5, 2023. Link. Consider managing bulls in groups by age and nutritional needs. Depending on … [Read more...]
Publication details comparison study on winter cow care
Best management practices for winter care of bred cows aren’t always evident, especially if they are subjected to wintery conditions common in the Upper Midwest. An Iowa State University study evaluated the effects of winter grazing compared to confined winter care of beef cows to determine if conditions would have any impact on the physical condition of the cow or the calf … [Read more...]
Effect of calving difficulty on reproductive performance
Calving difficulty causes economic loss to operations. The loss can be immediate if the calf is lost and is extended to live calf health issues when births are challenging. Additionally, cows recovering from a tough calving can be predisposed to ovarian dysfunction and subsequent reduced fertility. Anestrous in mature cows naturally occurs after calving, and its length is … [Read more...]
Use caution when feeding drought-stressed corn
There are multiple factors to consider, especially when harvesting drought-affected crops says beef Extension specialist Beth Doran, PhD. She reminds producers that tolerance to nitrate ranges with the type of beef animal. If drought-stressed corn is green-chopped, producers should be aware of the potential for nitrate toxicity.” Feedlot cattle over 700 pounds tend to be more … [Read more...]
Health management of early weaned beef calves
Many producers are facing rapidly disappearing forage resources. Additionally, available forage may have decreased nutritional value. Both factors are considerations in early weaning decisions shares Terry Engelken, DVM, MS, who urges producers to proactively plan to ease the transition for younger, lighter weight calves. Early weaning can be a profitable way to stretch … [Read more...]
Animal rights groups bring in more than $800M annually
Nearly one-third of animal rights extremist attacks documented in 2022 targeted farmers and food workers, putting them and animals in danger, according to reports from the Animal Agriculture Alliance.* The major animal rights extremist groups like PETA are effective fundraisers and acquire millions of dollars annually to support lobbying efforts, public relations campaigns and … [Read more...]
Livestock producers reminded to protect against anthrax
Two confirmed cases of anthrax in North Dakota are a reminder to livestock producers to take action to protect their animals from the disease, especially in areas with a history of the disease. Effective anthrax vaccines are readily available, but it takes about a week for immunity to be established and must be administered annually for continued protection. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
Cattle report shows no herd rebuilding in sight
Commentary Beef may be what’s for dinner, but the beef replacement heifer inventory is the lowest in 50 years. For animal health pros working with beef producers, this is not a budgetary forecast disaster. There is a long-standing segment of the market that avoids the use of vaccines and preventatives. Now is the time to help producers optimize the value of each living … [Read more...]
Steers provide income, but heifers can generate wealth
The U.S. beef cow herd is at the lowest level since 1962 <Link>. For cow-calf producers who understand and can leverage a heifer’s value potential, steers are great for providing income, but heifers can be used to generate wealth. Heifer calves provide more options and opportunities than a bull calf.” - Aaron Berger Source: BEEF, June 9, 2023. Link. Heifer calves … [Read more...]
Feeding behavior during the first week in the feedlot
Studies have shown preconditioning weaned calves results in less morbidity and mortality, improves post-weaning performance and higher carcass quality versus ranch and auction-derived calves. However, there is limited research assessing the impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived calves at the feedlot and if the proportions of preconditioned to auction-derived … [Read more...]
Rebuild pastures in 2023 ahead of rebuilding herds
Sponsored Content Grazing lands have taken a beating. They need recovery. And that takes time. Source: BEEF, March 1, 2023. Link. Emphasizing the rebuilding of pastures during 2023 will pay off as market opportunities arise in the coming years. INSIGHTS: This is a good coffee shop topic for animal health pros working with beef producers and their veterinarians. It presents … [Read more...]
Reminder – 101 days to get producers GFI 263 compliant
Livestock producers must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship if they expect to treat livestock after June 11, 2023, when commonly used over-the-counter antimicrobials will require a prescription from a veterinarian as part of a valid VCPR. GFI #263 is slated for final implementation on June 11, 2023. Labels of the remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for … [Read more...]
K-State researchers show value of adding shade to cattle pens
Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events. Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in … [Read more...]
Does post-transport, pre-processing rest make a difference in calf growth performance
A Kansas State University research project evaluated the impact of post-transport rest periods on calf growth performance, mortality and morbidity. The findings show a rest period has little affect on calf performance. Additionally, calf response to anthelmintics and blood serum metabolites were not increased by rest periods. Source: BEEF, November/December 2022. … [Read more...]
Hay quality benefits from protection, proper storage practices
NOTE: This article is a conversation starter at coffee shops or restaurants where producers meet routinely. It is good leave-behind information and makes good content for social media and newsletters. Stewardship of harvested forage is as important as producing it in the first place.” This year’s hay supplies are down six percent year over year <Link> making taking care … [Read more...]