Digging into Extension: Stone on the Water
Corn Costs and Cattle Placement Weights
This article was first published by "In the Cattle Markets" on March 2, 2022.
Spanish:Matching Price Risk Management Tools to Market Situations
Much work has been done on illustrating the benefits and performance of price risk management tools available to livestock producers. These tools include futures and options available through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), video/cash contracts, basis contracts, and more recently Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance offered through USDA’s Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA).
Spanish:Considerations for Beef Producers When Adding Small Ruminants to Their Operation
Beef producers may need to consider several items before adding small ruminants to their operation. Producers adding small ruminants to their operation have found that they could follow an old recommendation of adding a ewe or doe per cow without adjusting their stocking rate while improving their pasture utilization by 10-20%. Below are considerations when adding sheep or goats to a beef operation.
Spanish:Protein Supplementation in Corn Silage-Based Diets – A Review
This article is a summary of the 2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, Impact of Urea on Corn Silage Growing Cattle Diets.
With current feed prices and the majority of the state experiencing dry conditions, producers may be evaluating alternative feed options for this year. Understanding differences in protein content and degradability of various feeds is important when determining the most cost-effective option while meeting cattle nutrient requirements.
Spanish:How Much Copper Do You Need in Your Mineral?
Copper (Cu) deficiency in cow/calf herds has been associated with increased rates of diarrhea and reduced calf growth. Forages do not provide enough copper to meet the needs of beef cows and calves, thus supplementation is needed. However, it is important to note that both under and over supplementation can have negative effects on calf performance.
Spanish:CPC Latest Outlooks Offer Little Drought Relief
Relieving Stress around the Branding Pen
Spring calving brings the promise of working calves, and in some areas of the state, branding season. Following is the challenge of gathering enough help at the right times to ensure proper vaccination, castration, and the other complements to our herd health programs. Priorities during this event typically include people safety and minimization of cattle stress.
Spanish:Winter 2021-22 Recap
Pasture and Forage Minute: Pasture Rental Rates, Cool-season Grass Fertilizer
New Article Traces Aspects of the History of Irrigation in the Great Plains and Water Productivity
A Community of Cooperation: Lynch Opens Cooperative Grocery Store
Lincoln, Neb., March 23, 2022—According to the USDA, a “food desert” is any rural community more than 10 miles from its nearest food retailer. In early 2020, Lynch became a food desert when its only grocery store closed. In a community where the closest stoplight is 45 miles away, locals didn’t want grocery shopping to become a road trip. So they decided to make some changes.
Water Supply, Weather Updates at the Yonts Water Conference April 12 in Gering
Nebraska Ag Land Values Up 16%, According to University-led Survey
Extension Financial Record-keeping Course for Farmers, Ranchers Begins April 18
Pastures and Drought: Response and Impact
Few producers will complain about dry weather during calving. Not having to worry about wet calves or fight the mud is definitely a blessing. However, with a dry fall and open winter for much of Nebraska, the threat of drought going into the 2022 growing season may be cause to dust off and reevaluate our operation’s drought plan.
Spanish:Drought Planning Trigger Dates
A dry year last year and little moisture so far this year has led to depleted soil moisture conditions for much of the state. With National Weather Service forecasts showing a likely warmer than normal summer for Nebraska, combined with current low soil moisture, we do need to think about planning for dry conditions through the growing season. (See Figures 1-3)
Spanish:
Horn Flies: Impact and Control Options for Pastured Cattle
As temperatures warm, pasture fly season is just around the corner. The horn fly, has been and continues to be a major fly pest of pasture and rangeland cattle across the U. S. During a warm spring in Nebraska, horn flies can be seen on cattle as early as the third week of April. Historically, horn flies appearing during this period may perish from cold fronts arriving later in the month, or in early May. Even with challenging weather conditions, the horn fly can adapt to these conditions by shortening the number of days to complete its life cycle.
Spanish: