UNL Feedlot Innovation Center nears completion thanks to industry support
Latest BeefWatch Podcast Topics
Barta Brothers Ranch starting to see results of prescribed burns
Lincoln, Neb. —With a third successful prescribed burn completed at Barta Brothers Ranch on April 21, researchers are seeing what fire can and cannot do about invasive redcedars.
“Burning isn’t a panacea for tree invasion, but it kills younger cedars,” Craig Allen, director of the project, said. “Older trees can escape fires, and have to be removed by other means, and after fire, young cedars can germinate in large numbers, so it usually takes follow-up fires to kill new young trees, until the seed source in the soil is depleted.”
Spanish:Annual Summer Stocker/Yearling Tour focuses on marketing yearling cattle
The stocker/yearling sector of the cattle industry offers flexibility and an opportunity for new producers to get started in the business.
Spanish:Start monitoring grasshopper numbers now for most effective control
Weather conditions in several areas of Nebraska in the past few years been favorable to create grasshopper outbreaks. The fall grasshopper survey is a good indicator or possible grasshopper issues the following summer. The 2023 fall survey identified 15 counties (Fig. 1) in Nebraska with adult grasshopper numbers averaging over 15 per yard, which suggests grasshoppers may be a problem this summer.
Spanish:Watch out for “pretty flowers” and plants out of place in range and pasture
In late May and June we frequently see both native and non-native forbs begin to flower in range and pasture. This is a good time of the year to be on the alert and look out for these “pretty flowers” and for other plants that you may not recognize. Seeing something you haven’t seen before? Go check it out. Those “pretty flowers” or plants you don’t recognize may be an invasive species. Early detection and rapid response is critical to helping to keep noxious weeks at bay.
Spanish:Summer and Fall Prescribed Fire Benefits Native Grasslands in Kansas Studies
Nebraska team identifies new genetic defect impacting cattle morbidity and meat quality
Predicted hot, dry summer could impact forage production
In parts of the High Plains Region, recent developing dry conditions are starting to raise concerns that we may see reduced forage production from pasture and rangelands as we move on into the rest of the spring and summer in parts of the High Plains region. The www.weather.gov/gid/NebraskaPrecipitation map shows many parts of the Sandhills and Panhandle regions receiving below average precipitation for the last 30 days. This time frame is critical for precipitation that drives cool-season forage production on rangeland and pasture.
Spanish:Nebraska Extension’s ‘Herd That!’ conference in North Platte to focus on beef cattle reproduction
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program, along with the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program, will host the fourth annual Herd That! Conference on June 10-11, in North Platte. The event will be held at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, 402 W. State Farm Road.
Spanish:Time to start planning for heat in the feedlot
As we approach the end of May, it may be time to start thinking of the summer heat, particularly that first heat event that cattle and folks who manage may not be prepared for. The following is a list of some strategies cattle feedlot managers and their crews could begin thinking about as nice weather today turns into heat-stressing weather later.
The list is divided into areas of focus based on cattle type, feeding and watering considerations, and facilities management.
Spanish:Research Review: Frequency of DDGS Supplementation Impacts Gains of Yearlings on Grass
This article is a review of the 2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, Strategies for DDGS Supplementation Frequency to Grazing Yearling Steers.
Spanish:How to know when a pasture is ready to be grazed in the spring
The time for turn out to our primary summer pastures is very near. A couple of important questions are what date to turn out, and which pastures should be first?
Spanish:H5N1/Avian Influenza/Bird Flu in dairy cattle
A discussion of the situation involving H5N1 (avian influenza/bird flu) and dairy cattle with UNL’s BeefWatch Podcast host Aaron Berger, beef Extension educator and Dr. Matt Hille, an assistant professor and diagnostic pathologist at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center based on the campus of the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
Question
Spanish:Should I trich test my mature bulls?
We are nearing spring turnout and breeding season, and with that, many producers may be getting bulls tested right before turnout. So, what should producers be considering to maintain herd health within their mature bull battery?
Bovine trichomoniasis “trich” testing – what is it?
Spanish:Targeted grazing on cheatgrass in the western Great Plains
Targeted livestock grazing is the application of grazing animals at a defined time, intensity, and duration for vegetation or landscape management objectives. When planned right, targeted grazing management can accomplish those objectives without negatively affecting livestock production. Understanding plant growth and livestock grazing preference is important to the success of targeted grazing.
Spanish:May 2024 Nebraska Rangeland and Pasture Update
BeefWatch Podcast: Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance with Dr. Reinaldo Cooke
Considerations for Building Cow Inventories at Current Prices
Calf prices are encouraging cow-calf producers to increase cow inventories to have more calves to sell. Consider the following points when evaluating growing the cowherd.
Spanish:Heifer Harmony: Optimal Management for Heifers in the Feedlot
Reprinted from Protein Producers, Spring 2024, and updated with statistics current as of April 2, 2024.
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