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Updated: 23 min 37 sec ago

Saying goodbye to metal bangs tags and hello to EID tags

Mon, 09/23/2024 - 12:45
Monday, September 23, 2024

If your heifers are bangs tagged, those orange metal clips will soon be a relic of the past. Starting November 5, 2024, your veterinarian will not be tagging with metal clips, but instead will use electronic identification (EID) tags.

Veterinarians used metal clips to identify heifers receiving the brucellosis vaccine (“bangs”), and to identify animals moving between states. 

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Determining a Fair Rent for Farm Buildings

Mon, 09/23/2024 - 12:10
Monday, September 23, 2024 Establishing a fair rent for farm buildings and storage facilities involves multiple factors. There isn’t a universal formula, as conditions vary depending on building type, usage, and local market conditions. However, a comprehensive evaluation of both fixed and variable costs, as well as cash and non-cash expenses, is essential.Spanish: 

Recognizing Economic Risk on the Ranch

Mon, 09/23/2024 - 10:05
Monday, September 23, 2024

Economic and financial risks on the ranch go hand in hand with other risks facing the operation. 

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Details & Registration for Upcoming Online Learning Opportunities

Thu, 09/19/2024 - 17:37
Thursday, September 19, 2024 Nebraska Beef Extension has planned several online learning opportunities that cover a variety of topics. Spanish: 

Plan Now to Purchase Your Hay Supplies

Mon, 09/16/2024 - 12:24
Friday, September 16, 2022

Hay production has been reported to be 50% of average or less in many areas of Nebraska. The U.S. hay supply is at a 50-year low (Table 1). Couple this information with rising costs (Figure 1) and it becomes prudent to plan fall, winter, and next spring’s hay needs sooner rather than later. Inventory your feed and hay resources now to know what you need. Checking prices and availability now will go a long way to reducing the anxiety of what we will feed our cows this fall and winter.

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Hold the Net Wrap and Twine

Mon, 09/16/2024 - 12:11
Monday, September 16, 2024 Net wrap is an efficient forage binding method and significantly reduces harvest and storage losses compared to twine. According to a forage binding survey conducted by South Dakota State University (SDSU), net wrap was the most preferred method of forage binding (67%) compared to twine (26%) or both (6%) depending on the crop harvested or livestock being fed. Spanish: 

UNL Heifer Development Center First Year Wrap-up

Tue, 09/10/2024 - 10:25
Tuesday, September 10, 2024

With the U.S. cowherd at historic lows, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln is focusing on how to grow the cowherd while advancing the quality of female genetics that are the foundation of the U.S. beef industry.

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Sustainable beef, early childhood projects lead Grand Challenges awards

Wed, 09/04/2024 - 12:08
Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Bold, audacious research ideas that will improve the lives of current and future generations of Nebraskans have been funded through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition. 

Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett and Sherri Jones, interim vice chancellor for research and innovation, announced nine new Grand Challenges projects Sept. 3. Projects include two catalyst awards and seven planning grants. 

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Upcoming webinar focuses on the basics of knowing, growing and grazing grass

Wed, 08/21/2024 - 11:49
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Ranchers and land managers can learn about forage production, stocking rates, managing risk, drought insurance and more in an interactive, online learning experience provided by Nebraska Extension.Spanish: 

When should ranchers start tax planning?

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 13:59
Friday, August 16, 2024 Does it seem too early to start planning for taxes? Even though calves await weaning, and crops still stand in the fields, September and October are excellent times to meet with your tax accountant and start looking ahead for tax purposes.Spanish: 

Haying and Cattle Grazing Areas with Hemlock

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 12:39
Friday, August 16, 2024

There are two different species of hemlocks in Nebraska that can be toxic to both livestock and people. Here is some information that is important for you to consider as you plan grazing or haying in areas with either of these two species of hemlock.

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Cashing in on your calf crop: Adding value at the auction block

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 10:42
Friday, August 2, 2024 As we near the feedlot fall run and cow/calf producers market their calves at the highest prices received to date, every additional pound of gain has greater profit potential. Spanish: 

2024 Forage Field Day Moving Online

Fri, 08/02/2024 - 09:42
Friday, August 2, 2024

Forage Field Day is a premier regional event designed to bring together the latest research, insights, and practical advice for forage producers. This year’s online event will feature a series of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions covering a broad range of forage-related topics. The event will be live on Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 12:30 (CDT), but will also be recorded and available after the session. 

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Biosecurity Basics and Beyond: Ensuring Your Operation's Future

Tue, 07/30/2024 - 14:34
Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Whenever the topic of biosecurity comes up, it's no surprise that many people might find their attention waning due to the complexity of the issue or because they don’t feel they have experienced a biosecurity problem. The reality is that every producer has encountered some sort of biosecurity risk or event at one point or another and may not have been fully aware or didn’t consider the “biosecurity” aspect of the matter.

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Planning for Ranch Risk Exposure Related to Forage and Livestock Production

Tue, 07/30/2024 - 14:12
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 At its most foundational form, ranching is the business of harvesting sunlight energy with plants that are then utilized by animals to produce products that benefit people for a profit.Spanish: 

New invasive plants to watch for in Nebraska

Mon, 07/29/2024 - 17:46
Monday, July 29, 2024 Pastures and rangelands are the backbone of Nebraska's beef industry, providing essential forage for livestock. However, the presence of weeds can significantly diminish both the quality and quantity of forage available, impacting herd health and productivity.Spanish: 

Annual forage options following irrigated winter wheat

Tue, 07/23/2024 - 12:25
Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Western Nebraska is a low-rainfall area with annual rainfall ranging from 8 to 18 inches. Precipitation usually occurs in the early spring benefitting the predominately cool-season grasses of this high altitude (3,800-5,000 ft.) area. Unfortunately, limited summer rainfall and declining quality of cool-season pastures creates a challenge for producers needing a quality forage resource in the fall. Additionally, many areas of the High Plains are under irrigation restrictions, so limited water is available for crops and forages.

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What to know about sweet clover

Fri, 07/19/2024 - 11:04
Friday, July 19, 2024 Sweet clover is a biennial plant that grows abundantly following a wet year. As a grazing resource, sweet clover can be excellent feed. Research from North Dakota State University has documented yearlings gaining over 2 pounds per head per day grazing sweet clover pasture.Spanish: 

Reviewing the Risk-Reward Relationship for a Ranch

Fri, 07/19/2024 - 09:11
Friday, July 19, 2024

For ranchers, risk is an accepted part of doing business. “No risk, no reward” is quoted when thinking about day-to-day operations and strategic, long-term decisions. Another familiar phrase is “if it were easy, everyone would do it.” To be in business is to take risks.

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Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory celebrating 25th anniversary of open house

Thu, 07/18/2024 - 08:57
Thursday, July 18, 2024 Lincoln, Neb. July 18, 2024 — The Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL) Open House will celebrate its 25th anniversary on August 21 in the heart of the Sandhills near Whitman, Nebraska. The open house encourages all to attend at no cost for the latest updates in the beef industry and current research.Spanish: