Use the Numbers (correctly) this Bull Sale Season
This bull sale season, profit-minded cattle producers will utilize expected progeny differences (EPD) and economic selection indices when selecting their next group of bulls. These tools are far more accurate at predicting the average difference in offspring than visual appraisal or actual weights. This is beyond contestation.
Spanish:Considerations for Temporary Fence Around Cropland
Cattle Risk Management Workshop Offered on December 9, 2019
Nebraska Extension will be hosting a risk management workshop for cattle producers on Monday, December 9, 2019 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT at the Tumbleweed Cafe meeting room. Cattle producers will learn strategies designed to reduce risk exposure to achieve a profitable outcome in uncertain times. Topics covered during the workshop include marketing tools available to protect against unfavorable price declines, programs for protecting against weather related forage losses, and current issues facing the cattle industry.
Spanish:“Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options”
Making decisions for your farm and ranch can be stressful. However, having good financial records can help make the decision making process easier.
Spanish:2019 Women Managing Agricultural Land Conference
Female agriculture landowners, farmers and ranchers, and industry professionals looking to increase their business management skills are encouraged to register for the 2019 Women Managing Agricultural Land conference. The conference will be held Dec. 11 at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive in Lincoln.
Spanish:Improving the Bottom-line of Breeding: Three State Beef Conference
In a joint effort, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa Extension are hosting three meetings to address how to set up an economical and successful breeding season. The registration fee is $25 per person. It includes a meal and a copy of the conference proceedings.
Presentations include:
Pre-calving nutritional strategies: Am I staying ahead or getting behind?
Dr. Travis Mulliniks, Range Cow Nutritionist, University of Nebraska
Do Your Herd and Your Bank Account a Favor - Test Your Hay!
Every year I get calls for help with balancing rations and most don’t have a hay analysis. All hay of the same species is NOT created equal. For instance, smooth bromegrass hay can range from 48 to 58% total digestible nutrients (TDN) with crude protein (CP) ranging from 6 to 11% CP. This can be the difference between a growing heifer losing 0.25 lb/d or gaining 0.37 lb/d. If you were targeting the heifer gaining 1 lb/d you would need to supplement between 1.5 and 3 lb/d of dried distillers to reach this goal.
Spanish:Early Low Temperatures May Impact Sugar Beet Quality
Temperatures dropping below 15 degrees in early October may have put some sugar beets in western Nebraska at risk of decaying at the crown. When decay begins in the beet before it can be processed, it makes the beet unacceptable for sugar production for human consumption.
Spanish:Are You a Great Person to Work For?
In a recent conversation with a ranch owner, he said they were once again looking for an employee for their operation. It was also mentioned that employee resignations seem to be a pattern. He then said, almost tongue in cheek, “I couldn’t be part of the problem with this situation, could I?”
Spanish:Soybean Stubble for Cows
After soybeans are harvested, cows sometimes are put out on the residues to graze. Some bean residues are even baled. But how good is this feed?
We’re all familiar with the usefulness of grazing corn stalks, but I see more and more residue from soybean fields grazed every year. Cows seem to like licking up what’s left behind after combining. But frankly, I’m a little concerned that some folks may think their cows are getting more from those soybean residues than what truly is there.
Spanish:Manure Transfer from Permitted Livestock Operations
Timing Manure Application to Avoid Neighbor Nuisances
Helping Cows Cope with Cold Stress
Cold stress increases a cow’s energy requirement and can pull down her body condition. We think many cow/calf producers experienced this last year. While we don’t know what mother nature has in store for us this year, it is good to think ahead and have a plan. A good start is to evaluate body condition score (BCS) now, and if cows are not at a 5 to 5.5 BCS, then taking steps to improve BCS before cold weather hits can help reduce the impacts of cold weather on the cows.
Spanish:2019 Grazing Cover Crops Workshops
The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, Nebraska Extension, and Green Cover Seed have teamed up to present cover crop workshops at four locations in Nebraska.
Featured speaker Shane New is a regenerative agriculture focused entrepreneur from Holton, Kansas who, with his family, operates New Family Farms. His topics include: knowing how to take economic values from your operation; why are you doing it if you are losing money; do we really know what foods should taste like; and how to change the way you see.
Spanish:Register Now for Range Beef Cow Symposium XXVI - November 18-20 in Mitchell, NE!!
You won’t want to miss RBCS XXVI! This year Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach will be here to discuss domestic and international marketing of U.S. beef. Jim Robb from the Livestock Marketing Information Center will give the traditional market outlook. Wacey Kirkpatrick, a rancher from South Dakota will explain using price protection for the cow/calf producer. Dr.
Spanish:Frequently Asked Questions about Grazing Corn Residue Fields with Excessive Downed Corn
Putting cows out on corn fields with a lot of corn is a recipe for acidosis (grain overload), abortion, and possibly death, if their rumen bacteria are not properly prepared. Cattle that become acidotic for even a short time can have reduced performance long term due to damage to the rumen wall. Therefore, taking the time to avoid acidosis is very important.
How do I know how much corn is in the field?
Spanish:“Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options” for Better Informed Decisions
Making decisions for your farm and ranch can be stressful. However, having good financial records can help make the decision making process easier.
Spanish:“Who do you want to work for you?”
Employee and family business working relationships are often one of the greatest challenges for those working in agricultural operations. Frequently those in leadership or management positions have had little or no training related to guiding and communicating with those they work with. This lack of education can also impact recruiting and hiring of people to fit into available positions.
Spanish:Understanding the Value of Grass in Nebraska
Nebraska has one of the highest summer pasture rental rates for cow-calf pairs or stocker/yearlings of anywhere in the United States. On a price per pair per month or price per head basis, Nebraska rental rates are at the top when compared to neighboring states and the nation. While prices have moderated after the rapid run up that occurred after 2014 and 2015, they are still historically quite strong. Nebraska Extension annually publishes the results of a survey titled “Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report” that documents reported pasture rental rates. This report can b
Spanish:Tips to Improve Cow Performance While Consuming Low-quality Forages
Low-quality range pasture and cold wet winter left cows in thinner than normal condition coming into spring this year. The challenges of last summer and winter may have resulted in lower than average pregnancy rates in replacement heifers and young cows this fall, which may be due to the impact the cold and snow had on body condition. Much of the precipitation patterns through the winter continued into the spring and summer creating a challenging 2019 haying season. Widespread heavy rainfall across much of Nebraska made the haying season challenging, and in some areas, nearly impossible.
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