Nebraska State of Beef Conference 2014 Proceedings

(January 2015) The Inaugural Nebraska State of Beef Conference was held November 4-5, 2014, in North Platte. The conference gave producers a chance to hear speakers discuss research-based concepts and visit with vendors who could supply the tools they need to manage their operations. The proceedings are now available online.

2015 Beef Feedlot Roundtables at Three Locations in February

(January 2015) Beef feedlot managers, owners, employees, and supporting industry personnel will learn the latest in feedlot nutrition, health, and economics at the 2015 Beef Feedlot Roundtables. The Roundtables will take place February 10-12 in Bridgeport, Lexington, and West Point. Learn more.

UNL BeefWatch Newsletter - January Issue

In this issue of the newsletter you will find information on these timely topics and more.
 • New Profit Centers for Your Cattle Operation
 • Ranching for Profitability Series
 • Row Crop Herbicides Can Limit the Use of Row-crop Ground for Forage Production
 • Are You Ready for Calving?
 • Definite Advantages to Calves Born in the First 21 Days of the Calving Season
 • Converting Cropland Back to Grass Pastures
For more information on these and other topics or to view archived newsletters, visit UNL BeefWatch.

Perennial Grass Irrigated Pasture

(December 2014) With a strong demand for pasture and low grain prices, there has been a renewed interest in the use of irrigated pasture. There are a number of different annual and perennial forage species that could be used. Learn more.

Winter Tetany in Beef Cattle

(December 2014) Grass tetany is considered a problem that usually occurs when cattle or sheep are eating lush, spring grass or annual cereal forages such as rye, wheat or triticale; but, it can also occur when cattle are being fed harvested forages. Learn more.

Cow-Calf Share or Cash Cow Leases - What is fair?

(December 2014) Cow-calf share or cash leases can be used as a way to share the revenue and expenses associated with a cow-calf enterprise when multiple people are involved. To determine what a fair and equitable lease is, it is important both parties accurately determine their level of contribution to the total costs involved in cow-calf production enterprise. Learn more.

2015 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

(November 2014) The 2015 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report includes multiple articles providing the latest information on University of Nebraska-Lincoln beef cattle research on cow/calf production, growing, forage management and crop residue utilization, finishing, and beef products. Read the reports.

Cow Depreciation – A Hidden Significant Non-Cash Expense for Cow-Calf Producers

(November 2014) Cow depreciation is frequently the second largest expense to the cow-calf enterprise after feed. Depreciation is a non-cash expense that is often overlooked by cow-calf producers. Learn more.

Grazing Corn Residue with Beef Cattle

(October 2014) Corn residue is a valuable feed resource for beef cattle. The number of acres planted to corn in Nebraska is about 10.3 million acres (6.3 irrigated; 4.0 dryland/rain-fed). It is estimated that less than 25% of the corn acres in Nebraska are grazed. University of Nebraska recommendations for grazing corn residue are based on research showing cattle are selective grazers of a corn residue field. Learn more.

Recent Beef Webinar

Genetics Selection Tools in Beef Cattle EPDs and Antagonisms
January 2015
Matt Spangler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Recent Producer Question

Are colostrum replacements a good alternative to give a calf if I can't get natural colostrum? (January 28, 2015)