Beef Cattle Production
- Cow-calf, Bull and Heifer Nutrition and Management
- Breeding, Genetics & Reproduction
- Backgrounding, Yearling and Feedlot Nutrition and Management
- Forage, Pasture & Range Management
- By-Product Feeds
- Beef Forage Crops Systems
- Herd Health
- Beef Product and Quality Assurance
- Marketing and Livestock Budgets
- Drought
Additional University of Nebraska Beef Cattle Resources
Sustainable Use of Crop Residues on Cow/Calf and Yearling Operations Conference Webinars are Now Available
(June 2013) University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension held a conference/webinar on sustainable use of crop residues for cow/calf and yearling operations on June 10, 2013. Historic high crop prices and drought conditions have contributed to record high forage prices. These conditions are encouraging both cattle producers and crop farmers to consider the value and use of crop residue in beef production. Webinar recordings are now available online.
Breeding Cows in Confinement
(May 2013) Due to the soil moisture deficit following the 2012 drought, producers need to reduce 2013 stocking rates by 20-30% and delay turnout as long as possible to allow pastures to recover. For some producers this may mean confining at least a portion of the cow herd through breeding season. When breeding in confinement, several factors need to be considered. Learn more.
Sustainable Pasture Usage - Understanding AUMs (Animal Unit Months)
(May 2013) This year range specialists are recommending delayed turn outs of June 1 for predominately cool season pastures and June 15 or later for warm season pastures. Even though many areas of Nebraska are being blessed with some rain, reducing typical stocking rates will be critical for sustainability of the range. Learn more.
Production Calculations Related to Beef Cow Nutrition
(May 2013) Rick Rasby, UNL Beef Specialist, explains how to calculate Calving Distribution and Calf Crop Percentage. Calf Crop Percentage may be the most important production calculation that a cow/calf producer can record. Learn more.
Management Changes Due to Drought Could Impact Reproductive Rates in Heifers and Cows (Market Journal video)
(May 2013) Dr. Rick Funston, UNL Beef Reproductive Specialist, believes cow-calf producers need to be aware of how management changes they are making this year due to drought conditions could impact reproductive rates in cows and heifers. In the May 17th Market Journal broadcast, Dr. Funston highlighted some practices that should be considered. View the interview on the Market Journal YouTube channel.
Weather Conditions Continue to Impact Grass Growth in Central and Western Nebraska (Market Journal video)
(May 2013) The ongoing drought, combined with a historically cool April, is having severe impacts – especially on cool-season grass growth. In the May 17th Market Journal broadcast, Dr. Jerry Voleksy, UNL Extension Range and Forage Systems specialist, highlighted the impact of these conditions and the planning producers should have in place for the grazing conditions. View the interview on the Market Journal YouTube channel.
Controlling Flies on Pastured Cattle
(May 2013) There are three fly species in Nebraska that economically impact pastured cattle: horn fly, face fly and stable fly. Control of these flies can be economically beneficial to cow-calf and stocker/yearling operations. Learn more.
Drought Increases Toxic and Poisonous Plant Risk to Livestock
(May 2013) Drought generates increased poisoning risks for livestock due to reduced availability, timing shifts and physiological changes in the “desired” forages on rangelands and pastures. Learn more.
Making Small Grain Silage
(April 2013) Small grain silage may be a good option to fill a forage shortage this summer. With hay and feed supplies being short this spring and the prospect for forage production from range and pasture this summer being below average, small grain silage may be a good option this year. Small grain silage from cereal rye, triticale, barley, wheat, and oats can provide a high quality forage source. Learn more.
Upcoming Beef Webinar
Feeding De-Oiled Distillers Grains in Growing and Finishing Diets
Tuesday, July 2nd
(12:30 pm-1:00 pm CT / 11:30 am-12:00 pm MT)
Dr. Galen Erickson
UNL Beef Feedlot Extension Specialist
University of Nebraska
Recent Producer Question
(June 18, 2013) I hear people talk about using AUM calculations in their management of range and pasture. What is an AUM? How is it used in pasture and range management? Learn more.
Educational Programs
Additional Beef Cattle Resources
- Beef Basics Home Study
Series of Home Study courses that provides a more in-depth look at beef cattle production.
New - February 2013
Approved for American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) CEU credits. - Nebraska Ranch Practicum
Three-season, hands-on educational program designed to give participants the skills and education needed in today’s complex ranching industry. - Beef Cattle Reproduction
Content developed by the National Beef Reproduction Task Force. Content focuses on estrous synchronization and artificial insemination. - Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium
Beef cattle leaders focused on genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Their mission is to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the beef industry. - Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
National research project to address feed efficiency in beef cattle. - Bovine Respiratory Complex
This group of researchers has a goal to reduce the prevalence of bovine respiratory disease complex in beef and dairy cattle. - Beef Cattle eXtension website
A national website whose target audiences are producers, extension educators, and clientele with beef cattle interest. - Nebraska Cattlemen
The Nebraska Cattlemen association is a grassroots organization whose individual producer members determine issues of importance to the state beef industry. Its principal services are government affairs, public information, issues management, and management education and information. - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver and Washington, D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.