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
Check out the May issue of UNL BeefWatch Newsletter.
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DNA Technology Conference: Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed
(May 2013) DNA Technology continues to advance as well as the use of that technology in cattle breeding and genetic selection. Plan to attend this conference on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the USDA Meat Animal Research Center. RSVP by June 10. Learn more.
Sustainable Use of Crop Residues on Cow/Calf and Yearling Operations Conference
(May 2013) University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will be holding a conference/webinar on sustainable use of crop residues for cow/calf and yearling operations on Monday, June 10, 2013 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (CDT). Please RSVP by June 6. If attending in person there is a $10.00 registration fee to cover lunch. Learn more.
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.
Grazing Lease Agreements Should Specify Stocking Rate, Lease Rate and a Drought Clause
(April 2013) The two most important components of a grazing lease agreement are stocking rate and lease rate, according to Jay Jenkins, UNL Extension Educator in Cherry County. Balancing the forage demanded by the animals with the amount of forage grown is the most important part of proper grazing management. Learn more.
Determining How Much Forage a Beef Cow Consumes Each Day
(April 2013) It's April and for cow/calf producers in the Northern Great Plains the majority of the cows are calving or are about to start calving. A frequent question from producers is "how much will my cows eat on a daily basis"? With the dry conditions this past summer and harvested forages at a premium, closely estimating the amount of feed needed to get through the winter and early spring will be important to contain cost. Learn more.
Grazing Annual Forages
(April 2013) The uncertainty of pasture growth and condition in 2013 has a number of producers considering planting and grazing annual forages. This article provides resources with information to help with this decision. Learn more.
Plane of Nutrition can Significantly Impact Pregnancy Rates in Heifers and Young Cows
(April 2013) How much does nutrition impact the reproductive rates of cattle? Research has shown an increase in pregnancy rates with a “flushing effect.” Cattle bred on an increasing plane of nutrition have shown higher pregnancy rates than cattle bred on a declining plane of nutrition. Can producers use this “flushing effect” to their advantage? Learn more.
Grass Tetany Management for Cattle Grazing Lush, Cool Season Pastures
(April 2013) Grass tetany is caused by magnesium deficiency and can occur in cattle grazing lush, growing cool-season pastures. It can occur in beef cows during early lactation and is more prevalent in older cows. Learn more.
Upcoming Beef Webinar
Livestock Risk Protection Insurance for Calves and Feeder Cattle
Tuesday, May 21st
(12:30 pm - 1:00 pm CT / 11:30 am - 12:00 pm MT)
Aaron Berger, UNL Extension Educator
Panhandle Research and Extension Center
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Recent Producer Question
(May 3, 2013) What are the best fly control options for cattle on summer pasture? 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.