BeefWatch Articles

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Steers in a feedlot (Photo credit: Real Ag Stock)

April 11, 2025

The Steer-Heifer Price Difference: Implications for Herd Expansion

Elliott Dennis, Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Economist

Cattle eating grain from a bunk. Photo credit: Real Ag Stock

April 11, 2025

Leveraging the Price Slide: A Marketing Opportunity Amid Record-High Prices

Elliott Dennis, Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Economist

A variety of hens feed in their pen

April 9, 2025

Raising Healthy Backyard Chickens: Tips from a Poultry Expert

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator

beefwatch graphic

Published: March 31, 2025 | Updated: April 9, 2025

Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement Suspended by Treasury Department

J. David Aiken, Extension Water and Agricultural Law Specialist

Cattle at mineral tubs

Published: June 1, 2021 | Updated: April 4, 2025

Tips for Managing Free Choice Mineral Intake

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Vaccines ready to be given at a branding. Photo credit: Troy Walz

April 1, 2025

What vaccines should I use? Tips for establishing vaccination protocols

Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator

Cows with calves

Published: May 1, 2021 | Updated: April 1, 2025

Management Strategies for Minimizing Early Pregnancy Loss

Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist

Burned pastures after a wildfire (Photo credit: Bethany Johnston)

April 1, 2025

Managing Burned Pastures After a Wildfire- How to Graze

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Jerry Volesky, Extension Range and Forage Specialist; Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist

Seeds and seedlings will spread up to 200 yards from an eastern red cedar seed source.  (Photo credit: Bethany Johnston)

April 1, 2025

What Drives the Spread of Cedar Trees-The Most Important Predictor

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cows and calves confined for feeding during a drought.  Photo credit: Karla Wilke

April 1, 2025

Tips for Managing Cow-calf Pairs through a Drought

Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Specialist

Invasive leafy spurge in a pasture.  Photo Credit: Troy Walz

April 1, 2025

Proactive Weed Control in Pastures: Tips for Early Season Success

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow and calf in grass pasture. Photo credit: Troy Walz

April 1, 2025

How Much Free Choice Mineral Are Nursing Calves Eating?

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Heifers in a pasture

Published: May 1, 2015 | Updated: April 1, 2025

Estrus Synchronization Considerations in Beef Herds

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist

Green grasshopper nymph on grass blade.

April 1, 2025

Rangeland Grasshoppers in 2025

Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle on pasture. Photo Credit: TL Meyer

April 1, 2025

2025 Drought Planning Trigger Dates

Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator; T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator

Red steer in a feedlot.

April 1, 2025

Managing Cattle Finishing at Heavier Weights

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow grazing lush green forages.  Photo credit: Troy Walz

April 1, 2025

Going to Grass: Preventing Grass Tetany with Magnesium Supplementation

Brock Ortner, Nebraska Extension Livestock System Educator; Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Tractor in field

March 17, 2025

Updated Nebraska Land Values, Cash Rents Published in 2025 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report

Jim Jansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Economist

Sandhills after wildfire

Published: October 1, 2023 | Updated: March 17, 2025

Protecting Farms & Ranches from Wildfires

Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension Educator; Rob Eirich, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

Manure spreader on field (Photo credit: Leslie Johnson)

Published: February 26, 2025 | Updated: March 11, 2025

A Beginner's Guide to Manure Spreaders: Ensuring Even Application for Healthy Fields

Leslie Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Manure Management Project Coordinator; Amy Millmier Schmidt, Nebraska Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer

Spring moisture reserves may be crucial for crop and pasture success this growing season as a warm and drier than average summer is expected, likely resulting in persisting or worsening drought conditions across much of the state.

March 6, 2025

Climate Update: 2025 Summer Outlook

Eric Hunt - Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Resilience Extension Educator

Round hay bales in field

March 1, 2025

Consider Securing Feed Supplies Now for Dry Conditions in 2025

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow and calf

Published: March 1, 2020 | Updated: March 1, 2025

Five Ways to Reduce Unit Cost of Production in a Cow-calf Enterprise

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Spring oat for forage during droughts.  Photo by Troy Walz.

March 1, 2025

Annual Forages- Plan Now in Case of Drought

Jerry Volesky, Extension Range and Forage Specialist

Consider drought in a lease. Photo by Troy Walz.

March 1, 2025

Build Resilience into Your Pasture Lease: The Drought/Disaster Clause

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ryan Benjamin, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow grazes green cover crop. Photo by Mary Drewnoski.

March 1, 2025

What Needs to be in Your Free-Choice Mineral Supplement When Grazing Cereal Rye or Other Small Cereals?

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Cattle on bedding

February 25, 2025

Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist

Switchgrass field, sampling, and stage sorting. Photo credits: Carolina Córdova

February 5, 2025

Nature's Algorithm: Tiller Demography in Perennial Forage Grass, Explained

Carolina Córdova, Assistant Professor and Statewide Soil Health Specialist

Cows grazing

Published: October 2, 2017 | Updated: January 30, 2025

Wintering Growing Calves Using Corn Residue: The Value of Bypass Protein

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

pine needles and pinecones in snow

January 29, 2025

Can Pine Needles Cause Abortions in Cows?

Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator