BeefWatch Articles

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Graphic of methane production in ruminants

November 1, 2025

Understanding and Mitigating Methane Emissions from Cattle

Galen Erickson, Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist; Rick Rasby, Retired Nebraska Extension Specialist; Matt Spangler, Professor and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist; Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist; Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Biological Systems Engineering; Tami Brown Brandl – UNL Professor of Biological Systems Engineering; Samodha Fernando – UNL Rumen Microbiologist; Paul Kononoff – UNL Dairy Specialist; Kortney Harpestad – UNL Animal Science Extension Program Associate; Keara O’Reilly – UNL Research Professor

cow calf pairs Photo credit Troy Walz

November 1, 2025

The Growing Threat of Tick-Borne Disease in Nebraska Cattle- Anaplasmosis

Brian Vander Ley, DVM Epidemiologist, Great Plains Veterinary Education Center; Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator; Matt Hille, DVM, MS, PhD Diagnostic Veterinary Pathologist and Nebraska Extension Specialist

Cattle graze around a bale in the pasture.  Photo credit: Troy Walz

November 1, 2025

Beyond the Abstract: Does Bale Grazing Make Sense?

Brock Ortner, Nebraska Extension Livestock System Educator; Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Weaned calves eating at the bunk (Photo credit: Karla Wilke)

November 1, 2025

Successfully Weaned Calves – A Hot Commodity

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

Corn sprouting from downed ears

October 20, 2025

Can Beef Cows Graze Corn that Sprouted in a Corn Field?

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist; Rick Rasby, Retired Nebraska Extension Specialist

Steer in lot

October 3, 2025

Livestock Facility Inspections: Do I need one? If so, what should I expect?

Leslie Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal Manure Management Extension Educator

haybales in a field

Published: October 30, 2024 | Updated: October 1, 2025

Fall and Winter Management Strategies for the Cow Herd – Sample, Test, Inventory and Stage Harvested Hay

Rick Rasby, Retired Nebraska Extension Specialist; Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow and calf on range

Published: September 1, 2024 | Updated: October 1, 2025

Reviewing Cow-Calf Share and Cash Lease Agreements

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle grazing windrowed summer annuals

Published: September 15, 2023 | Updated: October 1, 2025

Windrow Grazing Annual Forages to Extend the Grazing Season

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cow and calf in pasture

October 1, 2025

The 5% Factor for Improving Profitability for Cow-calf Producers

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cows on pasture

October 1, 2025

Higher Cow Prices and Input Expenses are Impacting Annual Cow Costs

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle grazing annual forages Photo Credit: Troy Walz

October 1, 2025

Managing Annual Forages After Frost

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cows graze on fall rangelands.

October 1, 2025

Fall Grazing Management: Balancing Forage Use and Recovery

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Young calf with cows in pasture

October 1, 2025

What are some Management Tips for Fall-Calving Cows?

Brent Plugge, Nebraska Extension Educator; Rick Rasby, Retired Nebraska Extension Specialist

downed cornstalks

Published: February 2, 2020 | Updated: September 16, 2025

Downed Corn: Problem or Opportunity for Cattle Producers?

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Annual forages.  Photo credit: Troy Walz

September 1, 2025

Annual Forage Insurance as a Risk Management Tool

Shannon Sand, Nebraska Extension Educator

Asian longhorned ticks

September 1, 2025

Asian Longhorned Ticks- Spreading West Towards Nebraska

Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Educator

Thistle

September 1, 2025

Don’t Wait for Spring: Why Fall Is Prime Time for Weed Control

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

Calves in a pasture

September 1, 2025

How Will Cash from Exceptional Calf Income be Invested?

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cheatgrass in native prairies

August 2, 2025

Using herbicide for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) management in the Nebraska Panhandle

Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Range Management Specialist; Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

arrows going up

August 1, 2025

Pause and Get Perspective on Current Record Cattle Prices

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

silage pile cover rolling out

August 1, 2025

The Hidden Cost of Silage Spoilage—and How to Stop It

Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Heifers grazing in the pasture

August 1, 2025

Maximizing Returns: Early Weaning, Pregnancy Detection, and Cull Cow Marketing Strategies

Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator; Kacie McCarthy, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

Irrigation system

August 1, 2025

Managing Cows with Limited Perennial Pasture – A Producer Perspective

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

Calf and cow

August 1, 2025

Challenges of the beef calf born in July, August, and September

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

Calf on range

Published: June 1, 2023 | Updated: August 1, 2025

What does summer pneumonia look like in calves, and what to do about it?

Halden Clark, DVM MS, Health Stewardship; Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center; Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator; Becky Funk, DVM, Animal Health Teaching and NE Extension Specialist

Silage pile

July 22, 2025

Start Planning Now for Silage Storage Later

Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Biological Systems Engineering; Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

pasture

Published: July 19, 2024 | Updated: July 1, 2025

What to know about sweet clover

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Heifers by Troy Walz

July 1, 2025

When Estrus Synch Goes Sideways: Practical Troubleshooting for Beef Producers

Kacie McCarthy, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist; Becky Funk, DVM, Animal Health Teaching and NE Extension Specialist