BeefWatch Articles

Subscribe to our newsletter.

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, 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

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

Weaned calves

Published: September 23, 2024 | Updated: October 7, 2025

Best Practices for Managing Newly Received Feeder Calves

Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot 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

Cattle Comfort Index

August 1, 2025

Using the Cattle Comfort Index to trigger heat abatement strategies

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ruth Woiwode, Nebraska Extension Specialist – Animal Care & Handling

Cattle Comfort Index Thresholds for Cattle

July 21, 2025

Getting reacquainted with the Cattle Comfort Index (CCI)

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator; Ruth Woiwode, Nebraska Extension Specialist – Animal Care & Handling

Cattle eating at a bunk

June 1, 2025

Limit Feeding with a Bale Feeder, Bunk and a Bucket

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Nebraska cattle near pond on grassland

April 30, 2025

How much water do cattle need and what water problems should cattle producers watch for?

Troy Walz, Nebraska Extension Educator; Aaron Berger, 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

Red steer in a feedlot.

April 1, 2025

Managing Cattle Finishing at Heavier Weights

Alfredo DiCostanzo, 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 Extension Educator; Amy Millmier Schmidt, Nebraska Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer

Cattle on bedding

February 25, 2025

Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist

beefwatch graphic

Published: January 1, 2019 | Updated: February 3, 2025

Manure Rules not just for Large CAFOs

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

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

BQA Darr Feedlot

December 20, 2024

UNL Winter Stocker Tour to feature Darr Feedlot

Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator

Cattle in bedded feedyard

December 3, 2024

Bedding cattle yards and managing bed packs

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

weaned calves

October 30, 2024

Winter Management Options for Weaned Calves

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

Feedlot steer

July 30, 2024

How Many Pounds of Meat Can We Expect From A Beef Animal?

Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension Educator; Brianna Buseman, Former Youth Meat Animal Extension Educator

high moisture corn being harvested

July 8, 2024

Corn harvested as high-moisture corn or earlage for feedlots

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

Stable flies on cattle legs

June 12, 2024

Stable Flies on Pastured Cattle

Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Educator

cattle in a feedlot

May 17, 2024

Time to start planning for heat in the feedlot

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

Horn flies on cow

May 8, 2024

Horn flies and Control Options

Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Educator; T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Educator

Nitrogen nurse tank

April 17, 2024

Don't use tanks that have been used to haul fertilizer for hauling drinking water for cattle

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

two people examing cattle feed from a feedbunk

April 8, 2024

Heifer Harmony: Optimal Management for Heifers in the Feedlot

Jessica L. Sperber, Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist

cattle feeding out of a bunk

February 3, 2024

Tips for dealing with wet, muddy winter conditions in cattle feedyards

Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Educator

heifers on range

January 17, 2024

Heifer percent mature body weight at breeding: What does it mean for pregnancy rates and calf performance?

Josie Crouch, Livestock System Educator; Kacie McCarthy, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist; Travis Mulliniks, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Range Production Systems