BeefWatch Articles from March 2023

BeefWatch Articles from March 2023

Cows and calves in confinement
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Mineral and Vitamin Considerations When Drylotting Cows

Managing cows in a drylot can be a way to maintain the herd when forage production is reduced due to drought or as a part of a system when pasture is unavailable for other reasons. When cattle are managed in a drylot over an extended period of time, minerals and vitamins that need to be supplied can vary significantly from those needed when cows are grazing.
Heifers
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Early Herd Rebuilding Could Happen Through the Bred Cow Market

This article was first published by "In the Cattle Markets" on Feb. 13, 2023. 

Cowboy roping
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Identifying Your Competitive Advantage

Livestock producers can enhance success by identifying and exploiting their competitive advantage in relation to their competition. What is special or unique about the product you produce, your skills, background, reputation, business structure, location or service that sets you apart from others?  What gives you a “leg up” on the competition?

Cow on range
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Risk Management Workshops for Cattle Producers Set for March

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will host a price risk management workshop for cattle producers in Falls City, Holdrege and Kearney. Attendees will learn strategies designed to reduce risk exposure to achieve a profitable outcome in uncertain times.

Current issues facing the cattle industry will be discussed to help producers to make more informed decisions facing the industry.

Yearlings
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Registration Opens for 2023 Nebraska Ranch Practicum

Ranchers interested in learning about the latest cutting-edge research in range livestock production from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are encouraged to register for the 2023 Nebraska Ranch Practicum offered by Nebraska Extension.

Spring grazing
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Filling Spring and Early Summer Forage Gaps Webinar March 16

Many cow/calf producers are short on hay and hoping for an early spring. This webinar will discuss some options for getting lactating cows fed until pasture is ready.

Bull in winter
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Scheduling Early Breeding Soundness Exams for Bulls Due to Extreme Winter Conditions

Nebraska and much of the Great Plains have experienced above normal snowfall coupled with extremely cold temperatures and high winds resulting in -20 to -60° F wind chills this winter. Extreme cold can result in frostbite to extremities in cattle including the testicles, which in turn can have a negative impact on spermatogenesis.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Nebraska BQA Nearly Sweeps National BQA Awards

This year, the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program was the highlight of the Closing General Session “A BQA Celebration” at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention.

Since 2009, the National BQA program has utilized the National BQA awards to recognized cattle producers across the nation for their BQA achievements. The program recognizes producers and operations from the following sectors: cow-calf, feedyard, marketer, and dairy. Additionally, the educator award recognizes an individual who has been dedicated to the BQA program throughout their career.

Sloping pavement feedlot
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

To Pave or Not to Pave? A Slippery-Slope…

Cattle operations in many areas have had to manage their animals through significant snowfall that led to muddy conditions in holding areas, walk lanes, feedyard pens, and other high-traffic locations.  Poor performance, health challenges, and generally undesirable conditions for man and beast often followed.

Pairs in the spring
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

What does the Drought of 2022 mean for Lactating Pairs in the Spring of 2023?

As of February, Nebraska remains in drought conditions despite much of the state receiving significant snowfall in December and January (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/). The soil moisture profile is in a deficit due to months of below normal precipitation the last couple of years, which will have an impact on grass growth this spring.

Mineral for beef cattle
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Nebraska Extension Seeking Producer Input on Mineral Supplementation Practices and Research and Education Needs

Nebraska Extension is looking to gather more information on cow-calf producers’ mineral supplementation practices. To better establish research and educational resource needs for beef cattle producers, Nebraska Extension has released a producer needs assessment survey targeting cow-calf producers.

Strip grazing cover crops
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Getting More Out of Fall Forage Cover Crops: Is Strip Grazing Worth It?

Nebraska Extension hosted a webinar called Getting More Out of Fall Forage Cover Crops: Is Strip Grazing Worth It? March 23, 2023. The webinar shared the results of on-farm research at five Nebraska locations, evaluating the value of strip grazing cover crops over two years. The webinar included producer perspectives on balancing labor needs and increasing harvest efficiency in fall cover crop beef cattle systems.