BeefWatch Archive

Beefwatch Archive

To read articles prior to September 2017, please visit the article archive on UNL Announce.

Man fencing
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Leading Farm and Ranch Employees Seminar to be held in Scottsbluff

Finding, hiring and retaining quality employees are a major challenge for agricultural producers in western Nebraska. Competition for the available workforce comes from area industries, and the labor market is tight.

Cow and calf
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Preparing for Calving

For some the calving season is almost upon us, while for others, the start of the calving season is still a few months away.  The following are practices to consider in preparing for the upcoming calving season.

Cattle in a field with a windmill
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

“Ranching for Profitability” Meeting to be held as webinar across Nebraska

Efficiency and sustainability are important topics to beef consumers and the future success of the beef industry. These topics are also the theme of Nebraska Extension’s Ranching for Profitability session in 2019.

In January, Ranching for Profitability will be offered as a webinar that beef producers can join from any of 13 downlink locations across Nebraska, or from their home via the internet. A list of sites and registration information follows.

Cow grazing
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

So What if I Can’t Get Distillers Grains?

In recent months, the shortened supply of distillers grains has reduced the amount many producers have access to, and increased the price of that which is available. This has led many producers to evaluate what their supplement options are.

 

Can I just substitute corn for distillers grains for my bred cows?

Cow
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Tri-State Cow/Calf Symposium February 8, 2019 Imperial, Nebraska

Tri-State Cow/Calf Symposium will be held at the Wesleyan Church in Imperial Nebraska on February 8 with registration at 9:00 AM and the program starting at 9:30.  The program was developed by Extension Educators and Specialists from Colorado State University, Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska.  The emphasis of this symposium is Strategies for Success.  Topics for the program include:

Cows eating hay
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Beef Profit Tips Programs to be Held in Nebraska

During the winter of 2019 Nebraska Extension will host 17 beef profitability workshops in Nebraska to help Beef Producers evaluate their operations to make them more profitable through the latest research information. Topics will vary depending on presenter and specific location. These workshops have been held across Nebraska for the past fifteen years. The cost is $15.00 but may vary from location depending on local sponsorship.

2019 Locations are as follows (no meal unless otherwise stated)

Bales on meadow
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Early Hay Harvest and Fertilizing Meadows

As supplementation costs continue to rise across Nebraska, producers are looking for economical ways to meet protein and energy requirements of their cattle. Hay produced on irrigated grass and subirrigated meadows can be a potential supplementation source throughout Nebraska.

cornstalk bale
Saturday, December 1, 2018

Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N) or Nitrate (NO3-) – Know the Difference!

I just got the forage test results back from the lab and the nitrate score was 3,000. Am I in trouble? Every year I get multiple questions similar to this one. Unfortunately, with just this information I’m unable to give a useful answer. So – the first question I ask is “Was this reported as nitrates or as nitrate nitrogen?”
weaned calves
Saturday, December 1, 2018

What Did it Cost to Produce a Pound of Calf This Year?

By early December, weaning of spring-born calves has wrapped up for most cow-calf producers. This is a good time of year to close the books on 2018 and analyze the business to see what it cost to produce a pound of weaned calf. Unit cost of production (UCOP) is a value based on a relationship in production or manufacturing between costs and units of product made or produced.
Pairs grazing cornstalks
Saturday, December 1, 2018

Grazing Fall Pairs on Cornstalks

Cornstalk residue can be an economical source of forage for beef cattle in the winter.  The leftover corn, leaf and husk are the most desirable parts of the corn plant to the animal. Modern farming practices and technology have probably decreased the amount of corn left in the fields for the most part, but the digestibility of the leaf and husk are typically between 45-57% total digestible nutrients (TDN).  Assuming stocking rates are moderate and intake is not limiting, research has indicated this will maintain non-lactating pregnant cows.