Cattle Farming News & Information

Calving Cameras

Calving Cameras. By Heather Smith Thomas. Joe Van Newkirk, whose family has raised Hereford seedstock near Oshkosh, Nebraska for several generations, says it is important to monitor calving cows and heifers but it helps if you can do it without disrupting them.  “We constructed our calving...

Linz Heritage Angus Presents The Perfect Steak – From Start to Finish

Linz Heritage Angus PresentsThe Perfect Steak – From Start to Finish. By Maura Keller. The cornerstone of Linz Heritage Angus is found in its tagline, “Superior Genetics. Superior Quality.” But for Fred Linz, owner of Linz Heritage Angus, that tagline is what drives Linz and his entire team...

Calving Pen Alternatives

Calving Pen Alternatives. By Phil Durst - Extension Dairy Educator. The calving pen is one of the most strategic locations on the farm. The four objectives of good calving pen management include:• comfort and low stress for the dam,• low health risk to dam and calf,• opportunity for seclusion...

Ectoparasite Control in Cattle

Ectoparasite Control in Cattle. By Nick Wagner, DVM. Article courtesy of Neogen. Ectoparasite control in cattle production requires the implementation of management practices to maintain animal health, to optimize performance, and to provide a comfortable environment to achieve success.  Ectoparasites...

Handing on the Ranch: Tips for Succession Planning

Handing on the Ranch: Tips for Succession Planning. By Jaclyn Krymowski. Transitioning the family ranch from one generation to the next isn’t the same old song and dance that it used to be.Full of complicated finances, legalities, costly assets, depreciation, multiple generations being involved and...

Cold Stress in Cattle

Cold Stress in Cattle. By Heather Smith Thomas.Weather is always a factor in cattle health.  Stressed animals are more vulnerable to stress-related illnesses.  Cattle need more care and feed during cold or wet weather.  Good management to prepare cattle for winter and minimize these stresses can...

3 Common Round Bale Feeder Problems Solved

3 Common Round Bale Feeder Problems Solved. By Arrowquip.This year has brought flood conditions for some, drought conditions for others, and high feed prices and input costs across the board. With all this occurring as the winter season nears, if you’re considering rethinking your bale feeding and...

Supplemental Needs During Winter

Supplemental Needs During Winter. By Maura Keller. Winter is a challenging time for farmers and ranchers for a myriad of reasons. Not only do temperatures plummet and equipment malfunctions in the cold, but also forages lose nutritional value for animals to consume. Because of this, producers turn their...

Avoiding Gossypol Toxicity While Feeding Whole Cottonseed

Avoiding Gossypol Toxicity While Feeding Whole Cottonseed.By Cotton Incorporated. Whole cottonseed offers a great nutritional profile for cattle rations as a balanced source of fat, protein and fiber1, but farmers should educate themselves about gossypol toxicity, a rare complication that can occur when whole...

Career Options in the Modern Beef Industry

Career Options in the Modern Beef Industry. By Jaclyn Krymowski. Like every niche industry, the beef industry is changing. With the changes come new career opportunities as well. Traditional jobs working directly on the farm and ranch are no longer the sole choice for those interested in beef industry...

A Family Affair

A Family Affair. By Maura Keller. The family ranch. It has long been a staple in the American agricultural economy. And Wilkes Barnett, along with other members of the Barnett family in Washington, Georgia, are enhancing their multi-generational Barnett Angus Ranches to be one of the nation’s leading...

Selecting and Developing Replacement Heifers

Selecting and Developing Replacement Heifers. By Heather Smith Thomas. Many ranchers keep and develop their own replacements, and some prefer to buy bred heifers that are already well developed and pregnant.  Selecting good replacement females is important for long-term sustainability and productivity...

Finding the Ideal Fencing Solutions

Finding the Ideal Fencing Solutions. By Maura Keller. Rotational grazing is a vital component of most producers’ ranch or farming efforts. As such, installing the proper fencing that to systematically control rotational grazing is paramount. In addition, both electric and non-electric traditional...

Encouraging Youth Participation Within The Cattle Industry

Encouraging Youth Participation Within the Cattle Industry. Article courtesy of Behlen Mfg. Co. Those in the industry would agree that the beef cattle business can be as rewarding as it is challenging.  The challenging times humble us and make us thankful for the relationships and support we cultivate...

Rawhide’s Continuing Innovation

Rawhide’s Continuing Innovation. Article by Maura Keller. For over 20 years Rawhide Portable Corrals has become a leader in corral design and manufacturing. And while John McDonald and his wife Mary recently took time to celebrate their 20-year history of hard work and subsequent success with employees...

Employee Training: An Important Tool for Creating and Retaining your Ranch's Workforce

Employee Training: An Important Tool for Creating and Retaining your Ranch's WorkforceBy Jaclyn KrymowskiFinding the right employees willing to work is an ongoing issue in the beef community. And this is only part of the struggle – once new hires are added, it can be difficult to ensure they receive (and...

Herd Management Includes Culling & Marketing Culls

Herd Management Includes Culling & Marketing Culls By Heather Smith Thomas.When expenses go up or feed supplies are short, cattle producers often sell more cows or heifers than they would on an average year, to generate enough income to pay the bills and also have fewer cattle to feed. Culling decisions can...

Burdock Can Cause Eye Irritations

Burdock can Cause Eye IrritationsBy Heather Smith ThomasBurdock is an invasive plant, brought to this country many years ago.  The tall burdock plant is a native of Eurasia, probably brought to North America by seed burrs stuck to imported animals.  This biennial puts forth clusters of round burrs after it...

Grazing Management Critical in a Drought

Grazing Management Critical in a Drought. Measuring what you manage will set you up for long-term success. By Burt Rutherford "I’ve never known a man to go broke being understocked. Now, you may leave a little money on the table, but you’re not going to go broke.”That pearl of...

Don’t Gamble on Weaning and Receiving MLS Tubs Are a Sure Bet

Don’t Gamble on Weaning and Receiving MLS Tubs Are a Sure Bet. Article courtesy of MidContinent Livestock Supplements. Fall is quickly upon us, and calves are going through lots of “stress” as they transition through weaning at this time of year. Bawling calves, developing rumens, long...

Innovative Housing Options

Innovative Housing Options. By Maura Keller. Proper cow and calf housing can have a profound effect on the health and well-being of livestock. From loafing sheds to calf hutches and pens, today’s housing options for cows and calves are as vast as the producers themselves.“There are many different...

Tips For Building Balanced Rations To Promote Weight Gain In Beef Cattle

Tips For Building Balanced Rations To Promote Weight Gain In Beef Cattle. Article and photos courtesy of Cotton Incorporated. There are several factors that go into choosing feedstuffs to promote weight gain in beef cattle. Availability, cost, transportation and objectives for the stages of development are...

Don’t Fall Behind: Late Season Feeding with the 30/30 Approach for Fly Control

Don’t Fall Behind: Late Season Feeding with the 30/30 Approach for Fly Control. Article courtesy of Central Life Sciences. Before the fall approaches and cold weather is near, it’s critical to continue late-season feeding of Altosid® IGR to prevent the emergence of overwintering flies. Then,...

Practical Security Points for the Ranch

Practical Security Points for the Ranch. By Jaclyn Krymowski. Sufficient ranch security can be defined in many ways. Historically, rural areas have felt security with relatively low-input measures such as a farm dog or latched gate. But in an age of cyber hackers, agroterroism and desperate criminals, farms...

Nextgen; Bringing NextGen’s Unique Vision to Cattlemen and Consumers Alike

Nextgen; Bringing NextGen’s Unique Vision to Cattlemen and Consumers Alike. Article by Maura Keller. When Derek Thompson, his brother Damon, and their cousin Brad Lindstrom founded NextGen Cattle Company in 2015, they had one thing in mind: To create a fully integrated cattle company that covers the...

Controlling Lice in Beef Cattle

Controlling Lice in Beef CattleBy Heather Smith ThomasLice are a common winter problem in northern climates--with cold weather and short winter days.  Summer heat, sunlight, and short hair make it more difficult for lice to survive and multiply; there are not very many lice on cattle during the summer. ...

Today’s Headgates: Safely Securing Your Cattle

Today’s Headgates: Safely Securing Your Cattle.  By Maura Keller. Keeping animals safe and secure is paramount for any size cattle ranch or farm, and headgates are a core component of safe handling. As producers evaluate their need for the latest headgates, manufacturers are making strides to provide...

Livestock Watering Basics

Livestock Watering Basics.  Article and photos courtesy of Behlen Mfg. Co.   We all know that providing a consistent source of water is an essential part of caring for livestock, and there are a thousand different livestock watering systems.  Factors like the number of head, location, and budget...

Genomics – A Worthwhile Industry - Wide Investment

Genomics – A Worthwhile Industry - Wide Investment. By Jaclyn Krymowski. One of the most beloved yet polarizing recent advancements within animal agriculture is genomics. The testing, analysis, and interpretation of genetic information has become one of the most widely adopted tools by producers,...

Keep Safety in Mind When Working Cattle

Keep Safety in Mind When Working Cattle. By Heather Smith Thomas. Most cattle are gathered and worked for branding, vaccinating, pregnancy testing, weaning and other necessary management tasks.  Many cow herds are put through the chute twice or more annually.  It is important to make sure these...