Kim Reynolds Acknowledges Policy Priority for Cattlemen Article courtesy of Iowa Cattlemen’s Association AMES, Iowa – Last night, Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her Condition of the State address to Iowans. The address unveiled her vision for Iowa, which included a key policy priority for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA): enhancing restrictions on foreign ownership of […]
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Utilizing Drones for Ranching Operations By Jameson Brennan, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist. Additional Author: Krista Ehlert. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones or UAVs) have been used widely for precision agriculture within cropping systems. More recently, livestock producers have been interested in utilizing drones as a tool for monitoring grasslands, checking cattle, inspecting […]
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How to Manage Solar-Powered Fencing Electric fencing may be one of the biggest innovations in livestock handling since barbed wire. With better reliability, affordability and, thanks to enhanced solar batteries, more effective range and mobility, we are living in a global era of portable and permanent fencing. Beyond keeping animals in, electric fencing has also […]
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Calf Vaccinations Newborn calves gain temporary (passive) immunity from diseases when they ingest colostrum, since this “first milk” contains maternal antibodies. After a few weeks or months this temporary protection wanes, however, and calves must build their own immunities. Vaccinating calves at the proper time in their young lives can help protect them until weaning […]
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FerAppease Mitigates Stress A Closer Look at How the New Product FerAppease® can help Cattle Mitigate Stress, while Benefiting Health, Weight Gain, and Well-being. What is FerAppease? FerAppease’s active ingredient is a synthetic analogue of the Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (MBAS). To sum up, MBAS is naturally secreted by the sebaceous gland located on the skin […]
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What makes a bull impactful? What makes him valuable? Ask these questions to any producers or stud company and you will likely get an assortment of different answers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find some commonalities and basic markers to help you answer that question as it applies to your own operation.
It’s fair to say that high impact, high value bulls are those who improve genetics and economics. Those who are considered in the top 1% of their respective breeds according to genomics tend to excel in both of these. But of course, at the rapid pace of genetic progress the ideal and top 1%s for any given trait or overall index is a revolving door. What you need is to find sires who match your criteria at any given point. Selecting bulls who follow the patterns of breed and type index leaders in relation to your specific needs and goals can, however, help your cows at least trend towards those elite ideals.
Publisher of American Cattlemen and American Dairymen magazines. Founded over 30 years ago, Twin Rivers Media serves the information and marketing needs of America’s beef and dairy producers.
