Tag: Beef Cattle

The True Cost of Cutting Corners in Breeding Season

Posted on by Jessica Graham

The True Cost of Cutting Corners in Breeding Season

Tight Margins

Cattle producers are no strangers to tight margins. Feed costs climb; weather shifts and every season seems to bring a new challenge. But there is one area where “Saving” money almost always backfires: Breeding Season Nutrition

According to Ted Perry, director of beef cattle technical services with Purina Animal Nutrition. Reproduction is the number one factor driving profitability in a cow-calf operation. “If a cow doesn’t get bred, she doesn’t have a calf,” Perry explains. ” That sounds simple, but it’s the most important truth in the business.

With calf prices currently strong, producers may be tempted to economize on nutrition. But as Perry warns, “It’s cheaper to cut back, but that cheap ration can cost a fortune.

The Economics of Early Conception

Calves born early in the calving season are typically worth more. On average, calves gain a little more than two pounds per day.

At approximately $4 per pound, each day a calf could add $8 in value. Multiply that across 21 days in a calving cycle over an entire herd, and the economic incentive is obvious.

One hidden risk is embryonic loss. Perry points out that early embryonic loss can mean lower profitability. A cow that loses her embryo and conceives again six to eight weeks later will result in a calf that is 100 to 120 pounds lighter at weaning.

This represents a significant revenue hit at today’s prices.

“These calves are worth around $2,500 a piece right now,” says Perry. “They’re gaining $8 a day, but we have to make sure we’re feeding them so they can continue to do that when we get them weaned off with the minimum amount of stress.” There are key nutrition factors to manage stress and avoid losses:

Body Condition Score (BCS):

The goal is a BCS of six, a little over 20% body fat. At this level, cows are most likely to conceive and maintain pregnancy. Lower scores compromise reproduction because cows will prioritize milk production over fertility.

Manure Scores:

Manure is a window into the rumen. “If it gets stacky and you see a bunch of fiber in the manure, that fiber did not get used in the rumen,” Perry explains. “The first thing we need to look at is mineral status, because rumen microbes need phosphorus.”

Mineral Status:

Adequate mineral intake ensures rumen microbes can ferment forage efficiently so cows can support both lactation and pregnancy. Minerals are the baseline for herd health and fertility. For fall-calving herds, December brings peak lactation at the same time breeding begins, often in harsh weather. Energy and mineral intake are essential to sustain fertility. Spring-calving herds face a different challenge in November: weaning. Calves consuming minerals directly benefit from stronger immune systems and better vaccine responses.
Looking ahead and managing risk One way producers can safeguard against these challenges is by using targeted supplements. Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® tub with CX8™ Additive Technology, a self-fed option designed to support cattle during critical stress windows, is an example of one of those proven tools that can help give producers peace of mind during transitions. High calf prices also provide an opportunity to manage risk in the future.

Market Outlook

Markets are cyclical, and that volatility means producers must know what works now, before margins tighten. “A few years from now, we may be having the opposite conversation about how to maintain reproduction in a lower-margin environment,” says Perry. “That makes today the time to fine-tune your nutrition strategy, while you have the margin to experiment and learn what works best on your operation.” The bottom line Breeding season is not the time to cut corners. Every cow that conceives early and maintains her pregnancy adds value to your bottom line. Every calf weaned heavier and healthier strengthens your position in a volatile market.
Tools like Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® with CX8™ Additive Technology deliver advanced nutrition in a convenient form to help producers protect both their calves and their cows during times of stress. When the stakes are high, investing in high-quality nutrition is a practical way to protect profitability. “She has to breed. If we try to cheapen up the ration and we lose cows either in conception or increase open cows, that cheap ration has cost us a fortune,” says Perry. For today’s cattlemen, the message is clear: invest in nutrition during breeding season to support overall cattle health and performance. The returns in conception, calf weight and herd profitability will outweigh the costs. To learn more about cattle nutrition, visit purinamills.com/cattle-feed.
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New World Screwworm Threat

Posted on by Weicks-Webmaster

New World Screwworm Threat

WASHINGTON — The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) expressed its sincere appreciation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decisive action to close live animal imports at the southern border, in response to the surge of New World Screwworm (NWS) cases across Mexico. This is an issue USCA members share widely in Washington, DC last week across USDA agencies and congressional offices. This coordinated measure, grounded in scientific expertise and decades of cross-border collaboration, is critical to preserving the health of America’s cattle herd and the future of the U.S. beef supply.

“We are grateful to Secretary Rollins and the USDA for recognizing the urgent threat posed by the New World Screwworm and making the hard decision to halt animal movement across the southern border,” USCA President Justin Tupper said, following an in-depth USDA-APHIS stakeholder briefing that included USCA policy staff. “Closing the border to Mexico will protect the U.S. beef supply and U.S. producers from the New World Screwworm. This is an issue that was resolved in the 1970s after the parasite caused severe and lasting damage to America’s cattle herd. Its re-emergence is a very serious issue with potentially catastrophic consequences if left unchecked.”

Recent Occurrences

According to recent APHIS data shared with USCA and industry stakeholders, there have been over 1,400 detections of NWS across Mexico as of May 9, with outbreaks progressing steadily northward. Notably, active cases are now present in Chiapas, Tabasco, and as far north as central Oaxaca — just 127 miles from Mexico’s crucial secondary barrier. The ongoing increase in detections includes new cases in Veracruz, a major cattle movement corridor. Quick action is a necessity.

“Generations of ranching families remember the devastation the last NWS outbreak caused. Thanks to USDA’s vigilance and strong partnership with Mexico, we have the tools, surveillance, and sterile insect technology to respond, but controlling animal movement and closing ports of entry are essential first steps,” Tupper continued.

NWS Efforts

The NWS eradication effort relies on three science-based pillars: animal movement control, rapid identification and education, and the sterile insect technique. Moreover, The USDA’s sterile insect facility in Panama is currently operating at maximum capacity, releasing over 100 million sterile insects weekly in Mexico, with increased aerial dispersal flights and covering 3,000 – 6,000 insects per linear nautical mile — far surpassing historic levels. Also, technical teams are in the field, evaluating surveillance and helping Mexican partners expand monitoring and outreach. It is essential to maintain population of sterile flies for prevention efforts.

USCA also appreciates the regular and transparent communication with USDA and international partners, as well as the swift implementation of animal health safeguards, enhanced tick rider monitoring along the border, and ongoing evaluation of port activities to ensure safety is maintained at every level.

Summary

While understanding the significant impact this temporary closure may have on cross-border commerce and producers, USCA stands firmly behind USDA and APHIS in prioritizing animal health and the long-term viability of the American beef industry. Disease prevention and eradication measures will be more impactful and financially feasible than any emergency management strategy that would result from an outbreak.

“We must remain vigilant. The lessons of the past, combined with today’s cutting-edge surveillance and eradication tools, give us the best possible chance to halt this outbreak,” Tupper concluded. “USCA will continue to work hand-in-hand with USDA, state veterinarians, and our neighbors in Mexico to eradicate the New World Screwworm once again and safeguard America’s cattle ranching heritage.”

Click here for more information: https://www.usda.gov/

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May 12, 2025

Here is an article focusing managing external parasites

Silent Profit Thieves: Managing External Parasites

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NCBA Urges FDA to Toughen Marketing Rules

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NCBA Urges FDA to Toughen Rules for Fake Meat Marketing

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2025) – Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to toughen up guidance for fake meat companies. In turn that would prevent them from using misleading labels on plant-based products.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers work hard every day to raise wholesome, high-quality, and nutritious real beef. We’ve spent decades building a strong reputation with consumers and we will not give up on that without a fight. Companies selling fake meat should not be allowed to use misleading advertising or trade on beef’s good name,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “If you’re manufacturing products to replace beef that contain no real beef, you should not be using terms that are specific to livestock, especially legally defined terms like ‘meat.’

“Likewise, you should not be permitted to utilize pictures of cattle, real beef, or farmers and ranchers in your labeling,” said Wehrbein. “The federal government’s draft guidance for the fake meat industry has not gone far enough to prevent companies from attempting to trick the public into buying fake meat products.”

NCBA’s comments urge FDA to address misleading advertising on plant-based fake meat foods. Plant-based fake meat has been on the market for several years, but sales have tumbled as consumers balk at ultra-processed food. Although the final guidance for industry is nonbinding, closing loopholes that allow plant-based companies to use terms like “beef” and imagery like the outline of a cow are important first steps that benefit real farmers and ranchers. Additional guidance or rulemaking actions may follow in the coming months.

“If you have to hide behind the work of America’s livestock producers to sell your product. That says all you need to know about these inferior imitations,” Wehrbein added.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
CONTACT:
Hunter Imailto:membership@beef.orghrman, hihrman@beef.org
Steve Johnson, srjohnson@beef.org

Click here for more information https://www.ncba.org/

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Another Article is below:

Do Telehandlers Have a Place on the Farm?

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