Livestock News
Like children, horses need core vaccinations
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Usually, horse immunizations begin when the animal reaches four to six months of age, said Veterinarian Kira Kautz at an extension equine conference.
Ecosystem services provide potential new ag market
“There’s a tremendous potential for ecosystem services becoming a market,” said Bob Budd, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Executive Director at a recent grazing conference.
Water most overlooked item in horse ration
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Horses need energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and roughage, but probably most overlooked element in horse rations is water, said Gary Stauffer, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator in Holt County.
“Grass farmers” let livestock do the work
“[Grass farming] is not labor intense and it’s not equipment intense. It’s basically using the animals to do the work for you,” said a Nebraska grass farmer.
Treatment of cow affects calf’s performance
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- A three-year University of Nebraska–Lincoln study, conducted at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory and the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, demonstrates what a cow eats during late pregnancy affects her calf, said a UNL specialist.
2010 National Western 4-H catch-a-calf applicants wanted
A limited number of 4-H members have the opportunity to catch a calf each January during the National Western Stock Show held in Denver, Colorado.
New meat cuts add value to beef
WHITMAN, Neb. – “The end meats, the chuck or the shoulder, and also the round, dropped in value by over 25 percent over a five-year period,” said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Together wildlife, livestock can improve bottom line
KEARNEY, Neb. – Ranchers who manage both for livestock and wildlife can reap significant economic benefits from both, said a ranch-based wildlife manager at a recent grazing conference organized by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Cattleman’s Days scheduled in four locations
Extension educators have planned Cattleman’s Day and Trade Show events for Mon., Nov. 16, 2009, in North Platte at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds; Tues., Nov. 17, 2009, Ogallala, Grey Goose; Mon., Nov. 23, 2009 in McCook, Red Willow County Fairgrounds; and Tues., Nov. 24, 2009, in Imperial, Zion Lutheran Church, said University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator Randy Saner of North Platte.
UNL spreadsheet helps plan winter supplementation
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – An online spreadsheet can help livestock producers choose economical winter supplements, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Grass-finished beef market sees exponential growth
KEARNEY, Neb. – In five years, the market for grass-finished beef has grown from less than 50 producers to 1,200 companies, said Allan Nation, editor, The Stockman Grass Farmer.
Cattle price volatility will continue, says economist
WHITMAN, Neb. – Cattle market volatility and big price variations are still with us, Jim Robb, Livestock Marketing Information Center Director said recently at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory Open House.
Grazing studies value limited without human factor
KEARNEY, Neb – Although 60 years of studies comparing grazing systems show no difference in biomass and animal production, the value of human management is excluded from those studies, said a rangeland research specialist.
Dental care helps young horses perform
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – At about the same time a young horse goes into training, it replaces its first teeth, said a Nebraska College of Technical Agricultural faculty member at a recent extension conference.
Conferences critical to understanding
KEARNEY, Neb. – Conferences that bring producers together with organizations that support them provide an opportunity for understanding, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln college dean, speaking at the Nebraska Grazing Conference in Kearney.
Body condition key to healthy horse rations
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – “Feed all the hay your horse will eat,” said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln educator, “but recognize that may not meet all the animal’s needs.”
Cool, wet summer good for grazing livestock
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – This year, we’ve had very good rain and cool temperatures so grasses are maturing a little more slowly than usual, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist. That’s good for grazing livestock.
Study shows legumes add to pasture value
KEARNEY, Neb. – Producers who interseed existing pastures with legumes can gain in excess of $50 per acre in annual production and savings, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
New UNL research geared to increase profitability
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Three new University of Nebraska–Lincoln research projects underway at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory near Whitman seek to reduce feed cost while maintaining benefits, said a UNL specialist.
Forage after wheat can be a bonus says UNL specialist
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- With winter wheat harvest still in progress and rains continuing, producers may benefit from a forage crop to follow the wheat, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Educator advises intensively grazing to increase productivity
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Managing animals’ time on pasture can increase the stocking rate while providing palatable nutrition to the animals, said Doug Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator in Keith, Arthur and Perkins counties.
"Unwanted horses" becoming a problem says UNL specialist
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Today's economy, coupled with the closing of all U.S. processing plants, has put many horse owners in a spot, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
New cattle can improve herd performance
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Beef producers approaching the next breeding season may want to make some changes in their herd composition, said a University of Nebraska–Lincoln specialist.
Mineral balance important to cow performance
STAPLETON, Neb. – Feeding of corn co-products like distillers grains and corn gluten has changed the mineral balance in winter cattle diets, said Dennis Bauer, Brown County Extension Educator.
Cow Size, Heterosis Affect Profit
A 1200-pound crossbred cow that gives 20 pounds of milk per day seems to be the most efficient, said Extension Educator Randy Saner.
