Education Commons^™

2006 Beef Cattle Report, Dennis R. Brink

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication was prepared by the Animal Science staff, research technicians, unit managers, and crew involved in research programs at various locations across Nebraska. It deals with the results that were done in cow/calf, growing, beef feedlot (finishing) and beef products research.

G05-1582 How To Reduce Heat Stress In Dairy Cattle, Jeffrey F. Keown, Paul J. Kononoff, Richard J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Four ways to reduce heat stress and maintain production and fertility in dairy cattle.

Heat stress is one of the leading causes of decreased production and fertility in Nebrasks dairy cattle during summer months. These losses are apparent in the decreased amount of milk shipped, increased days open and decreased breedings per conception. Some heat stress is unavoidable, but effects can be minimized if certain management practices are followed.

Cc02-426 Achieving Success With A Business Plan: Case Study Of A Cow/Calf Business Plan, Jody Wichmann, John Hanson, H. Douglas Jose

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication is a case study of a cow/calf business plan. It covers the business organization; history and overview of the operation; the operation layout; mission statement and goals; present business, legal and contractual situations; production, financial, marketing and personnel situations; job description, salary, benefits and labor training; and personnel summary.

G99-1394 Feeding Program: Quality Control Checklist, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Use this check list to ensure that your feeding program is effective and profitable.

The following guidelines will help assure that your herd's feeding environment is optimal for maximum feed intake, milk production and cow comfort.

Ec97-277 Minerals And Vitamins For Beef Cows, Richard J. Rasby, Dennis R. Brink, Ivan G. Rush, Don C. Adams

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Introduction

Mineral supplementation programs range from elaborate, cafeteria-style delivery systems to simple white salt blocks put out periodically by producers. The reason for this diversity: little applicable research available for producers to evaluate mineral supplement programs. There is a need of information regarding mineral composition and availability from various feedstuffs (i.e. pasture grasses, hays, by-products, etc.) and the possible interactions between minerals in the digestive system. Also lacking is a data base to establish accurate estimates of mineral requirements for beef cattle.

Assessing the consequence of mineral deficiencies in the cow, calf or stocker animal is difficult because slightly lowered …

G97-1313 Designing Preventive Health Management Programs For Cattle Producers, Dicky D. Griffin, Louis Perino, Gary Rupp, Eddie Hamilton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The NebGuide details recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program.

This NebGuide presents two flow sheets which detail the recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program: the Calf through Weaning Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet and the Heifers, Cows and Bulls Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet. While this NebGuide emphasizes the procedures conducted on cattle at each cattle handling opportunity, it is very important to note the role a high quality nutritional program plays in building a total herd health program. You are encouraged to work with a qualified beef cattle nutritionist and your veterinarian when developing your …

G97-1325 What Management Practices Are High Producing Dairy Herds Using?, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide outlines management practices used in high-producing dairy operations.

In 1996, a national dairy survey was undertaken by the National Health Monitoring System. This survey of management practices was sent to 2,500 herds in 20 states representing 83.1 percent of all dairy cows in the United States. The states included in the survey were California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The survey asked 13 questions ranging from computer use, ration balancing, BST use and veterinarian usage to various calf rearing procedures. The survey …

Nf96-251 A Comparative Study Of Fiber Digestion And Subsequent Nutrient Absorption In The Ostrich Versus The Ruminant, Sheila E. Scheideler

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact compares the digestive systems of the ruminant and the ostrich.

G95-1238 1995 Usda Sire Evaluation Changes, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication discusses the 1995 USDA Sire Evaluation Report and its impact for dairy producers.

The January 1995 USDA Sire Evaluation Report incorporates changes that will not only increase the accuracy of prediction for cow and sire evaluations, but also includes a base change. Major changes included:

new Mature Equivalent Factors,

adjustments incorporated for days open,

and the genetic base year changed to 1990.

Let's discuss each change and look at how these changes will effect the 1995 proofs.

Nf95-220 Cull Sow Price Patterns At Omaha, Al Wellman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines the market values of cull cow slaughter over a twenty-year time span.

G95-1265 Guidelines For Using Computerized Concentrate Feeders For Dairy Herds, Rick J. Grant, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how computerized feeders work, the advantages of using them, and provides general guidelines on their installation, maintenance, and economical operation.

A computerized grain feeding system consists of an identification tag -- carried around the neck of the cow -- a computer, power source, feeding station(s), and grain bin(s). Although each manufacturer uses slightly different hardware, all systems function similarly.

G95-1253 Basic Principles Of Mastitis Control, Jeffrey F. Keown, Paul J. Kononoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Mastitis in dairy cows is a frustrating, costly, and complex infection. A good, workable, effective preventive control program is presented in this NebGuide.

General Characteristics of Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland usually caused by bacterial infection of udder tissues. Except for rare injuries, infectious bacteria or other pathogens, e.g. yeast, fungi, etc., enter the udder through the teat end. Mastitis in both clinical (obvious abnormality, visible to naked eye) and subclinical (unseen signs of abnormality, invisible to nake eye) stages is a frustrating, costly and complex disease that reduces the quality and quantity of milk.

G94-1201 Feeding The Dry Cow, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses feeding management of the dry cow for optimum performance during the next lactation.

Dry Cow Management Goals

Every dairy producer's goal for the milking herd should be to maximize feed intake and milk production -- profitably. Proper dry cow management provides the foundation for a successful lactation.

G94-1197 The Genetics And Management Of Sound Feet And Legs, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sound management of feet and legs in dairy animals affects performance. This guide offers suggestions for good management practices.

Two major parameters affect the selection process for any trait: the heritability of the trait as well as the variation associated with the trait.

G93-1148 Common Infectious Diseases That Cause Abortions In Cattle, Duane N. Rice, Douglas Rogers

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide briefly discusses the common infectious diseases that cause abortions in cattle. "Abortion" is the expulsion of the fetus prior to the end of the normal gestation period. Many abortions occur very early after conception and the embryos or fetuses are so small that they may not be seen. Other abortions may occur near normal calving time and it is difficult to determine whether the cow has aborted or whether a premature birth has occurred. Abortions have many causes which may include physiological problems (such as hormonal imbalances), metabolic problems, toxicoses and/or infectious diseases caused by protozoa, bacteria or …

G93-1184 Bovine Ocular Neoplasia, L. J. Perino, D. D. Griffin, D. G. Rogers

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide will aid in the early identification and proper management of bovine ocular neoplasia, commonly known as cancer eye, including appropriate veterniary care. The common name for bovine ocular neoplasia, also known as ocular squamous cell tumors, is cancer eye. The term cancer eye is not entirely accurate and carries negative connotations. As we will explain in this NebGuide not all of these growths are cancerous. The scientific term for a cow is "bovine," the medical term for the eye is "ocular," and the medical term for these new and abnormal growths is "neoplasia." Thus, the term bovine ocular …

G93-1151 The Somatic Cell Count And Milk Quality, Duane N. Rice, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes what somatic cells are, and their significance related to mastitis and milk quality.

The somatic cell count (SCC) is commonly used as a measure of milk quality. Somatic cells are simply animal body cells present at low levels in normal milk. High levels of these cells in milk indicate abnormal, reduced-quality milk that is caused by an intramammary bacterial infection (mastitis).

G92-1070 Feeding Dairy Cattle For Proper Body Condition Score, Rick Grant, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes feeding and management practices that allow the producer to control body condition throughout lactation and the dry period.

Body condition score is a critical measure of a dairy feeding system's effectiveness. Adequate body fat reserves promote milk production, reproductive efficiency, and herd longevity. Excessively fat cows or overly thin cows run much greater risks of metabolic problems, lower milk yield, poor conception rates, and dystocia (difficult calving). Failure to attain proper body condition or rapid changes in body condition score during early lactation may indicate problems in herd health or feeding management.

G90-966 Choosing And Using Cheese, Scottie Misner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide discusses kinds of cheese, food values found in cheese, uses for cheese, how to cook with and buy cheese, and the care and storage of cheese. A cheese lover's guide and recipe are included.

Cheese has been an important food for centuries and is still widely used in various parts of the world. Many varieties have been developed, each with its own special flavor. The wide range in price, excellent food value and good keeping quality make it easy to use cheese often in planning nutritious meals.

G90-972 Reducing Calf Losses With Top Management, Don Hudson, Duane Rice, Dale Grotelueschen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A herd health program, replacement heifer selection, cow nutrition, calving management and more are covered here.

Seventy-five to eighty percent of the death loss in calves occurs at birth or in the first two weeks of life. Many factors affect the livability of the calf, including: nutrition of the heifer and the cow, calving difficulty, sanitation in the calving area, and management of the cow-calf pair after calving.

G90-999 Nutritional Management Of The High-Producing Dairy Cow In The 1990s, Rick J. Grant, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses important aspects of grouping and feeding systems, body conditioning, and nutritional requirements for high-producing dairy cows.

An effective feeding system allows maximum intake of a nutritionally balanced ration. The use of production-enhancing compounds, such as Bovine Somatropin (BST), makes proper nutritional management of high-producing dairy cows even more critical. This NebGuide discusses important aspects of grouping and feeding systems, body conditioning, and nutritional requirements for high-producing dairy cows.

As herd production levels continue to increase along with the average herd size, it is becoming more difficult for many dairy producers to feed their cattle adequate nutrients to …

Ec90-266 Nebraska Beef Cow Record Card

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

EC90-266, Nebraska Beef Cow Record Card helps farmers and ranchers keep track of details on a cow's performance through a given year.

G87-860 How To Interpret The Dhia-230 Somatic Cell Count Report, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide explains how to examine DHIA somatic cell count reports and use them as valuable aids in identifying the major causes of individual herds.

Losses to mastitis are estimated at more than $200 per cow annually. In Nebraska annual losses total more than $20 million dollars.

G83-678 Producing Milk With A Low Bacteria Count, Stanely E. Wallen, Don J. Kubik, Stephen L. James, Daniel J. Borer, Gerald R. Bodman, E. Denis Erickson, Duane N. Rice, Philip H. Cole, Foster G. Owen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides cleaning, sanitizing, mechanical, environmental and other procedures to follow to assure a low bacterial count in milk. Bacteria are tiny, rapidly reproducing microorganisms that are too small to be seen without a high power microscope. Their very tiny size makes it very difficult to eliminate them from dairy equipment. Because bacterial growth in milk may cause spoilage and possibly human illnesses, a low bacterial count is one of the best indicators of top quality milk. Milk will almost always be of top quality if properly harvested from healthy, clean cows with clean equipment, cooled quickly and kept …

G81-539 Assisting The Beef Cow At Calving Time, Gene H. Deutscher, Donald B. Hudson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication acquaints cattle producers with calving management principles to minimize calf loss. The objective is to deliver a live calf from every cow. Six to ten percent of all calves born in beef cow herds in the U.S. die at or soon after birth. Approximately half of those deaths are due to calving difficulty (dystocia). This multi-million dollar annual loss is second only to losses from cows failing to conceive. Calving difficulty has received much more attention in recent years, primarily because of the mating of larger European breeds of bulls to British breeds of cows. Increased calving problems …

G80-504 Proper Livestock Grazing Distribution On Rangeland (Revised February 1996), Jerry D. Volesky, Walter H. Schacht, Steven S. Waller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Good grazing distribution can increase harvest efficiency and grazing capacity. This NebGuide discusses common grazing problems and offers solutions.

The 23 million acres of rangeland in Nebraska are mostly grassland and are primarily devoted to forage production for Nebraska's multibillion dollar beef cattle industry. Nebraska's rangelands are inherently productive, and potential returns from efficient management practices are high for livestock producers.

Proper grazing distribution is a factor which can increase livestock production from Nebraska's rangeland. Grazing distribution refers to dispersion of grazing animals over a management unit. It is just one element of good grazing management which should also include …

Ec31-625 How To Produce Better Milk And Cream, E.L. Reichart

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Would you refuse a $20.00 bill when offered you as a present without any strings attached?

Would you not like to have it said that your creamery produces the best butter in Nebraska?

Would you not be glad to have people refer to your county as the best dairy county in Nebraska?

Of course you would because it would bring more cattle buyers into your community and you would get better prices for your bull and heifer calves.

You can accomplsih all these things by producing higher grade milk and cream. Perhaps the suggestions on the next few pages will …