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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
A Quality Audit Of The Beef Industry, Gary C. Smith
A Quality Audit Of The Beef Industry, Gary C. Smith
Range Beef Cow Symposium
"Quality," in the context it will be discussed here, includes all of the factors that affect value/desirability of U.S. slaughter cattle (steers/heifers slaughtered at 9 to 42 months of age, immediately following a period of 90 to 300 days of high-concentrate feeding) in terms of the value/desirability of their carcasses and dress-off/offal items.
How Much Fat Can The Different Segments Of Our Industry Accept?, Bill Mies
How Much Fat Can The Different Segments Of Our Industry Accept?, Bill Mies
Range Beef Cow Symposium
The management of fat content of the carcass, both subcutaneous fat and marbling, will be the challenge of the future for the cattle feeders of the U.S. The cattle feeder will have to juggle carcass weights, quality grade and yield grade in order to determine the appropriate end point for fed cattle. The input data for decisions will be the Choice-Select spread, yield grade discounts, feed costs, interest costs, cost of feeder cattle and genetic potential of the cattle in question.
There is a perception among cattle feeders that, in the future, the packers will simply dictate the type of …
Consumer Perceptions: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Amy Barr
Consumer Perceptions: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly, Amy Barr
Range Beef Cow Symposium
With over 105 years of editorial and consumer research experience, which influences 27 million consumers, we at Good Housekeeping know that the 1990's will be an era of enormous change with a hold on traditions of the past.
Biotechnology – Harnessing An Exciting New Tool For Beef Production, Burke Healey
Biotechnology – Harnessing An Exciting New Tool For Beef Production, Burke Healey
Range Beef Cow Symposium
As ranchers and cattle breeders we are entering what may well be the most exciting decade of our era. A new tool has been unleashed. That tool is biotechnology. Yes, the future is here. All we have to do is harness this amazing breakthrough.
A Cattleman's View Of Different Methods For Utilizing Heterosis, Steve Radakovich
A Cattleman's View Of Different Methods For Utilizing Heterosis, Steve Radakovich
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Crossbreeding advantages and disadvantages and crossbreeding systems are not new subjects in the United States beef industry. Crossbreeding has been in practice throughout my lifetime. It would be very difficult to locate a straight bred commercial cow herd in the midwest. Nevertheless, there are still misinterpretations and mistakes being made with crossbreeding methods.
It would be sage to say that a vast majority of producers made their first cross to gain breed complementarity. Straight bred cow herds were bred to a bull of a different breed, usually new breed, to gain the inherent trait advantage of that breed. This was …
The State Of Interbreed Epds, Jim Gibb
The State Of Interbreed Epds, Jim Gibb
Range Beef Cow Symposium
During the past ten years, the use of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) by both seedstock producers and commercial cattlemen has increased markedly. EPDs have proven to be very valuable for discerning within breed sire differences, but are still of no value for comparing sires between breeds. Even though EPDs were never intended for across breed comparisons, many commercial cattlemen find this limitation to be very frustrating.
Represented in Table 1 are the birth year EPD averages for all animals born in 1990 for six different breeds. One quick glance reveals why EPDs cannot be compared across breeds. Anyone with knowledge …
Retained Ownership Revisited: Balancing Market Prices And Genetic Potential, John J. Wagner, Dillon M. Feuz
Retained Ownership Revisited: Balancing Market Prices And Genetic Potential, John J. Wagner, Dillon M. Feuz
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Retained ownership is a marketing strategy that involves maintaining ownership of young cattle beyond calf weaning, a traditional marketing time for many producers. Numerous retained ownership strategies exist. It is extremely important for producers and their lenders to clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages of a specific retained ownership strategy in order to fully evaluate profit potential.
The advantages and disadvantages of retained ownership have been discussed by several authors. Advantages include 1) compensation for superior genetics, 2) reduction in market inefficiencies, 3) increased quality control in beef, 4) reduction in market risk for frost or drought damaged crops and …
Characteristics Of Diverse Breeds In Cycle Iv Of The Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program At The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Larry V. Cundiff, Keith Gregory, R. M. Koch, John D. Crouse, Michael E. Dikeman
Characteristics Of Diverse Breeds In Cycle Iv Of The Cattle Germ Plasm Evaluation Program At The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Larry V. Cundiff, Keith Gregory, R. M. Koch, John D. Crouse, Michael E. Dikeman
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Breed differences in performance characteristics are an important genetic resource for improving efficiency of beef production. Diverse breeds are required to exploit heterosis and complementarity through crossbreeding and new composite breeds and to match genetic potential with diverse markets, feed resources and climates. This report presents preliminary results from an ongoing study at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) to characterize breeds of cattle representing diverse biological types for traits that influence quantity and value of production.
How Does A Rancher Utilize Irm And Firm, Rob Ravenscroft
How Does A Rancher Utilize Irm And Firm, Rob Ravenscroft
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Holistic Resource Management (FIRM) and Integrated Resource Management (IRM) have' become "buzzwords" in the range management community and the cattle industry. A certain amount of confusion exists as to what they are and what the similarities and differences are. Does one replace the other? Do they conflict or can both be used beneficially?
As a member of a family working to operate our ranch holistically, and as a member of Nebraska's IRM Coordinating Committee, it's my opinion that there are differences, each has strengths, and the use of both, concurrently, can be highly beneficial. To explain these opinions, an understanding …
Taming Blizzards For Animal Protection, Drift Control, And Stock Water, R. L. Jairell, R. A. Schmidt
Taming Blizzards For Animal Protection, Drift Control, And Stock Water, R. L. Jairell, R. A. Schmidt
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Taming blizzards, by reducing stress on range livestock and taking advantage of drift snow for stock water, can aid livestock production. This paper describes tools developed by the U.S. Forest Service while experimenting with practices to control wind and blowing snow.
Techniques for wind screening discussed here are (1) permanent livestock protection shelters, and (2) temporary, portable wind screens. Practices to control snow accumulation are discussed under the following broad objectives:
1. Preventing snowdrifts on roads, around buildings, corrals, or inside livestock shelters. Snow fences or shelterbelts are the most common methods. Buildings and shelters can be planned and located …
Protein Versus Grain Supplementation For Cows Grazing Winter Range, Don C. Adams
Protein Versus Grain Supplementation For Cows Grazing Winter Range, Don C. Adams
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Grazing rangeland during the fall-winter is common on many cattle ranches. Fall-winter grazing of cows generally reduces production costs when compared to feeding a full ration of harvested feeds. Fall-winter range forages alone may not maintain body weight and condition of the cow. Grazing fall-winter range generally has associated cost for supplemental feeds. This paper will look at the effects of protein and grain supplementation on cow performance and the costs of supplements.
Management Strategies For Improving The Re-Breeding Of The Cow, James E. Kinder, Leree A. Werth
Management Strategies For Improving The Re-Breeding Of The Cow, James E. Kinder, Leree A. Werth
Range Beef Cow Symposium
What are the primary factors that influence the ability of cows to rebreed following calving? From a broad perspective, two key factors influence when conception occurs. First, cows must initiate estrous (heat) cycles following calving to provide the proper conditions for conception to be possible. Secondly those events involved in conception must occur. We will discuss what has to occur before estrous cycles are initiated. The influence of the presence of bulls on initiation of estrous cycles is emphasized. In the second section of the paper, we describe conception rates in 2 and 3 year old cows during the early …
Exploring Mating Loads For Modern Beef Bulls, Garth W. Boyd
Exploring Mating Loads For Modern Beef Bulls, Garth W. Boyd
Range Beef Cow Symposium
One of the biggest challenges facing cow/calf producers today is cutting their costs of production. One possible strategy for lowering costs is to increase the production efficiency of the cow herd. A key area to focus on is the reproductive function of the beef bull because natural mating accounts for over 95% of the pregnancies achieved each year in the 33.7 million beef cows in the U.S.
It is becoming apparent that perhaps because of increased selection pressure on scrotal circumference, the modern beef bull is more fertile than the bull of yesterday, yet the majority of beef bulls are …
Matching Cattle Nutrient Requirements To A Ranch’S Forage Resource, Or “Why We Calve Late”, Gregg Simonds
Matching Cattle Nutrient Requirements To A Ranch’S Forage Resource, Or “Why We Calve Late”, Gregg Simonds
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Our goal at Deseret Land and Livestock is to maximize long-term profit. Our profit is a function of the following factors: the prices we receive for our production, our amount of production, the costs of production, and the productive capabilities of our land and labor. Prices, production, and cost are managed on an annual basis. The long-term outcome of one’s management is determined by their attention and skill in enhancing the capability of land and labor.
These factors of profit can vary tremendously within and between years. For example, prices for 400-500 pound steer calves from 1979-1989 varied nearly $.58/pound …
Management Of High Nitrate Forages, Doug L. Hixon
Management Of High Nitrate Forages, Doug L. Hixon
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Each year various regions of western range country are affected by weather and other environmental conditions that stress growing plants, causing them to accumulate nitrates. Of 183 forage samples analyzed for nitrates at the Wyoming State Chemical Lab from July 1 to December 31, 1989, 27% had potassium nitrate levels of 1.5% or greater. At these levels, when ingested by livestock and particularly cattle, the possibility of nitrate toxicoses are highly probable. In this paper, an attempt will be made to review the literature in order to give the producer a better understanding of potential problems and precautions necessary to …
If Immunity Fails, Don’T Pick On Your Drug Salesman – It May Be Nutritional, Cheryl F. Nockels
If Immunity Fails, Don’T Pick On Your Drug Salesman – It May Be Nutritional, Cheryl F. Nockels
Range Beef Cow Symposium
“But I vaccinated those calves for enterotoxemia, they couldn’t have died from Clostridium perfringens. That vaccine must not be any good! Just wait until I get hold of that drug company salesperson.” Does this scenario or a similar experience seem familiar to you? I’m not saying that there aren’t times when vaccines fail to cause the animal to produce its own protective response by stimulating the immune system. A substance foreign to the body that induces the immune system to response is called an antigen, as found in vaccines or organisms such as bacteria or viruses. An animal’s immunological …
Early Death Loss In Calves From Diarrhea, John U. Thomson
Early Death Loss In Calves From Diarrhea, John U. Thomson
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Death loss in the calf crop is associated with the cost of the calf, labor, lost cow production, and stress on the ranch or farm management. One should be aware that the cause of death in most diarrheic calves is metabolic acidosis and/or dehydration (1). Many calves will survive the common pathogens causing diarrhea when proper supportive therapy is provided. The diarrheic calf can be treated without knowledge of the specific etiological agent, however, a definitive diagnosis can assist in the development of helpful prevention and management practices (2). Identifying the causative agent can be helpful in selection of the …
Crossbreeding Systems And The Theory Behind Composite Breeds, James A, Gosey
Crossbreeding Systems And The Theory Behind Composite Breeds, James A, Gosey
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Crossbreeding serves the beef cattle industry as a tool to improve productivity through heterosis (hybrid vigor) and through complementarity (combining different breed strengths) to match genetic resources to various feed resources, climates, management levels and markets. Commercial cattlemen need to understand the principles of crossbreeding so they can adapt crossbreeding to their specific environment and needs. Seedstock breeders must be able to intelligently advise their commercial customers and know where their seedstock best fits into crossbreeding programs. Cattlemen today can be much more sophisticated in their approach to using crossbreeding. They realize many of the crossbreeding mistakes of the past …
Avoiding Family Conflicts When Generations Ranch Together, Ronald Hanson
Avoiding Family Conflicts When Generations Ranch Together, Ronald Hanson
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Content:
Areas of Disagreement in a Family Ranch Operation
Human Relationships Necessary For a Successful Family Ranching Operation
Common Mistakes in a Family Ranching Operation That Often Lead to Conflicts Between Family Members
Personal Characteristics of Ranch Families With Strong Family Relationships
Words of Advice to Consider in Building Better Working Relationships Between Ranch Family Members
Strategies to Help Resolve Ranch Family Conflicts
Ideas for Implementing Ranch Family Business Meetings
Ten Skills for Good Listening Between Ranch Family Members
Evaluation And Practical Use Of Research Results For Developing Grazing Strategies, Patrick Reese
Evaluation And Practical Use Of Research Results For Developing Grazing Strategies, Patrick Reese
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Given the diversity of potential objectives and production environments there are many types of research beyond grazing studies that can be used to design grazing strategies. Management perception and awareness of information are important factors in the development of creative and efficient grazing strategies. Well thought out and clearly documented goals and objectives will help to identify the kind of information that is needed. Grazing strategies should be financially and ecologically sound in respect to management objectives, but most importantly, they should be as simple and risk free as possible. The relative value of any information must be based upon …
Making Riparian Area Protection A Workable Part Of Grazing Management, Quentin D. Skinner
Making Riparian Area Protection A Workable Part Of Grazing Management, Quentin D. Skinner
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Riparian areas are recognized as the green area immediately adjacent to water, such as streams, springs, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are identified by the presence of vegetation that requires large amounts of water during plant growing seasons (Figure 1). These narrow zones of green vegetation make up only a small proportion of the total area of the lower mountain elevations, foothills, and basin areas of the western United States. They serve as a transition zone between the more plentiful surrounding drier land or (upland) vegetation types and aquatic ecosystems supported by a particular source of water. Because of the …
Increase Profit: Feeding Cows By Body Condition And Production Potential, Ivan G. Rush
Increase Profit: Feeding Cows By Body Condition And Production Potential, Ivan G. Rush
Range Beef Cow Symposium
For the last several years cattlemen have stressed high production, especially weaning weight in their cow calf operations. It was felt, m order to be profitable output from the cow herd must be maximized. As a result, of selection for both growth and milking ability of the cow has markedly increased weaning weights and in most herds mature cow size has also increased. Compared to 10-12 years ago, today we are producing 90-95% of the beef with 2/3 of the cows.
As we expect more from the cow, nutrient intake must also increase. In many cases producers have been able …
Managing Cow Calf Resources, Bob Taylor
Managing Cow Calf Resources, Bob Taylor
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Effective management involves the decision-making process whereby success can be achieved. Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile goals.
A realistic management goal for profit-oriented cow-calf producers is as follows:
Manage the available resource (optimum combination) for maximum continuing net profit while conserving and improving the resources.
Cow-calf operations have several resource areas that must be profitably managed. These resources are land (forage), cattle, markets, equipment, human (hired labor, management and family) and possibly others. Biological and economical relationships within and between these resource areas that affect productivity and profitability must be understood and managed.
Without question, the human resource …
How Do Resources Influence Time Of Calving: “Why We Calve Early”, John N. Price
How Do Resources Influence Time Of Calving: “Why We Calve Early”, John N. Price
Range Beef Cow Symposium
When I was asked to give this presentation on “WHY WE CALVE EARLY” I said this is easy “because it works for us.” Now that I sit down and think about why it works I find myself going over five generations of inspirations, frustrations, work, sleepless nights, and determination to understand why “IT WORKS FOR US”.
The Price Ranch is a family operation that has been in the family for five generations. The present day Prices consist of my father Richard Price, stepmother Lylamae, wife and best friend Pam, three children John R., Shannon and Angela and two excellent full …
Evaluating Profitability Of The Cow Herd: Basics Of Financial Record Keeping, Norman L. Dalsted, Paul H. Gutierrez
Evaluating Profitability Of The Cow Herd: Basics Of Financial Record Keeping, Norman L. Dalsted, Paul H. Gutierrez
Range Beef Cow Symposium
It has often been said, “The only certain thing in this world is change.” This is, without a doubt, quite true in production agriculture. Changes in the beef cattle industry come in the form of technology, markets, weather, consumer preferences, etc. These changes present challenges and hardship to some and to others opportunities and profits. Another interesting thing about change is that we and/or the industry are, for whatever reason, often slow to adapt and adopt.
In this presentation, we will talk about some of the changes that are being suggested in beef production and financial records; and the analytical …
Prevention And Control Of Trichomoniasis, William G. Kvasnicka
Prevention And Control Of Trichomoniasis, William G. Kvasnicka
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Weather, nutrition, public land policy, marketing options, and diseases all influence the sustainability and profitability of cow-calf enterprises in the United States. One of the diseases is trichomoniasis. It is a venereal disease of cattle causing reproductive failure and considerable economic loss in areas of the world where natural breeding is used.(1,2) The disease is one of the most common infectious diseases causing decreased reproductive efficiency in beef cattle in the western United States.(1)
Are Your Range Cattle Wormy: Does It Make “Cents” To De-Worm?, William R. Jolley
Are Your Range Cattle Wormy: Does It Make “Cents” To De-Worm?, William R. Jolley
Range Beef Cow Symposium
Range cattle provide room and board for a large variety of flatworm and roundworm parasites. A parasite is by definition an agent that inflicts a degree of harm to a host, and the damage caused depends on the innate abilities, size of the population, duration of infection and other factors tied to the parasite. Host-related factors are also important, including breed, age, sex and condition. The damage to animals may be obvious, with clinical signs including diarrhea, loss of weight, “bottle jaw” (swelling under the jaw), rough hair coat, reproductive/breeding dysfunction and, in severe cases, feed waste due to an …