NEWS

After 34 years with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the past four as CEO, Kendal Frazier announced his plans for retirement.

I often receive calls from producers wanting feeding recommendations because their “calves are not big enough to sale.” Focusing only on a traditional sale weight for a commercial cow-calf operation can often end up reducing net profits.

As the weather gets warmer and green grass has emerged, many ranchers face some tough decisions. Should cows be turned out to graze or continue to be fed harvested forage? Perhaps harvested forage supplies are depleted, and the thought of purchasing additional feed resources sounds expensive.

While it is well understood that growth-promoting implants are an asset to the feedlot industry in terms of increased gains and feed efficiency, the use of implants in the cow-calf segment is often overlooked and blamed for negatively impacting quality grades.

The approach to ward off flies is multipronged and challenging. However, doing nothing can severely hinder productivity, profits and herd welfare. I’ve asked Dr. Nancy Hinkle, extension veterinary entomologist at the University of Georgia, to give her tips on horn fly control for the Southeast.