NEWS

In a difficult time for agriculture, when producers are already facing low commodity prices and trade uncertainty, many livestock producers may also have to be concerned about something else in the coming years: California voters.

With USDA data flowing again, the final numbers for 2018 will begin to emerge soon as well as current numbers for 2019. The annual Cattle report will be released after a one-month delay in late February.

Treatment of horn flies is important from both an economic and animal welfare standpoint. On average, horn flies have been shown to reduce average daily gain (ADG) in stocker cattle and replacement heifers by 13.6 percent or about 0.2 pound per day.

The beginning of spring represents a busy time for most ranchers. Setting aside time for strategic management or working on the business is seldom considered. This makes it difficult to decide where to focus management efforts.

With continued pressure on extending the grazing season with limited pasture acres, interest in integrating annual forages into the rotation has been on the rise. Typically, this includes planting a cool-season annual followed by a warm-season annual.