NEWS

Spring bull buying season is here, and when buying bulls, it is critical to evaluate what type of bull will benefit the operation most. This month will focus on bulls purchased to raise replacement heifers.

Continuing with the theme of nutrition at calving, we’ll now shift focus to how it relates to colostrum production along with management for the calf. Born essentially without immunity, calves don’t yet have the necessary antibodies to shield them from disease, which is why they have to rely on their mother for the immunoglobulin-rich nourishment of colostrum through passive immunity.

Winter feed expenses account for approximately one-third of the annual cost of production for a beef cow. Since hay makes up the largest portion of winter feed, minimizing feeding losses is the most efficient way to control feed costs.

How do you tie herd health and pregnancy determination together? Well, leave it to a reproductive physiologist to “try” and connect those seemingly independent dots. Several options exist for the producer to diagnose pregnancy.

For the final quarter of 2020, beef production was raised 15 million pounds on greater expected non-fed cattle slaughter that was partially offset by lower average cattle carcass weights. As a result, 2020 beef production is forecast at 27.2 billion pounds.