– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is announcing an event of potential interest for both the buyers and sellers of beef breeding cattle. On Friday evening, November 25, the OCA will be hosting their fourth annual Replacement Female Sale. The sale will be held Continue reading Breeding Season and Marketing Considerations
– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economic, University of Tennessee
Hay season is around the corner for most cattle producers while breeding season has already begun or about to start for spring calving cattle herds. These two aspects of cattle production are major contributors to the overall profitability of most operations. Small changes in the number of calves weaned per cow and the number of feeding days for hay can greatly influence the bottom line of cattle operations. Thus, it may be beneficial to evaluate how changes to certain aspects of production can impact a cattle herd’s profitability. Continue reading Breeding and Hay Season
– Stan Smith, PA, OSU Extension Fairfield County
Our mission says that OSU Extension engages people to “strengthen their lives and communities through research-based educational programming.” When I started with Extension 30 years ago I wasn’t quite sure what that meant. The one thing I can say I know for sure today is there are certainly a Continue reading We are Extension, but, what’s that?
– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economic, University of Tennessee
The futures market reversed its course this week as the brakes were put on the declining market and market participants have stepped on the accelerator to push feeder cattle prices higher. Most contracts have witnessed price increases of $7 or greater since last Friday’s closing price. Though futures have turned on their heels and headed in the opposite direction. Cash prices for feeder cattle have not Continue reading Weekly Livestock Comments: Outlook for May 6, 2016
– Chris Penrose, OSU Extension Educator, Morgan County (This article first appeared in the May, 2016 issue of The Ohio Farmer magazine)
For most of us, forage growth is here and we are in the spring “flush” of growth. For pasture and hay fields that are primarily grass based, we may get up to 70% of our growth in the next month or so. One reason we have so much growth now is that we generally have ideal growing conditions and our forages are in the reproductive stage of growth. The priority for our perennial grasses and legumes in this stage of growth are to make seed heads. For most of our grasses, this month will likely be the only time seed heads are Continue reading Managing the Spring Flush
– Michelle Arnold, DVM (University of Kentucky Ruminant Veterinarian)
“Neosporosis” is caused by a single celled protozoan parasite called Neospora caninum and is a major cause of abortion and weak calves in cattle across the US and worldwide. Neospora affects both beef and dairy cattle and abortions may present in clusters (epidemic outbreaks) or as sporadic cases. Due to the greatest risk of abortion occurring in mid to late gestation, cows diagnosed pregnant early in gestation may end up open at calving time. Infected cattle are 3-7 times more Continue reading When a cow is called “pregnant” but turns up “open”- Could Neospora caninum be to Blame?
– David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Spring sprung early this year as fed cattle prices have dropped sharply from their highs in early Spring. Texas-Oklahoma fed cattle prices averaged $139.05 for the week of March 20, 2016. A month later they averaged $126.87, down 9.1 percent. Cattle moved lower to end the month quoted at $124, for a full 10.8 percent decline. One of the important factors at work in lower prices is Continue reading Beef Production Surges in April