Month: January 2018

What to Watch and What to Manage in 2018

– Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Continued growth in beef production in 2018 is likely to pressure cattle and beef prices. Cattle producers have a number of economic conditions to watch that will indicate the impact of factors they cannot control and that will have implications for those factors they do control.

Domestic and international beef demand will continue to be critical factors affecting cattle and beef prices in 2018. The U.S. economy is currently Continue reading What to Watch and What to Manage in 2018 →

2017 Review and Market Questions for 2018

– Josh Maples, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

We covered a lot of ground in the cattle industry in 2017. It was a year that, on average, exceeded most expectations in terms of cattle prices. The market showed impressive strength in the face of larger supplies. About 1.3 million more calves hit the ground in 2017 than in 2016. The number of cattle on feed was 8.1 percent higher on December 1, 2017 than at the same time in 2016, and the number of cattle slaughtered in 2017 was about 5 percent higher than in 2016. Despite all of these increases, 2017 average annual prices were Continue reading 2017 Review and Market Questions for 2018 →

Grimes: Consumer confidence and income supports beef outlook in 2018

Consumer confidence is high in beef products, incomes are stable and rising, and U.S. beef herd expansion has slowed. Despite challenges that may remain ahead, John Grimes says there’s reason for optimism during his annual Beef Outlook update. Hear those thoughts and more regarding the 2018 beef cattle markets in his presentation below.

After viewing the video embedded above we’d encourage you to also Continue reading Grimes: Consumer confidence and income supports beef outlook in 2018 →

Rolling Out Hay is Rolling Out Dollars

– Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

As a year ends, reflecting on the past year is good.

The obvious point this year is the lack of forage and how, as producers, one responded to the challenge.

The Dickinson Research Extension Center needs more than 1,000 1,300-pound bales to make the stretch to spring grass. That number is buffered a bit because the calves are receiving 3 pounds of commercial supplement daily and the cows 4 pounds of commercial supplement every other day. But forage is the essence of a cattle operation, and keeping costs low is critical.

Fortunately, the center forage feed needs have been helped by Continue reading Rolling Out Hay is Rolling Out Dollars →

Cattle Reproduction – Making the Best Use of Available Reproductive Technologies

Licking County Extension is offering a meeting on cattle reproductive technologies designed to help all levels of producers, including the person who is interested in using artificial insemination for the first time, to the person that has used embryo transfer for years. Reproductive technology continues to progress and a lot has changed in the last five years.

We will discuss the topics of estrus synchronization, timed breeding, artificial insemination, sexed semen, embryo transfer, and Continue reading Cattle Reproduction – Making the Best Use of Available Reproductive Technologies →

Great Lakes Professional Cattle Feeding and Marketing Short-course

The 2018 Great Lakes Professional Cattle Feeding and Marketing Short-course is a joint effort of Ohio State University Extension, Michigan State University, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the cattle industry in the Eastern Corn Belt.

The first session of this two part program will focus on early nutrition management, health, and genomics. The second session will include the BQA audit and Holstein steer management.

Both Ohio sessions will be held at the Wood County Junior Fair Building in Bowling Green on Wednesdays, January 24 Continue reading Great Lakes Professional Cattle Feeding and Marketing Short-course →

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Beef 510 set for March 3

Beef 510 is a one-day program designed for those who have participated in Beef 509, but is open to all cattlemen. The program will continue the traditional beef sensory sessions and BQA presentations, but will also present information designed to help producers better prepare their operations and their cattle to meet challenges of the future. All who attend will be certified in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) at the end of the course.

Beef 510 is a Continue reading Beef 510 set for March 3 →

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Cancels Seedstock Improvement Sale

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Board of Directors recently voted to cancel the annual Seedstock Improvement Sale held in April. The Board made this difficult decision after careful evaluation of past sale results and prospects for future sales. Key concerns that led to this decision focused on the difficulties in obtaining an adequate number of consignments to justify the expenses and time associated with hosting the sale and Continue reading Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Cancels Seedstock Improvement Sale →

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BQA Transportation Training and Certification Program

The checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program has launched a new training and certification program for cattle transportation. The program, known as Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT), provides cattle producers and haulers with comprehensive training based on their roles in the cattle industry. Online training will be made available beginning immediately, and in-person training Continue reading BQA Transportation Training and Certification Program →