Revisions to January Cattle Inventories

– James Mitchell, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Arkansa

USDA-NASS released their January 1, 2025, cattle inventory estimates, indicating another contraction year for the beef cattle industry. The total cattle inventories stood at 86.66 million head, marking a 0.6% decrease from the previous year. Since the 2019 peak of the current cattle cycle, which started in 2014, cattle inventories have decreased by 8 million head.

In the state breakdown, Arkansas saw cattle numbers decrease to 1.56 million head, down 0.6% from the previous year. Kentucky experienced a more significant decline of 2.1%, totaling 1.85 million head. Mississippi’s cattle inventories remained steady from the previous year at 810,000 head. Overall, the Continue reading Revisions to January Cattle Inventories →

Record-High Prices and a Downside Risk Summary

– Stephen R. Koontz, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, Colorado State University

This week: What are the downside risks?

The first quarter of the calendar year is typically soft for cattle and beef markets. But not this year. Live cattle futures and cash liveweights have traded above $2 per pound. Nebraska and Iowa-Minnesota have been the strongest regional markets in the 5-Area report. With the information in the now-annual USDA Cattle report from 1/31, the supply side of the market outlook for 2025 is fairly straightforward. Tight supplies are here to stay and there is no substantial evidence of herd building. When herd building does commence then heifers in the feeder mix will be reduced, and this will further tighten supplies.

In such a market, what are the downside risks? This is the question I’ve been Continue reading Record-High Prices and a Downside Risk Summary →

Beef cattle and livestock economic outlook! An evening with Kenny Burdine

It’s no secret going into 2025 beef cattle prices are at record highs! Can it continue? How long will the consumer continue to support these price levels? Is it too late to consider expansion?

Last week University of Kentucky Extension livestock economist Dr. Kenny Burdine addressed those questions and more during the first session of the 2025 Ohio Virtual Beef School. In case you missed it, find Dr. Burdine’s presentation embedded below:

Balancing the Animals and Available Forage

Graze stockpile whenever possible.

– Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

I’m grateful to have enough hay for the livestock, especially since snow and ice can make grazing stockpiled forages difficult – if any remains available. Although 2024 brought more rainfall than usual, a dry late summer and fall reduced the amount of stockpiled forage, making it harder to meet the needs of the livestock as long as normal.

At the core of managing livestock during the winter months is the balance between the animals and the forage available to feed them.  Ideally, I’d prefer the livestock to graze stockpiled forages or annuals as long as possible outside of the perennial forage growing season. However, that’s not always practical, possible, or advisable. This balance constantly shifts, influenced by Continue reading Balancing the Animals and Available Forage →

March Grazing School to be offered in Scio

– Erika Lyon, Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator, Ohio State University Extension

Register today!

Learn all about management intensive grazing through the Harrison County Grazing School! Grazing School classes will be offered at the Scio Branch Library in Scio, OH as a three-part series this year. Anyone interested in pasture management and forages is welcome to join the course, and those new to livestock and hay production are encouraged to participate. Topics covered include management intensive grazing, goal setting, improving soil fertility and forage growth, meeting animal needs, water quality, paddock design, grazing economics, and year-round grazing. This year’s Grazing School is being offered through a partnership between Harrison and Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation Districts, USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio State University Extension and the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council.

Sessions in 2025 will be held on Continue reading March Grazing School to be offered in Scio →

Preparing for Calving: Calving Clinic set for February 20

Reserve your spot today!

For cattle producers expecting calves to come soon, it is time to prepare. Get your supplies gathered. Straighten up your herd records. Make sure you are current with your veterinary client patient relationship. And . . .

Join OSU Extension for an evening of education on preparing for calving season from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station- 16870 Bond Ridge Rd. Caldwell, OH 43724 (pending weather- backup location is the Extension Operations Building- 16714 Wolf Run Rd, Caldwell, OH 43724).

At this event, class participants will have the opportunity to pull a calf from the simulator cow while learning about common calving challenges and solutions. Speakers will include Continue reading Preparing for Calving: Calving Clinic set for February 20 →

New OSU Extension Forage Agronomist

Dr. Emma Matcham, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University

We are excited to introduce the newest Extension state specialist for integrated forage management, Dr. Emma Matcham. Prior to joining the faculty at OSU, Emma was an Assistant Professor of nutrient cycling and agronomy at the University of Florida and became a certified crop advisor (CCA) in 2020. She earned her BS and MS from OSU, and her PhD from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

As an assistant professor and Extension state specialist, her lab focuses on applied forage systems research that helps address the . . .

Continue reading New OSU Extension Forage Agronomist

Cattle Inventory Report

– Matthew Diersen, Ph.D., Risk & Business Management Specialist, Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University

The latest USDA-NASS Cattle report affirmed tighter U.S. cattle supplies. As of January 1, 2025, there were 86.7 million head of cattle in the U.S. Breakdowns by categories were generally lower by the same percentage as the overall total. Beef cows were lower, while milk cows were steady. All heifer types were lower as were all steer and bull categories. The only category that was outside of expectations was the calf crop, which was only lower by about 35,000 head from the total for 2023. Trade expectations could have been hindered without July 1 estimates. Higher calf prices may also have given producers an incentive to not cull open cows as quickly this past year, leading to a slightly better aggregate calf crop.

The breakdowns across states suggest some minor adjustments have occurred. Note that more states with lower inventory levels are being lumped together under other states. Among states with higher inventory levels, the total cattle inventory was up more in Texas and down more in Kansas and Nebraska. States around and including Colorado generally have lower inventory levels. For beef cows, the inventory was higher in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Montana. The inventory was lower in Nebraska and South Dakota. No state had a noticeable increase in Continue reading Cattle Inventory Report →

A vaccination strategy for newborn, and calves under 4 months of age

Many health challenges on the farm can be avoided with a proper whole herd health management program. With calving season upon us, its a good time to review the calf health concerns that might be avoided by following a proper herd health management program.

During the third session of the 2022 Virtual Beef School held on Monday, March 21st Dr. Justin Kieffer, Clinical Veterinarian for the Department of Animal Sciences at OSU, offered a beef herd health management update. Specifically, embedded below is what Dr. Kieffer had to say about vaccination protocols for newborn and young calves. You will find Dr. Kieffer’s presentation on whole herd health in its entirety here:    • A whole herd beef cattle health manag…  

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Scours Vaccines*: What are the Options?

– Dr. Michelle Arnold – DVM, MPH UK Ruminant Extension Veterinarian

“Neonatal” calf diarrhea is defined as scours occurring within the first 3 weeks of a calf’s life. Viruses (rotavirus, coronavirus), certain bacteria (E. coli K99; Clostridium perfringens Types A and C, Salmonella spp.) and the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum are the most common causes in beef cattle operations. Controlling rotavirus, coronavirus, Clostridium perfringens Type C, and E. coli K99 scours through vaccination can significantly reduce calf sickness and death loss when given correctly. Scours vaccines are formulated to be given to pregnant cows and heifers during the third trimester of gestation so they will make the specific antibodies against the pathogens that cause diarrhea while colostrum is being formed. It is important to remember that scours vaccines given to pregnant cattle will only work if an adequate amount of good quality colostrum is consumed by her newborn calf within the first 12 hours (preferably the first 6 hours) of life. If unable to vaccinate the pregnant females in the herd, a variety of products can be given to newborn calves to help reduce the risk of sickness and death from scours as well.

The three most popular vaccines available for use in pregnant cattle are ScourBos®9 and 4 (Elanco), ScourGuard®4KC (Zoetis) and Guardian® (Merck). The first time scours vaccines are used, a two-shot series must be given in the third trimester of pregnancy consisting of a first or “primary dose” followed by a booster dose. After the first year, just one annual revaccination in late gestation is required every year throughout the cow’s reproductive life. Vaccination timing is critical to stimulating and optimizing antibodies in colostrum. If cows are vaccinated too early in pregnancy, the antibody response may start to fall off prior to the colostrum being made. Vaccinating too late and the colostrum may already be produced before an antibody response is mounted. Which product is chosen often depends on when cattle will be worked; Scour Bos® is administered earlier during pregnancy, ScourGuard® is used latest in gestation and Guardian® is in-between these two options. Obviously not all calves will be born the first week of calving season but plan to give the scours vaccine based on when the first calves of the season are expected. Consider administering an additional dose to those females who have not calved within 2 months of receiving their scours vaccine.

Table 1: Retrieved from : https://firstdefensecalfhealth.com/dual-force-bolus-gel/

It takes some planning to vaccinate correctly; timing is critically Continue reading Scours Vaccines*: What are the Options? →

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