Livestock

The Basics of Pricing Freezer Beef

By:  Garth Ruff

COVID-19 has proven to be a catalyst for consumer demand for local product

Over the last decade the demand for locally raised meats have steadily increased and that demand has skyrocketed as of late, due to the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal agriculture and the meat packing sector. With the significant increase of demand in local product we have also seen an increase in the number of producers entering the world of direct marketing. Perhaps the toughest aspect of direct marketing is determining how to set a price. In this article I am going to address that very subject and answer the question: What should I charge for a freezer beef? Continue reading The Basics of Pricing Freezer Beef →

Direct Marketing of Meat

By: Rob Leeds, Garth Ruff, Peggy Hall, Jacci Smith and Tony Nye, OSU Extension

Producers who are seeking to increase income are looking for different ways to market their livestock. Direct to consumer marketing of livestock products is one way producers are seeking to increase profits in their livestock sales. When exploring direct market possibilities there are several factors farmers must consider: regulations, consumer preference, marketing strategies and pricing. Continue reading Direct Marketing of Meat →

Questions Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Farms with Employees

Click on the links below to view the Spanish and English versions of “Questions Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Farms with Employees” developed by Gustavo M. Schuenemann, DVM, MS, PhD, Professor & Extension Veterinarian and Jeffrey D. Workman, PhD, Extension Program Coordinator.

English Version

Spanish Version

Event Notice – Feeding Cattle for the Consumer Series

Join OSU Extension for a two-part cattle feeding and beef quality program. Part 1 on Thursday, March 19  at 5:30 p.m. (Southern Roots Ranch, 12568 CR 21 N, West Unity) will focus on cattle feeding, live animal evaluation and grid pricing. Part 2 on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. will take place at Brookview Farms Meats (V-354 CR 24, Archbold), and will include carcass grading and fabrication. Continue reading Event Notice – Feeding Cattle for the Consumer Series →

Event Notice – Sheep & Goat Marketing

When:  Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Defiance County OSU Extension, 06879 Evansport Rd, Defiance, OH 43512
Registration:  Call 419-782-4771 by March 10

SheepSheep and goat marketing is different every year.  Finding the right market place and time is unique in this industry.  This meeting will be a panel discussion with three experts:  Doug Brooks, United Producers, Manchester, MI (sheep), Curtis Spaulding, United Producers, Mt. Vernon, OH (goats), and Roger High, Ohio Sheep & Wool Program, Columbus, OH  The meeting moderator will navigate questions and answers around the topics of: Holiday markets, seasonal marketing, 365 day marketing, animal meat type, consumer choices, stockyards and buyers, and an update on Scrapie Tag/Traceability/Label of Origin.

Goals for Your Cow Herd in 2020

By:  Garth Ruff, OSU Extension Henry County

Group lots of calves with uniform weight, frame, and genetics sell for a premium in the market place.

Group lots of calves with uniform weight, frame, and genetics sell for a premium in the market place.

Each year I like to look evaluate any upcoming opportunities and set goals for the New Year in an effort to better myself both professionally and personally. I prefer to call them goals rather than New Years Resolutions because many people tend to let resolutions fall through the cracks. When developing goals, the key is to write them down! Call them whatever you want, in just a few minutes of looking back and reflecting on some observations made in the last year I was able to come up with a few goals focused on improving profitability and the quality of calves marketed in 2020. Continue reading Goals for Your Cow Herd in 2020 →

Event Notice – Local Manure Management Strategies Workshop

Join William County SWCD on November 21 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Kissel Building for a “Local Manure Management Strategies Workshop.” There is no cost to attend, but reservations are requested for dinner by November 15 to Williams SWCD at 419-636-9395 ext 3. The workshop will include presentations from Bridgewater Dairy, Innovative Ag, Fry Brothers, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Continue reading Event Notice – Local Manure Management Strategies Workshop →

Event Notice – Beef Quality Assurance Transport Training

Join OSU Extension on Monday, October 21st at 9:00 a.m. at 1425 East High Street, Bryan for Beef Quality Assurance – Transport (BQAT) training. The training will last approximately two hours. The event is free, but please RSVP to Henry County ANR Educator Garth Ruff at 419-592-0806. Continue reading Event Notice – Beef Quality Assurance Transport Training →