After four decades of engaging consumers and integrating producers, I still ponder. The sensitivity between consumers and beef producers is increasing, but the sensitivity may not always be on the same tracks. Consumers register their opinion at the checkout counter through product selection and validate their expressed opinions by how they shop and how much […] Read more
Future of beef revisited — consumer issues and demand
Consumers have more opportunities to express their opinion about the food they buy and eat
Well-supported benchmarks make the best targets
Management: News Roundup from the December 2017 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Friendly, conversational chit-chat rules at cattle gatherings. Conversation guides us, particularly when someone casually notes the ranch had just marketed a 91 per cent calf crop with an average weight of 568 pounds for 192-day-old steer calves. Silence prevailed until the neighbour asked, “Are you sure?” “Yep,” the rancher replied, “but I was just average. […] Read more
Precondition calves regardless of weaning time
The well-prepared, preconditioned calf rewards the producer, the buyer and, most importantly, the calf
Now is the time to start preparing calves for marketing with a sound preconditioning program developed in concert with your veterinarian. Drier weather may mean selling this year’s calves earlier, so preconditioning your calves sooner rather than later makes good sense. Do not wait and, out of frustration, call the trucker and just send the […] Read more
North Dakota beef production costs jump 200 per cent
News Roundup from the October 5, 2015 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Beef production is becoming expensive. I am not referring to the end product but rather to the weaned calf. The cost per pound weaned per exposed cow has jumped 200 per cent since the turn of the century. That is not good news. Cost control is critical in every business. If costs are allowed to […] Read more
Revising the bull pen
Each year, the Dickinson Research Extension Center reviews the bulls from the previous year to cut back on what bulls need to be overwintered. Because the bulls are bought based on their ability to transmit the right genes into the cow herd, their expected progeny difference (EPD) values already have stood the evaluation tests of when they were purchased. […] Read more
May calving bull turnout is Aug. 1
Expected start of the 2015 calving season set at May 10
NDSU Extension Service – Given later calving, 99 per cent of the cows are calving within the first two breeding cycles (42 days) at the Dickinson Research Extension Center. The center switched to May calving in 2012. So far, following late-calving on grass in 2013 and 2014, the cows have rebred very well. Again this […] Read more
Calf Planting
Cows are on high alert after calving, so this planting behavior impacts how and when groups of cattle can be moved or at least easily moved.
NDSU Extension Service – As the Dickinson Research Extension Center winds up May calving, the year has been good. May calving involves pastures, grass and space. Because feed is not delivered in a bunk, the cow decides where she wants to be in the pasture and sets in motion a series of thoughts that anchor […] Read more
Start your calf vaccinations now!
BeefTalk
NDSU Extension Service – As calving winds down and calves are settled with their mammas, the inevitable day will come when the calves need to get a round of vaccinations. It is much like the old days when the school made the announcement that the county nurse was coming along with a bag full of […] Read more
Spring reflections and calf deaths
Take a serious look at the reasons why each calf died and what could be done next time to save it
NDSU Extension Service – The next week will be busy at the Dickinson Research Extension Center. The cows have been turned out on cool-season grass and the yearlings need to be worked. The yearling steers are vaccinated and have been turned out for summer grazing or sent to the feedlot. The center typically sends half […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
