UNL BeefWatch

Consistent consumption at recommended levels is foundational for the safe and effective use of ionophores in mineral supplements.

Management practices to reduce hay deterioration and spoilage are discussed.

Analyzing hay quality provides information to cost effectively meet cattle nutrition needs.

Research is providing new insights into long term management practices to reduce the encroachment of eastern red cedar into native rangeland and pasture.

Dr. Tom Field discusses characteristics of people who find and develop new enterprises and a process for doing that.

Jay Wolf from Wagonhammer Ranches discusses their approach to management of their seedstock, commercial cows and feedlot under current conditions.

Understanding and mitigating risk is an important part of managing an ag business. Principles for encouraging this in an ag operation are discussed.

Pregnancy testing can provide valuable information for making management decisions. Timing, methods and strategies are discussed.

Wheat at times is an economical feed grain to use in feedlot diets. Best methods for processing and level of inclusion are discussed.

Understanding the nutrition needs of the young calf are critically important to successful early weaning.

Extended warm conditions into the fall can result in increased fly loads on cattle. Strategies to reduce these populations are discussed

Strategic supplementation of yearlings grazing summer pasture with distillers grains may be a way to economically improve performance, especially on pastures dominated by cool season grasses.

Winter annuals and summer annuals can be harvested as silage. Timing of harvest, storage method and feed out all impact the quality delivered to the livestock.

Identifying the purpose of the forage and planting date will help to determine which forage will best meet desired goals.

The protein and energy content of diets right prior to and through the breeding season will impact breeding season success. Strategies to address situations where forage is deficient is discussed.

Understanding key forage species in rangeland and pasture can be used to identify management practices that will move the plant community towards desired goals.

Providing additional water to cattle in the feedlot during extended periods of hot, humid conditions can help to mitigate heat stress.

Grass Cast which is a forage production forecasting tool and long range weather outlooks can help producers estimate expected forage production on rangeland and pasture.

Things to think through and do to help protect lives and property from wild fire are discussed.

Different strategies are discussed that can be utilized to feed a cow herd during drought conditions.

Dr. Karla Wilke discusses things to remember when caring for the bottle calf.

The availability of protein in corn silage and how supplementing both rumen degradable protein (RDP) and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) impacts cattle performance is discussed.

Copper is an important mineral for health and performance of cattle. The amount needed to be supplemented will depend on availability in feed andf the level of antagonists which can inhibit copper absorption.

The genetic potential for milk production for a majority of beef breeds has dramatically increased over the last 40 years. With increased milk production potential comes increased nutrient requirements. Research looking at levels of milk production and impacts of that is discussed.

Dry conditions last year have extended into this year and will impact forage production on range and pasture. Using trigger dates with a drought plan can help ensure timely execution of decisions.