UNL BeefWatch

Recognizing that calves are eating mineral needs to be included when calculating the total amount to be delivered to the herd to meet targeted levels of consumption.

Pasture and precipitation conditions prior to and after a wildfire greatly influence the approach to grazing management. Principles to pay attention to are discussed.

Conception rates are often high in cattle. However, numerous factors can inhibit maternal recognition or lead to pregnancy loss from days 7 to 50 after breeding. Management practices to reduce these losses are discussed.

Rangeland grasshoppers may be problematic this year in parts of Nebraska due to high populatoins last fall and winter conditions that may support survival of populations hatching this spring. Information on assessing grasshopper numbers and options for control are discussed.

Soil moisture, air temperature along with plant health and vigor, all contribute to grass growth on native range and pastures. Understanding when key grass species grow and the timing of when to reduce stocking rates when drought conditions are present is discussed.

Dr. Rick Funston discusses the fundamentals and factors to enhance sucess, as well as resources to utilize when selecting and executing an estrus synchronization protocol with heifers or cows.

Understanding the factors that contribute to grass tetany in cattle is the foundation for preventing it. Brock Ortner discusses why magnesium deficiences occur and recommended levels to feed when grazing forages that are prone to trigger tetany.

Weeds in a pasture may be a natural part of the plant community ebb and flow or they may represent a noxious invasive species. Understanding classes of weeds and the why behind their presence will give insights into appropriate management practices to address them.

Interested in learning a systems approach to cattle and ranch management? The Practicum provides current research delivered through a hands on experience at the Gudmundsen Sandhills lab. Application deadline is May 5 to participate in this year's class.

Eastern red cedars are aggressively encroaching on grasslands in Nebraska. Understanding how they spread gives land managers knowledge they can use to eradicate rogue cedars and strategically steward existing shelterbelts.

Cattle harvested at heavier weights may be at greater risk for late term death loss during the finishing period. Factors that may increase this risk and stratgies to migitage them are dicussed.

Every operation is different and the appropriate vaccination plan will depend on health challenges specific to an individuals herd. Principles for developing a plan are discussed.

Salt is often used to limit intake of protien supplements to cattle grazing low-quality forages. This research explores the potential impacts of high levels of salt intake on digestion.

A written lease agreement should include a specified clause that addresses how drought and other natural disasters will be handled which provides clarity for both the land owner and person leasing the pasture.

Dr. Brittany Davis discusses research showing that the compound biochanin A, which is found in red clover, can mitigate the effects of ergopeptide alkaloids consumed by cattle.

Dr. Mary Drewnoski discusses the specific mineral needs of cow-calf pairs as well as stocker cattle grazing annual forages and key components that should be in a supplement.

Drought conditions continue for most of Nebraska and the High Plains. Developing a plan and aquiring forage and concentrate feeds now to feed the cow herd will give greater options should dry weather persist.

Annual forages can be used to help make up for the loss of range and pasture grazing due to drought. Dr. Volesky discusses options and cautions to consider when using these forages.

Dr. Parsons reviews the historic wide positive basis currently in place between CME feeder cattle prices and local cash prices in Nebraska and the basis risk to producers wanting to protect these high prices out into the future.

Dr. Farney discusses how an essential oil mineral performed when compared to a lasalocid mineral for steers grazing summer pasture in southeast Kansas.

Dr. Paul Beck discusses the differences in average daily gain and supplement efficiency for steers grazing native grass pastures in 2022.

Dr. Stephanie Hansen discusses 15 years of zinc research in receiving, growing and finishing cattle diets and the benefits they have seen.

Meeting the mineral needs of cattle can be challenging due to the dynamics that take place with production requirements, mineral content in feed and the impact of uptake inhibitors. Dr. Drewnoski explains in layman terms how to understand these dynamics and cost effectively meet cattle mineral requirements.

Supplying growing cattle on low quality forage with adequate bypass or rumen undegradeable protien can significantly improve average daily gain by meeting metabolizable protein needs.

Cows normally don't eat pine needles, but severe cold or snow can sometimes trigger consumption. Planning and prevention can help to mitigate the risk.