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Beef Tips

Category: January 2017

Prior, Proper, Planning Precedes Profitable Purchases

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Bob Weaber, extension cow-calf specialist

Piles of bull sale catalogsAs the bull-buying season gets underway, commercial cattlemen should do their home work to help ensure the bull(s) they purchase this year meet their needs. Like most things in life, preparedness is the key to making an informed decision. In this case, an informed purchase. Remember, bull selection accounts for more than 75% of the gene flow in your herd.  Take the time to do the $500/hour work in bull selection and let some of the $5/hour work wait until after bull purchases are made. Before you crack open the sale catalogs of seedstock suppliers, there are few resources and skills you should possess. Continue reading “Prior, Proper, Planning Precedes Profitable Purchases” →

Tally Time – Resolve to improve record keeping in the New Year

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Sandy Johnson, livestock specialist

Resolution listPhase one of some renovations in our office has resulted in considerable cleaning for the past few days.  My resolution for the new year is to be more discriminating in what paper accumulates in my office. I do tend to save too much, thinking I can use it down the road in one way or the other.  In all the sorting and pitching, I did come across an article from Chris Ringwall of NDSU on record keeping pitfalls based on their experience with producers submitting records for the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS).  As we start the new year it seemed like a good way to review current procedures and see if any needed attention.

Continue reading “Tally Time – Resolve to improve record keeping in the New Year” →

Minimize dystocia in replacement heifers by using calving ease EPDs to select sires

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Bob Weaber, extension cow-calf specialist

When one begins the process of selection of bulls to produce replacement heifers, or bulls to be service sires of replacement heifers, a number of criteria come to mind. Certainly among these are breed composition and the contribution the bull may provide to direct and/or maternal heterosis, as well as a variety of growth, maternal and carcass traits. Perhaps among the most important is calving ease.

Continue reading “Minimize dystocia in replacement heifers by using calving ease EPDs to select sires” →

K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series Set for January and February

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

The seminar series, hosted in early 2017, will highlight ‘Successful strategies for enhancing profit’ for beef producers and allow producers to ask questions of their local, district and state extension specialists.

 MANHATTAN, Kan. – With lower expected revenues from the sale of calves in 2017 compared to 2014-15 prices many producers are seeking information on ways to improve their operation’s profit potential. With that in mind, the 2017 K-State Winter Ranch Management series of meetings will include comments from extension educators on profit-enhancing strategies practices for beef producers. The meetings will also feature a popular ‘town-hall’ style question and answer session between Kansas’ cattle producers and extension specialists. The Winter Ranch Management Seminar series runs in January and early February.

Continue reading “K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series Set for January and February” →

Managing cold stress

Posted on by Angie Denton

by Justin W. Waggoner, beef systems specialist

As we all know there is no typical weather pattern in Kansas. We experienced a mild fall this year and thus far winter has been interesting with record high temperatures followed by cold and windy days. The downside is that we don’t know what might happen in the New Year, as we approach what are typically the coldest months of the year. Most cattle producers know and appreciate that cold weather increases nutrient requirements. However, the obvious questions that come to mind are “What is cold to cow?” and “What increases (energy, protein etc.) and by how much?”.

Continue reading “Managing cold stress” →