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Beef Tips

Category: May 2023

Decision Tree for Stocking Rate Adjustments Available

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Keith Harmoney, range scientist, Hays and Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

Ongoing drought has impacted many areas of Kansas and the Great Plains region.  Producers are accustomed to adjusting for shorter term dry periods but less so with extended drought.

In response to numerous questions around this issue, Keith Harmoney, K-State Research and Extension range scientist at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays developed a decision tree that provides some guidelines given the pasture’s current soil moisture condition and the relative level of stress on the pasture last year. He discussed the use of this tool during a webinar “Decision Making For Grass Turnout in Western Kansas” presented on April 4th, 2023, that is now available for viewing on KSUBeef.org. A handout of the decision tree and other items are linked below the video. Continue reading “Decision Tree for Stocking Rate Adjustments Available” →

Influence of Short-Term Nutritional Changes on Embryo Survival

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

In an ideal world, each time a cow was inseminated (intentionally inseminated that is, this is an “ideal” world) it would result in a live and healthy calf. Unfortunately, even though fertilization rate is about 95 – 98%, by day 28 after mating, only 70 % are still pregnant and there are further losses before calving. While the significance of this loss is easy to see, research to reduce this loss is still hampered by the lack of a reliable early pregnancy test. Nevertheless, we can improve our understanding of factors that are known to contribute to embryonic loss and seek to minimize the impacts. Continue reading “Influence of Short-Term Nutritional Changes on Embryo Survival” →

Supplementation of Dried Distillers Grains to Yearling Heifers Grazing Native Range: A Potential Management Strategy During Drought

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jason Warner, extension cow-calf specialist and Dale Blasi, stocker, forages, nutrition and management specialist

Maintaining the delicate balance of cattle performance and rangeland health is part of the overall goal of managers each year.  It becomes easier for these two components to become imbalanced during drought, with several consecutive years of overgrazing contributing to long-term negative consequences on rangeland productivity.  While conditions certainly vary, much of the major beef cattle production areas of the central U.S. are in some degree of drought to start the 2023 growing season.  Can strategic supplementation of a protein and energy source such as dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) to cattle on grass mitigate the potential negative impacts of grazing in years following drought?  Continue reading “Supplementation of Dried Distillers Grains to Yearling Heifers Grazing Native Range: A Potential Management Strategy During Drought” →

Prepare Today to Combat Lameness this Grazing Season

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, MS, Beef Extension Veterinarian

Dry conditions that the central and southern plains have been experiencing may lead to increased foot issues. Several issues could be the culprit of cattle lameness, and we will review some of the common causes including the key differences between the clinical signs. It is a good idea to contact your local veterinarian to create a treatment plan for these conditions prior to the grazing season. Continue reading “Prepare Today to Combat Lameness this Grazing Season” →