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Beef Tips

Category: September 2023

Forage analysis: Don’t guess…Test!

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Justin Waggoner, Beef Systems Specialist, Garden City

Forage growing conditions across Kansas ranged from exceptionally wet in some regions to drought in others. The much-needed rainfall in the western regions of the state were a welcome change but also created an increase in weed pressure in hay fields and made timely harvesting of forages challenging. The rapid on-set of drought in the central and North-central region of the state stressed forages and crops mid-season. All of these conditions could potentially affect forage quality and may greatly increase the risk of mold and nitrates in harvested forages, which can be harmful and toxic to livestock. This is the year to test your harvested forages! As the old saying goes “don’t guess…test”. Continue reading “Forage analysis: Don’t guess…Test!” →

Accounting for the environmental impact of grazing cattle: appreciating our ecological niche

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Logan Thompson, Sustainable Grazing Systems

Today, the beef industry is increasingly facing calls to act on its perceived impact on climate change and other negative ecological impacts that occur from production activities. This includes greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, eutrophication of water ways (accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients) and a decrease in biodiversity. It may come as a surprise to some that the largest source of greenhouse gases from beef production arises from our grazing operations. Chiefly this is from the cow-calf sector and primarily in the form of methane produced during the ruminal fermentation process (Rotz et al., 2019). If we consider that methane production is primarily driven by level of intake and quality of the diet, then this does make sense as many cows are grazing for the entire year, generally, all the while consuming a lower quality diet than fed in confinement operations and weaning approximately 0.85 calves per cow exposed per year. However, these estimates may not tell the complete story of the ecological niche that grazing cattle play in our grassland ecosystems or how their emission estimates compare to historical or current wildlife populations. Continue reading “Accounting for the environmental impact of grazing cattle: appreciating our ecological niche” →

Technology in Beef Production Systems

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

Artificial intelligence has increasingly been in the spotlight. At the American Society for Animal Science meetings this summer there was a notable increase in technology related presentations. So, what does this mean for the beef industry? This article will highlight some of the potential tools available now and give insight into others that may come. Continue reading “Technology in Beef Production Systems” →

A Look into Fall 2023 Weather

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Christopher “Chip” Redmond, Kansas Mesonet, christopherredmond@ksu.edu

A prominent high pressure has once again built back in across the Central Plains with much warmer than normal temperatures returning. With a third heatwave this summer, many are interested in what the fall will provide in terms of harvest and planting weather. We will provide a very brief summary of the past, a look at the current and how that all plays a role in the coming months. Continue reading “A Look into Fall 2023 Weather” →

2023 K-State Beef Stocker Field Day scheduled for Sept. 28

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Beef cattle outlook, latest research into top pharmaceutical technologies yielding the highest economic return in stocker cattle and fine-tuning bunk calls in the grow yard are among topics planned for 2023 Kansas State University Beef Stocker Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 28. The conference will be hosted at the KSU Beef Stocker Unit. Continue reading “2023 K-State Beef Stocker Field Day scheduled for Sept. 28” →

Calf Revenue; Time to Start Thinking About Marketing Those Calves This Fall

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist

Maximizing calf revenue is important for cattle producers, it’s how they get paid! Just like any business understanding what drives how you get paid is important. Calf revenue from my academic perspective is driven by three factors; 1) the number of calves sold, 2) sale weight of calves and 3) price received.

Cow/calf producers to some extent have control over the number of calves sold and sale weight. The number of calves sold is essentially a function of stocking rate, cow fertility and/or reproduction on an operation. The sale weight of calves is more complex but is a multi-factorial combination of genetics, calving distribution, calf age, nutrition, management and technology use (implants). Price received is likely the most influential of the three factors that drive calf revenue and is the factor that cow/calf producers often believe they have the least ability to control. Once a set of calves enters the sale ring, or appears on the video screen their value is determined by what two prospective buyers are willing to pay. Although it is impossible for producers to directly influence what buyers are willing to pay, I would argue that they are not completely helpless. Cow/calf producers directly control what they sell (weaned calves, value-added calves or feeders), and determine when they will sell. These are difficult,complex decisions, that shouldn’t necessarily be made based upon weekly cattle sale reports or the thoughts of your favorite livestock market commentator. I am not saying that keeping informed about current market conditions isn’t important. However, that information when used with resources like Beef Basis (www.beefbasis.com) that use data to evaluate different market scenarios, from selling five weight calves the first week of October, to seven weights December helps producers make the best decision for their operations.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.