Unl Beefwatch

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.

This research project compared late summer calving cows which were dry lotted in late spring and summer to traditional spring calving cows grazing pasture in the spring and summer and corn residue in the late fall and winter.

Colostrum quality and timely consumption is critical for the newborn calf. Dr. Lindsay Waechter Mead discusses key components of colostrum and how those are important to calf health and vigor.

Dr. David Ripplinger from North Dakota State University Extension discusses the factors driving interest by companies wanting to purchase carbon offsets and things agricultural producers should think through before committing to a contract.

Dr. John Lory from Missouri Extension discusses the nutrient value of hay as a fertilizer resource when fed on pasture, especially under current market conditions.

Troy Walz discusses the importance of understanding cow body condition score and nutrition needs at calving for first calf heifers and mature cows.

Mike Wallace who is the former sheep division supervisor at the Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center Nebraska discusses how they utilize and integrate hair sheep, goats and a cow herd in a management intensive grazing operation at their location near Nelson.

Dr. Becky Funk, who is part of the team at the Great Plains Veterinary Education Center, discusses best management practices prior to and during calving that will help to ensure the best outcome for both cows and calves.