by Dr. Twig Marston, Technical Field Sales Manager Managing yearling bulls can be a challenge. Stressors such as adapting to new surroundings and the uprising of social activities bring extra burdens on their physical and mental wellbeing. Because yearling bulls have a considerable amount of growth and development ahead of them, giving them extra care […]
Minerals for the Stocker Operation
By Dr. Brandi Karisch – Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Mississippi State University Most beef producers are well aware of the importance of trace minerals. Minerals play a part in almost all vital bodily functions, including growth, health, and fertility. Cow-calf producers are often the main segment of the beef industry to utilize an established trace […]
Value-Added Programs Offer Less Risk, Greater Profit Potential
Who among us isn’t looking for good value? Everywhere you look marketing gurus sling “value” at consumers luring them in to the next big thing. Most quick-service restaurants offer value meals or value menus. But have you ever considered the value of the value-added programs that are available for your cattle post-weaning and through the […]
6 Tips to Make Calving Season Easier
If you have a spring calving herd, you are now either finding yourself in the thick of things or it won’t be long before you have new calves hitting the ground. We polled our VitaFerm Facebook followers, asking them for their best calving tips. Take a look and see what tips you can utilize to […]
Relationship Building is Key to Profitability
Cow-calf producers have a lot of decisions to make to ensure their herd turns a profit. One of the biggest decisions they might make is selecting a backgrounding operation or a feedlot to finish their calves. In addition to making sure their nutritional needs are met prior to weaning and shipping here are some tips […]
Considerations for Managing Stocker Cattle: Impacts on BRD
Dr. Brandi Karisch – Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Mississippi State University Stocker cattle systems add value to recently weaned calves by marketing to cattle feeders large lots of uniform sized calves that have received health procedures (e.g., vaccinations, deworming, castration, dehorning) and are better prepared to thrive in confined feeding systems after getting past the […]
Bull Buyers Guide
by Travis Meteer, University of Illinois, Beef Extension Educator Are you sifting through stacks of bull sale catalogs looking for your next bull? While bull selection can be a daunting task, your choice will impact your herd for years to come. Thus, taking some time to think about what you need from your next herd sire […]
Implementing a Herd Health Program
If healthy calves are your goal, there are several “don’t stop” management decisions you should consider. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true when it comes to building a successful health program. Vaccination, nutrition and stress management continue to be the cornerstones of a comprehensive herd health program. Cost […]
Water Considerations for Stocker Cattle
Water is the most important nutrient and vital to ensuring the health of your livestock remains consistent. Bringing stocker cattle into a new area is stressful, but it is imperative that intake to water is not restricted due to cattle being uncomfortable or having poor access in their new surroundings. We often focus on feed […]
To Bed or Not To Bed
by Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate, courtesy of iGrow.org “To bed or not to bed?” With apologies to William Shakespeare, that is the question on many feedlot managers’ minds as we head into the winter months. Will providing bedding result in enough extra performance to outweigh the additional expenses in both material […]
