News Update

December 21, 2016

Feeding Cull Cows Prior
to Sale May Add Value

Every year beef cattle producers have to make decisions about how to handle cows that didn’t become pregnant. Most producers simply sell the animals after pregnancy check. However, it’s possible that with a little more investment, they can provide more revenue to their operation, according to Kansas State University (K-State) professor Chris Reinhardt.

Cull females make up around 20% of ranch revenues, he said. Through proper marketing, it is possible to add value before selling the animals.

“There are two different types of cull females,” said Reinhardt, who is a beef specialist with K-State Research and Extension. The first is an older cow that has been a productive cow in the past, but for whatever reason, did not become pregnant this year. It’s possible she’s missing teeth, so she cannot process the nutrients available and was thin at breeding time.

On a price-per-pound basis, a thin cow will bring in less revenue than a heavier, fatter cow will, but there is an opportunity to add value to the thin cow.

Continue reading in the news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Connor Orrock, Kansas State University Research & Extension.

Five Tips for Winter Supplementation

Now that fall is here and the first blast of winter weather is quickly approaching, have you thought about what that means to your cow herd? Keeping cattle in good condition through the fall and into early winter ultimately helps insulate the animal and minimize the amount of feed required later in the winter season.

Kevin Glaubius, director of nutrition and technical sales at BioZyme Inc., says now is the time to take an honest evaluation of body condition and match your feeding program to the needs of your cows. Saint Joseph, Mo.,-based BioZyme manufactures vitamin and mineral supplements for a variety of livestock.

“The bottom line is, early cold stress can result in a snowball effect if left unchecked. Cold temperatures significantly raise energy requirements. Undeveloped winter hair coats, wet hides and wind all combine to magnify this increase in energy requirements,” said Glaubius.

CME Beef Industry Scholarships

Ten college students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry have been chosen for the 2017-2018 $1,500 CME Beef Industry Scholarships. The scholarship is sponsored by the CME Group and administered by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). Taylre Sitz of Bozeman, Mont., is the overall essay winner.

In addition to the $1,500 scholarship, Sitz receives a trip to Nashville, Tenn., for the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show where she will be recognized at the Best of Beef Awards Breakfast.

“Growing up on a ranch, I developed a commitment to the beef industry at an early age,” Sitz said. “I am interested in becoming a large animal veterinarian, and through ranch life I have been able to see and visit as they doctored cut horses or lame cattle. These experiences only furthered my desire to pursue the large animal veterinary career.”

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Work Hard, Smart

It was just another conversation between a cattle feeder and his order buyer, but the one Todd Wickstrum recalls from just a few years ago illustrates his family’s core philosophy. It’s the way they roll.

“Well, I’ll go ahead and fill it up,” the buyer said, noting he’d find “something” at the sale barn to make a complete load.

Wickstrum disagreed: “No. If you can’t get quality cattle, go ahead and send it short.”

The buyer debated transportation costs and lost opportunity.

“I said, ‘Only send me quality cattle, even if that means the truck’s half full or three-quarters full. I can’t afford the lower-quality cattle,’” the producer remembers.

The semi left for Westmoreland, Kan., a little lighter than usual.

That happened shortly after Wickstrum and his family returned to the diversified farm in 2013. His brother, Troy, was already heading up the trucking and custom-harvest enterprises.

Continue reading in the Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from an article by Miranda Reiman, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

Cattlemen’s Boot Camp Hosted February in Kentucky

Cattle producers are invited to gather for a Cattlemen's Boot Camp Feb. 17-18, 2017, at the Fayette County Extension Office in Lexington, Ky. The event is hosted by the American Angus Association in partnership with the University of Kentucky, and provides purebred and commercial producers timely information presented by academic and industry professionals.

Registration is now available online and will be open until Jan. 16, 2017.

Cattlemen's Boot Camp events are engaging educational opportunities for both seedstock and commercial producers alike, says Chelsey Smith, Association assistant director of events and education. The day-and-a-half event is packed with industry speakers and reports on research with significant impacts on the beef business.

Read more in the news release online.

— Adapted from a news release by Chelsey Smith, American Angus Association.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.