Purdue's Beef Blog
This blog was created by the Purdue Beef Team as an educational forum for beef producers and Extension educators. It includes timely news, issues, and management tips that have the potential to affect the beef business and decision-making process. Opinions expressed in the news clips do not necessarily represent those of Purdue University or the beef industry.
Updated: 16 hours 39 min ago
Marketing healthy cattle
Marketing healthy cattle
Bob Larson
Angus Journal
Seedstock producers market genetics as bulls and replacement females to their customers, while commercial cattlemen market calves or yearlings with growth potential to their customers. One area all cow-calf producers have in common is that buyers of their cattle are interested in the health of their purchases.
Cornell genetic testing process cuts costs by up to 75 percent
Cornell genetic testing process cuts costs by up to 75 percent
Brett Wessler
Bovine Veterinarian
A genomics technique previously used to analyze corn has been applied to cattle by an assistant professor at Cornell University, cutting the cost of a genetic profile from as much as $150 to $40 or less.
Poor Forage A Challenge for Some Beef Producers
Relief for Oklahoma cattle ranchers after tornado
Controlling flies on cattle
Controlling flies on cattle
Chris Milam
The News Democrat Leader
Warmer weather brings more pest problems. Horn flies and face flies are key pests of cattle in Kentucky. Both species breed in fresh pasture manure piles but present very different threats and management problems. Fortunately, there are a variety of fly control options.
Irradiated beef not the solution to food safety
Livestock marketing rule changes hit snag
Livestock marketing rule changes hit snag
Eric Brown
Greeley Tribune
The first major changes in livestock marketing rules in more than 90 years may have to wait a little longer, following a setback in Washington last week for the multi-year efforts to change how meatpackers do business with farmers and ranchers.
Purina Offers Tips To Make The Most Of Summer Pasture
Neogen launches comprehensive cattle genomic test
‘Oreo cows’ members of oldest bovine breed
Safer. Calmer. Better.
Safer. Calmer. Better.
Terri Queck-Matzie
Feedlot Magazine
Handling livestock is a dangerous occupation, and every feedlot manager knows injuries can cost money – in lost time, in rising healthcare costs, and in worker’s compensation claims.
Joe Thramer at Niewohner Feedyard in Spalding, Nebraska, has turned to a creative solution to the problem.
At Fowken Farm, the Fowler family has been turning grass into beef for 68 years.
At Fowken Farm, the Fowler family has been turning grass into beef for 68 years.
Angie Stump Denton
Hereford World
In the rolling hills of northwest South Carolina, the ability to utilize forage 10 or more months of the year is key to the profitability of a beef operation. At Fowken Farm near Jonesville, the Fowler family has been raising Hereford cattle that perform on grass since 1946.
Salvaging alfalfa stands
Salvaging alfalfa stands
The Cattle Business Weekly
Drought conditions and freeze/thaw cycles this spring left their mark on many stands of alfalfa, says Justin Fruechte, forage and cover crop specialist with Millborn Seeds.
"Winter kill has either wiped out entire alfalfa stands or left them quite sparse," he said.
Understanding Forage and Fiber Digestion is a Daunting Task
Understanding Forage and Fiber Digestion is a Daunting Task
Stephen B. Blezinger, Ph.D., PAS
Cattle Today
Over the last few weeks we have been taking an in-depth look at forage quality and fiber digestion in beef cattle. It becomes obvious that this is not a simple subject and that developing a comprehensive understanding of forage and fiber digestion and utilization in cattle (ruminants) is a daunting task.
Breed the Herd in One Day
Raking Tips for Superior Hay
Raking Tips for Superior Hay
Angus Beef Bulletin Extra
Whether you are cutting, conditioning, raking or baling, all steps in the process of making high-quality hay require attention to detail. Any slipups along the way can compromise the end result. Raking is perhaps the most critical step in the process, as more leaf loss can be caused by improper raking than by any other step in the harvest process.
In praise of animal foods
In praise of animal foods
Dan Murphy
Drovers
In comments made in response to Cattlenetwork.com’s publication of a two-part interview with British obesity researcher Zoe Harcombe last week, several readers criticized her views on health and nutrition as out-of-touch with mainstream Americans, and in a couple cases, as being antagonistic toward animal agriculture.
U.S. food labels seen heating up North America meat war
Tuberculosis in Cattle
Tuberculosis in Cattle
Sherry Westphal, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tuberculosis of cattle (bovine TB) was once common in US cattle herds; damaging the health of cattle and, serving as an important source of human disease in the US. That was long ago. In 1917 the US began a program to protect public health by eliminating bovine TB from cattle and pasteurizing milk.
