Purdue's Beef Blog

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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

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:02

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.

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Cornell genetic testing process cuts costs by up to 75 percent

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:02

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.

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Poor Forage A Challenge for Some Beef Producers

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:01

Poor Forage A Challenge for Some Beef Producers

Beef Producer

In the Western half of the U.S., beef producers are struggling with moisture conditions that haven’t seemed to improve much from summer 2012 drought conditions.

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Relief for Oklahoma cattle ranchers after tornado

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:01

Relief for Oklahoma cattle ranchers after tornado

Caitlyn Gribbin

ABC (AU)

Cattle ranchers in the tornado-devastated state of Oklahoma say they’re grateful to have avoided the worst of the destruction.

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Controlling flies on cattle

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:01

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.

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Irradiated beef not the solution to food safety

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:01

Irradiated beef not the solution to food safety

Southwest Booster

Irradiation is a process by which a food product is exposed to high doses of radiation to kill bacteria, parasites, and mold. In the U.S. three types of ionizing radiation are permitted: gamma rays, high-energy electrons and X-rays.

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Livestock marketing rule changes hit snag

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:01

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.

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Purina Offers Tips To Make The Most Of Summer Pasture

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:00

Purina Offers Tips To Make The Most Of Summer Pasture

AgriMarketing

Managing a pasture through the summer requires planning. A managed pasture can help keep cows in proper body condition and prevent summer lulls in pasture performance.

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Neogen launches comprehensive cattle genomic test

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:00

Neogen launches comprehensive cattle genomic test

Agri-View

Neogen Corporation announced recently the development of a new genomic test that offers the beef cattle industry an unprecedented level of information on the genetic potential of individual animals.

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‘Oreo cows’ members of oldest bovine breed

Thu, 2013-05-23 04:00

‘Oreo cows’ members of oldest bovine breed

Paula Bryant

The Gazette-Virginian

When motorists pass by Hospitality Farms, often they do a double take. Some even turn around to see if their eyes have deceived them.

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Safer. Calmer. Better.

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:23

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.

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At Fowken Farm, the Fowler family has been turning grass into beef for 68 years.

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:23

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.

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Salvaging alfalfa stands

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:23

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.

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Understanding Forage and Fiber Digestion is a Daunting Task

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:23

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.

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Breed the Herd in One Day

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:22

Breed the Herd in One Day

Becky Mills

Progressive Farmer

For brothers Phil and Jim Ham, heat synchronization is not negotiable. They breed 350 cows and heifers using AI for at least one service, and say it’s a job they wouldn’t want to attempt without synchronization.

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Raking Tips for Superior Hay

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:22

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.

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In praise of animal foods

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:22

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.

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U.S. food labels seen heating up North America meat war

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:22

U.S. food labels seen heating up North America meat war

Rod Nickel and Theopolis Waters

Reuters

The United States is poised to introduce stricter rules on the labeling of meat imports this week, a move that is likely to heat up a simmering trade dispute with Canada and Mexico.

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Tuberculosis in Cattle

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:21

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.

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Genomics Research May Make Bull Selection Easier

Wed, 2013-05-22 04:21

Genomics Research May Make Bull Selection Easier

Beef Producer

A team of researchers at Cornell University are applying genomics sequencing techniques previously used in corn to improve the quality of milk and meat in livestock and expedite bull selection for producers.

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