Real Cowman: Jim Weiss, Wisdom, Mt / Salmon, Idaho 

One time when I was a younger man, I helped an older cowman, Slim, move some cows. We got them all thru the gate and I asked the cowman, "Can we go home now?" He said, "No, we're going to stay here and make sure the cows and calves are mothered up so we don't have any calves going back looking for their moms." The cowman told me, "There's a difference between ...

The economics of preconditioning calves 

By Dillon M. Feuz, Utah State University

Over the next two months, many ranchers will wean their calves and historically, the majority of calves are sold within 45 days of weaning. Many calves in fact are sold and shipped on the day of weaning, a practice that generally places more stress on the calves and results in greater sickness and death loss...

October beef management ideas 

John Hall, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Virginia Tech, shares this list of management practices you should be doing in your herd for October...

Grazing corn stalks? Here are some ways to add efficiency 

Corn harvest is nearly in full swing. When corn stalks become available for grazing, several decisions need to be made. For starters, how soon should you move cows to stalks?...

New scholarship for veterinary students with beef emphasis 

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) and Fort Dodge Animal Health have announced a new scholarship program – the Fort Dodge Animal Health Legacy Scholarship. Through producer participation, Fort Dodge Animal Health will sponsor five scholarships of $5,000 each...

Unique DVD designed for new landowners 

A new DVD from the Rural Landscape Institute has been developed to assist new landowners in transitioning into Montana’s rural way of life. Titled the “Path to Eden,” the DVD is designed to help landowners be better able to make informed decisions central to Montana’s communities, wildlife...

New approval for insecticide on range/pasture 

FMC Corp. has announced that Mustang Max insecticide has received approval from the EPA for use on pasture and range grasses to control a variety of insect pests, making it the first pyrethroid federally registered for insect control in pasture and rangeland...

What are you waiting for? 

By Noel McNaughton, BEEF contributing editor

I've read “middle age” is when you begin considering the number of years you have left. I've also read men in their 50s are more conscious of — and worry more about — their remaining time than men in their 60s and beyond...

Barn Feeling 

By Kerrie Huffman, Virginia

The wide doorways
lead to the barn
The sweet smell
of hay hits you
but ever so gently
...

Exchanged Glances 

By Kerrie Huffman, Virginia

Hazel eyes meet brown eyes
Soft warm nose nuzzles small tan nose
Strong and fearless overpowers weak and nervous
Both as stubborn as can be...

Look for improved Farmers Markets coming to a town near you 

Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has announced 23 grants totaling $900,000 under the Farmers Market Promotion Program. The awards will aid local governments, nonprofit and economic development corporations and agricultural cooperatives...

Extending the Grazing Season with Protein Supplementation 

By Jason Ahola, University of Idaho Extension beef specialist

For much of the U.S., it was a long, hot, and dry summer. As a result, most pasture forages are low in quality, particularly protein. If you are lucky enough to have stockpiled forage, crop aftermath, or residual pasture – even if it is low in protein and appears to have little value – it should be considered for use...

National Beef Cook-Off savors 27th year 

With her recipe for Nuevo Chipotle Beef in Butternut Squash Boats, amateur home cook Christine Riccitelli of Incline Village, Nev., won the 27th National Beef Cook-Off® and the $50,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize in mid-September in Chicago, IL...

New low-moisture block supplement 

Ridley Block Operations has introduced Crystalyx® Distillers OptimizerT, a nutrient-dense, free-choice, low-moisture mineral block to assist in the balance of minerals and vitamins for cattle fed corn byproducts...

September good time to control Sericea Lespedeza 

Late summer/early fall can be a good time to treat sericea lespedeza with herbicides, according to Walt Fick, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension range management specialist...