UNL BeefWatch

Recent research has confirmed management practices that enhance the potential for a replacement heifer to stay in the herd.

Early weaning can help reduce forage demand on rangeland and pastures. Strategies for utilizing this option are discussed.

Dr. Brandon Smith discusses research that examined feeding 10-12 lbs. of soy hulls per day with limited access to CRP hay to dry, pregnant cows.

Dr.Lindsay Waechter-Mead highlights the value of ultrasound as pregnancy diagnosis tool, the information it can provide and keys to timing of use.

Dr. Rick Funston discusses his experience in working with a commercial cow-calf operation to utilize sexed semen with heifers.

Evaluating options under current market conditions to keep a core of females from which to rebuild the cow herd going forward is discussed.

John Maddux from near Imperial discusses how the operation has used early weaning as a tool to mitigate drought impacts.

Cattle fundamentals continue to be strong supported by exceptional product quality and ongoing consumer demand.

Principles for reducing the risk of fire when working in rangelands and pastures is discussed.

The American consumer is increasingly eating more beef at a higher price than they were a decade ago.

Virtual fence technology is advancing rapidly. This two day tour will demonstrate its use on both producer operations and in research settings.

Dr. Jerry Volesky completes a 31 year career with the University of Nebraska in June. He shares what he has learned and what he sees as key management thought processes and management practices related to range, pasture and annual forages.

Dr. Rick Rasby completes a 40 year career with the University of Nebraska in June. He shares what he has learned and what he sees as important for the success of cow-calf producers going forward.

Recent research is demonstrating that bull body condition during semen production influences not only sperm viability but also embryo development.

Recent research is challenging the widely held belief that prussic acid breaks down in hay. Dr. Gruss from Iowa State discusses the data and gives principles to address this risk.

Measuring methane produced from cattle is a challenging process. The methods and tools utilized are discussed.

Disasters bring tax consequences which require thorough documentation. Options for managing income from livestock are dicussed as well.

Margins at the feedlot and packer level are showing negative values for the foreseable future. Dr. Koontz from CSU discusses the signal this sends for cow-calf and stocker yearling operations and why now is a good time to put into practice price risk management.

The University of Nebraska is examining factors that impact methane production from cattle. This research includes the microbial population in the rumen, inoculation of the rumen environment early in an animal’s life, diet and cattle genetics.

Current crop commodity prices, fertilizer input costs, and a shortage of grazeable forage in Nebraska is creating a senario where planting summer annual forages for grazing or harvested feed may be a more profitable option than growing row crops in 2026.