June 2012 Ranch Hand
Ranch Hand Newsletter
Domestic Animals in Agriculture and Biomedical Research
The use of domesticated or managed animals in research is important for improving the efficiency of animal production, alleviating poverty, promoting human health and contributing to biomedical research.
Early Spring Means Cutting Hay Early
For 2012, cut by the plant’s maturity and not the calendar date or you will get poorer quality feed than expected.
The First 21 Days of Calving Season
A review of the advantages for calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season.
Ranch Hand Top 10; June 2012
Top 10 management strategies to consider on your operation during June 2012:
It’s All Part of the Process
Carl Dahlen, NDSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, takes you through the university research process from start to finish.
Ergot in Your Feeds?
Ergot in your feeds can lead to ergotism. This article explain ergotism and the importance of early detection in the treatment of the disease.
What Does the Future Hold? Cattle Breeding Techniques
New breeding techniques continue to progess. Here is a review of the latest techniques and those that may be coming.
What in the World Happened?
Bryan W. Neville, Animal Scientist, NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center reflects on the many things that can go wrong delivering calves.
Effects of Injectable Vitamin Products on Serum Vitamin and Selenium Concentrations and Growth Performance in Beef Calves
NDSU researchers are studying the effectiveness of vitamin A-D-E or Bo-Se injection on raising serum fat-soluble vitamin and selenium concentrations of newborn calves in the first 48 hours after treatment.
Ranch Hand Top 10; February 2012
Top 10 management strategies to consider on your operation during February 2012:
Money Ahead Before a Calf Hits the Ground?
Increased calf prices also mean increased input costs for the cow herd. Record-high calf prices equal record-high bull prices. So what is a producer to do?
Is Your Herd Really “Closed”?
Maintaining a closed beef herd can have benefits from a herd health and biosecurity standpoint, but how “closed” is a closed herd?
Self-feeding Options
With limitations on available labor, time or buying power, some situations lend themselves to self-feeding. John Dhuyvetter, NDSU Extension Area Livestock Specialist, covers some of the options.
Providing Extra Feed to Nutritionally Stressed Cows; Timing for Proper Calf Development
NDSU researchers examine how restricting nutrient delivery and subsequently feeding to nutrient requirements from early to midgestation can affect the development of placental blood vessels and the fetus.
Sufficient Nutrients Vital for Beef Cows
The protein percentage and physical form of standing forages can affect whether cattle are getting sufficient nutrients.
Ranch Hand Top 10; January 2012
Top 10 management strategies to consider on your operation during January 2012:
The Effect of Supplementation of Distillers Grains to Calves on Hay Intake, Feeding Behavior and Growth Performance
Research projects have concluded ethanol byproducts can be an effective supplement. NDSU researchers are going further investigating the effects these byproducts might have of feeding behavior.
Watch Your Tires!
Inverted tires can make great structures to hold cattle feed and water, but if not properly maintained can cause hardware disease.
Ranch Hand Top 10; December 2011
Top 10 management strategies to consider on your operation during December 2011:
Use of BioPRYN to Determine Pregnancy Status and Assign Calving Groups
NDSU researchers compare pregnancy diagnosis via transrectal ultrasound with pregnancy detection via the BioPRYN system to determine pregnancy status and whether BioPRYN is a useful tool for beef producers to group cows according to predicted calving date.
