Carrington Research Extension Center

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Cow/Calf Production

Research focus is primarily on nutrition and management. Two very different production systems (drylot vs. native pasture) are being compared for economics, biological production and integration with cropping systems. A wide variety of feedstuffs, some unique to North Dakota, have been evaluated, including aftermath grazing, crop residue, annual forages, silages, grain, and several different co-products. Mineral requirements and mineral supplementation for beef cows is being studied. Creep feeding and management of drylot and pasture raised calves before and after weaning is compared. Vertical integration of cow/calf enterprise through finishing feedlot production is evaluated with carcass data included. We have evaluated several different breeds crossed with a Red Angus base cow herd in the past several years.


Following are links to NDSU Extension publications and links to specific articles related to cow/calf production.

 

2016 North Dakota Beef Report

2015 Beef Cattle and Range Research Report

Alternative Feeds for Ruminants

Combined Feed Value and Protein and Energy Calculator

Drylot Beef Cow/Calf Production

Field Pea Grain for Beef Cattle

Harvesting, Storing and Feeding Corn as Earlage

Harvesting, Storing and Feeding High-Moisture Corn

Low-stress Cattle Working Facilities

Low-stress Cattle Working Facilities Video

Winter Management of the Beef Cow Herd

 

 

 

Feedlot Research    Top of Page


File Underfeeding Beef Cows Has Consequences - 3/20/19
File Combined Feed Value and Protein and Energy Calculator
Please save the combined feed value and protein and energy calculator file to your computer and open in Microsoft Excel to use the calculator.
File Beef Production Incomes and Expenses for South Central North Dakota 2010-2014
Increasing costs combined with a lower trending market will reduce profit margins, making management decisions even more important.
File 2017 Retained Ownership of Calves - A Year to Remember
The Dakota Feeder Calf Show feedout project assists cattle producers in identifying cattle with superior growth and carcass characteristics.
File 2016 Utilizing Winter Rye as a Forage for the Integration of Crop and Livestock Production
Using winter rye for forage to integrate cropland into a livestock system
File Troff document 2016 Bale Grazing Project
The bale grazing project goal was to validate the effects of bale grazing on soil health, forage production and cattle performance.
File 2014 Beef Production Incomes and Expenses for South Central North Dakota
Beef production incomes and expenses for South Central North Dakota for 2009 through 2013.
File Troff document 2014 An Update from the Discovery Farms Project
The Discovery Farms project provides a working farm setting to collect the data needed to help strike that balance between profitability and protection of natural resources.
File 2013 Feed Testing for Ranchers
Results of feed analysis can be used to better predict calf performance in backgrounding rations and develop effective cow wintering diets.
File 2013 Feed Testing for Ranchers
A look at the different feeds in use by producers in the area.
File Troff document 2013 Drylot Vs Pasture Beef Cow/Calf Production - 3 Year Progress Report
A trial to see the performance difference of cow/calf pairs in a drylot versus pasture.
File Octet Stream 2013 Beef Production Incomes and Expenses for South Central North Dakota
A look at the economics behind beef production in North Dakota.
File 2013 Beef Production Incomes and Expenses for South Central North Dakota 2008-2012
A report of beef production incomes and expenses for South Central North Dakota from 2008 through 2012.
File Octet Stream 2012 The Rising Input Costs of Beef Cattle Herds in East Central North Dakota
A look at the input costs for cattle herds in the area.
File 2012 Corn Stover and Distillers Grains for Lactating Drylot Beef Cows
This project evaluated the use of corn stover and distillers grains as the primary ingredients in lactating beef cow diets.
File 2011 Comparison of Beef Cattle Management Systems: Pasture versus Drylot Year 2
A study to compare the efficiency and economics of each production system.
File PDF document 2010-2009 Comparison of Beef Cattle Management Systems: Pasture Versus Drylot - Year 1
The results from 2009-10 at the Carrington Research Extension Center to compare beef cattle management systems: pasture versus drylot.
File PDF document 2010 Targeting the North Dakota Natural Beef Market: Impacts on Early Calf Growth and Performance
The results from a 2010 experiment by North Dakota State University to test the impacts on early calf growth and performance. This trial was held at Carrington and Hettinger.
File PDF document 2010 North Dakota Verified Livestock; a Marketing Tool for Beef Exports
A report from 2010 about North Dakota Verified Livestock; a marketing tool for beef exports.
File PDF document 2010 Manure Application Timing and Economics of Manure Fertilization
The results from a 2010 experiment at the Carrington Research Extension Center to test manure application timing and economics of manure fertilization.
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