The original intent of my article was going to focus on this year’s North Dakota Angus University, and I will bring it back to that point in a minute. Typically, when I write my Center Points articles, I usually do so thinking about current times and what is happening from an animal agriculture perspective in my life. But as I write this one, the world and the perspective of the people in it is changing. Right now, it seems these changes are occurring by the minute. While we don’t yet know how the current health challenges we face will ultimately be resolved, we as livestock producers still know a few things 1) livestock still need to be fed, and 2) calving doesn’t stop until the last cow has her calf. Perhaps in some respects those facts are a small bit of normalcy we in agriculture can hang onto in these challenging times.

Now, in regard to the North Dakota Angus University, we are currently continuing as originally planned and will be taking consignments the first week of June 2020.  Calves consigned to the program must be 50% or greater black angus genetics.  Producers should also target a weight between 800-900 pounds at arrival. All calves will be marketed in September. Calves consigned to this year’s feed-out will be part of a research project evaluating how roughage inclusion rate impacts rumen pH and feedlot performance of steers fed wheat-based finishing diets. The project is being supported by the North Dakota State Board of Agriculture Research and Education – agriculture research fund. North Dakota producers interested in consigning calves are encouraged to contact Bryan at 701.652.2951 or by email bryan.neville@ndsu.edu. 

Angus steers in a past North Dakota Angus University Summer Feed-out Program at the NDSU Carrington REC.

Click here to view the information poster.

Bryan Neville, Ph.D.
Bryan.Neville@ndsu.edu
Animal Scientist