Today we have a guest post from Indiana farmer, blogger Brian Scott (Facebook, Twitter). Brian does a great job of explaining difficult questions about farming operations, how crops are grown, and the management decisions surrounding growing Genetically Modified crops. Brian blogs about growing corn, soybeans, and popcorn at TheFarmersLife.com. Today he addresses dying corn left … Continue reading Why do farmers leave dying corn in fields? Ask a farmer
Is Antibiotic Resistance due to Livestock drug use?
One of the most frequent questions I receive relative to livestock production often includes some aspect of antibiotic use. This has been a hot-topic in the food and farm dialogues over the past few years and one that draws a lot of criticism from consumers concerned about antibiotic resistance. Are farmers and ranchers going to … Continue reading Is Antibiotic Resistance due to Livestock drug use?
Beta Agonists and Cattle Feeding | Ask a Farmer
Feed ingredients in cattle diets vary between each and every farm and they are all used for a specific reason. This summer, a few questions have been raised about one particular feed ingredient, a beta agonist called zilpaterol. I want to share some educational links on the topic. We all have a choice of what … Continue reading Beta Agonists and Cattle Feeding | Ask a Farmer
Artificial Insemination Goals for Dairy Farmers | Biotechnology in Cattle
A few weeks ago, I started a series featuring biotechnology tools used in cattle herds across the country. David and Jennifer Heim are friends of mine and own a dairy farm in northeast Kansas. The Heims milk 85-100 Holstein cows and raise their heifer calves as replacements. They also raise corn, soybeans, hay, and other forages, mostly … Continue reading Artificial Insemination Goals for Dairy Farmers | Biotechnology in Cattle
Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology in Cattle
As a part of my effort to share more information about biotechnology as it relates to cattle reproduction, this post will address the artificial insemination process we use when breeding cattle. Please leave any questions it may bring to mind in the comments section below or submit a direct message via the contact form on … Continue reading Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology in Cattle
Biotechnology and Cattle Reproduction | Ask a Farmer
Most folks get to share "Peanut" photos of their kids, so I figure it's only fair I get to share one from our cows During the month of April, my schedule is jam packed and I'm finding myself on the road nearly every day. It's breeding season for our cattle in Tennessee and it's the … Continue reading Biotechnology and Cattle Reproduction | Ask a Farmer
What Can We Do About Environmental Impacts of Cattle Feedlots?
I had an interesting conversation with a young woman from a Journalism class a few weeks ago who asked to interview me about Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) in livestock production, specifically the environmental impacts of cattle feedlots. A Meat Science professor had recommended me since I have spent most of my life acquainted with … Continue reading What Can We Do About Environmental Impacts of Cattle Feedlots?
What do feedlot cattle eat? Ask a Farmer
I have had several conversations where folks assume that grain-finished cattle have little to no access to grass. That is not the complete truth and many are surprised to learn just how short the period is that those cattle remain in the feedlot. The majority of the animal's life is on pasture. Recently I have … Continue reading What do feedlot cattle eat? Ask a Farmer
What is a cattle feedlot? | Ask a Farmer
What is a factory farm? What is a CAFO? What is a cattle feedlot? These and numerous other questions are some that I receive on a weekly basis pertaining to cattle production. I have spent most of my life becoming better acquainted with many aspects of cattle production. Over the next several posts, I hope … Continue reading What is a cattle feedlot? | Ask a Farmer
Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Ask a Farmer
What is a Factory Farm? Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Why are cattle finished in feedlots? These are a few of the questions I often receive when discussing the beef we eat and how cattle are raised. Do cattle eat grass or grain? Most all beef cattle are born and raised on pastures where … Continue reading Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Ask a Farmer