How does the old joke go? If you walk into the sale barn cafe, there's a good chance you'll be able to hear a someone griping about the cattle markets or the weather. Two subjects that are ever-changing, and neither will be just right. Too much moisture, or temperature swings to wide. If we sell … Continue reading Cattle Market Trends, Seasonality and Resources
Explaining Cattle Feedlot Aerial Images
What’s really going on in the cattle feedlot aerial images you see on Google maps or online stories? Google cattle feedlot aerial photos and you come up with a number of results that describe the "horrors of industrial beef". People like to make these images out to be scary and damaging for conventional cattle operations. … Continue reading Explaining Cattle Feedlot Aerial Images
People Behind The Beef | What Happens in a Cattle Feedlot
(In case you missed it, check out the first part of this series about my introduction to feedlots as a kid to learn where my interest for feeding cattle began.) During the next few years, my interest in the cattle business grew even stronger. I focused on college courses in nutrition and managing feedlot cattle. … Continue reading People Behind The Beef | What Happens in a Cattle Feedlot
My Introduction As A Kid | What Happens In A Cattle Feedlot
So what really takes place at a cattle feedlot? Many folks refer to these places of business as factory farms. There is strong fascination among activist groups to uncover acts of cruelty and abuse from these locations, not only animal abuse, but irrevocable harms to the surrounding environment and communities. I have been lucky enough … Continue reading My Introduction As A Kid | What Happens In A Cattle Feedlot
How are antibiotics used in cattle? What room is there for improvement?
"Who would want to eat beef, especially when you consider all the antibiotics and growth hormones used in raising the cattle." -- Actual comment that represents many online article comments. General consumer sentiment on beef today? Yes or No? If so, what can we do to change this? And I'm not looking for the easy … Continue reading How are antibiotics used in cattle? What room is there for improvement?
Frostbite on their teats and other cold weather farming issues
Despite all the cold during the past few weeks, farmers and ranchers across the country have been out and about, taking care of their livestock, and getting things done on the farm and ranch despite cold weather farming issues. Let me know if you've seen other ag blog posts talking about working in the bitterly … Continue reading Frostbite on their teats and other cold weather farming issues
Antibiotics Use in Cattle Feedlots | Ask A Farmer
Last week, I brought forward some Food For Thought on the issue of antibiotic use in livestock. The concerns surrounding an increase in antibiotic resistance seem to raise a lot of emotion and controversy around our food supply, just as the use of other feed additives, chemicals, herbicides, and countless other technologies and applications of … Continue reading Antibiotics Use in Cattle Feedlots | Ask A Farmer
Atlas Blizzard Costs South Dakota Ranchers and Area Economy $1.7 Billion
Note: The following a release from SDSU and update from this month's devastating Atlas Blizzard that had an economic impact of $1.7 billion on the area economy. Relief efforts for the affected ranchers continue to flow in while federal disaster aid has been limited and slow in response. Consider checking out the designated Ranchers Relief … Continue reading Atlas Blizzard Costs South Dakota Ranchers and Area Economy $1.7 Billion
Update: How to help ranchers affected by Atlas Blizzard
A few days ago, I wrote about the Atlas blizzard that struck South Dakota and surrounding states. That post has links to several news stories and perspectives from the agriculture community. (Be sure to check back, it's been updated with more links.) This disaster still hasn't received large national attention, though some media outlets have … Continue reading Update: How to help ranchers affected by Atlas Blizzard
Antibiotics In Milk #FlatRyan
Tennessee dairy farmer Ryan Bright, who writes Silo Skies, took us up on the offer to host Flat Ryan on his farm! And Ryan Bright's secret agent cows from The Udder Side watched what he was up to and they prepared the following blog post on it. Thanks Ryan! And we hope all of you enjoy … Continue reading Antibiotics In Milk #FlatRyan