WI Beef Information Center

The past few weeks have been a firestorm of media attention on the controversy surrounding pink slime, a.k.a lean finely textured beef.  It is disappointing a two words strung together – pink + slime can have this much of an impact.  And the science behind the procedure and implications are not driving the reaction but [...]

North Central Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and UW-Extension Taylor County invite you to bring your bulls to the Taylor County Fairgrounds in Medford, WI for breeding soundness evaluations on May 8, 2012.  Almost one third of bulls do not successfully complete reproductive services, therefore conducting a breeding soundness evaluation can determine if your bull(s) have the [...]

When cattle feeders at the 2011 and 2012 Cattle Feeders were asked where the majority of their finished cattle were marketed, over 50% of the producers answered at an auction facility. This is in contrast to the Great Plains which indicated that in 2001 over 45% of cattle were marketed on a grid (i.e. grade and yield). Some reasons why Wisconsin may differ than the Great Plain include smaller feedlot size (average number of head for a Wisconsin feedlot is 29) and easy access to auction facilities with fed cattle sales. However, even when marketing cattle through an auction facility, feeders should understand finished cattle are being evaluated by buyers based on a grid pricing.

The production year of the cow herd is typically broken down into four physiological stages of production. Today we are going to review these stages of production and some key management strategies to consider during these periods.

For those beef farms which graze young cattle such as stocking operations or grass-finishing cattle.   UW Extension is going to offer a program in Readstown, WI  at the Kickapoo Inn on March 13.  The program will feature presentations covering backgrounding economics under current market conditions; adding profit to stockers with pasture management; cattle handling [...]

Wisconsin Beef and Dairy Quality Assurance Program is now offering farmers several options to re-certify for the program.   One way to become re-certified is to obtain a minimum of 3 hours of continuing education credits (CEC) by attending an approved UW Extension education program.  Upcoming programs which would qualify for this program would include the [...]

By Amy E. Radunz, UW Extension Beef Cattle Specialist

In the second post of this series, we are going to discuss the biological use of nutrients or in other words how cattle prioritize the use of nutrients. This is an important concept to remember in order to trouble shoot problems associated with nutrition on the farm. Regardless of the type of nutrient certain organs or systems within the animal are higher on this list of use of nutrients than others.

The care and well-being of dairy and beef cattle is the focus of the upcoming Midwest Dairy and Beef Husbandry Conference to be held on March 1, 2012 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.

First featured in Wisconsin Agriculturalist

By Aerica Bjurstrom, UW-Extension Kewaunee County

Wisconsin has a bountiful supply of Holstein steers that can be raised for beef. Feeding Holsteins can be a low-stress profitable venture if you start out on the right foot. Giving your calves the best start possible lays down a path of good health and growth performance for his lifetime.

By Brenda Boetel, UW Extension Livestock Economist

On January 27, 2012, the USDA/NASS released the semi-annual Cattle report. Most information in the report was expected. Record setting drought in the Southern U.S. caused beef cow herd liquidation, fewer calves on cereal grain pasture, and more cattle in feedlots. However, record high feeder cattle prices stimulated interest in beef heifers, with replacements increasing enough in areas with good moisture conditions to cause a slight increase for the U.S.