Shows / UNL BeefWatch
UNL BeefWatch
The BeefWatch Podcast provides timely information to help beef cattle producers improve the sustainability and profitability of their operations. BeefWatch is provided by the Nebraska Extension Beef Systems team and is the audio companion to the UNL BeefWatch Newsletter.
Episodes
- UNL BeefWatch
Bale Grazing - A Producers Perspective
Harold Gaugler from Grant County, North Dakota discusses how they have utilized bale grazing to reduce equipment and labor for winter feeding. He also shares…
- UNL BeefWatch
Beyond the Abstract, Does Bale Grazing Make Sense?
Bale grazing provides the opportunity to strategically place bales for use throughout the fall and winter on locations where the soil and plant community will…
- UNL BeefWatch
Plan Now to Purchase your Hay Supplies
Thinking ahead of hay needs now through the upcoming winter and spring can help position you to strategically purchase the feed you need.
- UNL BeefWatch
Successfully Weaned Calves A Hot Commodity
Calves are valuable! Keys for successfully caring for them at and after the weaning process are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Strip Grazing Whole Plant Milo as a Low Cost Winter Feed
Harry Cope, a producer from Truxton Missouri, shares his decades of experience with strip grazing standing milo in the fall and winter with cow calf pairs as a…
- UNL BeefWatch
Fall and Winter Management Strategies for the Cow Herd: Sample, Test, Inventory and Stage Harvested Hay
Using hay test results with an inventory enables producers to cost effectively plan to meet cow nutrition needs.
- UNL BeefWatch
What are Some Management Tips for Fall Calving Cows?
Dr. Rasby highlights key practices to remember when caring for fall calving cows and opportunities they provide to utilize Nebraska's feed resources.
- UNL BeefWatch
How Winter Rate of Gain, Implant Strategy, and Housing System Impact Growing Calves
Research examining different levels of gain and implant strategies for growing calves through the winter are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Tax Planning for Cow-Calf Operations: Don't Let the Snowball Roll Out of Control
Meeting early with your tax preparer will provide time to make sound tax management decisions and thoughtfully explore options. Prudently paying taxes now may…
- UNL BeefWatch
Fall Grazing Management: Balancing Forage Use and Recovery
Fall regrowth on cool season grasses may seem like a bonus for grazing, but care must be used when utilizing this forage to minimize risk of reducing plant…
- UNL BeefWatch
Managing Annual Forages After Frost
Grazing annual forages at and shortly after a freeze event raises the potential for toxicity. The risks and practices to mitigate them are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Cattle Market Outlook with Derrell Peel
The price fundamentals based on consumer demand and beef supplies are strong going into the fall with little sign of heifer retention and cow herd rebuilding…
- UNL BeefWatch
Keys for Corn Stalk Residue Grazing with Cattle
Dr. Mary Drewnoski shares research producers can use to effectively utilize corn residue. Expected grazing days per acre, supplementation strategies and…
- UNL BeefWatch
Asian Longhorned Ticks - Spreading West Towards Nebraska
David Boxler discusses the unique challenges these ticks provide, disease they can transmit,how to scout for them and options for control
- UNL BeefWatch
Watch Out for Whorled Milkweed: Identifcation, Toxicity, and Control in Pasture and Hay Ground
Whorled Milkweed can be toxic when consumed by livestock. Management practices to mitigate its presence in hay fields and the risk when it is present in…
- UNL BeefWatch
Cattle Market Outlook for the Fall and Winter
Dr. Elliott Dennis discusses the factors driving current cattle market conditions and at the base is consumer demand for beef!
- UNL BeefWatch
Don't Wait for Spring: Why Fall is Prime Time for Weed Control in Rangelands and Pastures
Excellent control of perennials, biennnials and winter annual weeds can occur in the fall through the use of strategically applied herbicides. Keys for timing…
- UNL BeefWatch
The Hidden Cost of Silage Storage - and How to Stop It
Best management practices to minimize silage spoilage and reduce dry matter loss are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Using the Cattle Comfort Index to Trigger Heat Abatment Strategies
Air flow, water, sprinklers, shade and even bedding can be helpful to reduce the impacts of heat on cattle. Benefits of different methods are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Using Herbicide for Cheatgrass Management in the Nebraska Panhandle
Research has shown a combination of two herbicides applied on pasture and rangeland in the fall can have effective control of winter annual grasses on…
- UNL BeefWatch
Challenges of the Beef Calf Born in July, August and September
Considerations for care and management of calves born in mid to late summer along with practices that can mitigate common stressors are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
What does summer pneumonia look like in calves and what to do about it?
Nebraska Extension Veterinarian Dr.Funk discusses factors that contribute to and common symptoms of summer pneumonia in nursing calves.
- UNL BeefWatch
Getting Reacquainted with the Cattle Comfort Index
The research behind the Cattle Comfort Index is explained and resources producers can use to access the information is discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Pause and Get Perspective on Current Cattle Prices
Dr. David Anderson, market analyst shares his perspective on current prices and some thoughts on price risk management for cattle producers.
- UNL BeefWatch
When Estrus Synch Goes Sideways: Practical Troubleshooting for Beef Producers
Review of the standard estrus synch drugs are discussed as well as frequent questions that are raised related to common problems that can occur. Resources for…
- UNL BeefWatch
Is that Corn Crop Worth More as Silage or as Grain?
Valuing a corn crop standing in the field for silage harvest or delivered to the cattle in the bunk and the factors that impact the price based on moisture…
- UNL BeefWatch
Is it Time to Consider Virtual Fence for Intensive Grazing Management?
University of Nebraska researchers have began exploring the capabilities of virtual fence for grazing management in annual forages and perennial pastures…
- UNL BeefWatch
Virtual Fence - A Ranchers Three Years of Experience with 500 Collared Cows
Daniel Mushrush, an early adopter of virtual fence technology shares his experience. What went well, what didn't, and the opportunities this tool provides for…
- UNL BeefWatch
Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Profit or Expense?
The cost of gain versus the value of gain is key for the profitablity of creep feeding calves. Keys to consider when evaluating whether or not to creep feed…
- UNL BeefWatch
Assessment of Nutrient Content of Grasslands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program in Kansas
CRP acres are often grazed with cattle. Having an estimate of the quality of this forage can help producers know what protein and energy supplementation may be…
- UNL BeefWatch
One Participant 401K is a Tax Savings and Financial Planning Tool for Small Businesses
The one participant 401K is a retirement account with unique options for small business owners. The ability to borrow from it and flexibility in funding the…
- UNL BeefWatch
Annual Forage Options for July or August Planting
There are numerous options for annuals forages that can be planted mid to late summer for grazing, haying, silage or stock piled winter feed. The class of…
- UNL BeefWatch
Effects of Maternal Cu, Mn, and Zn Supplementation from Different Sources on Physiological and Productive Responses on Cows and their Offspring
Research at Montana State University examined the impact of three different sources of trace minerals fed to cows during the last 5 months of gestation on the…
- UNL BeefWatch
Acclimation to Handling Improved Timed AI Conception Rates in Yearling Heifers
Research at Kansas State University of over 600 heifers at 5 locations showed that acclimation to handling through a chute and alley during the estrus…
- UNL BeefWatch
Does It Pay to Target Compensatory Growth in Yearlings During the Summer?
Compensatory gain on summer grass is often touted as one of the benefits of a slow growth wintering program for calves. Recent research is challenging the…
- UNL BeefWatch
Limit Feeding with a Bale Feeder, Bunk and a Bucket
Limit feeding an energy and protein dense diet to cow-calf pairs is often done use a total mixed ration. However, with a little creativity, there are options…
- UNL BeefWatch
I Need a Ration for My Cattle, Now What?
Drought conditions can trigger the need to feed cow-calf pairs or early weaned calves a ration that typically would not be required. Key things to know in…
- UNL BeefWatch
Need Summer Grazing? Sudangrass Might Be Worth a Try
Dr. Mary Drewnoski discusses research looking at grazing Sudangrass with both cow-calf pairs and yearlings. Stocking rates, cattle performance and management…
- UNL BeefWatch
Stable Flies on Pastured Cattle
Just 5 stable flies on each leg of cattle can have an economic impact. Dave Boxler discusses where stable flies come from, what makes control so challenging…
- UNL BeefWatch
Toxic Plants and Livestock Health June Webinar Series
Being able to identify toxic plants to livestock and management practices to minimize risk of poisoning is the focus of this series. To register…
- UNL BeefWatch
How Much Water do Cattle Need and What Problems Should Producers Watch For?
Cattle need a safe, readily available water supply for health and performance. Both quantity and quality factors producers need be attentive to are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
Impacts of Earlier Blooming Leafy Spurge
In parts of Nebraska there is a trend towards leafy spurge blooming earlier in the spring. Because the onset of reproduction is an opportune time to control…
- UNL BeefWatch
Investing in Herd Expansion, Time Value of Money and Opportunity Cost
Net present value is a tool cow-calf producers can use to evaluate the amount they can afford to spend to purchase or develop bred replacements for the cow…
- UNL BeefWatch
Horn Flies and Grazing Cattle
Horn flies populations at greater than 200 per animal can significantly impact cattle performance and comfort. Different methods and approaches to reduce horn…
- UNL BeefWatch
Cautionary Note on Beef Demand, Public Financial Sentiment Matters
The public is expressing angst about the state and direction of the economy at a level not seen since the early 1980s. The potential implications of this on…
- UNL BeefWatch
What Can We Do About Late Calvers and the Upcoming Breeding Season?
Management practices to enhance the liklihood that cows calving late will quickly return to estrus and conceive are discussed.
- UNL BeefWatch
How Much Free Choice Mineral Are Nursing Calves Eating?
Recognizing that calves are eating mineral needs to be included when calculating the total amount to be delivered to the herd to meet targeted levels of…
- UNL BeefWatch
Managing Burned Pastures After a Wildfire, How to Graze
Pasture and precipitation conditions prior to and after a wildfire greatly influence the approach to grazing management. Principles to pay attention to are…
- UNL BeefWatch
Management Strategies for Minimizing Early Pregnancy Loss
Conception rates are often high in cattle. However, numerous factors can inhibit maternal recognition or lead to pregnancy loss from days 7 to 50 after…
- UNL BeefWatch
Rangeland Grasshopers in 2025
Rangeland grasshoppers may be problematic this year in parts of Nebraska due to high populatoins last fall and winter conditions that may support survival of…
- UNL BeefWatch
2025 Drought Planning Trigger Dates
Soil moisture, air temperature along with plant health and vigor, all contribute to grass growth on native range and pastures. Understanding when key grass…
- UNL BeefWatch
Estrus Synchronization Considerations in Beef Herds
Dr. Rick Funston discusses the fundamentals and factors to enhance sucess, as well as resources to utilize when selecting and executing an estrus…
- UNL BeefWatch
Going to Grass: Preventing Grass Tetany with Magnesium Supplementation
Understanding the factors that contribute to grass tetany in cattle is the foundation for preventing it. Brock Ortner discusses why magnesium deficiences occur…
- UNL BeefWatch
Proactive Weed Control in Pastures: Tips for Early Season Success
Weeds in a pasture may be a natural part of the plant community ebb and flow or they may represent a noxious invasive species. Understanding classes of weeds…
- UNL BeefWatch
Registration Open for 2025 Nebraska Ranch Practicum
Interested in learning a systems approach to cattle and ranch management? The Practicum provides current research delivered through a hands on experience at…
- UNL BeefWatch
What Drives the Spread of Cedar Trees, The Most Important Predictor
Eastern red cedars are aggressively encroaching on grasslands in Nebraska. Understanding how they spread gives land managers knowledge they can use to…
- UNL BeefWatch
Managing Cattle Finishing at Heavier Weights
Cattle harvested at heavier weights may be at greater risk for late term death loss during the finishing period. Factors that may increase this risk and…
- UNL BeefWatch
What vaccines should I use? Tips for establishing vaccination protocols for calves.
Every operation is different and the appropriate vaccination plan will depend on health challenges specific to an individuals herd. Principles for developing a…
- UNL BeefWatch
Impacts of Increasing Levels of Salt on Intake, Digestion, and Rumen Fermentation with Beef Cattle Consuming Low-Quality Forages
Salt is often used to limit intake of protien supplements to cattle grazing low-quality forages. This research explores the potential impacts of high levels of…
- UNL BeefWatch
Build Resilience into Your Pasture Lease: The Drought and Disaster Clause
A written lease agreement should include a specified clause that addresses how drought and other natural disasters will be handled which provides clarity for…