Livestock Resource F&R

Your direct source for livestock news and information

Published by Farmers & Ranchers Livestock, Salina, Kansas

In this Issue:

1 Post-Pasture Learning

The American Hereford Association Feedout Program and National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout are providing important genetic and end product performance data for both seedstock suppliers and commercial producers using Hereford genetics. Participants learn about cattle feeding and beef packing sectors as they receive performance “report cards” on the cattle.

7 Marketing Feeder Cattle? Begin With the End in Mind

Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef, reminds producers marketing feeder cattle to understand what constitutes value. Today packers look for cattle that will meet high quality benchmarks (Certified Angus Beef®, Prime, 100% Choice) and have excellent red meat yield. Selecting above-average genetics for important end product traits, like marbling and feed conversion, give you a head start on the progeny being worth more.

12 Cattle Prices on Record Pace

Cash fed steer prices set a nominal record high price in early April and have continued to rise. Reasons behind the prolonged, steeply higher price path have everything to do with fewer cattle and reduced beef production in tandem with resilient beef demand.

16 Prolonged Drought Leaves Mark on Beef Industry

Drought throughout the Southern Plains has taken a toll on Oklahoma and southwest Kansas cattle producers over the past two years. Drought Monitor maps from the Oklahoma Mesonet consistently displayed a drought line from northeast to southwest. Recent rains have provided relief to some, but difficult decisions may yet to come relative to further herd reductions.