Tag Archives: Nutrition

“Think Tank” on Cattle Reproductive Technology


Want to make a first-year graduate student feel really dumb? Put him in a room with several leading researchers in his field of study and ask what he learned. Talk about a challenge. Luckily I didn’t have to actually get up and speak, but it was encouraging enough to sit in on the “Think Tank” known as the Roy A Wallace Bovine Reproduction Symposium held recently in Columbus, Ohio.

Researchers from universities across the country gathered here to present their research in cattle reproduction to their peers. There were definitely some great questions raised and some challenging discussion took place, but that’s what is supposed to happen when you gather in a “Think Tank.” The Universities of Idaho, Missouri, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and more were represented in this group.

Research of Cattle Reproduction

We have come a long ways in the past few decades when it comes to managing cattle reproduction. We are now able to synchronize estrus in cattle and consistently make 50%+ conception rates from artificial insemination (AI) in herds across the country. Now researchers are to the point of learning how to critique these methods and adapt them to environmental effects.

Most of these researchers presented their findings on critiques to estrus synchronization in cows, influencing the timing of ovulation with fewer injections and getting more cows bred on time. I was really impressed at how consistently breeding rates remain around 50% across the country with the use of AI.

Nutrition is obviously a huge part of successful pregnancies in cattle. We have to “Feed ‘em to breed ‘em!” There are more folks looking at nutrition management of heifers and bulls in early life and how feeding strategies affect long-term reproductive performance. This definitely ties in with my research of how nutrition while the calf is still in utero affects its performance throughout life.

Application of Reproduction Research

Our biggest challenge is making these tools most applicable to everyday cattle producers. The synchronization protocols are more affordable than ever before and only require running cattle through the chute 3 times in most instances. This can be a huge pay-off for a cattle producer looking to add higher-quality genetics in his herd without purchasing a bull. It’s also a great tool for producing a more uniform set of calves in a tighter window of time.

The most entertaining story I heard centered around the influence on temperament (attitude) of cattle on breeding rates. Apparently hot-headed, excited Brahman cattle in Florida don’t have great conception rates to AI. Part of this might have something to do with handling methods that get cattle excited on large ranches where cattle are only handed a few times each year. Heat, stress, handling, disease, and diet are just a few of the environmental factors affecting reproductive success.

One concern that has been brought to my attention is the effects of this year’s extreme heat and drought. There’s a good possibility that cattle pregnancy rates will significantly drop in areas hit hardest by the extreme temperatures. We’ll have to wait and see as more producers pregnancy check cows this Fall and as we move into next Spring’s calving season.

Study of reproduction in cattle is a long process, requires large numbers of cattle, and is heavily influenced by environmental conditions, so most studies require a few years to complete. Most folks would be surprised how much study of reproduction and embryo development in cattle contributes to reproductive technologies in humans.

Photo Friday: Experience and Knowledge


Photo credit: Unknown

“The stockman whose training has been solely in the school of experience often holds in light regard that which is written concerning his vocation. Let him remember the facts and truths are the same whether the repository is a book or the human mind. Held by the latter, all perish with the possessor; in keeping of the former, the whole world may be benefited.”

“On the other hand, novices usually underestimate the importance of experience, often thinking that by reading they can acquire the knowledge necessary in the prosecution of their business. That stock feeding is an an art and not a science, and that experience and judgement must rule in its successful conduct, is recognized in our books.”

“The eye of the master fattens his cattle.”

–W.A. Henry, 1898

Found this in one of my cattle nutrition books. Thought it was well worth the share. Hopefully it’ll give you something to ruminate on.

If you have to ask why I’m reading books from the early 1900s on livestock nutrition… Well, it’s an #AgNerd thing. You wouldn’t understand! Haha… Have a great weekend!

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Late Winter Cow Management


Much of the country has been blessed with a mild, dry winter, avoiding many of the problems severe winter storms can bring to the cow herd. With this good weather, we can become side tracked and forget about some very important nutritional needs from Spring calving cows.

North Dakota Beef Specialist, Carl Dahlen, recently shared some important cattle management tips for late winter.

1. Cattle requirements are increasing and herds have calves being born; be sure to match diets with requirements.

2. Review feed inventories and re-evaluate your plan for allocating feed to cattle in light of current winter conditions.

3. If cows are in great condition, save better-quality hay for feeding after calving; consider which hay to carry over for next year.

4. Increase feed deliveries in cold weather (yes, we actually may have cold weather this year!) and consider feeding in the afternoon; this keeps cattle warmer at night and can shift calving to daylight hours.

5. Prepare for calving (everything from pre-calving vaccinations to getting all supplies ready) if your cows are getting close.

6. Review health, feeding and implant strategies for newly purchased backgrounded calves to optimize performance unless Natural premium outweighs opportunity cost.

7. Secure seed and fertilizer purchases for planting in spring of 2012.

8. Familiarize yourself with expected progeny differences (EPDs) and current breed-average EPDs and how you can use these numbers in your breeding program.

9. Review existing bull inventory, reflect on the 2011 calf crop, determine needs for the 2012 breeding season, and purchase accordingly.

10. Take time to set goals for your operation in 2012; this gives everyone on your operation something to strive for.

Read more on Beef Cattle Nutrition this winter and the rest of the story from Beef Magazine.

What advantages/disadvantages have you experienced with mild winter weather? Do you think we’ll pay for this weather down the road?

Agriculture – Top 20 Most Useless Degrees?

tdb

Last week I received a link to a story from The Daily Beast, an aggregator news website affiliated with Newsweek. The headline was “20 Most Useless Degrees” and wouldn’t you know it Horticulture (No.2), Agriculture (No.3), Nutrition (No.10), and Animal Science (No.20) made the list. The website laid claim that the first two degree fields would be needing 1.74% and 0.88% fewer jobs in the next 10 years, and an increased need of 9.24% and 13.15% for the second two. Probably not far off, but why would a degree be “useless” if the related field of work is stable or growing? Now before you go and dismiss this web story as another on of those false headline makers, hold on. I believe I have a (somewhat) valid point behind this.

Agriculture Degree Education College Food Farming

In my work of advocating for Agriculture, food production, and telling my story of life on the ranch, there are always headlines and webstories fueling fear into the minds of consumers about this country’s food system. That fear must be started from a seed. So many headlines that plant that seed of doubt can lead to larger things. So why would we want this seed to ever be planted? I would rather consumers have a seed of truth planted by hearing stories from real farmers first.

The Daily Beast lays claim to 5 million unique monthly views each month. That’s a lot of traffic compared to blog pages like this one from farmers and ranchers. This particular story was shared on Facebook by 6,500+ people. Word gets around. There’s that many people who may have a seed of doubt planted, saying that Agriculture is a dead-end place. Now I’m not sure about you, but I have been taught that Agriculture fields are growing and in demand. Told that Ag companies are looking for more specialists in the fields.

My “useless” Animal Science degree must be the reason for my immense unhappiness, the reason why I am “stuck” doing something I love most in this world – producing beef that ends up on the plates of consumers (like those who write for The Daily Beast none the less). Now I’m sure that some are gonna say this was a wasted effort of reaction to “shock factor” webstory, or maybe some reacted to the Daily Beast story by calling it a pile of bull. Either way, I hope you take a look and understand why it’s important we keep telling the story of food production. There are still many ignorant people out there. Ignorant (lacking awareness) because they have yet to hear the story of food production from real farmers and ranchers. And for the others… Well, in the words of Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid.”