Some Thoughts on Body Condition Scoring of Cows

As far as technologies go, body condition scoring is one of the most useful and least expensive. No computers, no scales – heck, you don’t even have to pen your cows to apply it. Although body condition was certainly used before the 1960s, I think the late Jim Wiltbank, PhD. at the Texas Agricultural Research Sub-Station No. 1 in Beeville, Texas was one of the first to apply it to subsequent reproductive success. He scored cooperator herds in the South Texas and Gulf Coast on a simple basis: Thin, Average or Fat before calving and found that the average and fat cows had higher pregnancy rates at next breeding. Since then, body condition scores have been more accurately associated with fat cover or lack of it and have been expanded to nine scores (see Table 1) although dairy operators and Australians use a five-point score. In spite of the fact that body condition score (BCS) has been useful to determine breed back or pregnancy rate for over 50 years, a recent National Animal Health Monitoring Survey and my own survey data show that less than 15 percent of beef producers use it

Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock

Livestock owners should 'hurricane-ize' their livestock each year prior to hurricane season. This would include making sure their livestock are current on their vaccinations (blackleg, leptospirosis, tetanus, encephalitis). Additional feed, hay and water supplies should be purchased several days prior to landfall and stored in case these are not available following the hurricane. Owners should stock up on basic veterinary supplies (bandages, topical antibiotics, tetanus toxoid) and have restraint equipment (ropes, halters) ready to restrain injured animals for veterinary assistance. Immediately prior to landfall turn off all electrical power and water in the barn (not fences

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTRIBUTES OF BEEF CATTLE RAISED USING ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY AND PRICES RECEIVED AT THE PACKERS: A HEDONIC PRICE ANALYSIS

Sluggish growth in per capita consumption and a downward pressure on beef price at the farm level has required producers to raise cattle that precisely target the meat attributes desired by consumers. Ultrasound technology can help farmers to produce a carcass with an optimal mix of marbling and muscling, and external fat. The results of this study show a high level of accuracy of ultrasound technology in predicting carcass attributes. An estimated hedonic regression model shows that the carcass attributes are reflected on the implicit beef price. Ultrasound technology helps producers to produce carcass with the desired attributes, thus obtain a higher price.Demand and Price Analysis,

Long Term Financial Impacts of Drought Management Strategies

This paper analyzes the financial implications of drought management strategies for a model ranch in South Texas. The 2006 drought that affected Texas livestock producers left many cattlemen asking the age old question, "Should I cull to reduce my herd size or purchase feed to maintain my current herd".Livestock Production/Industries,

Economic Impact of Beef Cattle Best Management Practices in South Texas: Stocking Strategies during Drought

In a drought situation, forage is normally reduced due to lack of adequate moisture. Moreover, the availability of hay may become limited, and hay prices often escalate. Cow-calf producers are faced with the integral decision to maintain their herds and supplemental feed or reduce the herd to minimize feeding requirements and costs. The management decision to maintain versus destock can significantly impact producer profits and financial position. This paper illustrates the financial implications of alternative management stocking strategies in a drought situation optimizing profitability of ranching operations

Backyard Production of Meat Rabbits in Texas.

20 p

South Texas Cabrito Recipes.

20 p

Spanish Goat Management.

12 p

Cow/Calf Production Record Software.

16 p

Cow/Calf Production Record Software.

16 p