Market Steer Projects: Getting Started

Raising a market steer as a 4-H project can be a very rewarding experience for youth. However, it is important to note up front that raising a market steer requires higher input costs and larger living spaces than all other 4-H livestock projects. A successful market steer project involves a lot of time and effort to train, feed, and clean your animal. If the necessary time and resources are available, raising market steers can be one of the most enjoyable livestock projects that 4-H has to offer. This fact sheet has some tips to get you started with your market steer project

Utah Brand Inspections for Horses

Brand inspection laws and proof of ownership laws are often misunderstood by horse owners in Utah. Outlined in this paper are the current laws regarding requirements for proof of ownership while traveling and brand inspection requirements during the transfer of ownership

The Effects of Different Organic Pastures on Dairy Heifer Growth and Development

Raising dairy heifers in a certified organic setting can be difficult for producers. Conventionally, heifers are raised in a confined setting, and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) that is balanced daily to contain all the needed nutrients for developing heifers. Organic producers can use a TMR in their operations, but due to high organic feed costs, many choose to raise their heifers in pasture-based systems. While pasture-based systems may lower costs, heifers on pasture commonly have lower rates of gain, which can be financially burdensome to producers. Grass-legume pastures may help improve rates of gain in heifers on pasture-based systems. In this study, yearling Jersey heifers received one of nine different treatments: eight pasture treatments or a conventional TMR control, for a 105-d period. Pasture treatments included four grass pastures: tall fescue (TF), meadow bromegrass (MB), orchard grass (OG), perennial ryegrass (PR) and four mixed pastures with each individual grass interseeded with the legume birdsfoot trefoil (BFT). To determine the effects of different pastures on heifer growth, heifers were sampled every 35 days over a 105-d period. During sampling, weight and hip-height were measured, and blood and fecal samples were taken from each heifer. Blood samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), an indicator of protein status, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), an indicator of energy balance. Fecal samples were analyzed to determine the parasite load of each heifer. At day 105 of the study, heifers were bred, and conception rates were determined 35 days after breeding. Heifers on mixed pasture tended to have increased body weights compared to heifers on grass pastures. Heifers fed on mixed pastures had a similar weight gain to those fed a TMR, except for heifers on TF+BFT were lower. Heifers fed on mixed pastures also had higher BUN concentrations than heifers fed on grass pastures. Heifers fed grass and mixed pastures had similar IGF-1 concentrations, parasite load and conception rates. Adding the legume BFT to grass pasture helped dairy heifers grow faster and more efficiently. Interseeding grass pastures with BFT may be a sustainable method to improve growth of developing jersey heifers being raised in a pasture-based system, although additional research is needed

Maintaining Pig Temperatures in the Summer and Winter Seasons

Utah often faces extreme temperatures in the summer and winter seasons. Due to the adverse weather, it can be difficult to raise pigs. This fact sheet discusses ways to help pigs adjust to hot and cold temperatures with facilities and management techniques

Raising Replacement Ewes for Dairy Sheep Production

This fact sheet explains how producers who are seeking more milk production yield, along with more economic value from their replacements can do these three different ways: a) manage replacement rate; b) improve nutrition; and c) optimize reproduction

Pasture Pig Basics

With an increasing push for more sustainable agriculture practices, raising pigs on pasture has gained much attention over recent years. Although it is possible to raise pigs on pasture, and this production method may support some sustainability goals, there are some important considerations. This fact sheet provides insight and answers to aspiring pig farmers so that they can make better-informed decisions before purchasing their pigs

Market Animal Feed Efficiency: A Tool for Evaluating Feed Conversion

The market animal feed efficiency calculator is designed to help youth livestock producers become more profitable and improve market animal feed efficiency

Importance of a Dietary Cation-Anion Difference in Peripartum Dairy Cows

At calving, nutrient requirements of dairy cows increase to support milk synthesis. Energy and protein requirements are increased at the initiation of lactation (Moore et al., 2000). Additionally, calcium requirements increase tremendously to meet the demands of lactation (Moore et al., 2000). Calving and subsequent milk synthesis can cause calcium concentrations in the blood to drop. When the demand for calcium exceeds the cow’s ability to mobilize calcium, hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) occurs, which can negatively impact production. This fact sheet reviews hypocalcemia in dairy cows and how to implement hypocalcemia prevention strategies

Identifying and Managing Dyer\u27s Woad (Isatis tinctoria) in Pastures, Rangelands, and Non-Crop Settings

Dyer\u27s woad (Isatis tinctoria) was introduced into Utah during the mid-nineteenth century as a source of indigo dye. The plant escaped cultivation and has spread across rangelands, foothills, and other sites throughout the Intermountain West. This fact sheet provides information about identifying dyer\u27s woad and its lifecycle, distribution, and management in pastures, rangelands, and non-crop settings. It includes information about using appropriate herbicides to control dyer\u27s woad and how to apply them

2022 Costs and Returns for Non-irrigated Flax in Utah

Enterprise budgets are the building blocks of a farm or ranch. They represent estimates of income and expenses for a specific time period using a set of production practices and inputs for that enterprise. This fact sheet provides a budget with sample costs and returns to establish and produce non-irrigated flax in Utah. It is intended to be a guide used to estimate income and expenses, list inputs and production practices, and provide a framework for the whole farm plan. The sample budget lists production practices, inputs, and services for field operations