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Benefits of Early Pregnancy Detection

During this episode of Cattle HQ, experts discuss the impact that early pregnancy detection has on your herd.

Row of cattle swatch grazzing along a fenceline in a field.

Swath Grazing

Swath grazing can be utilized with various crops and can improve utilization of the crops for feed, while decreasing fuel, harvest and feeding costs and also improving soil health.

Opportunities and Considerations when Grazing Cover Crops

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Olivia Amundson and Robin Salverson, caught up with Dan Forgey with Cronin Farms near Gettysburg, SD.

Management Strategies for Cull Cows

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and Olivia Amundson, former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, as they talk about different management strategies for cull cows.

Herd of mixed cattle grazing a fenced-in winter pasture.

Alternative Management Strategies for Culled Cows

Traditionally, keeping open females is not a popular option. However, variability in cull cow prices and feed costs may provide an opportunity to consider other options.

Pregnant black angus cow standing in a dry pasture.

High Nitrates and Pregnant Cows

Drought poses many challenges to the beef cow herd. Nitrates in feed is one of the challenges that producers need to be aware of, especially in the reproductive herd.

Value of Pregnancy Detection of Yearling Heifers

One of the most-important traits in the beef herd is reproduction. Any female that ends up open at the end of the year is costing the operation additional money. Strategic management decisions should be made within the reproductive herd to help maximize revenue.

Three cattle feeding on supplemental forage near cornstalks.

Supplementing Cows on Crop Residue

During winter, it is a common practice to have cows graze crop residue. This helps reduce the amount of forage needed to maintain a cow for part of the year, while reducing annual feed costs. However, cows may eventually need supplementation when grazing crop residues.

Young woman reviewing data on a laptop with a producer inside a hay shelter.

Management Goals for Cow/Calf Operations

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and good management practices begin by taking good records.

A small herd of black angus cattle at pasture.

Basics of Body Condition Scoring (BCS)

Fact sheet about the basics of body condition scoring for cattle.