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An aerial view of a series of swine finishing facilities.

Methods to Slow Finishing Pig Growth

In abnormal situations, like with the packing plant closure we’re currently dealing with, pork producers may need to “hold” their pigs past normal marketing dates in order for other processing options to open up. We can accomplish that in two ways: altering internal barn environment and changing diets.

Two blue feed buckets filled with distillers grains.

Evaluating Feedstuffs on Nutrient Cost-Comparison Basis

Feed costs in dairy diets typically make up half or more of the input expenses of a ration. Thus, it is imperative to keep a handle on input costs by comparing ingredients on an apples-to-apples basis when looking for cost-effective diet solutions.

A small group of black angus cattle in a feedlot.

Bigger Cattle. Warmer Weather. What Can Go Wrong?

The disruptions in the beef processing sector caused by COVID-19 continue to interfere with the orderly marketing of finished cattle. While we all hope that the situation is resolved quickly, the reality is that because the shipment of so many harvest-ready cattle has been delayed, there will be increased numbers of heavier cattle on feed for the foreseeable future.

black cow drinking from a nearly empty stock pond.

Feed & Water Testing Laboratories

A partial listing of available feed testing laboratories.

Jars of cut cucumbers being prepared to make dill pickles.

Dill Pickles

Try this research-tested recipe for homemade dill pickles courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

A jar of strawberry jam surrounded by fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Jam

Try this research-tested recipe for homemade strawberry jam courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Five jars of canned salsa sitting on a countertop.

Canned Tomato Salsa

Try this research-tested recipe for canned tomato salsa courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Several cut carrots placed in a canning jar.

Canned Carrots

Try this research-tested recipe for canned carrots courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Several jars of canned green beans on a countertop.

Canned Green Beans

Try this research-tested recipe for canned green beans courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Rancher holding a notepad beside a feed bunk.

Capitalizing on Cow Costs

Feeding cows is one area of consideration when analyzing the cost of keeping a cow through her production year. Through small management choices, we can decrease the cost of the cow while maximizing on opportunities.