Livestock

Chemicals in weedy forages can cause skin problems in cattle. Nebraska Extension Veterinarian and Beef Educator Lyndsay Waechter-Mead talks about what plants are problematic and how to identify photosensitization in cattle. 

Water quantity and quality is critical to cattle health and performance. Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator Troy Walz talks about the importance of keeping fresh water in front your livestock this summer. 

Drought conditions in the Nebraska Panhandle region persist, with many areas receiving limited precipitation in April. Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Aaron Berger says weak market prices have made grazing wheat an alternative forage option this spring. 

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has released its 2025 report on custom service rates for livestock production in Nebraska. Glennis McClure a Nebraska Extension Ag Economics Educator says the report provides average charges for 26 different livestock-related custom operations and may be a valuable reference for producers and operators to determine fair pricing for custom services.

One of the most damaging pests of pasture and rangeland cattle across the U.S. is the adult horn fly. Nebraska Extension Entomologist Dave Boxler discusses how horn flies can affect performance and what producers can do to stop it. 

Preparing for breeding season means there are important things to think about when it comes to the fertility of your bulls. Decisions made now can greatly impact breeding according to Extension Specialist Kacie McCarthy.

Getting your young calves off to the right start is critically important throughout the life of the animal. Nebraska Extension Specialist Karla Wilke talks about the importance of water intake and how that effects rumen development. 

Stronger cattle markets have endured for quite some time. Oklahoma State Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says there are a number of factors that have helped keep the market strong and talks about what he sees in the future. 

Free choice mineral mixes are commonly used to provide the mineral that grazing cattle need, but over consuming can be a big problem for nursing calves. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski talks about strategies to help calves get the minerals they need. 

Producers can take several steps to encourage cows to return to estrus faster after calving, boosting conception rates and ensuring calves are born earlier in the next calving season. Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist Kacie McCarthy talks about helping late calvers come back to good performance after calving season.

Coccidiosis is a common parasitic disease that causes bloody diarrhea in calves. Nebraska Extension Beef Veterinarian Lindsay Waechter-Mead discusses how the disease is contracted and ways to control it in your heard.

Wildfire is a natural component of Northern Great Plains grassland ecosystem, and most pastures and rangelands will comeback with proper management. Nebraska Extension Educator Bethany Johnston talks timing and grazing management, following a fire.

Making the most of high prices in the cattle markets means producers should be paying close attention to price slides. Extension Specialist Elliot Dennis and UNL Grad Student TaraLee Hudson talk about a few price strategies to help producers take advantage of certain market conditions.

On today’s Almanac, Extension Educator Brock Ortner talks about making sure your cattle have proper magnesium supplementation to counter grass tetany. He says it’s a common issue when turning out cows to cool season pastures but also points out, different cattle have different mineral needs. 

Eastern red cedar trees can quickly take over pasture and rangeland if not monitored properly. Extension Educator Bethany Johnson talks about how red cedar trees spread and what farmers can do to stop the takeover.