Livestock

The tradition of showing livestock is something many Nebraska kids know well. Extension Beef Educator Lindsay Waechter-Mead says there are handling and health issues that should be considered when transporting livestock both to and from a show.  

Some conditions in the state have led to an ideal environment for stable flies to thrive. Nebraska Extension Educator Dave Boxler says ranchers can take steps to help control stable flies which can affect weight gain and other performance issues with cattle. 

Body condition of your cows and bulls play a big part in achieving your operations breeding goals. Nebraska Extension Educator Wayde Pikinpaugh talks about what you can do now when preparing for the upcoming breeding season.

Cover crops on livestock operations can offer many economic and environmental benefits. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Agricultural Economics Professor Jay Parsons talks about how cover crops can help make cattle operations successful and points out the benefits of incorporating them. 

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.