Program
Current cattle inventory situation and prospects for herd rebuilding
Replacement females are the cornerstone of profitable commercial herds. This talk explores the traits and genetic tools that are essential to consider as we aim to breed long-lived, productive, and profitable females.
As genomic testing costs have declined, its applications have expanded across the industry. This talk will discuss how commercial herds and feeders can take advantage of the additional information generated by genomics.
A1. Crossbreeding: The Beef Industry’s Last Free Lunch – Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee
As new technologies come online at a breakneck pace, it’s helpful to take a step back and identify areas where tried and true approaches might still be our best solution. The effects of crossbreeding have been known for decades, but it is not used to its full potential across the industry. This talk will discuss the basics of crossbreeding and how commercial herds can leverage it to build more productive cows and higher-performing calf crops.
A2. Risk Management in a High-Priced Market – Joseph Lensing, Iowa State University
Analyzing risk protection and strategies to protect the value of feeder and fed cattle.
B1. Pasture/grazing management – Marta Kohmann, University of Wisconsin
Grazing management is no easy task- several decisions are needed to make sure we will have a productive pasture that keeps up with animal requirements in the long term. In this presentation, we will go over main principles of pasture sustainable management. This principles will be presented in the context of midwestern grazing lands, looking into typical production systems and species, and presenting some of the most recent grazing studies underway.
B2. Effects of Market Timing and Performance Technologies on Marketing Decisions for High Quality Midwest Cattle – Erika Woolfolk, Iowa State University
To maximize carcass quality, cattle are often fed longer at the expense of reduced performance and higher cost of gain. This presentation will share the results of a study conducted at Iowa State University to evaluate the tradeoffs related to days on feed and market timing contingent on feed costs and grid premiums and discounts for high quality cattle sold on a carcass or grid market basis.
C1. Impact of Age and Body Weight at Time of Breeding on Heifer Reproductive Success – Dan Shike, University of Illinois
Early research on heifer development recommended developing heifers to 65% of mature body weight at time of breeding. More recent research has challenged this and suggested 55% may be adequate and more cost effective. Our data suggest that there is an interaction between age and body weight relative to heifer reproductive success.
C2. BeefxDairy Lifetime Performance Project – Denise Schwab, Iowa State University
A recent Iowa State University project studied the impacts of early-life nutrition on lifetime growth, health and performance of 120 BXD calves. This will share the final results of the study as well as implications for managing BXD calves for performance, health and carcass merit.
D1. Benefits and Options for Shrub Control in Pastures – Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin – Madison
This presentation will discuss the impacts of shrubs to forage productivity in pastures and management options to effectively manage. Herbicides, goats, manual removal and integrated approaches will be discussed.
D2. Causes and Costs of Erratic Intake in the Feedyard – Josh McCann, University of Illinois
Consistent dry matter intake is the hallmark of good management, so it is important to consider the causes and costs of erratic feed intake.
Current cattle market situation and factors affecting producer profitability.