Podcasts

Cattle and Green House Gas Production - Understanding Cattle Contributions

How do cattle contribute to green house gas emissions? University of Nebraska researchers describe what is currently known and future research that will further enhance this knowledge.

Winterizing Your Cowherd Managing Cows Through Cold Stress

Much of the winter cold weather may be past, but extended periods of wet and cold events can still impact cattle. Understanding the factors that contribute to and ways to mitigate cold stress are discussed

Understanding and Mitigating Methane Emissions in Beef Cattle Grant Project

The University of Nebraska has received a signficant grant to conduct fundamental research on energy use in cattle, examining diet, genetics and rumen microorganisms and how those interact with each other to impact methane emissions in cattle.

Opportunities for Distillers Feed Byproducts in your Beef Operation

Recent research shows there have been changes to the feeding value of distillers grain byproducts and how cattle perform when they are part of a diet.

Effect of Feeding Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, or Distillers Grains in Silage-Based Growing Beef Diets

Research compared three protein sources at different levels in corn silage-based diets for growing cattle. The results and implications are discussed.

Trends of Winter Annual Herbaceous Expansion in the Nebraska Panhandle, Rangeland Analysis Platform Data

The Rangeland Analysis Platfrom is providing data to identify trends over time related to the increase of winter annual invasive grasses.

Evaluation of FerAppease Administered at Arrival and Time of Reimplant on Feedlot Performance

A feedlot study compared FerAppease applied to yearling beef steers at initial processing and reimplant to a placebo on cattle health, feeding performance and carcass characteristics.

Virtual Fence - A Cow-calf Producers Perspective

Owen Williams from near Elk Mountain Wyoming shares how they are using virtual fence technology on the Double 8 Ranch for grazing riparian areas, irrigated meadows, public lands and cornstalks in the winter.

Cornstalk Grazing During Late Gestation - Making Sure Cow Nutrient Needs are Met

Cows in late gestation have nutrient requirements that are ramping up quickly while the quality compenents of corn residue have frequently declined in availability. Understanding these circumstance can help producers strategically provide what is needed to met nutrition needs.

Finding Forage Efficient Heifers

Research by Dr. Lalman at Oklahoma State University is showing that there is significant difference in forage intake and performance of heifers fed long stem grass hay. Dr. Laman discusses how producers might use this information in developing and selecting heifers that fit available resources.

Finding Forage Efficient Heifers

Finding Forage Efficient Heifers

Cow Nutrition Considerations at Calving and Early Lactation

The nutrient requirements for heifers and cows ramp up rapidly in the last trimester and right after calving. Understanding a cows nutrition needs is the first step to cost effectively meeting them.

Cow Nutrition Considerations at Calving and Early Lactation

Integrated Dryland Crop and Cattle Production Systems - Research and Upcoming Programs

Research at Dickinson, North Dakota shows integrating cattle grazing as part of a crop rotation can reduce input costs and improve profitability when compared to continous wheat production. This research will be shared at three programs in the Nebraska Panhandle on January 19, 20 and 21.

Integrated Dryland Crop and Cattle Production Systems - Research and Upcoming Programs

Why Do I Have so Many Open Cows? Causes of Reproductive Failure

Why Do I Have so Many Open Cows? Causes of Reproductive Failure

The major factors that contribute to cows not becoming pregnant are discussed.

What are Beef Replacement Values for the Coming 2025-2026 Production Season?

What are Beef Replacement Values for the Coming 2025-2026 Production Season?

What can I afford to pay for a bred heifer? Cow costs, replacement rate, calf prices, and weaning rate are major factors that impact this value.

Hair Sheep as a Complement to a Nebraska Grain and Custom Cattle Grazing Operation

Matt Grimes from near Minden Nebraska discusses why he chose hair sheep as an enterprise and how they complement his family's grain farming and custom grazing of cows on corn residue.

Hair Sheep as a Complement to a Nebraska Grain and Custom Cattle Grazing Operation

Calving College Webinar Series Returns in 2026 with Hands-On Opportunities

Calving College Webinar Series Returns in 2026 with Hands-On Opportunities

This popular course returns in 2026 with both online and hands-on workshops. Information about the content of the course as well as registration information is discussed.

Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Practices to reduce stress from cold, wet conditions such as bedding and windbreaks, that can improve cattle performance and health are discussed.

Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Prepare for Cattle Lice

Dave Boxler discusses conditions that enhance lice activity, thresholds at which treatment is warranted and different products that are avaiable for lice control.

Prepare for Cattle Lice

Windrow Grazing - A Producers Perspective

Myra Hipke Richardson from near Stuart, Nebraska discusses how they have integrated windrow grazing of summer annual forages for fall and winter feeding of the cow herd. She also talks about the logistics of fence and water that are needed to make this system work.

Windrow Grazing - A Producers Perspective

Bale Grazing - A Producers Perspective

Harold Gaugler from Grant County, North Dakota discusses how they have utilized bale grazing to reduce equipment and labor for winter feeding. He also shares how they have improved forage production from bale grazing on locations where the soil and plant community will benefit from nutrients and organic matter.

Beyond the Abstract, Does Bale Grazing Make Sense?

Bale grazing provides the opportunity to strategically place bales for use throughout the fall and winter on locations where the soil and plant community will benefit from nutrients and organic matter. This method of feeding can more efficiently capture nutrients in hay than when fed in a lot and reduce labor and equipment expense.

Plan Now to Purchase your Hay Supplies

Thinking ahead of hay needs now through the upcoming winter and spring can help position you to strategically purchase the feed you need.

Successfully Weaned Calves A Hot Commodity

Calves are valuable! Keys for successfully caring for them at and after the weaning process are discussed.

Strip Grazing Whole Plant Milo as a Low Cost Winter Feed

Harry Cope, a producer from Truxton Missouri, shares his decades of experience with strip grazing standing milo in the fall and winter with cow calf pairs as a way to reduce feed costs.

Fall and Winter Management Strategies for the Cow Herd: Sample, Test, Inventory and Stage Harvested Hay

Using hay test results with an inventory enables producers to cost effectively plan to meet cow nutrition needs.

What are Some Management Tips for Fall Calving Cows?

Dr. Rasby highlights key practices to remember when caring for fall calving cows and opportunities they provide to utilize Nebraska's feed resources.

How Winter Rate of Gain, Implant Strategy, and Housing System Impact Growing Calves

Research examining different levels of gain and implant strategies for growing calves through the winter are discussed.

Tax Planning for Cow-Calf Operations: Don't Let the Snowball Roll Out of Control

Meeting early with your tax preparer will provide time to make sound tax management decisions and thoughtfully explore options. Prudently paying taxes now may be best for the cow-calf business long term.

Fall Grazing Management: Balancing Forage Use and Recovery

Fall regrowth on cool season grasses may seem like a bonus for grazing, but care must be used when utilizing this forage to minimize risk of reducing plant health and vigor for next spring.

Managing Annual Forages After Frost

Grazing annual forages at and shortly after a freeze event raises the potential for toxicity. The risks and practices to mitigate them are discussed.

Cattle Market Outlook with Derrell Peel

The price fundamentals based on consumer demand and beef supplies are strong going into the fall with little sign of heifer retention and cow herd rebuilding occurring.

Cattle Market Outlook with Derrell Peel

Keys for Corn Stalk Residue Grazing with Cattle

Dr. Mary Drewnoski shares research producers can use to effectively utilize corn residue. Expected grazing days per acre, supplementation strategies and factors that impact grazing quality are discussed.

Keys for Corn Stalk Residue Grazing with Cattle

Asian Longhorned Ticks - Spreading West Towards Nebraska

David Boxler discusses the unique challenges these ticks provide, disease they can transmit,how to scout for them and options for control

Watch Out for Whorled Milkweed: Identifcation, Toxicity, and Control in Pasture and Hay Ground

Whorled Milkweed can be toxic when consumed by livestock. Management practices to mitigate its presence in hay fields and the risk when it is present in harvested hay is discussed

Cattle Market Outlook for the Fall and Winter

Dr. Elliott Dennis discusses the factors driving current cattle market conditions and at the base is consumer demand for beef!

Don't Wait for Spring: Why Fall is Prime Time for Weed Control in Rangelands and Pastures

Excellent control of perennials, biennnials and winter annual weeds can occur in the fall through the use of strategically applied herbicides. Keys for timing and application are discussed.

The Hidden Cost of Silage Storage - and How to Stop It

Best management practices to minimize silage spoilage and reduce dry matter loss are discussed.

Using the Cattle Comfort Index to Trigger Heat Abatment Strategies

Air flow, water, sprinklers, shade and even bedding can be helpful to reduce the impacts of heat on cattle. Benefits of different methods are discussed.

Using Herbicide for Cheatgrass Management in the Nebraska Panhandle

Research has shown a combination of two herbicides applied on pasture and rangeland in the fall can have effective control of winter annual grasses on rangeland and pasture. How the products work and principles for application are discussed.

Challenges of the Beef Calf Born in July, August and September

Considerations for care and management of calves born in mid to late summer along with practices that can mitigate common stressors are discussed.

What does summer pneumonia look like in calves and what to do about it?

Nebraska Extension Veterinarian Dr.Funk discusses factors that contribute to and common symptoms of summer pneumonia in nursing calves.

Getting Reacquainted with the Cattle Comfort Index

The research behind the Cattle Comfort Index is explained and resources producers can use to access the information is discussed.

Pause and Get Perspective on Current Cattle Prices

Dr. David Anderson, market analyst shares his perspective on current prices and some thoughts on price risk management for cattle producers.

When Estrus Synch Goes Sideways: Practical Troubleshooting for Beef Producers

Review of the standard estrus synch drugs are discussed as well as frequent questions that are raised related to common problems that can occur. Resources for estrus synch planning are discussed as well.

Is that Corn Crop Worth More as Silage or as Grain?

Valuing a corn crop standing in the field for silage harvest or delivered to the cattle in the bunk and the factors that impact the price based on moisture content and quality are discussed.

Is it Time to Consider Virtual Fence for Intensive Grazing Management?

University of Nebraska researchers have began exploring the capabilities of virtual fence for grazing management in annual forages and perennial pastures. Their experience, how the tool has worked, and opportunities for application in a producer setting are discussed.

Virtual Fence - A Ranchers Three Years of Experience with 500 Collared Cows

Daniel Mushrush, an early adopter of virtual fence technology shares his experience. What went well, what didn't, and the opportunities this tool provides for his family's ranch.

Creep Feeding Beef Calves, Profit or Expense?

The cost of gain versus the value of gain is key for the profitablity of creep feeding calves. Keys to consider when evaluating whether or not to creep feed calves are discussed.

Assessment of Nutrient Content of Grasslands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program in Kansas

CRP acres are often grazed with cattle. Having an estimate of the quality of this forage can help producers know what protein and energy supplementation may be needed to meet animal nutrient needs. Recent data from KSU provides baseline information on protien and energy of forage.

One Participant 401K is a Tax Savings and Financial Planning Tool for Small Businesses

The one participant 401K is a retirement account with unique options for small business owners. The ability to borrow from it and flexibility in funding the account make it an attractive option to consider when times are good on the ranch.

Annual Forage Options for July or August Planting

There are numerous options for annuals forages that can be planted mid to late summer for grazing, haying, silage or stock piled winter feed. The class of livestock to be fed and when it is needed will determine what is best to plant.

Effects of Maternal Cu, Mn, and Zn Supplementation from Different Sources on Physiological and Productive Responses on Cows and their Offspring

Research at Montana State University examined the impact of three different sources of trace minerals fed to cows during the last 5 months of gestation on the mineral status of both the cows and the calves that were developing in utero.

Acclimation to Handling Improved Timed AI Conception Rates in Yearling Heifers

Research at Kansas State University of over 600 heifers at 5 locations showed that acclimation to handling through a chute and alley during the estrus synchronization and artificial insemination process resulted in improved conception rates.

Does It Pay to Target Compensatory Growth in Yearlings During the Summer?

Compensatory gain on summer grass is often touted as one of the benefits of a slow growth wintering program for calves. Recent research is challenging the value of compensatory growth when development programs include both a wintering and summering phase prior to marketing.

Limit Feeding with a Bale Feeder, Bunk and a Bucket

Limit feeding an energy and protein dense diet to cow-calf pairs is often done use a total mixed ration. However, with a little creativity, there are options that can be used to limit feed cows without having to have a feed wagon.

I Need a Ration for My Cattle, Now What?

Drought conditions can trigger the need to feed cow-calf pairs or early weaned calves a ration that typically would not be required. Key things to know in order to meet cattle performance goals are discussed.

Need Summer Grazing? Sudangrass Might Be Worth a Try

Dr. Mary Drewnoski discusses research looking at grazing Sudangrass with both cow-calf pairs and yearlings. Stocking rates, cattle performance and management practices to enhance success are discussed.

Stable Flies on Pastured Cattle

Just 5 stable flies on each leg of cattle can have an economic impact. Dave Boxler discusses where stable flies come from, what makes control so challenging and the options available to producers.

Toxic Plants and Livestock Health June Webinar Series

Being able to identify toxic plants to livestock and management practices to minimize risk of poisoning is the focus of this series. To register go.unl.edu/toxicplants

How Much Water do Cattle Need and What Problems Should Producers Watch For?

Cattle need a safe, readily available water supply for health and performance. Both quantity and quality factors producers need be attentive to are discussed.

Impacts of Earlier Blooming Leafy Spurge

In parts of Nebraska there is a trend towards leafy spurge blooming earlier in the spring. Because the onset of reproduction is an opportune time to control this plant with herbicide, recognizing this change is important for management.

Investing in Herd Expansion, Time Value of Money and Opportunity Cost

Net present value is a tool cow-calf producers can use to evaluate the amount they can afford to spend to purchase or develop bred replacements for the cow herd based on current prices, costs, and expected future returns from calf and cow sales. The factors impacting this calculation are discussed.

Horn Flies and Grazing Cattle

Horn flies populations at greater than 200 per animal can significantly impact cattle performance and comfort. Different methods and approaches to reduce horn flies on grazing cattle are discussed

Cautionary Note on Beef Demand, Public Financial Sentiment Matters

The public is expressing angst about the state and direction of the economy at a level not seen since the early 1980s. The potential implications of this on beef demand are disussed.

What Can We Do About Late Calvers and the Upcoming Breeding Season?

Management practices to enhance the liklihood that cows calving late will quickly return to estrus and conceive are discussed.

How Much Free Choice Mineral Are Nursing Calves Eating?

Recognizing that calves are eating mineral needs to be included when calculating the total amount to be delivered to the herd to meet targeted levels of consumption.

Managing Burned Pastures After a Wildfire, How to Graze

Pasture and precipitation conditions prior to and after a wildfire greatly influence the approach to grazing management. Principles to pay attention to are discussed.