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Livestock Blogs

cows grazing a cover crop

Cattle and crops create synergy

Synergy describes two separate systems that when combined, yield more than the sum of the individual systems when they are alone. In my experience, farms and ranches that use both crops and livestock to add value to a land investment have synergy.Living in the Midwest, I see plenty of acres...
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A group of black and white Simmental cattle standing in a pasture on a cloudy day.

Orr Beef Research Center Field Day

The Cattle Connection
The annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The meeting will be held at the new Ag Sciences Complex and Fred Bradshaw Learning Center at the John Wood Community College Ag Center, located west of Perry, IL. Speakers from University of Illinois will...
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cows and calves on pasture

Hidden benefits of rotational grazing beyond soil health

We all want a future where the land continues to be productive and supportive of agriculture. And as cattle producers, you’ve probably heard about using rotational grazing to improve soil health. But adoption remains limited. It’s not because producers don’t want healthy soil, but because...
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fireworks over a barn

Can fireworks cause stress on beef cattle?

You’re pulling back into your driveway after a night spent watching the fireworks and celebrating independence. Then, you see pairs of eyes staring at you, from outside the fence. The cattle are out. What follows is a night spent gathering the herd, searching for calves, and fixing fence....
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Hay in a barn

Should I buy hay or grow my own hay?

The Cattle Connection
While cost is the primary factor, there are several reasons to choose buying hay or growing it.Buy HayLimited land resources to use for hay productionBusy, limited time to devote to hay productionShort on laborMust purchase hay equipment, update old equipmentSet-up to handle by-product/alternative...
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summer annual forages growing in a field

Growing summer annual forages

The Cattle Connection
With poor profitability projections on most row crop budgets, planting summer annual forages and using forage mixes for grazing should be considered on marginal acres. Adding a different crop to the rotation and a more diverse plant population on traditional row crop acres can have cascading...
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black baldy cows grazing

Early spring grazing management tips

The Cattle Connection
Turning cows out on immature forages can have consequences. If forages are overgrazed early, permanent damage to grass stands can lower yields and increase weed pressure.Delaying turn-out until forages have reached eight inches in height is recommended. Even more important is rotating cows through...
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Calf in snowy weather

When do cows feel the cold?

The Cattle Connection
With winter weather and cold temperatures setting in, it is time to talk about when cows feel the cold. The big factors that determine the lower critical temperature for cattle are temperature, wind speed, and heaviness of winter hair coat.Colder temperatures, higher wind speeds, and lighter hair...
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