Posted on October 1, 2019 by kaitlyn.arnold By Robert Fears The first step in increasing calving percentage is to select proven herd sires and then check cows for pregnancy. Characteristics of an ideal pregnancy test are the ability to identify correctly pregnant animals (high sensitivity) and non-pregnant animals (high specificity) as well as being simple and inexpensive to… Read More →
Extension News
Tame Your Selection Criteria
Posted on September 24, 2019 by kaitlyn.arnold By Natalie Jones You keep looking to beef quality, maternal and feed efficiency for herd improvement. What about docility? Research says it may have more impact than you realize. A study by Gordon Carstens’ team at Texas A&M University with feedlot Angus, Brangus, Braford and Simbra heifers found the share grading… Read More →
Here’s the beef: Basics for selecting a bull
Posted on October 1, 2019 by kaitlyn.arnold Bulls provide the biggest proportion of calf crop genetics, so it is important to select a herd sire that can produce desired offspring. Basics to consider in selecting a bull include breed type, parentage (pedigree), physical appearance, performance records and genetics. Each one of these factors was discussed by Joe Paschal… Read More →
Protecting Penned Animals from Fire Ants
Posted on July 31, 2019 by harkin802 By: Molly Keck and Bastiaan M. Drees The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), poses serious threats to many small and young animals. While true for animals that roam free or are confined in a large corral or pasture, animals that are even more confined are at a… Read More →
Texas has the largest cow herds in the US
Posted on April 12, 2019 by harkin802 By Rolan Rodriguez Now beef cattle numbers in the state are the largest in the country for the first time in years. Unfortunately for those who love steak and hamburgers, the expanding herd size hasn’t translated into dropping the retail prices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist Dr. Joe Paschal… Read More →
Experts: Use safe practices when processing, cooking feral hogs
Parasites, such as hookworms can be found in feral hogs Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected] Contacts: Dr. Tom Hairgrove, 979-845-5419, [email protected] Dr. Tom Craig, 979-845-3414, [email protected] Dr. Dan Hale, 979-845-3935, [email protected] COLLEGE STATION – With a proliferation of feral hogs in Texas, control measures such as trapping and hunting can yield the rewards of good table fare. However, feral… Read More →
Horn flies can damage cattle skin, need to be controlled
Writer: Dr. Joe Paschal, 361-265-9203, [email protected] The other day when I was turning out the cows to a rested pasture full of green grass and winter weeds, I noticed many of them had several horn flies and other cows had quite a few. I guess it is going to be an early season. The horn fly,… Read More →
Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and could increase profits
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, [email protected] Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, [email protected] OVERTON – Spring-born calves will soon be arriving at auction markets, but producers should consider a weaning plan that will help keep calves healthier and happier, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist in Overton. Dr. Jason Banta said weaning calves is… Read More →
The Five Freedoms of Cattle
Writer: Ron Gill, 979-845-5705, [email protected] Animal welfare is a topic of a lot of discussion across the livestock industries. One philosophy regarding welfare management and oversight centers on a concept of five freedoms livestock under our care should be granted. Now, one could argue about the term “freedoms” and what that might imply, but when… Read More →
Meat market managers trained to educate consumers on beef products
By Courtney CoufalCommunications Coordinator COLLEGE STATION — Meat market managers in East Texas and Louisiana Kroger stores are prepared to serve as ambassadors for the beef products they sell after completing a new educational program offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists in the Department of Animal Science. Beef Boot Camp – Retail: Learning… Read More →