Beef Cattle Publications

Current News Pasture, Range & Forage
Business and Marketing Rancher’s Management Guide
Drought Management Ranch to Rail
Facilities & Equipment Reproduction & Calving
General Management Research Publications & Reports
Genetics & Selection Stocker Cattle
Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle Spreadsheets
Health Youth Livestock Judging Contest Publications
Nutrition Youth Projects
Beef Quality Assurance

Current News

Bull Management for Cow and Calf Producers by L. R. Sprott, Bruce Carpenter and T. A. Thrift 

Replacement Heifer Selection, Development, and Reproduction by Bruce Carpenter and Ron Gill

Supplemental Feedstuff Cost and Value Calculator by Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Justin Benavidez

Don’t Introduce Trichomoniasis to Your Herd by Tom Hairgrove & the Texas Animal Health Commission

Beef – Good and Good For You by Rick Machen and Chris Kerth

Darting BQA Problems  by Troy Smith

Grassfed Beef Business – Grand Future? by Rick Machen

Retiring to Ranching by Rick Machen & Ron Gill

Natural, Organic and Grassfed Beef by Rick Machen

Halal Meats by Rick Machen

Kosher Foods by Rick Machen

Beta-agonists in Beef Cattle Rations by Rick Machen

Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock by Joe Paschal

Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock (Spanish) by Joe Paschal

Tending Cattle After the Winter Storm by Rick Machen

Cold Weather Livestock Stewardship by Rick Machen

Hurricane Preparedness Video I by Jason CleereQuick Time VersionWindows Media VersionMP3 Version

Hurricane Preparedness Video II by Jason CleereQuick Time VersionWindows Media VersionMP3 Version

Management and economic considerations for beef cow-calf producers during challenging markets or adverse weather conditions by Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Jason Banta

Procedures for Feeding Rescued Cattle & Horses in Hurricane-Affected Areas

Texas Bovine Trichomoniasis Control Program: Facts for Cattle Owners by Rick Machen, Ron Gill, Floron Faries & Tom Hairgrove


Business and Marketing

Preparing Beef Calves for Market by Rick Machen & Ron Gill

Beef Cattle Marketing Alliances by James Sartwelle, Ernie Davis, James Mintert & Rob Borchart

Beef Cattle Marketing Alternatives by Ernie Davis

Breakeven Costs for Cow-Calf Producers by L. R. Sprott

Causes of Farm & Ranch Failures by Danny Klinefelter

Cow-Calf Enterprise Standardized Performance Analysis by Stan Bevers & Dean McCorkle

Cow-Calf Production Record Software (Link to Oklahoma State Extension Publication)

Economic Tools to Evaluate Herd Liquidation Decisions in Breeding Cattle by Larry Falconer

Grid Pricing of Fed Cattle by Robert Hogan Jr., David Anderson & Ted Schroeder

Hedging Cattle With an LRP Policy by William Thompson, Stan Bevers & Jose Pena

Marketing Cull Cows – Understanding What Determines Value by Ron Gill

Partial Budget for Beef Cattle Management by James M. McGrann

Restructuring the Farm Business by Danny Klinefelter

Retained Ownership Strategies for Cattlemen by Ernie Davis, James McGrann, & James Mintert

Thinking About a Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale by Rick Machen

Using a Slide in Beef Cattle Marketing by Rick Machen & Ron Gill


Drought Management

Factors and Feeds for Supplementing Beef Cows by Stephen Hammack, Ron Gill & Rick Machen

Stretching Limited Hay Supplies: Dry Cow Fed Low Quality Hay by Jason Banta

Stretching Limited Hay Supplies: Wet Cows Fed Low Quality Hay by Jason Banta

Destocking Strategies During Drought by Ron Gill & William Pinchak

Drought Feeding Management by Dennis Herd

Maintaining Herd Performance During Drought  by Ron Gill

Managing the Consequences of Drought by Rick Machen

Points to Consider about Water Quality by Ted McCollum

Rations for Cows on Good Coastal Hay

Rations for Cows on Sorghum Hay

Water Quality: Its Relationship to Livestock by Floron C. Faries Jr., John M. Sweeten and John C. Reagor

Management and economic considerations for beef cow-calf producers during challenging markets or adverse weather conditions by Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Jason Banta

Vitamin A Requirements and Considerations for Beef Cattle by Jason Banta

A Cost Calculator: For Drought Management of Beef Cows

Alternatives for Cattle During Drought: Moving Cattle Off the Ranch by Ron Gill

Evaluating Drought Forced Culling Decisions by Larry Falconer and David Anderson

Cow Bid Price Estimate Calculator

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Stocking Rate and Grazing Management by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Livestock Management by Bruce Carpenter & Charles Hart

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Planning – The Key to Surviving Drought by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Supplemental Feeding by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Toxic Range Plants by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter


Facilities & Equipment

Chute Side Cattle Working by Ron Gill & Rick Machen

Cattle Handling Pointers by Ron Gill & Rick Machen

Corral & Working Facilities for Beef Cattle by Raymond Huhnke & Sam Sharp

Design of Ranch Corrals & Squeeze Chutes for Cattle

Designing a Bud Box by Ron Gill & Rick Machen

Livestock Handling Equipment – Squeeze Chutes, Tubs, Alleys & Corrals (Listing of known (found) manufactures) by Ron Gill


General Management

Bull Management for Cow/Calf Producers by Bruce Carpenter

Seven Things Every Small Producer Should Know by Rick Machen

Large Herbivores and Natural Resource Stewardship by Rick Machen

Relationship Between Production System and Methane Loss by Beef Cattle by Rick Machen and Ted McCollum

Composting Large Animal Carcasses

Animal Welfare and the “Five Freedoms”

Beef Performance Glossary

Buying vs. Raising Replacement Heifers by Jason Cleere

Dehorning, Castrating and Branding

Guide to Evaluation of Slaughter Cattle by Davey Griffin

Guide to Evaluation of Slaughter Cattle (Spanish) by Davey Griffin

Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock by Joe Paschal

Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock (Spanish) by Joe Paschal

Implanting Beef Calves and Stocker Cattle by Ted McCollum

Livestock for Small Acreage Landowners by Rick Machen and Robert K. Lyons

Management of Replacement Heifers for High Reproductive & Calving Rate by L. R. Sprott & Tom Troxel

Managing External Parasites of Texas Livestock & Poultry by Sonja L. Swinger

Producing & Marketing High-Value Calves by Jason Cleere & Larry Boleman

Raising Replacement Heifers on Winter Pastures in the Gulf Coast Region by L. R. Sprott & David Bade

Seven Management Techniques That Move Producers Toward Profitability by Daniel Posey


Genetics and Selection

Replacement Heifer Selection, Development, and Reproduction by Bruce Carpenter and Ron Gill

Breed Averages for EPD Traits by Stephen Hammack

Across-Breed EPD Adjustments by Stephen Hammack

Sire-Breed Comparisons for EPD Traits by Stephen Hammack

Cattle Breeds (Link to Oklahoma State University)

Commercial Bull Selection Made EZ by Rick Machen

 

Matching Breeding Programs with Industry Targets: Use of Frame Score & Weight in Beef Cattle Selection by Ron Gill


Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies for Beef Cattle

I. An Overview by Stephen Hammack and Joe Paschal

II. Genetic-Environmental Interaction by Stephen Hammack

III. Body Size & Milking Level by Stephen Hammack & Ron Gill

IV: Breeding Systems by Stephen Hammack

V: Type and Breed Characteristics and Uses by Stephen Hammack

VI: Creating Breeds by Stephen Hammack

VII: Sire Types for Commercial Herds by Stephen Hammack

VIII: Expected Progeny Differences by Stephen Hammck & Joe Paschal

IX: Selection for Carcass Merit by Stephen Hammack

X: Frame Score, Frame Size, and Weight by Stephen Hammack & Ron Gill

XI: Marker Assisted Selection for Beef Improvement by Joe Paschal


Health

Don’t Introduce Trichomoniasis to Your Herd by Tom Hairgrove & the Texas Animal Health Commission

Texas Bovine Trichomoniasis Control Program by Rick Machen, Ron Gill, Floron Faries and Tom Hairgrove

Anaplasmosis in Beef Cattle

Basics of Cattle Immunity by Tom Hairgrove & Stephen Hammack

Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations by Jason Cleere, Ron Gill & Angela Dement

Blackleg & Clostridial Diseases

Bovine Leptospirosis

Bovine Paratuberculosis of Beef Cattle by Floron Faries, Allen Roussel, Todd Thrift, Ron Gill & Derry Magee

Bovine Trichomoniasis by Tom Hairgrove & Ron Gill

Calf Scours: Causes, Prevention & Treatment

Cattle Vaccines by Floron Faries

Controlling Bovine Tuberculosis & Other Infectious Diseases in Cattle With Total Health Management by Floron Faries & L. Garry Adams

Common Cattle Parasites by Floron Faries

Controlling Brown Stomach Worms in Cattle by Management by Floron Faries

Establishing Herd Immunity by Ron Gill

Factors Affecting Vaccination Response

Fall and Winter Health Problems in Cow-Calf Herds by Floron Faries

Foot Rot in Beef Cattle

Forage Related Cattle Disorders by Dennis Herd

Immunizing Beef Calves: A Preconditioning Immunization Concept by Floron Faries

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis by L. R. Sprott & Robert Field

Managing External Parasites of Texas Livestock & Poultry by Sonja L. Swinger

Nitrates and Prussic Acid in Forages: Sampling, Testing and Management Strategies by T.L. Provin & J.L. Pitt

The Facts on Optaflexx™ by Jason Cleere

Proper Use of Drugs & Chemicals in Food Animals by Floron Faries

Protecting Cattle from Horn Flies by Jeffrey K. Tomberlin

Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Beef Cattle by Floron Faries

Reproductive Diseases in Cattle by L. R. Sprott & Robert Field

Suppression of Stable Flies on Cattle by Jeffrey K. Tomberlin

Texas Bovine Trichomoniasis Control Program: Facts for Cattle Owners by Rick Machen, Ron Gill, Floron Faries & Tom Hairgrove

Urinary Calculi in Beef Cattle

Use of Preventative & Therapeutic Drugs in Show Animals by Floron Faries

Value Added Calf (VAC) – Management Program

Value Added Calf (VAC) – Vaccination Programs

Water Quality: Its Relationship to Livestock by Floron Faries, John Sweeten & John Reagor

Water Requirements for Beef Cattle


Nutrition

Vitamin A Requirements and Considerations for Beef Cattle by Jason Banta

Stretching Limited Hay Supplies: Dry Cows Fed Low Quality Hay by Jason Banta

Stretching Limited Hay Supplies: Wet Cows Fed Low Quality Hay by Jason Banta

Managing Beef Cow Supplementation Costs by Rick Machen

Bale Weight: How Important Is It? by Jason Banta

Block and Tub Supplements for Grazing Beef Cattle by Rick Machen, Jim Drouillard and Joe Harris

Body Condition, Nutrition & Reproduction of Beef Cows by Dennis Herd & L. R. Sprott

Body Condition Scoring by Rick Machen

Body Fat in Beef Cows Affects Pregnancy Rates by L. R. Sprott

Comparative Value of Silages Based on Digestibility by Ted McCollum & Brent Bean

Composition of Alternative Feeds – Dry Basis by Dennis Herds

Drought Feeding Management by Dennis Herd

Effects of Grazing a Brown Midrib vs. a Normal Sorghum x Sudan Hybrid on Steer Performance by Jason Banta, Ted McCollum & Wayne Greene

Factors & Feeds for Supplementing Beef Cattle by Stephen Hammack, Ron Gill & Rick Machen

Hay: Making, Storing & Feeding by David Bade & Sim A. Reeves, Jr.

Managing Beef Cow Supplementation Costs by Rick Machen

Managing for High Quality Hay by Charles Stichler & David Bade

Mineral Supplementation of Beef Cows in Texas by Dennis Herd

Nutritional Considerations for Preconditioned Weaned Calves by Ted McCollum

Performance of Steers Grazing Photoperiod-sensitive & Brown Midrib Varieties of Sorghum-sudangrass by Kim McCuistion, Ted McCollum, Wayne Greene, Brent Bean, Rex Van Meter, Judson Vasconcelos, & Julio Silva

Performance of Stocker Cattle Grazing a Brown Midrib Sorghum x Sudan Hybrid in Either a Continuous or Rotational Grazing System by Jason Banta, Ted McCollum, Wayne Greene, K. W. McBride, G. Scaglia, J. J. Williams, Brent Bean & R. Van Meter

Phosphorus Removal by Silages of Corn & Varieties of Forage Sorghum and Sorghum-sudangrass by Ted McCollum & Brent Bean

Rations for a 1100 Pound Dry 225 Day Pregnant Cow, BCS=5, for Gain, with Minimum Activity & No Weather Stress by Dennis Herd

Rations for Cows on Coastal Hay by Dennis Herd

Rations for Cows on Sorghum Type Hay by Dennis Herd

Supplementation Strategies for Beef Cattle by Ted McCollum

The Cow’s Digestive System by Whitney Rounds & Dennis Herd

Some thoughts on body conditioning in cows by Joe Paschal


Beef Quality Assurance

Group Processing/Treatment Map (PDF)

Group Processing/Treatment Map (Word)

Texas BQA Program Manual For Cow-Calf and Stocker Operations

BQA Advisory Statement: Pneumatic Darts 

Antibiotic Stewardship for Beef Producers 

Cattle Care and Handling Guidelines 

Cow-Calf Self Assessment 

Stocker and Backgrounding Self Assessment 

BQA Transportation Manual 

Texas Beef Quality Assurance Website

Take the Online BQA Training Course 


Pasture, Range & Forage

2007 Texas Panhandle Forage Sorghum Silage Trial by Brent Bean, Ted McCollum, Dennis Pietsch, Matt Rowland, Bruce Porter, & Rex VanMeter

A Reference Guide for Texas Ranchers by Allan McGinty

Adapted Grasses for Texas Pastures by Donald Dorsett

Balancing Forage Demand With Forage Supply by Larry White & Tom Troxel

Do You Have Enough Forage? by Larry White

Forage Quality Photo Guide by Robert Lyons, Rick Machen & Jerry Stuth

Forages for Beef Cattle by David Bade & Donald Dorsett

Grazing Systems for Profitable Ranching by C. Wayne Hanselka, B. J. Ragsdale & Barron Rector

Improving Rainfall Effectiveness on Rangeland by Allan McGinty, Thomas Thurow & Charles Taylor, Jr.

Integrated Brush Management Systems for Texans by C. Wayne Hanselka, Wayne Hamilton & Barron Rector

Interpreting Grazing Behavior by Robert Lyons & Rick Machen

Leasing Texas Rangelands by Larry White & Robert Whitson

Link to Soil & Crop Sciences Publication Database

Livestock Grazing Distribution: Considerations & Management by Robert Lyons & Rick Machen

Managing for High Quality Hay by Charles Stichler & David Bade

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Stocking Rate & Grazing Management by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter

Rangeland Drought Management for Texans: Toxic Range Plants by Charles Hart & Bruce Carpenter

Reducing Livestock Losses to Toxic Plants by Allen McGinty & Rick Machen

Selection of a Grass Variety by David Bade

Stocking Rate Decisions by Larry White & Allan McGinty

Why Range Forage Quality Changes by Robert K. Lyons, Rick Machen,& T. D. A. Forbes


Rancher’s Management Guide

Rancher’s Management Guide


Ranch to Rail

1992-1993 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1993-1994 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1994-1995 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1995-1996 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1996-1997 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1997-1998 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1998-1999 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

1999-2000 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

2000-2001 Summary Report by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal

4-Year Summary by John McNeill

Comparison of 1998 to 2000 Ranch to Rail Program Results by John McNeill, Ted McCollum & Joe Paschal


Reproduction & Calving

Bull Management for Cow and Calf Producers by L. R. Sprott, Bruce Carpenter and T. A. Thrift 

Replacement Heifer Selection, Development, and Reproduction by Bruce Carpenter and Ron Gill

Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle by Gary Williams, David Forrest & David Patterson

Assisting Difficult Calving by Floron Faries

Avoiding Calving Problems by L. R. Sprott

Breeding Soundness of Bulls by L. R. Sprott, Todd Thrift & Bruce Carpenter

Bull Management for Cow/Calf Producers by L. R. Sprott, Bruce Carpenter & Todd Thrift

Calf Removal – A Way to Stimulate Reproduction in Cows – A Way to Stimulate Reproduction in Cows by L.R. Sprott

Choosing the Time of Year to Breed & Calve Beef Cows in Texas by L. R. Sprott

Determining Pregnancy in Cattle by Bruce Carpenter & L. R. Sprott

Gestation Table/Calving Calculator

Long Calving Seasons: Problems & Solutions by Bruce Carpenter & L. R. Sprott

Recognizing & Handling Calving Problems by John Beverly

Reproductive Diseases in Cattle by L. R. Sprott & Robert Field

Reproductive Performance of Replacement Heifers has Long-Term Consequences on the Cow Herd by L. R. Sprott

Synchronizing Estrus in Beef Cattle by L. R. Sprott & Bruce Carpenter

The Value & Use of Internal Pelvic Area Measurements in Beef Cattle by L. R. Sprott & Joe Paschal

Weaning Techniques  by Ron Gill & Bruce Carpenter


Research Publications & Reports

Beef Cattle Research in Texas

Beef Cattle Browsing Newsletter

Texas Beef Cattle Management Handbook (purchase $60) by Jason Cleere


Stocker Cattle

Stocker Cattle Management by John McNeill

Supplementing Stocker Cattle by Matt Cravey


Spreadsheets

Annual Cow Cost Spreadsheet 

2019 Herbicide and insecticide cost per acre spreadsheet

Record Keeping Examples by Jason Banta

Value of Gains by Jason Banta


Youth Livestock Judging Contest Publications

Approach to Placing a Market Steer Class by Chris Skaggs & Chris Boleman

Breeding Beef Cattle Judging Outline by Larry Boleman

Evaluating Market Steers from a Grading Standpoint by Chris Boleman

Fundamentals of Evaluating Market Steers by Brandon Callis and Jake Franke

Livestock Judging Contest Scoring Procedures by Chris Skaggs & Chris Boleman

Presentation of Oral Reasons by Chris Boleman

Proper Handling of Market Lambs by Jake Franke

Reasons Terminology for Breeding Cattle by Chris Skaggs & Chris Boleman

Reasons Terminology for Market Steers by Chris Skaggs & Chris Boleman

Sample Sets of Livestock Judging Oral Reasons by Former Members of the TAMU Livestock Judging Team

Using Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) & Scenarios in Livestock Judging Contests by Chris Boleman

Why Judging Beef Cattle is Important by Larry Boleman


Youth Projects

Beef Skillathon

Carcass Contest Results

Characteristics of 2017-Top Placing Steers at Houston by Stephen Hammack

Basic Considerations for Junior Beef Cattle Projects by Stephen Hammack & Jason Cleere

Feeds and Feeding for Junior Beef Cattle Projects by Stephen Hammack

Fundamentals of Evaluating Market Steers by Brandon Callis and Jake Franke

Managing Beef Cattle for Show by Larry Boleman, Dennis Herd & Chris Boleman

Previous Major Show Steer Weight Breaks by Jason Cleere

Right from the Start: Safety Awareness for the Next Generation of Livestock Producers

Sick Calves: How Do You Know? by Stephen Hammack

2017-2021 Texas Show Steer Breed Classification Guidelines – Updated June 6, 2017 by Jason Cleere, Wade Shackelford, & Jamie Osbourn

The Facts on Optaflexx™ by Jason Cleere

Trends in Junior Steer Characteristics – Houston Livestock Show by Stephen Hammack

Use of Preventative & Therapeutic Drugs in Show Animals by Floron Faries

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