Planning Grazing and Feeding Options for the Cowherd in 2025

Dec 03, 2024

By Aaron Berger

Drought conditions, high cattle prices—what are a cattle producer’s options for profitably feeding their cows in the upcoming year?

Nebraska Extension, in conjunction with local Nebraska Cattlemen’s affiliates, will be hosting programs on Monday, Dec.16 in Rushville and Tuesday, Dec. 17 in Scottsbluff that will provide area producers with information they can use to plan for feeding the cowherd in 2025.

Topics to be covered include:

Rangeland Analysis Tools to Estimate Rangeland Forage Production
- Dr. Mitch Stephenson will demonstrate tools that can help rangeland managers assess and plan for grazing for the upcoming season.
- Strategic Summer Supplementation Strategies for Yearlings and Cows
  - Dr. Karla Wilke will discuss recent research examining timing and amount of protein and energy supplementation and the cost-benefit relationship of these practices.
  - What are Optimum Genetics for your Operation?
    - Aaron Berger will discuss genetic trends and the implications of selection decisions for cow-calf producers.

Rushville

Monday, Dec. 16 - Registration at 4:45 p.m. Program starts at 5 p.m. Supper will be served – Call the Nebraska Extension Office in Rushville at 308-327-2312 by Friday, Dec. 13 to pre-register for a meal count. Program will be held at the Extension Office meeting room.

Scottsbluff

Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Registration at 4:45 p.m. Program starts at 5 p.m. Supper will be served – Call the Nebraska Extension Office in Scottsbluff at 308-632-1480 by Monday, Dec. 17 to pre-register for a meal count. The program will be held at the Bluestem Room in the Panhandle Research and Extension Center.

There is no cost to attend these meetings. Questions about the programs? Contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122

Source : unl.edu

Video: Season 7, Episode 1: Managing Risk and Seeing Opportunities in U.S. Pork Production

Today’s episode features three guests discussing the similarities and differences between pork production in the United States and Brazil, along with strategies for managing risk in today’s industry while recognizing and acting on opportunities. First, Dr. Anne Caroline de Lara, executive manager of live pig production at Seara Alimentos, a JBS company in Brazil, is joined by Dr. Matthew Turner, head of operations for JBS Live Pork. Together, they discuss how labor, climate and ventilation challenges vary between Brazil and the United States, while underscoring their shared commitment to raising healthy pigs. They also point to lessons producers in both countries can take from one another’s systems and on-farm experiences. Then, Brady Reicks, risk manager at Reicks View Farms, shares his perspective on risk management, drawing from his background in markets and his transition into farming. He discusses how protecting margins varies by operation and offers practical approaches producers can use to make marketing and business decisions with greater confidence rather than hesitation.

Both conversations were recorded at recent industry events focused on swine livability, including the International Conference on Pig Livability and Iowa Swine Day.