Research

This fact sheet explains the importance of body condition scoring (BCS) for sheep, a method to assess their fat and muscle levels to optimize health, reproduction, and productivity. It provides practical guidelines for scoring, using a hands-on approach, ...

A valuable tool for beef producers, growth-promoting implants are regularly used to improve the beef industry’s environmental and economic sustainability by increasing the efficiency and growth rate of beef cattle (Duckett et al., 1997; Duckett & Andrae, ...

Crossbreeding is a tool that cattle producers have been using for decades. When used correctly, crossbreeding can improve productivity and efficiency because of heterosis (hybrid vigor). Hybrid vigor is greatest when crossing two completely different bree...

When bottle-feeding a beef calf, there are some things to consider, such as feeding colostrum, selecting and using milk replacers, and weaning the calf. Many of the resources on bottle-calf management come from the dairy industry; however, beef producers ...

Reproduction could be considered the most important production trait on a cow-calf operation. Economic outputs are sustained when cattle rebreed and calve every year in a timely manner. However, when cattle are unable to rebreed efficiently, profits may d...

Whether a first-time buyer or a veteran producer, bull selection usually turns up a series of questions for the potential purchaser. The breeding soundness exam (BSE) and expected progeny differences (EPD) are informational sources put in place to aid in...

During years of drought, it is important to critically evaluate alternative feed sources available for cattle.

This fact sheet discusses the use of growth implants in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle to improve beef production efficiency. It compares the benefits and challenges of Bos indicus genetics, such as heat tolerance and feed efficiency, with the carcass ...