Beef Research Articles

Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a calf's life, and proper pre- and postweaning management is essential to support long-term health and performance. This article outlines science-based strategies for nutrition, health, handling, and weaning ...

Calves born in cold weather are at risk of hypothermia, which can range from mild to severe and requires prompt warming and care. This guide from Utah State University Extension outlines how to recognize symptoms and safely rewarm chilled calves to ensure...

This fact sheet outlines when and how to tube-feed a calf that is unable to nurse, covering the importance of timely colostrum delivery, types of feeding tubes, and detailed step-by-step instructions for safe and effective tube placement and feeding. It a...

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, ...

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 ...

The connection between body energy stores, in the form of fat, and reproduction has been quantified for decades (Herd & Sprott, 1986). A body condition scoring system commonly used in the U.S. is an objective effort to quantify a cow’s body condition with...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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

Five key principles simplify understanding livestock movement: stewardship, personal state, energy, pressure zones, and release. When applied in unison with a willing mindset, each principle leads to a deeper understanding of livestock movement and growth...