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Beef cattle

Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)
Description:

OSU Extension Service provides up-to-date information on beef cattle in Oregon and throughout the country, and facilitates the communication among producers, industry personnel, and OSU – Extension faculty.

Resources include areas such as:

RancHER 2022 webinar recordings

RancHER 2022 was hosted in November and December of 2022. RancHER was idealized and organized by Juliana Ranches at Oregon State University. RancHER aims to bring information to cattle producers by highlighting the work of talented women in this field.

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Latest resources

New World screwworm

New World screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a devastating pest. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.

Jun 2025 | Online resource

Wildfires, smoke and livestock: What can we do?

Wildfires and smoke pose significant risks to livestock, including injury, respiratory issues and loss of feed and infrastructure. Strategic planning, such as fuel management, creating defensible spaces and having an emergency response plan, can help mitigate these risks.

Juliana Ranches, Katherine Wollstein, Jenifer Cruickshank, Amy Skibiel, Pedram Rezamand | Mar 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

The recent incidences of avian influenza in cattle

This is what is termed a “spillover event,” in which a disease that is common in one group of animals infects a different group.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Jan 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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News

OSU rangeland researchers help mitigate spread of invasive grasses

Communities in Eastern Oregon are better equipped to protect their rangelands from invasive grasses, reduce wildfire risk and restore the productivity and resilience of these vital ecosystems.

Vanessa Schroeder, Dustin Johnson | May 2025 | Impact story

OSU builds partnerships to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem

This work is critical for the future of Oregon’s rangelands, particularly in Eastern Oregon, where sagebrush ecosystems support both wildlife and the ranching economy.

Vanessa Schroeder, Dustin Johnson | May 2025 | Impact story

BQA program strengthens beef quality and disease preparedness in Oregon

The public benefits from safer, higher-quality beef and stronger disease preparedness across the supply chain.

Shelby Filley, Sergio Arispe | Mar 2025 | Impact story

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Management guide

We encourage cow-calf producers to evaluate their individual operation(s) and use these suggested management guidelines to determine a system that works best for their ranch, environment, and facilities. This article covers general cattle management issues related to the production year including suggested herd health programs.

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Calves

New Calf Information and Care

People buying a new calf often have questions about the animal's care. Here are some answers to common questions about food, housing and health care.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Strategies for easing the weaning process for beef calves

Weaning is one of the most stressful periods for a beef calf and directly impacts the calf’s gain performance and economic viability. Here's a look at strategies to reduce calf stress at weaning.

Barbi Riggs, Chad Mueller, Reinaldo Cooke | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Meat

USDA Carcass Beef Grades and Standards

The amount of beef from a carcass is termed "yield" and is the pounds of closely trimmed retail cuts you get. Of course you want to get a large percentage of meat from your animal. This website contains the legal definitions that can help you understand what goes into this measurement.

Shelby Filley, USDA | Jun 2020 | Online resource

Frequently asked questions about using custom-exempt slaughter and processing facilities in Oregon

Some producers choose to sell live animals, and the new owners can have the animals processed at a “custom-exempt,” state-licensed facility. Learn the rules to qualify for this cost-effective exemption.

Rebecca Thistlethwaite | Jan 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Beef Cutting Guides

Cutting guides from Cattlemen's Beef Board.

Jul 2020 | Online resource

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Small-scale meat farming

The cost and supply of food is concerning to many these days. Disruptions in the cattle, sheep, and swine markets, particularly in the slaughter-packer sector, have indeed threatened the availability of meat and put pressure on prices at the supermarket and at the livestock producer level. This has caused us to rethink the way we produce and process food. Some are considering backyard slaughter of livestock. Many important steps need to be taken prior to and after the actual slaughter of any meat animal. These are necessary for safety and meat quality.

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Photo credit: Chris Robert - Unsplash.com (Cropped from original)

Nutrition

A guide to protein nutrition for cattle

Cattle require protein for vital body and productive functions. Without it, their growth, milk production and overall health are impaired. Here's a look at the basic concepts of protein nutrition for cattle.

Bruno I. Cappellozza | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Water nutrition and quality for beef cattle

Inadequate water intake by beef cattle can limit growth and production, which can translate to narrower profit margins for producers. That's why it's important to understand water nutrition and quality for beef cattle.

Sergio Arispe | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

OSU Beef Nutrition Workbook

A comprehensive workbook covering many aspects of beef cattle nutrition. Includes worksheets for users to apply the concepts to their own operations. Chapter titles are: 1. Animal Nutrient Requirements 2. Forage Value 3. Evaluating Feeds 4. Minerals and Vitamins 5. Ration Balancing 6. Supplements and Supplementation Strategies 7. Body Condition 8. Heifer Nutrition and Development

David Bohnert, Shelby Filley, Gene Pirelli, Peter Schreder | Oct 2019 | Online resource Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Breeding and genetics

How temperament affects the performance and quality of beef cattle

For beef cattle, temperament defines their fear-related responses to human handling. Recent studies show that cattle temperament has a wide range of effects, from their ability to reproduce to the quality of meat.

Reinaldo Cooke | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Upcoming Events

Jun 28

OSU Extension Ranching Academy - Weaning & Heifer Replacement

9:30 am - 12:30 pm Prineville, OR
Jul 18

Jacques Ranch & Farm - A Veteran Farmer Network Farm Tour

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Albany, OR
Jul 23

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm PDT Online
Aug 20

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm PDT Online
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Meet Our Experts

Juliana Ranches
Assistant Professor, Extension Beef Specialist
David Bohnert
Director

Contact for questions associated with beef cattle management, grazing behavior, supplementation, and ration evaluation

Sergio Arispe
Associate Professor, Livestock and Rangeland
Photo of Shelby
Shelby Filley
Professor, Animal and Rangeland Science, Area Livestock and Forages Faculty
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Can one cow contaminate my well water?

Q: We have 1 mini Hereford on an acre that is downhill from our well. During the rainy months, I am worried that the rain will dissolve the cow manure and affect our water. Is that accurate? Or is that only a concern ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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