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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

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 | Apr 2024 | Article

Inland Pacific Northwest Pasture Calendar

Learn the opportunities and challenges of sustainably raising forages in a diverse environment.

Carmen Willmore, Sergio Arispe, Mylen Bohle, Brendan Brazee, Scott Duggan, Richard Fleenor, Amanda Moore, Ian McGregor, Ian Reid, Joseph Sagers, Christy Tanner, Guojie Wang, Ashlee Westerhold, Donald A. Llewellyn, Steve Norberg, Richard Koenig, Glenn Shewmaker, Tipton Hudson, J. Shannon Neibergs, Scott Jensen, Steve Fransen | Mar 2024 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

OSU Across-Breed EPD Calculator

This software is a tool for commercial cattlemen to compare sires of different breeds. Download the software (Microsoft Excel required) as well as instructions for use.

David Bohnert, Barbi Riggs | Feb 2024 | Online resource

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News

Dormant-season grazing research project reduces fine fuels in Malheur County

Since 2018, a total of 6,500 tons of fine fuels have been removed during off-season grazing, removing biomass that would otherwise burn in a rangeland wildfire in the 23,000 acres of public lands in Malheur County.

Sergio Arispe | Apr 2024 | Impact story

OSU Extension’s model cow helps ranchers deal with difficult births

OSU Extension acquired Alberta, a life-size black model cow without a head or legs, four years ago and the model has been traveling the state teaching people how to deal with dystocia, a difficult birth that usually manifests itself in a turned calf or a calf that is too large.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 5, 2023 | News story

Series of livestock clinics enhances 4-H experience in Lake County

4-H in Lake County held livestock fitting and showing clinics throughout 2022 that were open to both 4-H and FFA youths.

Breann Vandenberg | May 2023 | 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 | Feb 2020 | Extension Catalog publication 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 | Nov 2011 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Nutrient requirements for growing and finishing cattle

Different classes of animals have different requirements for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The specific amounts needed depend on the animal’s stage of production and the level of performance desired by the livestock manager. This table has nutrient requirements for growing and finishing cattle.

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (1984) | Aug 2019 | Fact Sheet

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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 for Beef, Pork, Lamb and Goat

Oregon livestock producers selling retail cuts of meat by the package to consumers are required to have livestock slaughtered and processed at a USDA-inspected facility. However, some producers choose to sell live ...

Rebecca Thistlethwaite | Jul 2022 | Extension Catalog publication 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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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 | Apr 2013 | Article 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 2015 | Article 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

Understanding EPDs for Selecting Bulls - Sergio Arispe and Morgan Johnsrud

In this video, Dr. Arispe and Morgan (Select Sires) discussed several aspects of EDP values for bull selection and different traits that producers should consider when selecting bulls. Other resources from presentation: Slides Breed EPD averages for and $Values

Sergio Arispe, Morgan Johnsrud | Jan 2021 | Video

How temperament affects the performance and quality of beef cattle

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

Reinaldo Cooke | Dec 2009 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Upcoming Events

Apr 25

Entrenamiento sobre la prevención del suicidio de QPR para agricultores y ganaderos (en español)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT Online
Apr 26

QPR Suicide Prevention Training for the Agricultural Industry (in English)

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PDT Online
May 1

Linn County Livestock Association spring meeting

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Brownsville, OR
May 20

CS Beef Packers Industry Tour

10:15 am - 4:30 pm MDT Kuna, ID
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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
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Shelby Filley
Regional Livestock & Forages
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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 ...

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