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Services - Hay and Pasture

A list of resources for producers wanting to learn more about hay and pastures.

How to Test Hay for Nutrient Content

This article explains the different ways of testing hay for livestock consumption. It includes information about analyses, labs and lab methods too.

Shelby Filley | Jul 2005 | Article

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goats

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Is beef with liver flukes safe to eat?

I'm in the process of buying some grassfed beef through an Oregon coast farmer on Craigslist. The beef was recently processed and is ready to pick up, however we won't be getting any liver as the cows had liver flukes. ...

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Feeder Cattle Grades, Carcass Grades, & Meat Palatability

This presentation is an overview of feeder cattle and carcass grades. It is to be used in conjunction with the USDA Carcass Beef Grades and Standards included in Processing Meat Animals at Home collection our website (link listed below).

Shelby Filley | Jun 2020 | Educational document

Wolves—A Primer for Ranchers

A description of the Cattle-Wolf Interactions Research Project initiated in 2008 by Oregon State University, University of Idaho, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The goal of the research is to provide a basis for ...

John Williams | Mar 2017 | OSU Extension Catalog

Processing meat animals at home

This collection contains publications and information on selecting, purchasing, and preparing a meat animal for home slaughter. It includes resources for beef, goat meat, lamb, pork, poultry, and rabbit.

Juliana Ranches, Nathan Parker, Shelby Filley | May 2020 | Collection

Improving calf performance by extending the grazing season with warm grasses and brassica forages

This is a report on a research project where the objectives were to determine whether grazing cow-calf pairs on warm season grasses and brassica pastures would extend the grazing season and positively affect calf weaning weights, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and ranch profitability.

Shelby Filley, Janice Hunter | Dec 2019 | Article

Looking Forward to a Beef Harvest

This article focuses on how to get your beef animal to a proper weight for harvesting. It looks at size and type of animal and some examples of rates of gain needed to reach a weight that provides good beef for you. It also provides some advice on feeding regimens for success.

Shelby Filley | Apr 2019 | Article

Living on The Land: Getting Started with Sheep and Goats—Building a Flock or Herd

This is a second publication in the Living on The Land series on how to make a good start with sheep and goats. It gives more detail on how to choose healthy, high-quality animals, including specific signs of good health;...

Brian Tuck | Oct 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog

OSU Extension assists with livestock rescue efforts as Oregonians flee fires

When the fires started raging on Tuesday, OSU Extension employees started preparing barns and other buildings for animals, in addition to sorting through donations of food and water. Since then, they’ve been working day and night.

Chris Branam | Sep 11, 2020 | News story

Extension 4-H livestock shows adapt to restrictions, deliver for youth

Some shows virtual, using video clips or videoconferencing for showmanship and software for auctions, while others organized in-person events with strict social-distancing rules.

Chris Branam | Aug 7, 2020 | News story

The cryptosporidium parasite and its effect on calves and humans

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning transmission from sick calves to humans is possible. It causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration, headaches, vomiting, fever, malaise and muscle cramps. If medical attention is not administered, death can occur in severe cases.

Scott Duggan | May 2019 | Article

Winter livestock management

Rain, sleet, snow, ice and freezing temperatures are tough on humans and livestock alike. What can livestock managers do to keep animals healthy and comfortable in winter? Water Provide livestock a clean and reliable year-round ...

Susan Kerr | Dec 2009 | Article

Water nutrition and quality for beef cattle

Inadequate water intake can limit growth and production, which can translate to narrower profit margins for producers. That is why it is important to understand factors that influence water nutrition and quality for beef cattle.

Sergio Arispe | Sep 2019 | Article

Temperament and performance of beef cattle

For over a century, the word temperament has been used to define the fear-related behavioral responses of cattle when exposed to human handling. As cattle temperament worsens, their response to human contact or any other handling...

Reinaldo Cooke | Oct 2018 | Article

Beef Production for Small Farms: An Overview

Covers three general types of small-scale cattle enterprises: (1) cow-calf breeding herds, (2) growing and feeding operations, and (3) backgrounding operations. Also covers feeding and keeping cattle healthy, marketing your product, ...

Gene Pirelli | Mar 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog

Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen from Manure

This publication discusses management practices that increase crop nitrogen utilization. It also includes an interactive worksheet for calculating available nutrients supplied by manure application. The worksheet can be used to determine ...

Dan Sullivan | Jan 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog

Cattle Vaccine Handling and Management Guidelines

Recent research indicates vaccine efficacy is at risk due to improper handling and storage by retailers and livestock producers. Following these guidelines will help ensure effective disease immunity in livestock. The guidelines cover...

Mar 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog

Oregon's Outback: A Video Library

Oregon’s Outback is a Sustainable Rangeland-Based Beef Production Video Library that highlights best management practices for cow-calf producers and agricultural professionals. The videos in this library fall within the three tenants ...

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog

Living on the Land: Managing Manure

This publication is part of the Living on the Land series. It provides concise information on the basics of livestock manure management, including handling, storage, composting, use, and ways to reduce negative effects on the ...

Brian Tuck | Apr 2011 | OSU Extension Catalog

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