Summer annuals are often used by cattle producers for summer grazing or harvested for hay. Plants such as Sorghum-Sudan hybrids, Sorgo-Sudan hybrids, Sudan-Sudan hybrids and millets all fall in this category. These summer crops can be very productive and high quality but can also accumulate toxic levels of nitrate when stressed. The heat and dry weather of the past two weeks has caused many of these plants to become very stressed.

Prices for cattle of all classes and for beef are higher than this time last year. However, cattle market conditions have changed significantly in the past few weeks and most prices have declined recently.  The biggest factor is weather, which is impacting markets directly and indirectly, both in the immediate short run as well as farther down the road.  Beyond weather impacts, beef demand remains a critical question for cattle and beef markets.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service released the monthly Cattle on Feed report on June 22. As of June 1, 2012, U.S. feedlots with a one-time capacity of 1,000 head or larger had 2 percent more cattle on-feed than a year ago, which was about 1 percent more than anticipated. Just a month earlier (as of May 1st), for the first time in any month during the prior two years the on-feed count was below a year earlier. Several factors bolstered placements of cattle into feedlots during May. The on-feed count also increased due to lower than expected feedlot marketings.

Eating satisfaction rules when it comes to making beef lovers happy.

For two years, both proponents and opponents of Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 have been promising they would prevail at the Supreme Court.Last Monday, after the court issued its 5-3 decision upholding the law’s most controversial provision but striking down three portions that the justices said encroached on federal immigration-enforcement powers, both sides claimed victory.

Save heifers, buy bred heifers or cows, or keep open cows?An analysis was conducted to determine economics of: retaining heifers purchasing bred heifers purchasing bred cows keeping open cows Prices assumed were those prevailing in the fall/winter of 2010-11. A range of cull cow values and open cow percentages was included in the analysis.

As part of an effort to educate cattle producers on the benefits of livestock weighing, Gallagher has introduced an online challenge to test producers’ knowledge.Through the Gallagher Weigh Up Challenge, participants can register online and then provide weight estimates for three animals. Gallagher has partnered with DVAuction, who is supplying actual livestock footage and weights.

With over 500 years of production agriculture under its belt, you would think that Puerto Rico had run out of ideas for agricultural success.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service experts said this week that the recent deaths of 15 cattle in Bastrop County were likely an isolated event and that no further problems are anticipated.“There’s a lot of information and misinformation that continues to circulate about this recent isolated case of cattle dying after consuming a Bermuda grass hybrid known as Tifton 85,” said Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist. “It should be known that there is not a widespread problem or concern related to this forage or its use for grazing livestock or the production of hay for livestock consumption.”