When it comes to breeding heifers there are several questions that often come up. Should they be bred to calve at 24, 30, or 36 months of age? Should they be bred to calve a month earlier than the cow herd? How long should the breeding season be?

The University of Illinois beef cattle group has been investigating and producing cattle in alternative housing systems for several years. Research results have consistently shown acceptable cow and calf performance.

This spring, when you are selecting bulls to breed cows at high elevation or selecting bulls for use as terminal sires for calves destined for a feedlot, consider using PAP score as a metric of selection.

Minerals are a crucial component in beef cattle diets. While mineral mixtures may vary among farms, there is one mineral that is on many minds this time of year: magnesium.

The added energy requirement for cattle walking through mud results in less feed going to weight gain and performance.

With the new year upon us, many producers across the country are looking toward calving season to bring in the new crop of calves. All your tools need to be organized and ready with everyone responsible for assisting trained on how to use them.

There are important considerations surrounding feeding decisions when hay supplies are limited.

Increasing the bull-to-cow ratio would reduce the number of bulls needed, allow for more cows to be bred to the top bulls in an operation and reduce breeding cost per cow.

With the frigidity of winter comes the realities of needing to continue to manage external parasites of cattle. Regardless of an operation’s size or type, when it’s winter, we’re dealing with lice here in the West.

Controlling lice populations is important from both a performance and animal welfare standpoint. Proper lice management will help cattle get through the winter in better shape.