https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us carrie.veselka@agproud.com USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service officials confirmed the first U.S. case of New World screwworm on June 3, found in a 3-week-old calf in southern Texas. As of June 9, six cases have been confirmed – five livestock in Texas, and one dog in New Mexico. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service officials confirmed the first U.S. case of New World screwworm on June 3, found in a 3-week-old calf in southern Texas. As of June 9, six cases have been confirmed – five livestock in Texas, and one dog in New Mexico.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63629 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63629-new-world-screwworm-arrives-in-the-us-import-restrictions-span-north-america jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu The list of traits that make a good commercial cow may vary some by producer. However, there are several fundamental things every producer should keep in mind when evaluating commercial cows. The list of traits that make a good commercial cow may vary some by producer. However, there are several fundamental things every producer should keep in mind when evaluating commercial cows.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63397 Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63397-south-central-what-makes-a-good-commercial-cow jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Understanding and managing forage quality is important for cow-calf and stocker operations that rely on forage as the main component of the diet. Understanding and managing forage quality is important for cow-calf and stocker operations that rely on forage as the main component of the diet.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63219 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63219-south-central-forage-species-and-grazing-management-impact-animal-performance jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu This article will focus on the factors that affect forage quality to help producers improve animal performance and produce better-quality hay, which can reduce or eliminate winter supplementation needs. This article will focus on the factors that affect forage quality to help producers improve animal performance and produce better-quality hay, which can reduce or eliminate winter supplementation needs.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63048 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63048-south-central-improving-animal-performance-with-better-forage jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu When it comes to selecting bulls, there are several factors to consider. Additionally, some factors that should be emphasized will vary depending on the type of operation and how cattle are marketed. When it comes to selecting bulls, there are several factors to consider. Additionally, some factors that should be emphasized will vary depending on the type of operation and how cattle are marketed.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62723 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62723-south-central-things-to-consider-when-selecting-bulls jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu To best utilize hay, it is important to consider hay quality, nutrient requirements of the cows it is being fed to and how the hay will be fed. To best utilize hay, it is important to consider hay quality, nutrient requirements of the cows it is being fed to and how the hay will be fed.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62580 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62580-south-central-hay-feeding-considerations jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu A good hay test can prove valuable when designing a winter feeding program. There can be a lot of information on a hay test, and knowing which numbers to focus on may not always be clear. A good hay test can prove valuable when designing a winter feeding program. There can be a lot of information on a hay test, and knowing which numbers to focus on may not always be clear.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62279 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62279-south-central-understanding-your-hay-test-report jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Cow body condition can slip during the winter without appropriate strategies. Cow body condition can slip during the winter without appropriate strategies.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62158 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62158-south-central-maintaining-cow-body-condition-through-the-winter karen@agproud.com Here are the dairy-related headlines as we start the last week of July 2025: DFA, Select Milk Producers settle milk price-fixing lawsuit; the U.S. dairy industry praises Indonesia trade agreement; a new study shows genetic selection with DWP$ supports measurable productivity gains; and more. Here are the dairy-related headlines as we start the last week of July 2025: DFA, Select Milk Producers settle milk price-fixing lawsuit; the U.S. dairy industry praises Indonesia trade agreement; a new study shows genetic selection with DWP$ supports measurable productivity gains; and more.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61939 Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:55:15 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61939-weekly-digest-dfa-select-milk-producers-settle-milk-price-fixing-lawsuit jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu When it comes to weaning, it is important to consider the age of calves. When it comes to weaning, it is important to consider the age of calves.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61734 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61734-south-central-age-and-location-key-factors-for-weaning-success jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Hay represents a major component of most winter feeding programs for cow-calf producers. To develop a successful, cost-effective supplementation program, it is critical to test hay. Hay represents a major component of most winter feeding programs for cow-calf producers. To develop a successful, cost-effective supplementation program, it is critical to test hay.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61629 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61629-south-central-pick-the-right-hay-test-for-your-needs jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Hay is a major component of winter feeding programs for many cow-calf operations. Reducing hay losses during storage is critical to reduce overall winter feeding costs. Hay is a major component of winter feeding programs for many cow-calf operations. Reducing hay losses during storage is critical to reduce overall winter feeding costs.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61505 Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61505-south-central-reducing-hay-storage-losses jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu There is no perfect strategy for controlling horn flies, and the most successful strategies generally require more than one approach. There is no perfect strategy for controlling horn flies, and the most successful strategies generally require more than one approach.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61281 Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61281-south-central-horn-fly-control-options kimmi@agproud.com Entering 2025, the Texas dairy industry is healing from last year’s drought conditions and bird flu outbreak. However, Darren Turley, executive director at the Texas Association of Dairymen, says dairy producers are expecting better conditions and pricing moving forward. Entering 2025, the Texas dairy industry is healing from last year’s drought conditions and bird flu outbreak. However, Darren Turley, executive director at the Texas Association of Dairymen, says dairy producers are expecting better conditions and pricing moving forward.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61106 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61106-2025-state-of-dairy-growth-and-optimism-in-texas jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu A vaccine plan is part of a sound preventive herd health plan. The vaccines that should be included will vary some depending on type of operation (cow-calf, stocker, etc.), geographic location, risk level and herd health history. However, a clostridial vaccine is one vaccine that is probably critical for all cow-calf operations. A vaccine plan is part of a sound preventive herd health plan. The vaccines that should be included will vary some depending on type of operation (cow-calf, stocker, etc.), geographic location, risk level and herd health history. However, a clostridial vaccine is one vaccine that is probably critical for all cow-calf operations.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61152 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61152-south-central-have-you-vaccinated-for-clostridial-pathogens-this-year jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu When working calves, following BQA best management practices is not only the right thing to do, it can also help the operation be more successful. When working calves, following BQA best management practices is not only the right thing to do, it can also help the operation be more successful.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61008 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61008-south-central-working-calves-bqa-best-management-practices audrey@agproud.com Known for its forward-thinking approach, River Ranch Farms LLC has embraced numerous innovations, from a biogas hub and solar fields to the recent development of an automated indoor feed mill. At the forefront is Forever Feed Technologies, a company that dairy producer Jack de Jong helped establish to explore the possibilities of sprouted grain feeding systems. Known for its forward-thinking approach, River Ranch Farms LLC has embraced numerous innovations, from a biogas hub and solar fields to the recent development of an automated indoor feed mill. At the forefront is Forever Feed Technologies, a company that dairy producer Jack de Jong helped establish to explore the possibilities of sprouted grain feeding systems.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60894 Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60894-california-dairy-innovates-with-automated-indoor-feed-mill 60894-schmitz-2.jpg jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Understanding differences in milk production due to age or genetics, the milk production curve and how milk production affects requirements for energy is important for hay feeding and supplementation strategies. Understanding differences in milk production due to age or genetics, the milk production curve and how milk production affects requirements for energy is important for hay feeding and supplementation strategies.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60856 Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60856-south-central-milk-production-and-nutrient-requirements jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Being prepared and having a calving kit can make dealing with dystocia, a calf not wanting to nurse, a cow not producing colostrum or some other situation much easier. Being prepared and having a calving kit can make dealing with dystocia, a calf not wanting to nurse, a cow not producing colostrum or some other situation much easier.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60692 Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60692-south-central-is-your-calving-kit-ready jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Proper heifer development is important to get heifers bred but also to set them up to be productive cows that remain in the herd for many years to come. Proper heifer development is important to get heifers bred but also to set them up to be productive cows that remain in the herd for many years to come.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60545 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60545-south-central-heifer-development-from-weaning-to-breeding jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu There are several strategies that producers can use to help reduce the negative effects of winter weather on cattle and help ensure feed resources are used efficiently. There are several strategies that producers can use to help reduce the negative effects of winter weather on cattle and help ensure feed resources are used efficiently.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60418 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60418-south-central-tips-for-reducing-the-impacts-of-winter-weather 60418-banta-winter-tmarchant.jpg jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Deciding which supplement to use will vary depending on forage quality, animal requirements, body condition score, the ability to feed daily or not, product availability and cost per unit of needed nutrient. Deciding which supplement to use will vary depending on forage quality, animal requirements, body condition score, the ability to feed daily or not, product availability and cost per unit of needed nutrient.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60239 Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60239-south-central-options-for-a-winter-supplementation-program matti@agproud.com Driven, hard-working and passionate about the dairy industry. These attributes describe many involved with dairy cattle, and siblings Logan and Lauren Silveira are no exception. The duo have made their splash in the dairy world and are here to stay. Driven, hard-working and passionate about the dairy industry. These attributes describe many involved with dairy cattle, and siblings Logan and Lauren Silveira are no exception. The duo have made their splash in the dairy world and are here to stay.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60164 Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60164-silver-elite-holsteins-siblings-creating-a-bright-future-with-genetics 60164-mcbride-3.jpg jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Hay quality cannot be judged based on looks or if it was fertilized or not. Often, some of the best-looking hay will test out to be some of the lowest quality. Hay quality cannot be judged based on looks or if it was fertilized or not. Often, some of the best-looking hay will test out to be some of the lowest quality.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60094 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60094-south-central-hay-testing-and-ndf-digestibility jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Weaning is part of cow-calf production, and it can occur at different times for numerous reasons. There is varying terminology associated with weaning depending on age of the calf, the weaning location (ranch of origin or trailer) and dictionary versus industry definitions. Weaning is part of cow-calf production, and it can occur at different times for numerous reasons. There is varying terminology associated with weaning depending on age of the calf, the weaning location (ranch of origin or trailer) and dictionary versus industry definitions.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59958 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:54 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59958-south-central-when-should-calves-be-weaned audrey@agproud.com It was dairy producer Danny Martins’ vision to design a fully automated feed center where he didn’t have to rely on multiple feeders and could instead entrust just one person. It was dairy producer Danny Martins’ vision to design a fully automated feed center where he didn’t have to rely on multiple feeders and could instead entrust just one person.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59875 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59875-california-dairy-farmer-installs-fully-automated-feed-center 59875-schmitz-4106.jpg jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu How much hay do you need for this winter? The answer to this question depends on several factors. How long do you expect to feed hay? How big are the cows? Are the cows lactating or not? How much hay will be lost because of storage and feeding losses? How much hay do you need for this winter? The answer to this question depends on several factors. How long do you expect to feed hay? How big are the cows? Are the cows lactating or not? How much hay will be lost because of storage and feeding losses?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59818 Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59818-south-central-do-you-have-enough-hay jennwork@ttu.edu One of the biggest challenges facing modern society is accurately understanding agriculture and its role in our everyday lives. In an era of information being readily available, it is amazing how quickly that information can be misinterpreted or misunderstood. One of the biggest challenges facing modern society is accurately understanding agriculture and its role in our everyday lives. In an era of information being readily available, it is amazing how quickly that information can be misinterpreted or misunderstood.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59747 Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59747-meeting-the-public-where-they-are-in-their-understanding 59747-workman-cash-family-Ranch-Life-Learning-Center-Prairie-Ecology.jpg “Each generation has had their unique spin on how to manage the ranch, with different approaches,” Alex Hart says. “We are becoming 21st century agriculturalists, promoting the good work ranchers and land managers do, taking care of the landscape sustainably.” “Each generation has had their unique spin on how to manage the ranch, with different approaches,” Alex Hart says. “We are becoming 21st century agriculturalists, promoting the good work ranchers and land managers do, taking care of the landscape sustainably.”

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59497 Mon, 27 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59497-hart-ranch-environmental-stewardship-in-progress 59497-thomas-region-vI-hart-ranch.jpg jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu Forage for grazing, hay, baleage or silage production is critical for cow-calf operations. Producing quality forage and hay is also important to reduce or eliminate energy and protein supplementation for the cow herd. Forage for grazing, hay, baleage or silage production is critical for cow-calf operations. Producing quality forage and hay is also important to reduce or eliminate energy and protein supplementation for the cow herd.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59590 Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59590-south-central-focus-on-abundant-high-quality-forage