Cattle HQ

Tom Geary Part 1 – The Female Side of the Equation

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson, Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, talked with Dr. Tom Geary, Animal Scientist at Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Montana related to factors influencing the reproductive success of the herd.  Join us during this episode to learn more about: 

• How synchronization could be influencing conception rates related to follicle size and ovulation.
• The impact of pre- and post breeding nutrition on reproduction in heifers.
• What plants produce phytoestrogens and how do they impact reproduction.

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

Utilizing Embryo Transfer or Artificial Insemination in Your Operation

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists as they sit down to talk with Dr. Jessica Drum, SDSU Assistant Professor in Beef Reproductive Physiology about comparing embryo transfer with artificial insemination.

On today’s episode: 

• Direction of Dr. Drum’s research as she begins her position at SDSU
• Benefits of embryo transfer in a commercial cow/calf operation
• Can the same genetic progress be made as quickly through artificial insemination?
• Revenue options when incorporating embryo transfer
• Benefits and limitations with embryo transfer
• Example of a small operation utilizing embryo transfer
• How in vitro and in vivo embryo’s affect conception and gene expression

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

Unwinding the Uterine Clock

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt, Robin Salverson, and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists as they talk with Dr. Bob Cushman, Research Physiologist at the US Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE on the bovine uterine clock.

On today’s episode:

• Introduction of Dr. Cushman and what he spends his research working on
• Calving date on cow longevity with SDSU and MARC
• Effect of ovarian reserve on fertility
• Thoughts on waiting until a heifer is two years old before breeding her
• The estrous cycle and uterine clock
• What is the uterine clock?
• How to keep the uterine clock in check?
• Management considerations to influencing the uterine clock
• Split timed-artificial insemination and correlation on the uterine clock
• Bull effect on the estrous cycle
• Repeat breeders study

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information.

Management Strategies for Cull Cows

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists as they talk with Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist about different management strategies for cull cows.

On today’s episode:

• Seasonal considerations when considering to sell cull cows
• Utilizing feed resources on a cull cow and when should that cull cow be sold and when does it make sense to keep and feed that cow
• Will the demand for cull cows remain
• Save the feed inventory by appropriately culling cows
• Know your feed inventory (winter and summer) and what that means when maintaining a cull cow
• Testing your feed

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources.

Estate and Transition Planning

In this episode of Cattle HQ, join Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists as they talk with Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialists about the importance of preparing an estate or transition plan.

On today’s episode:

• How does one move forward to put together an estate or transition plan
• What is probate and how is it used
• How to avoid family conflict by setting up an estate or transition plan
• Transition plans that don’t involve inheritance to direct family
• Resources and upcoming programs in estate and transition planning

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

Grazing Cover Crops with Dan Forgey

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Olivia Amundson and Robin Salverson, caught up with Dan Forgey with Cronin Farms near Gettysburg, SD.  Listen to learn more about:

• How Dan selects his cover crop species.
• How they have used cover crops as a grazing opportunity.
• Considerations when including cover crops into the operation.

Suggested reading by Dan Forgey:  Managing Cover Crop Profitably, Third Edition.  Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.

Benefits of Early Pregnancy Detection

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Olivia Amundson and Kiernan Brandt sit down with Dr. Halden Clark of the Great Plains Veterinarian Education Center in Clay Center, Nebraska to discuss the impact that early pregnancy detection has on your herd. Listen to learn more about:

• What defines an early pregnancy detection
• How can early pregnancy detection be advantageous
• Incidence of embryonic loss
• Reasons producers may opt to not pregnancy detect and strategies to get around labor and facilities
• Methods other than palpation and ultrasound to pregnancy detect

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

Direct Marketing

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Cow/Calf Field Specialist Adele Harty is joined by Sheep Field Specialist Jaelyn Quintana, Meat Specialist Dr. Christina Bakker and Heather Maude, a rancher from Scenic, to give listeners an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the in’s and out’s of direct to consumer marketing.

 

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

Organic Farming

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists, discuss organic farming with a Madison, SD organic farmer, Aaron Johnson.  During the episode we discuss:

• How the Johnson family begin their organic farming venture
• Crop rotation in the organic operation
• Utilization of fertilizer
• Environmental benefits of organic farming
• National organizations focusing on organic farming
• Marketing options with organic farming and prices received for grain products

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources

 

Precision Management: Challenges and Opportunities

During this special Beef Day Episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson, talked with  Dr. Jamie Brennan, SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist.  Listen to learn more about:

• Livestock precision technology researched on extensive rangelands including virtual fencing, remote sensing, smart feeders and scales.
• The future of livestock precision technology on the farm and ranch.
• The opportunities and challenges with the technology.
• New opportunities for students in the field of livestock precision technology.

A written SDSU Extension Beef Day Proceedings is available, at https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/sd_beefday_2022/21/ to learn more about the challenges and opportunities with precision management on extensive rangelands. 

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources