Guest Opinion: Genocide against white farmers, S. Africa
South Africa has long had a serious problem with crime. The murder rate is 36 per 100,000, meaning 57 people are murdered each day, placing South Africa’s homicide rate just behind that of countries now...
Checkoff Checking out? Groups, individuals seek enough petitions for Beef Checkoff referendum
A number of groups and individuals launched an Online petition to gain the signatures needed to require USDA to conduct an “up or down” vote of cattle producers over the Beef Checkoff. The petition, which...
Veterinarians now recommend leaving a retained placenta alone to avoid harming uterus
Most cows “clean” soon after calving, shedding placental membranes within 2 to 12 hours. If it takes longer than 12 hours, it is called a retained placenta or retained fetal membranes, according to Dr. Russ...
Treat it fast: Foot rot in cattle
Foot rot is an infection that causes swelling, heat and inflammation between the toes of a cloven -hoofed animal, resulting in severe lameness. Nearly every cattle producer has seen this situation, finding an animal suddenly...
Pandemic Reveals USDA Is Not Buying American RFID Cattle Eartags
Billings, Mont. – R-CALF USA has learned that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted foreign shipments of millions of radio frequency identification (RFID) cattle eartags the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had purchased from foreign manufacturers....
Farm to fork and grain to glass
From the farm to the fork, and from grain to the glass, is the motto of Upstream Farms, owned by Matthew and Joe Brugger. The twins, who are 22 years old, are adding value to...
How to deal with ticks on horses, and what health issues to watch for
Spring is tick season, when newly-emerged nymphs and adults seek a host. Dr. Tia Nelson, a veterinarian in Helena, Montana, says some ticks are a problem year round, however. “Some of the worst infestations I’ve...
Last American cowboy
The American Cowboy is a dying breed, at least according to Animal Planet’s newest original television series “Last American Cowboy,” that premiered June 7, 2010. The show details life on three family-owned and operated working...
Determining proper moisture levels in baled hay
Plants that are cut and baled for hay tend to lose some of their vitamins and protein if they become too mature or dry. The challenge in making hay is to cut it at proper...
THE MORE YOU KNOW: How to spot the difference between colic and tying up
The very first article I ever wrote for publication was about how to tell the difference between colic and tying up. It was originally published in the Quarter Horse Journal in 1997-ish time frame, but...
FAQ: What do I need to know about buying beef from a rancher?
How much meat can I expect to get? The average ready-to-butcher animal weighs 1,300 pounds. This can vary a lot, depending on breed, finishing and management of the producer marketing the animal. Once the animal...
From Herding to Hunting: New Discovery series Dino Hunters highlights cowboys making history
Bringing These Pre-Historic Creatures to Life Across the West, the stage is set for a new type of gold rush: the hunt for prehistoric dinosaur fossils. In the badlands of Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas,...
The true grit of Amberley Snyder
A movie is about to be released might give you the inspiration to push ahead with your dreams. Your heart might skip a beat as you watch a beautiful blond paraplegic strapped to her saddle...
Assisting the bonding process between cow and calf
After a cow gives birth, she starts sniffing and licking her newborn calf. In this bonding process, she learns to recognize her calf, and commits to caring for it and protecting it. Her actions are...
Fencing tips for rocky terrain
Fencing can be a difficult challenge in the rocks, especially when it’s too rocky to dig post holes efficiently, or to set posts using a tractor-mounted driver (post pounder). Michael Thomas, who ranches in Lemhi...
Cattle Industry Launches Petition Calling for Beef Checkoff Referendum
Billings, Mont. – To celebrate their independence, several individual ranchers and farm and ranch groups, including R-CALF USA, formally launched a national petition drive on July 2, just days before the nation celebrated Independence Day. The...
How to build the best loading chute
Many ranchers have ways to load cattle into a stock trailer, but if they send calves or cull cows on a cattle truck or semi they need a loading chute. A good chute makes it...
Iowa Reps bring 50/14 companion bill
Three of the four Iowa Representatives introduced a bill on Thursday to require packers to procure 50 percent of their weekly slaughter needs on the cash market, and for them to take delivery on all...
HYPP and the Impressive line of American Quarter Horses: The facts
In 1969, an American Quarter Horse foal was born that changed the history of the halter horse in three breed registries. Born with outstanding conformation, disposition and pedigree, the colt named Impressive, eventually set the...
How to treat acute toxic gut infections in calves
Newborn calves can develop infection due to bacteria that proliferate rapidly in the gut and produce toxins. If this condition is not treated quickly and reversed, toxins get into the bloodstream and the calf goes...