Horns can present livestock handling challenges, but in some situations they may add value to the herd.
Cattle
What is TDN?
TDN is short for total digestible nutrients. Many writers have criticized the term as being somewhat confusing, since TDN does not measure all types of nutrients, but rather the energy contained in a given feed. TDN estimates are used for swine and horses but are most common in the ruminant world. Other methods of evaluating […]
Waterers and Watering Systems
Thinking about raising livestock this year? Do you have a watering system planned? If not, or if you want to improve an existing system, this is one book you must read: Waterers and Watering Systems: A Handbook for Livestock Producers and Landowners from K-State. This free PDF download is packed with pros, cons, and design […]
EPDs for Beef Cattle: Pros and Cons
Now that you know the basics of how EPDs work, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this breeding tool. How can you maximize its potential without running into its pitfalls? Pros Proven effectiveness. EPDs work. If a producer has a goal, using EPDs to make breeding selections is a proven […]
EPDs for Beef Cattle: Crunching the Numbers
How to use EPDs to compare bulls to one another and to the breed average.
Historical Atlas of Kansas
If you like maps and you love Kansas history, have we found the book for you! The Historical Atlas of Kansas by Homer E. Socolofsky and Huber Self contains over 70 maps presenting different aspects of life in Kansas, past and present. Maps include: Landforms. Precipitation. Native flora. Spanish and French claims. Early Indian tribes. Forts […]
EPDs for Beef Cattle: A Glossary of Traits
If you are interested in beef cattle, one of the tools you will soon become familiar with is the EPD, or estimated progeny difference. Perhaps you have already seen some EPDs in ads. Among the major selling points listed for a bull, you may have seen something like “WW +10,” for example. That is an […]
How Does Rumination Work?
You undoubtedly know that cattle, sheep, and goats are considered ruminants, that they have multiple stomachs, and that they chew their cuds as part of the digestive process. Well, that’s just the simplified version of what is actually going on. Rumination is an incredibly sophisticated process. Here’s a little more information: The animal swallows a […]
Veterinary Guide for Animal Owners
If you keep animals long enough, you will eventually become acquainted with some basic veterinary first aid. Here’s a book that can make the learning process a little smoother. Veterinary Guide for Animal Owners by C. E. Spaulding, DVM, and Jackie Clay contains information on all common farm animals: Cattle. Goats. Sheep. Horses. Pigs. Poultry. […]
The Roots of Cattle Driving: Part 3
From Texas to New York Another major cattle drive was carried out by a young man named Thomas Candy Ponting. Ponting had grown up herding cattle in his native England. When he came to America, he continued in the trade, but soon found his plans growing beyond what he had originally expected. Ponting heard that […]