UNL BeefWatch
Business & Finance
About
The BeefWatch Podcast provides timely information to help beef cattle producers improve the sustainability and profitability of their operations. BeefWatch is provided by the Nebraska Extension Beef Systems team and is the audio companion to the UNL BeefWatch Newsletter.
Episodes
- America’s Appetite for Beef
The American consumer is increasingly eating more beef at a higher price than they were a decade ago.
- Virtual Fence Tour in eastern Nebraska, northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa June 16 and 17
Virtual fence technology is advancing rapidly. This two day tour will demonstrate its use on both producer operations and in research settings.
- Dr. Jerry Volesky, 31 Years as a Nebraska Extension Range and Forage Specialist
Dr. Jerry Volesky completes a 31 year career with the University of Nebraska in June. He shares what he has learned and what he sees as key management thought processes and management practices related to range, pasture and annual forages.
- Dr. Rick Rasby, 40 Years as a Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist
Dr. Rick Rasby completes a 40 year career with the University of Nebraska in June. He shares what he has learned and what he sees as important for the success of cow-calf producers going forward.
- Impact of Sire Over-Conditioning on Bull Fertility
Recent research is demonstrating that bull body condition during semen production influences not only sperm viability but also embryo development.
- Prussic Acid May Still be Present in Harvested Hay
Recent research is challenging the widely held belief that prussic acid breaks down in hay. Dr. Gruss from Iowa State discusses the data and gives principles to address this risk.
- How is Methane from Cattle Measured?
Measuring methane produced from cattle is a challenging process. The methods and tools utilized are discussed.
- Ranch Tax Management Considerations During Disasters and Drought
Disasters bring tax consequences which require thorough documentation. Options for managing income from livestock are dicussed as well.
- Down Stream Margin Trouble
Margins at the feedlot and packer level are showing negative values for the foreseable future. Dr. Koontz from CSU discusses the signal this sends for cow-calf and stocker yearling operations and why now is a good time to put into practice…
- How and Why is Methane Produced in Cattle?
The University of Nebraska is examining factors that impact methane production from cattle. This research includes the microbial population in the rumen, inoculation of the rumen environment early in an animal’s life, diet and cattle genet…
- Leveraging Summer Annual Forages in Today’s High Cattle Markets
Current crop commodity prices, fertilizer input costs, and a shortage of grazeable forage in Nebraska is creating a senario where planting summer annual forages for grazing or harvested feed may be a more profitable option than growing row…
- Farm/Ranch Insurance and Wildfires - What is Commonly Covered?
Taking time to annual review your insurance policy to understand what is and is not covered in the event of a wilfire is an important practice for farm and ranch owners.
- Using Virtual Fence after a Wildfire - A Producer's Perspective
Jessie Jarvis, a rancher from near Eagle, Idaho shares her family's experience with using virtual fence to graze cows on portions of allotments that didn't burn without building physcial fence. The lessons earned and the opportunities she…
- Nebraska Cattle Health Update: Bovine Theileriosis and the Asian Longhorned Tick
Dr. Matt Hille, Veterinary Pathologist and Extension Specialist, discusses the westward movement of the Asian Longhorned Tick and the impact it can have as a vector for Bovine Theileriosis which is caused by a protoza which results in anem…
- Why Storage, Not Age, Determines Hay Quality
The conditions hay is stored under is the major driver of how quality is retained. Factors that impact hay deterioration are discussed.
- Rebuilding Fences After a Disaster
Nebraska Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf discusses things land owners should know regarding Nebraska fence law and Federal cost-share programs, before removing and replacing fences.
- Managing Burned Pastures After a Wildfire - How to Graze
Drs. Jerry Volesky and Mitch Stephenson discusses factors that influence when pastures impacted by wildfires will be ready to be grazed.
- Considerations for Breeding Season in Confinement for Beef Cattle
Dr. Karla Wilke discusses management practices that producers should pay attention to if the breeding season will need to occur in a dry lot setting this year.
- 25 Years of the Sandhills Calving System
Dr. David Smith and Dr. Dale Grotelueschen discuss the circumstances and system that they developed with producers, which became known as the Sandhills Calving System. This management practice has been shown to drastically reduce the incid…
- Caring for Livestock and People after Wildfire
Dr. Travis McCarty and Dr. Randall Spare, two veterinarians from Kansas, share their experiences of going through multiple wildfires personally and with their clients on principles for caring for livestock and supporting the impacted peopl…
- Snap2Graze: Turning Cereal Rye Pasture Photos into Grazing Decisions
Snap2Graze is a web based tool based on Univeristy of Nebraska research, that utilizes a photo to estimate forage avaible for grazing.
- 2026 Nebraska Ranch Practium Program
The content that will be covered is discussed, as well as how people can learn more or register.
- Understanding and Preventing Calf Scours
Neonatal calf diarrhea is a common concern among cow-calf producers. Understanding why scours occurs, can help prevent the problem.
- Balancing Bull Selection with Cowherd Profitability
Breed genetic trends for greater growth, milk production and mature weight are impacting cowherd nutrient needs and thus profitability.
- Integrating Reproductive Technologies in Cow-Calf Operations: Practical Strategies for Efficiency and Profitability
Opportunities to use technologies to improve reproductive performance in cows and heifers is discussed.
- Research Conducted by the University of Nebraska on Methane Production in Cattle
Past research and new integrated projects across multiple disciplines in cattle are discussed.
- Cattle Market - Current Conditions and Outlook with Dr. Derrell Peel
Dr. Peel shares his perspective on the factors that are supporting cattle prices and what to expect for the rest of 2026.
- Cattle and Green House Gas Production - Understanding Cattle Contributions
How do cattle contribute to green house gas emissions? University of Nebraska researchers describe what is currently known and future research that will further enhance this knowledge.
- Winterizing Your Cowherd Managing Cows Through Cold Stress
Much of the winter cold weather may be past, but extended periods of wet and cold events can still impact cattle. Understanding the factors that contribute to and ways to mitigate cold stress are discussed
- Understanding and Mitigating Methane Emissions in Beef Cattle Grant Project
The University of Nebraska has received a signficant grant to conduct fundamental research on energy use in cattle, examining diet, genetics and rumen microorganisms and how those interact with each other to impact methane emissions in cat…
- Opportunities for Distillers Feed Byproducts in your Beef Operation
Recent research shows there have been changes to the feeding value of distillers grain byproducts and how cattle perform when they are part of a diet.
- Effect of Feeding Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, or Distillers Grains in Silage-Based Growing Beef Diets
Research compared three protein sources at different levels in corn silage-based diets for growing cattle. The results and implications are discussed.
- Trends of Winter Annual Herbaceous Expansion in the Nebraska Panhandle, Rangeland Analysis Platform Data
The Rangeland Analysis Platfrom is providing data to identify trends over time related to the increase of winter annual invasive grasses.
- Evaluation of FerAppease Administered at Arrival and Time of Reimplant on Feedlot Performance
A feedlot study compared FerAppease applied to yearling beef steers at initial processing and reimplant to a placebo on cattle health, feeding performance and carcass characteristics.
- Virtual Fence - A Cow-calf Producers Perspective
Owen Williams from near Elk Mountain Wyoming shares how they are using virtual fence technology on the Double 8 Ranch for grazing riparian areas, irrigated meadows, public lands and cornstalks in the winter.
- Cornstalk Grazing During Late Gestation - Making Sure Cow Nutrient Needs are Met
Cows in late gestation have nutrient requirements that are ramping up quickly while the quality compenents of corn residue have frequently declined in availability. Understanding these circumstance can help producers strategically provide…
- Finding Forage Efficient Heifers
Research by Dr. Lalman at Oklahoma State University is showing that there is significant difference in forage intake and performance of heifers fed long stem grass hay. Dr. Laman discusses how producers might use this information in develo…
- Cow Nutrition Considerations at Calving and Early Lactation
The nutrient requirements for heifers and cows ramp up rapidly in the last trimester and right after calving. Understanding a cows nutrition needs is the first step to cost effectively meeting them.
- Integrated Dryland Crop and Cattle Production Systems - Research and Upcoming Programs
Research at Dickinson, North Dakota shows integrating cattle grazing as part of a crop rotation can reduce input costs and improve profitability when compared to continous wheat production. This research will be shared at three programs in…
- Why Do I Have so Many Open Cows? Causes of Reproductive Failure
The major factors that contribute to cows not becoming pregnant are discussed.
- What are Beef Replacement Values for the Coming 2025-2026 Production Season?
What can I afford to pay for a bred heifer? Cow costs, replacement rate, calf prices, and weaning rate are major factors that impact this value.
- Hair Sheep as a Complement to a Nebraska Grain and Custom Cattle Grazing Operation
Matt Grimes from near Minden Nebraska discusses why he chose hair sheep as an enterprise and how they complement his family's grain farming and custom grazing of cows on corn residue.
- Calving College Webinar Series Returns in 2026 with Hands-On Opportunities
This popular course returns in 2026 with both online and hands-on workshops. Information about the content of the course as well as registration information is discussed.
- Feedlot Management Strategies to Combat Winter Weather
Practices to reduce stress from cold, wet conditions such as bedding and windbreaks, that can improve cattle performance and health are discussed.
- Prepare for Cattle Lice
Dave Boxler discusses conditions that enhance lice activity, thresholds at which treatment is warranted and different products that are avaiable for lice control.
- Windrow Grazing - A Producers Perspective
Myra Hipke Richardson from near Stuart, Nebraska discusses how they have integrated windrow grazing of summer annual forages for fall and winter feeding of the cow herd. She also talks about the logistics of fence and water that are needed…
- Bale Grazing - A Producers Perspective
Harold Gaugler from Grant County, North Dakota discusses how they have utilized bale grazing to reduce equipment and labor for winter feeding. He also shares how they have improved forage production from bale grazing on locations where the…
- Beyond the Abstract, Does Bale Grazing Make Sense?
Bale grazing provides the opportunity to strategically place bales for use throughout the fall and winter on locations where the soil and plant community will benefit from nutrients and organic matter. This method of feeding can more effic…
- Plan Now to Purchase your Hay Supplies
Thinking ahead of hay needs now through the upcoming winter and spring can help position you to strategically purchase the feed you need.
- Successfully Weaned Calves A Hot Commodity
Calves are valuable! Keys for successfully caring for them at and after the weaning process are discussed.