Beef Cattle Resources for Small Farms

This page provides information for the beef producer. Some topics you'll find here are production, breeds, reproduction, calving, nutrition, health, and other resources.

Production

Beef Production for Small Farms: An Overview

Covers three general types of small-scale cattle enterprises: (1) cow-calf breeding herds, (2) growing and feeding operations, and (3) backgrounding operations. Also covers feeding and keeping cattle healthy, marketing ...

Gene Pirelli, Dale W. Weber, Susan Kerr | Feb 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Rotational Grazing: Livestock Systems Guide

Rotational grazing is periodically moving livestock to fresh paddocks, to allow pastures to regrow. Rotational grazing requires skillful decisions and close monitoring of their consequences. Modern electric fencing and innovative water-delivery devices are important tools. Feed costs decline and animal health improves when animals harvest their own feed in a well-managed rotational grazing system. Included are lists of resources for further research.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Breeds, Reproduction & Calving

Reducing the stress of weaning beef calves

Weaning is stressful for cows, calves and humans too. Here's a look at how livestock producers can reduce the stress of weaning through preparation, timing, proper methods and post-weaning management.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2011 | Article

Oklahoma State Information on Cattle Breeds

This site is intended as an educational and informational resource on breeds of livestock throughout the world.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Calving School Handbook

This handbook focuses on the calving process, illustrating and explaining the mechanisms associated with this event, in addition to providing information and management options to alleviate the incidence of calving difficulties.

Charles Estill, Aurora Villarroel, Reinaldo Cooke | Oct 2018 | Online resource

Nutrition

Beef Cattle Nutrition Workbook

A comprehensive workbook covering many aspects of beef cattle nutrition: animal nutrient requirements, forage value, evaluating feeds, minerals and vitamins, ration balancing, supplements, body condition, and heifer ...

David Bohnert, Shelby Filley, Gary Parsons, Randy G. White | Dec 2004 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Ruminants on Pasture

Provides managers with tools and references to consider biological and climatological variables and make decisions that ensure the ecological and economic viability of a grass-based ruminant livestock operation.

Lee Rinehart | Apr 2008 | Online resource

Feeding for rebreeding

Good nutritional status is one of the most important factors in successful reproduction. This article reviews the nutritional demands, nutrient requirements, and nutrient content of common feeds for mature cows and first-calf heifers after calving and into the breeding season.

Shelby Filley | Feb 2004 | Article

Health

Calf Scours: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Calf scours causes more financial losses to cow-calf producers than any other health problem in their herds. Calf scours is not a single disease; it is a clinical sign associated with several diseases characterized by diarrhea. This publication discusses causes and treatments.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Dehorn calves with paste (Descornar terneras con pasta)

This publication specifies in detail (with explanatory pictures) the correct procedure for dehorning calves early in life to minimize pain. The publication contains both an English and a Spanish version.

Aurora Villarroel | Mar 2011 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Apr 2018

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Related Content from OSU Extension

Major Cattle Diseases in Oregon

Diseased animals require treatment, which is a cost to producers. Additionally, diseased animals do not perform at their maximum ability, adding to the cost of production due to low returns. Early detection of disease usually ...

Aurora Villarroel, DVM, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM, CVA, CVTP | Nov 2009 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to starve animals with a full stomach

Some poor-quality hay can’t supply basic nutritional requirements to livestock or allow for proper growth, lactation, pregnancy or work, but livestock owners can avoid problems by understanding basic principles related to hay, legume, mixed-grass or legume hay.

Susan Kerr | Jul 2018 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Late winter can be a perilous time for livestock

Late winter and early spring can be a perilous time for livestock. It's a time when even a full stomach won't stave off starvation. That's why livestock managers must pay close attention to the health of their animals.

Susan Kerr | Dec 2009 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Beef Cattle Nutrition Workbook

David Bohnert, Shelby Filley, Gary Parsons, Randy G. White | Dec 2004 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

How to interpret sire summaries

Selecting a bull is one of the most important management decisions a beef producer makes. Expected progeny differences are predictions of genetic potential that can be useful in choosing bulls.

Barbi Riggs | Jul 2011 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Basic nutrient requirements of beef cattle

Cattle require certain nutrients in specific amounts in order to grow, thrive and reproduce. Learn about the nutrients, the terms used in feeding, and the nutrient requirements by animal type and productivity level.

Shelby Filley | Jun 2011 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

The importance of energy nutrition for cattle

Cattle need energy to function but many forages do not provide enough. That’s why energy feed supplements are essential to a healthy herd. Here's a look at the basics of energy nutrition and how to apply them.

Reinaldo Cooke | Jun 2011 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How temperament affects the performance and quality of beef cattle

For beef cattle, temperament defines their fear-related responses to human handling. Recent studies show that cattle temperament has a wide range of effects, from their ability to reproduce to the quality of meat.

Reinaldo Cooke | Dec 2009 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to sample a lot of hay

Sampling hay is important to obtain an accurate forage test, which is necessary if you intent to sell, purchase, or feed hay. This video will highlight how to properly obtain a representative sample of hay from a single ...

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

Feeding beef cattle cull onions

Feeding cull onions to beef cattle can be a way to dispose of culls and reduce costs for beef cattle producers. Feeding too many onions, however, can cause potentially fatal poisoning. Learn how to take advantage of this feed option by following safety practices.

Sergio Arispe | Jan 2019 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Basics of reproductive function in bulls

With much attention in cow-calf systems focused on the reproductive management of females, bulls are often overlooked. But bull reproductive management is just as critical, and understanding bull anatomy is foundational.

Reinaldo Cooke | Oct 2018 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

What is good water quality for beef cattle?

Water is the most abundant nutrient in beef cattle accounting for approximately 98% of all molecules in the animal (NRC, 2000). Despite this fact, it is also the most overlooked nutrient to the detriment of the performance ...

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

Body condition scoring: Monitoring beef cow energy reserves

Cow body condition scoring allows producers to be more exact in the description of their cows and provides a standardized tool for the beef industry to use when monitoring the energy reserves of a cowherd.

Cory T. Parsons | Nov 2009 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

What causes nitrate toxicity in beef cattle?

Nitrate toxicity is a non-infectious and potentially lethal condition whereby cattle consume forages, feedstuffs, or water sources with excessive nitrate concentrations. Recognize factors to allow managers to prevent nitrate toxicity before it becomes costly to the cattle operation.

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

Water nutrition and quality for beef cattle

Inadequate water intake by beef cattle can limit growth and production, which can translate to narrower profit margins for producers. That's why it's important to understand water nutrition and quality for beef cattle.

Sergio Arispe | May 2015 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Welcome to Oregon's Outback

Oregon’s Outback is a Sustainable Rangeland-Based Beef Production Video Library that highlights best management practices for cow-calf producers and agricultural professionals. Three tenants of sustainable beef production include: ...

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

Getting calves ready for the feedyard

Calves sent to the feedyard need to be healthy and strong in order to meet the challenges of transitioning from the ranch to the feedyard. Here's a look at how to prepare calves for the feedyard.

Chris Schachtschneider | Oct 2018 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Livestock disease traceability programs

Livestock diseases are best dealt with at the preventive stage. Proactive programs for several livestock species and specific diseases are available to help with tracing diseases and preventing their spread, as well as continuity ...

Shelby Filley, Sergio Arispe, Jenifer Cruickshank, David Bohnert, Charles Estill, Juliana Ranches | Apr 2024 | Collection

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