1. Topics
  2. Animals and livestock

Beef cattle

Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)

Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University (OSU) no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Consulte la versión original en inglés para confirmar la información.

Description:

OSU Extension Service provides up-to-date information on beef cattle in Oregon and throughout the country, and facilitates the communication among producers, industry personnel, and OSU – Extension faculty.

Resources include areas such as:

RancHER 2022 webinar recordings

RancHER 2022 was hosted in November and December of 2022. RancHER was idealized and organized by Juliana Ranches at Oregon State University. RancHER aims to bring information to cattle producers by highlighting the work of talented women in this field.

View the webinar
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest resources

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

HPAI in Livestock/Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) (in English)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in livestock in multiple states. HPAI has not been detected in Oregon livestock. The strain of HPAI detected in livestock is the same strain that has been circulating in wild waterfowl throughout the US. Learn more from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Apr 2024 | Online resource

The recent incidences of avian influenza in cattle

This is what is termed a “spillover event,” in which a disease that is common in one group of animals infects a different group.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Apr 2024 | Article

Browse all resources

News

Extension aims to reach 500 cattle producers on enhanced biosecurity and foreign disease mitigation

The project aims to provide a basic overview and proactive activities and measures that people can take to mitigate production market and financial risks, and the process by which cattle producers can resume business

Francesca Rossi | May 8, 2024 | News story

Dormant-season grazing research project reduces fine fuels in Malheur County

Since 2018, a total of 6,500 tons of fine fuels have been removed during off-season grazing, removing biomass that would otherwise burn in a rangeland wildfire in the 23,000 acres of public lands in Malheur County.

Sergio Arispe | Apr 2024 | Impact story

OSU Extension’s model cow helps ranchers deal with difficult births

OSU Extension acquired Alberta, a life-size black model cow without a head or legs, four years ago and the model has been traveling the state teaching people how to deal with dystocia, a difficult birth that usually manifests itself in a turned calf or a calf that is too large.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 5, 2023 | News story

Browse All News

Management guide

We encourage cow-calf producers to evaluate their individual operation(s) and use these suggested management guidelines to determine a system that works best for their ranch, environment, and facilities. This article covers general cattle management issues related to the production year including suggested herd health programs.

Download PDF
Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Calves

New Calf Information and Care

People buying a new calf often have questions about the animal's care. Here are some answers to common questions about food, housing and health care.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Feb 2020 | Extension Catalog publication

Strategies for easing the weaning process for beef calves

Weaning is one of the most stressful periods for a beef calf and directly impacts the calf’s gain performance and economic viability. Here's a look at strategies to reduce calf stress at weaning.

Barbi Riggs, Chad Mueller, Reinaldo Cooke | Nov 2011 | Article

Nutrient requirements for growing and finishing cattle (in English)

Different classes of animals have different requirements for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The specific amounts needed depend on the animal’s stage of production and the level of performance desired by the livestock manager. This table has nutrient requirements for growing and finishing cattle.

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (1984) | Aug 2019 | Fact Sheet

More calving resources

Meat

USDA Carcass Beef Grades and Standards (in English)

The amount of beef from a carcass is termed "yield" and is the pounds of closely trimmed retail cuts you get. Of course you want to get a large percentage of meat from your animal. This website contains the legal definitions that can help you understand what goes into this measurement.

Shelby Filley, USDA | Jun 2020 | Online resource

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Custom-exempt Slaughter and Processing Facilities in Oregon for Beef, Pork, Lamb and Goat

Oregon livestock producers selling retail cuts of meat by the package to consumers are required to have livestock slaughtered and processed at a USDA-inspected facility. However, some producers choose to sell live ...

Rebecca Thistlethwaite | Jul 2022 | Extension Catalog publication

Beef Cutting Guides (in English)

Cutting guides from Cattlemen's Beef Board.

Jul 2020 | Online resource

More meat resources

Small-scale meat farming

The cost and supply of food is concerning to many these days. Disruptions in the cattle, sheep, and swine markets, particularly in the slaughter-packer sector, have indeed threatened the availability of meat and put pressure on prices at the supermarket and at the livestock producer level. This has caused us to rethink the way we produce and process food. Some are considering backyard slaughter of livestock. Many important steps need to be taken prior to and after the actual slaughter of any meat animal. These are necessary for safety and meat quality.

View the collection
Photo credit: Chris Robert - Unsplash.com (Cropped from original)

Nutrition

A guide to protein nutrition for cattle

Cattle require protein for vital body and productive functions. Without it, their growth, milk production and overall health are impaired. Here's a look at the basic concepts of protein nutrition for cattle.

Bruno I. Cappellozza | Apr 2013 | Article

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

OSU Beef Nutrition Workbook (in English)

A comprehensive workbook covering many aspects of beef cattle nutrition. Includes worksheets for users to apply the concepts to their own operations. Chapter titles are: 1. Animal Nutrient Requirements 2. Forage Value 3. Evaluating Feeds 4. Minerals and Vitamins 5. Ration Balancing 6. Supplements and Supplementation Strategies 7. Body Condition 8. Heifer Nutrition and Development

David Bohnert, Shelby Filley, Gene Pirelli, Peter Schreder | Oct 2019 | Online resource

More nutrition resources

Breeding and genetics

Understanding EPDs for Selecting Bulls - Sergio Arispe and Morgan Johnsrud (in English)

In this video, Dr. Arispe and Morgan (Select Sires) discussed several aspects of EDP values for bull selection and different traits that producers should consider when selecting bulls. Other resources from presentation: Slides Breed EPD averages for and $Values

Sergio Arispe, Morgan Johnsrud | Jan 2021 | Video

How temperament affects the performance and quality of beef cattle

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

Reinaldo Cooke | Dec 2009 | Article

More breeding resources

Explore more resources

Upcoming Events

May 20

CS Beef Packers Industry Tour (FILLED)

10:15 am - 4:30 pm MDT Kuna, ID - Registration closed.
Jun 13

Entrenamiento sobre la prevención del suicidio de QPR para agricultores y ganaderos (en español)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT Online
Jul 11

Livestock 4-H Advisory Committee Meeting

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Oregon City, OR
Jul 23 - Jul 27

2024 Coos County Fair & Rodeo

10:00 am - 7:00 pm Myrtle Point, OR
See All Events

Meet Our Experts

Juliana Ranches
Assistant Professor, Extension Beef Specialist
David Bohnert
Director

Contact for questions associated with beef cattle management, grazing behavior, supplementation, and ration evaluation

Sergio Arispe
Associate Professor, Livestock and Rangeland
Photo of Shelby
Shelby Filley
Regional Livestock & Forages
See All Beef cattle Experts
Pregúntale a Extensión

¿Tienes una pregunta? Pregúntale a Extensión

“Pregúntale a Extensión” es una forma de obtener respuestas del Servicio de Extensión de Oregon State University. Contamos con expertos en familia y salud, desarrollo comunitario, alimentación y agricultura, temas costeros, silvicultura, programas para jóvenes y jardinería.

Haganos una pregunta

Can one cow contaminate my well water?

P: We have 1 mini Hereford on an acre that is downhill from our well. During the rainy months, I am worried that the rain will dissolve the cow manure and affect our water. Is that accurate? Or is that only a concern ...

R: View answer | View all featured questions

See More Questions