WSU Extension of Benton and Franklin counties support producers, small and large alike, with practical and research-based information geared toward nutrition, reproduction, and animal health.
Our program focuses on three key components related to profitability and long-term viability of beef cattle operations:
- Beef cow nutrition/reproduction–utilize effective nutritional management to maximiize the number of cows bred, and healthy calves born and marketed per cow exposed during the breeding season.
- Calf health and the immune system–once the calf crop is delivered, doing everything within the producer’s power to keep the cows and calves healthy and reduce losses from scours, BRD, and other health issues.
- Management systems–Optimizing the use of available forages, protecting natural resources, and exploring the utilization of alternative feeds, forages, and supplements with a focus on reducing costs and increasing producer’s profits.
Beef Cattle Mythbusters
Check out the Beef Cattle Mythbusters monthly column committed to finding the truth about cattle production misconceptions. Brought to you by WSU Extension team, Dr. Don Llewellyn, Gary Rohwer and Sarah Dreger.
Resources
Publications
Cow Nutrition and Management
- Dual-Purpose Winter Canola in the Pacific Northwest: Silage Production (link)
- Dual-Purpose Winter Canola in the Pacific Northwest: Forage Management (link)
- Valuing Canola and Camelina Meal as a Biodiesel Byproduct (link)
- Feeding Beef Cattle I: The Realities of Low-Quality Forages (link)
- Feeding Beef Cattle II: Fetal Programming – Rethinking Cow/Calf Feeding Programs (link)
- Feeding Livestock During and After a Disaster (link)
Cow and Calf Health
- Nitrate Poisoning in Ruminants (link)
- Prussic Acid Poisoning (link)
- Blister Beetles (link)
- Influence of Early Weaning Beef Cows (pdf)
Youth Programming
- Youth Beef Exhibitors Steer of Merit Program (link)
- YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) (link)
WSU Irrigated Agriculture Email Service
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