Beef Production and Management Decisions

Tom Field, Ph.D., serves the people of Nebraska as the Director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and holder of the Engler Chair in Entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  An enthusiastic advocate for free enterprise, the potential of young people, and opportunities in both agriculture and rural communities, Tom is an internationally recognized educator and innovator who has the ability to connect the dots between people, industries, and ideas.  A fifth generation cattleman who is in a partnership in a family cow-calf business in western Colorado, he also authors the column “Out of the Box,” is a featured commentator on business and entrepreneurship for Angus TV on RFD, and is a sought-after speaker who challenges and inspires audiences to lead their organizations to excellence by asking the right questions, seeking solutions beyond conventional wisdom, and unleashing the power of focused creativity.  A frequent speaker at agricultural events in the United States and abroad, he has consulted with a number of agricultural enterprises and organizations.  He is also the author of Scientific Farm Animal Production now in its 11th edition.  He and his wife Laura and their family live near Raymond, NE.

• Chapter 1      An Overview of the U.S. Beef IndustryGeneral OverviewContribution to the U.S. EconomyBeef Industry SegmentsBeef Industry OrganizationsBeef Industry IssuesAnimal Well-BeingSelected References  Chapter 2      Retail Beef Products and ConsumersRetail Beef ProductsBeef Consumption and ExpendituresBeef Palatability and Consumer PreferencesBy-ProductsSelected References  Chapter 3      Management Systems: Integrated and Holistic Resource ManagementResources and PrinciplesThe Human ResourceThe Financial ResourceLand and Feed ResourcesThe Cattle ResourceThe Market ResourceManagement SystemsSelected References  Chapter 4      Management Decisions for Seedstock BreedersBreeding Program Goals and ObjectivesProduction RecordsSire SelectionSelecting Replacement HeifersSelecting CowsMarketing DecisionsSelected References  Chapter 5      Commercial Cow-Calf Management DecisionsCreating the VisionInformation SystemsProfit-Oriented Management DecisionsFactors Affecting Pounds of Calf WeanedManaging Percent Calf CropManaging Weaning WeightsManaging Annual Cow Costs and ReturnsMatching Cows to Their Economical EnvironmentWeaning ManagementMarketing DecisionsEstablishing a Commercial Cow-Calf OperationSummary of Cow-Calf Operational Types and Management PracticesSelected References  Chapter 6      Stocker Management DecisionsComputing Breakeven PricesThe Budgeting ProcessManagement ConsiderationsPasture LeasesSelected References  Chapter 7      Feedlot Management DecisionsTypes of Cattle Feeding OperationsNon-Finishing FeedingManaging a Feedlot OperationSelected References  Chapter 8      The Beef Supply ChainTrustSustainabilityValue CreationSource Verification, Traceback, and Identification SystemsStructural Changes in the Beef IndustrySupply Chain Coordination/Business RelationshipsSelected References  Chapter 9      The Marketing SystemMarket Classes and GradesMarketing Cows and BullsMarket ChannelsGrid PricingMajor Factors Affecting Cattle PricesAssessing Marketing CostsForecasting Beef Prices and Managing Price RisksThe Futures MarketAdvertising and Promoting Retail BeefSelected References  Chapter 10    The Global Beef IndustryNumbers, Production, Consumption, and PricesInternational TradeBeef SuppliersNAFTA PartnersBuyersTrade Policy and Other FactorsSelected References  Chapter 11    ReproductionStructure and Function of the Reproductive OrgansBreedingArtificial InseminationSynchronization of EstrousEmbryo TransferCloningPregnancyCalvingRebreedingAdaption of Reproductive Management TechnologiesSelected References  Chapter 12    Genetics and BreedingGenetic PrinciplesMating StrategiesTraits and Their MeasurementImproving Beef Cattle Through Breeding MethodsSelection ProgramsNational Sire EvaluationGenetic Testing and Marker-Assisted SelectionSelected References  Chapter 13    Cattle BreedsBreed VariationBreed Evaluation for Commercial ProducersBreed Evaluation for Low-Cost ProductionBreed Evaluations to Improve Consumer Market ShareIntegrated Production SystemsSelected References  Chapter 14    NutritionNutrientsProximate Analysis of FeedsThe Ruminant Digestive SystemDigestibility of FeedsEnergy Evaluations of FeedsFeeds: Classification and CompositionNutrient Requirements of Beef CattleRation FormulationPricing FeedstuffsCow-Calf NutritionYearling-Stocker Cattle NutritionFeeding Feedlot CattleSelected References  Chapter 15    Managing Forage ResourcesGrazed Forage ResourcesPlant Types and Their DistributionGrazing ManagementMajor Grazing Regions of the United StatesHaysCrop ResiduesDrought ManagementMarket Cattle Production on Grazed ForageHealth Problems Associated with Grazing PlantsSelected References  Chapter 16    Herd HealthDiseases and Health ProblemsImmunityEstablishing a Herd Health ProgramStress and HealthParasitesCow-Calf Health Management ProgramsSelected References  Chapter 17    Growth, Development, and Beef Cattle TypeGrowth and DevelopmentBeef TypeParts of the Beef AnimalCarcass ConformationConformation of Market CattleConformation of Feeder CattleConformation of Breeding CattleThe Livestock ShowSelected References  Chapter 18    Cattle Behavior, Facilities, and EquipmentBehaviorGathering Cattle on Pasture and Training CattleCattle TransportFacilities and EquipmentAuditing Animal Well-BeingSelected References  AppendixThe Metric SystemOther Weights, Measures, and SizesVolumes and Weights of Stacked and Baled HayRound Grain Bin VolumesMeasuring Irrigation Water FlowLand Description for Legal PurposesMajor Organizations Within or Affecting the Beef IndustryGlossaryIndexAdditional Resources