Numbered Publications by Jeff Lehmkuhler
ASC-255: A Guide to Body Condition Scoring Yaks
Les Anderson, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Mary McCarty | May. 1, 2023 (New)
Having issues with cows breeding back and raising a calf every year? Are your heifers taking longer to reach puberty than you think they should? Are some calves born weak and not able to stand quickly? Reproduction is closely associated with body-fat stores and muscling. Fat cells produce a hormone, leptin, that plays a role in the hormonal cascade regulating reproduction. Learning how to assess body reserves or condition as a management tool can help improve your reproductive efficiency and farm profitability.
ID-217: Forage-Related Disorders in Cattle: Nitrate Poisoning
Michelle Arnold, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Megan Romano, Ray Smith | Oct. 24, 2022 (Minor Revision)
Nitrates are natural constituents of all plants. Under normal conditions, plants take up nitrate through their roots and transport it to the leaves for use in photosynthesis. However, photosynthesis decreases under adverse environmental conditions (e.g., drought; leaf damage due to disease, hail, frost, insects, or herbicides; cool and cloudy weather; and other plant stressors). When photosynthesis is reduced, nitrate transportation to the leaves slows also. Potentially toxic nitrate concentrations can remain in the lower stalks and stems.
ASC-249: Reading the Fine Print: Understanding Mineral Tags
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Jul. 18, 2022 (New)
Among the variety of supplementation options currently available for beef cattle operations, a mineral can be one of the most challenging to select. Mineral tags contain important information regarding the contents of a mineral supplement and are regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Understanding the information on a mineral tag will aid in the comparison of multiple products and help to ensure the selected mineral product will meet the needs of specific animals.
ASC-248: Vitamin Supplementation for Beef Cattle
Les Anderson, Darrh Bullock, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Jul. 18, 2022 (New)
Beef cattle have defined requirements for vitamins. In some instances, vitamin supplementation may be necessary to avoid deficiencies. Vitamins are classified into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins include the B vitamins, such as riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin, as well as vitamin C. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. Supplementation for beef cattle generally focuses on vitamins A and E. This is because the rumen microbes synthesize the water-soluble vitamins and vitamin K in sufficient quantities to avoid deficiencies. Vitamin D requirements can often be met by exposure to the sun and would therefore only be of concern for cattle in confinement housing.
ASC-245: Feeding Soybeans to Beef Cattle
Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Mar. 24, 2021 (New)
Various factors such as delayed planting, early frost, drought or suppressed market prices may lead one to consider feeding soybeans to cattle. Soybeans can be fed to beef cattle as an energy and protein source. Depending upon the stage of development, soybeans will have varying degrees of feed value and a feed test for nutrient content is recommended.
ID-108: The Kentucky Beef Book, 2021
Les Anderson, Michelle Arnold, Darrh Bullock, Kenny Burdine, Roy Burris, Ben Crites, Jimmy Henning, Steve Higgins, Steve Isaacs, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Lee Moser, Gregg Rentfrow, Kylie Schmidt, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Lee Townsend, Katherine VanValin, Paul Vijayakumar | Mar. 23, 2021 (Major Revision)
Kentucky is ideally suited for cattle production. The main feed for cattle is a renewable resource Kentucky has in abundance--forages. The majority of the state's terrain favors cattle production over row crops. Kentucky farms cover 14 million acres, with approximately half of that occupied by forage grasses and legumes. Our natural resources and climate permit the growth of most cool-season and warm-season species. Water is readily available in all areas of the state, and we have a relatively long growing season.
ID-264: Feeding Corn Silage to Beef Cattle
Donna Amaral-Phillips, Greg Halich, Chad Lee, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Sep. 29, 2020 (New)
Kentucky is in the upper transition zone which allows for the growth of warm- and cool-season forages. Corn, a warm season grass, grows well in the state and may be harvested for either grain or silage. Corn harvested as silage can be an economical alternative for beef cattle. Implementing sound management strategies and determining the nutrient content to balance rations will allow for successful feeding of corn silage to beef cattle.
ID-224: Producer's Guide to Pasture-Based Beef Finishing
Greg Halich, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Lee Meyer, Gregg Rentfrow, Ray Smith | Jul. 13, 2020 (Reprinted)
Will pasture-finished beef eventually become a commodity with lowered product prices? These and other questions must be evaluated by those considering pasture-based beef finishing. As with any new enterprise, however, the learning curve is steep, and success requires a commitment to working through the many production, marketing, and processing details. This reference guide provides a foundation for this process.
ID-263: Alternative Protein Sources for Cattle
Les Anderson, Darrh Bullock, Darrell Johnson, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Katherine VanValin | Jul. 2, 2020 (New)
Kentucky has several bourbon distilleries and one fuel ethanol plant. The spent grains from the production of ethanol is utilized as a protein source in livestock feed. Shutdowns for fuel ethanol plants may also occur as a result of unfavorable profit margins when crude oil prices are low. Most distilleries and fuel ethanol plants will have a scheduled maintenance shutdown each year. During a shutdown, availability of distillers grains and other coproducts from these plants may be limited or unavailable. So, the question is what else can I feed in place of distillers grains?
ASC-244: Feeding Distillery Stillage to Beef Cattle
Les Anderson, Darrh Bullock, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler | Jun. 1, 2020 (New)
The growth of the bourbon industry has provided an increase in distillery byproduct feedstuffs that can be utilized by cattle as a source of energy and protein. Learning the nutritional characteristics of these feedstuffs will facilitate proper feeding, allowing for improved cattle performance.
