Joan Ruskamp-Dodge, NE •

Beef: Caring for Cattle in the Feedlot

The Ruskamp Family

Aerial view of our feedlot: The top is the east end. A fresh water pond collects water from the west while a holding pond catches all feedlot runoff and water from the north-110 acres

total. The holding pond is used to irrigate farm ground.

Cattle Nutrition-utilizing feed like hay, corn, corn silage, soybeans, distillers grains

and a supplement to balance vitamins/minerals needed. All feed is

measured using scales.

Feed is formulated into rations according to the age/size of the animal. A scale on

the feedtruck distributes the exact amount.

Health-walking through every pen, every day to make sure all animals are well. Sick animals are

removed from the pen and treated.

There are steps taken when antibiotics are used to treat cattle. Animals are treated according to label instructions and

veterinary supervision. Animals are traced using methods ranging from index cards to laptop computers.

HealthVaccinations to prevent disease Treatment with antibiotics if they get sick Adherence to withdrawal times before shipping out to processing phase.

Cattle have access to fresh water. This means cleaning tanks often.

Cattle Comfort-use of bedding and windbreaks for extreme cold

Removing and/or piling snow in the pens for dry places to lay down.

Cattle have hair coats designed to handle living outside.

Making sure cattle get fed at normal times during snow storms.

When it is hot, dry and dusty we wet down the pens to control the dust.

For extreme heat we have sprinklers to cool the cattle as a

mist along the bunk

Cattle at the feedlot have plenty of room to walk around and lay down.

Continuous improvements are made such as building steel fence.

Farmers and ranchers are both important in providing beef for food.

Cattle are content on grass. USDA says 85% of all land not suitable for crops but can be grazed.

Cattle are content on dirt. If we fed cattle like we did in 1955 we would need 165 million more acres-1/2 the size of Texas.

Beef and the Environment

• Washington State University study in 2007 shows we raise 13% more beef from 13% fewer cattle.

• Produce 18% less carbon emissions• Take 30% less land• Require 14% less water• EPA shows beef production accounts for only

2.8% country’s greenhouse emissions compared to 26% for transportation.

This is the reason we do what we do-giving people beef to eat.

Chef Steve getting ready to slice the Christmas Eve prime rib.

Beef provides ZIP-zinc, iron and protein in a nutrient dense product.

Cattle give us much more than food!99% of the animal is used!

• Beef at work, play and in the home:• bone china shaving cream• leather sporting goods soaps• Bone meal violin strings• biscuits insecticides• Luggage toothpaste• boots and shoes upholstery• Paint glue• candles floor wax• pet foods fabric softeners• cosmetics textiles• photographic film doggie chews• crayons detergents• Plastics shampoo/cream rinses• deodorants In the pharmacy: Insulin, Heparin, Corticotrophin, Thyrotropin, Parathyroid Hormone, Thrombin,

Glucagon, Sodium levothyroxine, Fibrinolysin, Pancreatin, Thyroid, Parathyroid hormone.On the road: asphalt, rubber tires, stearic acid to help tires keep their shape from the heat of friction, hydraulic fluid, car waxes, textiles for upholstery,Chemical manufacturers use the fatty acids for: cement blocks, explosives, lubricants, printing ink, whitener for paper, molds for plastics, fertilizer…

Beef is Big for Nebraska• $12.1 billion impact to Nebraska's Economy • 20,000 beef cow operations • 1.88 million head of beef cows • The average herd size is 94 head • 4,570 cattle feeding operations statewide • 5.1 million cattle fed and marketed per year • On average there are 2.3 million head of cattle on feed • Only 770 feeding operations are larger than 1,000

head • Cattle outnumber Nebraskan’s 4:1• Farms/ranches makeup 93% state’s land area

Resources:www.nebeef.org

www.ExploreBeef.orgwww.findourcommonground.com

www.commongroundnebraska.com

Questions?