July, 2001 Table of Contents
News & Views Archive Issues

Economics
Unit Cost of Production by Steve Swigert
Three factors determine the economic profitability of producing calves: calf prices, bred and cull animal prices, and unit cost of production. Prices are primarily determined by market factors. Unit cost of production, on the other hand, is under your direct control.

Forage & Soils
Nitrogen Fertilizer Giveaway by Hugh Aljoe & Jim Johnson
Conservative estimates are that legumes can provide 20 to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre during a growing season after the establishment year. Here we discuss the overseeding of legumes into pastures.

Livestock
Some Thoughts on Selecting the Cow Herd by Billy Cook
When making selection decisions in the cow herd, producers should not forget the simple concept of relative economic value. Reproductive traits are considered ten times more important than product traits and five times more important than production traits.

Wildlife
Hybrid Hype by Grant Huggins
Hybrid fishes occur naturally and are raised in hatcheries. Many hybrids have lower fertility but seem to exhibit better growth rates and catchability than the parent species.