UT Beef & Forage Center

06/05/2026

by Andrew Griffith, Livestock Marketing Specialist May 22, 2026 FED CATTLE Fed cattle traded steady to $2 lower on a live basis compared to last week. Price ...

06/05/2026

A timely message from Dr. Rebecca Trout Fryxell ‼️

New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed by USDA APHIS in the United States after being identified in the umbilical area of a calf in southern Texas. We are sharing this as an educational awareness update: this was a single calf, the calf has been treated, and no further cases have been identified. Rapid reporting and response are exactly what helps protect animal health and the livestock industry.

What to know:
- NWS is a parasitic fly; the larvae can infest wounds which include newborn navels, minor cuts, and summer injuries can be risk points—making routine checks especially important.
- If you see a wound that’s worsening quickly, has unusual irritation, or you suspect larvae, contact your veterinarian promptly and follow reporting guidance.
USDA has a response “playbook” and established procedures for detection, surveillance, and control. Playbook and additional guidance are available through USDA APHIS resources as well (www.screwworm.gov).

Tennessee producers should start practicing consistent warm-weather routines—more frequent health and welfare checks, prompt wound care, fly control, and prevention steps that reduce summer wounds/injury (fence and facility checks, castration/dehorning site monitoring, navel care, etc.). Awareness + good management + timely reporting keeps incidents small and contained.

Learn more about NWS via these factsheets:
USDA APHIS NWS myth busters factsheet:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-myth-busters.pdf
USDA APHIS NWS Playbook:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-response-playbook.pdf
UTIA NWS Factsheet:https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2025/08/W1338.pdf

06/05/2026

Just posted, from Dr. Troy Rowan! 🐂 Discover why phenotypes still reign supreme in driving genetic improvement in cattle in this latest article:

Originally Published: https://www.agproud.com/articles/63351-when-it-comes-to-genetic-improvement-phenotypes-are-king When we look back at the evolution of ...

06/03/2026

This week for W**d Wednesday, UT Extension W**d Science Specialist, Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith, highlights the Perilla Mint!

Perilla mint is a summer annual w**d that is very toxic to livestock, becoming more potent as the plant grows and flowers. While we typically aren't concerned about this w**d until late summer when its hot and livestock readily graze perilla mint because its in the shade nearby, controlling perilla mint now can prevent problems later this summer. I recommend controlling this w**d now while it is still small through applications of GrazonNext or Gunslinger AMP at 19 fl oz/A, Gunslinger P+D at 1 pt/A, GrazonPD3 at 11 fl oz/A, or W**dMaster or Brash at 1 qt/A plus a nonionic surfactant at 1 qt per 100 gallons spray solution. Spot applications of these herbicides can also be utilized if perilla mint is not widespread across your field. Livestock should be removed from treated perilla mint until it has died to prevent toxicity issues.

06/01/2026

Dr. Griffith’s new article highlights how current market conditions are exerting significant pressure on the beef industry, creating both challenges and strategic opportunities for producers.

For people in the cattle and beef business, there is no shortage of articles, commentaries, podcasts, or some other media addressing the challenges, opportu ...

05/30/2026

Bale Bragging Rights Await: Join the 2026 Southeastern Hay Contest!

We welcome Tennessee hay producers to enter the 2026 Southeastern Hay Contest. To celebrate our great forage that feeds our livestock and keeps Tennessee green all year long, please consider entering your best hay into this contest.
Take time to call or visit your local UT/TSU Extension Agent to find out how to submit. They will work with you on sample collection, sending it in to the contest, and helping with the requirements to certify what is submitted.

Due date: September 1, 2026
Winners announced: October 1, 2026
Awards presented at the Sunbelt Ag Expo: October 20, 2026
Contest Rules: https://site.caes.uga.edu/sehaycontest/
Find your local Extension Agent: https://utextension.tennessee.edu/office-locations-departments-centers/

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Bruno C. Pedreira
UT Department of Animal Science
University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences
Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council
University of Tennessee Equine Program
UT Extension
Tennessee Cattlemen's Association
Tennessee Department of Agriculture

05/27/2026

Over the next couple of weeks, Dr. Hannah Wright-Smith, UT Extension W**d Specialist will share her insight on the emergence of summer w**ds in your pastures!

Today's Subject: Tall Ironw**d

I've been seeing lots of summer w**ds really taking off lately with the warm weather and the rainfall we've been getting. Pictured is tall ironw**d, a difficult to control perennial that can grow up to 10 feet tall by late summer if left uncontrolled! I highly recommend making an application of an aminopyralid-containing product NOW while this w**d is still around 2 feet tall and the leaves can take up the herbicide effectively. Mr. Howard is in the process of reclaiming this pasture, so he has a healthy stand of tall ironw**d. If you have a similar density, a broadcast herbicide application is the best course of action. As soon as you can get into the field, apply GrazonNext or GunslingerAMP at 24 to 34 fl oz/A or DuraCor at 12 to 16 fl oz/A plus a nonionic surfactant at 1 qt per 100 gallons spray solution. If you have a few plants scattered here and there with a good forage stand, a spot application of these herbicides is a good option to control tall ironw**d. Thank you Jessica Young, Wilson County Extension Agent for hosting me and taking these photos!

Photo Credits 📸: Jessica Young, Wilson County Extension

05/22/2026

by Andrew Griffith, Livestock Marketing Specialist May 8, 2026 FED CATTLE Fed cattle traded $3 higher on a live basis compared to last week. Prices on a liv ...

05/22/2026

🕷️ Tick Ready Tennessee Workshop Series 🕷️
Join the University of Tennessee Medical & Veterinary Entomology Team for a free, hands-on workshop on tick ID, tick-borne diseases, and prevention for people and animals. Open to producers, veterinarians, students, outdoor workers & the public. Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/P2BWDgnXpF

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
UT Extension
UT AgResearch
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine