Latest News From Drovers Guest Editor

Blue Cedar Beef Named Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award Winners
Blue Cedar Beef Named Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award Winners

Brendan and Elaine Martin, owners of Martin Angus and Blue Cedar Beef, Mt. Solon, Virginia, were recognized with the 2022 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award.

I'm a Drover: A Legacy of Leadership
I'm a Drover: A Legacy of Leadership

When Neil Orth’s portrait is hung in the Saddle and Sirloin gallery this fall, he’ll join industry greats who mentored him. Those who know him best say his biggest imprint is seen in the careers of those he taught.

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Fighting Someone Else's 'Good Idea' for Our Land

We know the majority of ranchers and land managers see open land as the foundation for food production. 

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Solving Cattle's High Supply a 'Tough Task'

“The market absorbing all of this other meat in the pipeline is going to be a tough task. Given that there is so much cheap pork and chicken out there, there remains some sticker shock at the retail level versus beef," according to Tim Hackbarth of Zaner Ag Hedge.

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Beef Packing: The Math of Why It's Different Now

Things are changing in packing plants as fewer cattle are processed in less plants.

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Is It Time to Consider Retained Ownership?

It might be a good year to consider retained ownership of calves.

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Calf Crop Depends on Bull Management in Breeding Season

Your bulls may already be out earning their keep in your spring-calving herd. However, since so many things can go wrong during a 60 to 90 day breeding season, it is good management to observe them regularly after turn-out to make sure they are still willing and able to do their job.

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Misconceptions of Low-stress Handling

Low-stress livestock handling suffers from many common misconceptions, mostly as a consequence of its name. 

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Why We Must Think Globally in the Beef Industry

Most folks in agriculture prefer American-made products, though most of us wear, own or perhaps drive some imports.  

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Don't Hesitate, Innovate

Staying ahead of the curve is a fundamental element to the survival of most businesses.

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Implants can Help Increase Your Payday

One of our best tools for increasing beef production is steroid implants. They’re also one of the most misunderstood technologies by consumers.  

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Bull Sales Closely Follow Market Trends

"Collectively, we all seemed to enter spring bull sale season with a fist full of hope and a duffle bag filled with cynicism."

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Genetic Toolbox: Part 2

Genomic tools – how they’ve changed over the years, how they can deliver value to beef producers.

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Electric Fence Roundup: Select Your Wire Type

There are a few different options for portable fencing systems; the most typical are polywire or a polywire braid. According to our sources, it is best to always stick with a polywire braid since weaved material conducts electricity better, and it is more resilient to pressure.

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Genetic Toolbox: Part 1

As bull-sale season begins, NCBA webinar focuses on genetic selection, highlighting an old tool; crossbreeding, and a newer tool; genomic testing.

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Grass Versus Grain: Question 5

Student’s questions reflect consumer concerns over beef production systems.

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Grass Versus Grain: Question 4

Student’s questions reflect consumer concerns over beef production systems.

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Grass Versus Grain: Question 3

Student’s questions reflect consumer concerns over beef production systems.

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Grass Versus Grain: Question 2

Student’s questions reflect consumer concerns over beef production systems. Question 2: In your professional opinion, who is responsible for the trend to feed cattle corn?

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Grass Versus Grain: Question 1

Drovers recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project. 

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[VIDEO] Animal Handling: A Matter of Trust

Benefits of low-stress handling start at birth. Watch Andrew and Melissa Arhart’s animal handling videos, which help illustrate proper animal handling procedures. 

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A Heifer-Buyers’ Market

While the market for bred heifers is likely to remain solid, it looks to be slightly less robust than in 2014 but demand is still there.

New Generation: 21st Century Mavericks

All of my grandparents belonged to the “Greatest Generation,” an American era filled with hardships and wartime heroics that forged them into one of society’s most revered groups. Each subsequent generation has yet to stimulate that same magnitude of emotion—until now.

Feeder Price Slides to Challenge Stocker Operators in 2015

The price slide between feeder cattle of various weights are settings records in the extreme this year. Producers must analyze costs and breakevens carefully.

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New Generation: Value Beyond the Bull

We must evaluate all the purchases we make today for total value received per dollar spent. Buying bulls is no different.

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New Generation: Dynamic Expansion on the Way

Wow! This is one heck of a time to be in the beef business. Supply and demand fundamentals are finally on our side, feed is cheap and both trends look to last for a while.

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APHIS Rule Proposal Could Devastate American Cattle Herd

Contracting Foot-and-Mouth Disease from Argentina should be a major concern for cattlemen, says Pete Bonds, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Will Breed Associations Adapt?

While the genetics industry ripens with scientific advancements and historically high beef prices remain, some industry sectors are lumbering along like brontosauruses headed for an ice age.

Is There a Mycotoxin Risk for Beef Cattle?

How risky is it to feed crops that have mycotoxins to cattle?

Survey Details Angus Influence

Producers share bull selection, management and expansion intent

Survey Details Angus Influence

English breeds have dominated the U.S. cowherd genetic base for many years, but a January 2014 online survey shows more detail.

True Cost of High Milk Production

It is well known that cow milk production is critical to calf health and growth, but what about the cost involved to increase that milk production?

Weaning Adds Value

Common preconditioning practices, such as weaning, vaccinations and bunk feeding can increase calf value.

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Farmers should avoid overgrazing, check forage inventories

Drier weather in the last month has led to slow growth of forages in parts of the Midwest, meaning livestock producers need to double check their forage supplies for the rest of the season now.

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National Junior Angus Show in Kansas City is Here

The six-day National Junior Angus Show is a highlight for many National Junior Angus Association members and their families.

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Grazing Improvement Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

The House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources today advanced the Grazing Improvement Act to improve the livestock grazing permitting processes on managed lands.

Boxed Beef Leads the Way

The late spring rally comes after boxed beef and fed markets appeared to have topped in March.

Will Weak Cattle Prices Continue?

Live cattle futures started the year with the same enthusiasm, but have deflated since. What went wrong?

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It’s Spring but Cattle Markets are Still Frozen

Cattle markets remain hunkered down due to weather and other impacts.

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More Beef Herd Liquidation in 2013?

The next two to three months are critical to determine the forage prospects for the remainder of the year.

Mexican Beef Market Impacts on the U.S. Beef Industry

Changes in Mexican domestic beef consumption and beef trade have significant implications for the U.S. cattle industry in the coming years.

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What’s Next for Beef Demand?

The question often posed is “will beef be priced so high that consumers will quit buying beef?"

Cattle Healthline: Prebreeding Vaccinations Build the Foundation for a Healthy Calf

It will be more important than ever this year to have a solid prebreeding vaccination program with safe, efficacious products in place

Mini Irrigation System Manages runoff
Mini Irrigation System Manages Runoff

Nebraska researchers’ new design may prove popular in smaller feedlots.

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Feedlot Efficiency Versus Beef Industry Efficiency

As feedlots feed animals placed at heavier weight, feed conversion on a per-pound of gain basis will increase but overall industry use of grain will decrease.

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Who Will Be at the Helm to Rebuild the U.S. Cattle Herd?

Given the average age of cattle producers, demographics suggest that a significant amount of asset turnover is inevitable in the next decade.

Cattle Healthline: How to Maximize Injection Protocols

Tips to help ensure the efficacy of injectable cattle products by implementing and adhering to sound management.

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Land Values a Hurdle to Cowherd Rebuilding

Some long-term changes have begun that will have significant implications for the beef cattle industry.

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Can We Rebuild the Beef Cow Herd?

There is ample capacity to rebuild the cowherd according to the demands of the market, but how it will be done is likely to be different.