Search - Drovers

Shelter for livestock during the winter months can influence the success of calving and a livestock operation.

Experiencing colder temperatures can have a significant impact on livestock in areas that experienced relatively mild fall conditions.

The need to feed hay is not eliminated through winter grazing, especially during inclement weather and as cows advance in pregnancy. However, winter grazing can be used to reduce the amount of supplementation required.

USDA’s December Cattle on Feed report totaled over 12 million head for the first time since May of 2022.

Good precipitation fell on Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Parts of the South, interior Southeast, and Midwest worsened. As of December 19, 2023, 33.32% of the lower 48 states are in drought.

The Prescott Family Reindeer Farm in southern Missouri is 240 acres rooted in a deep desire to give everyone a full Christmas experience. Cattle producers by trade, they decided to also add reindeer to their mix.

Bill Engle remembers attending a sale 22 years ago where some old sleighs were being sold. That sparked an interest and today, he has a growing collection with nearly 300 sleighs.

Cattle traded in moderate volumes at higher prices, posting the first weekly gains in more than six weeks. USDA’s Cattle on Feed total was 2% higher.

From the election to world trade, as well as geopolitical factors that have the potential to shape agriculture in 2024, the December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the possibility of several economic surprises.