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Heavy Steers and Lean Cows: Drivers of the 2026 Ground Beef Market

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:48:30 GMT

In a market defined by record-breaking prices, an unlikely partnership is driving the value of ground beef: 980-lb. carcasses and the lean cull cows needed to balance them out. While fed cattle weights have reached historic highs, they’ve created a massive surplus of fat trim that requires an equally historic amount of lean blending beef to meet consumer demand. This blending math — combined with tight supplies and a shift in culling patterns — is pushing cull cow prices to new heights.

David Anderson, Texas A&M professor and Extension specialist for livestock and food product marketing, in a recent Southern Ag Today article , summarizes that cull cow prices keep climbing.

“While calf and fed cattle prices have continued to set new record highs in the cash and futures market, cull cow prices have continued their slow ascent to new highs as lean beef prices keep pulling cow prices higher,” Anderson explains. “Southern Plains cull cow auction prices increased to almost $180 per cwt in late April, up about $15 per cwt since January. The seasonal price increase has been smaller than normal this year. Cutter-quality cows have increased about $30 per cwt., almost 25%, since the beginning of the year.”

(USDA-AMS, Livestock Marketing Information Center)

The Blending Effect: Why 980-lb. Carcasses Need Lean Cows

Blending math is the process of mixing high-fat trim from fed cattle with 90% lean beef from cull cows to meet consumer demand for specific ground beef ratios. Anderson stresses one overlooked boost to lean beef prices has been record-large fed cattle dressed weights. Average federally inspected fed steer dressed weights have remained more than 980 lb. per carcass since late 2025.

“Larger carcasses produce additional fat that requires more lean beef for blending to boost its value as ground beef rather than just tallow entering the fats and oils market,” he says.

Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University professor of agricultural economics, says when the beef industry harvests animals bigger than ever, it is also getting more 50% lean and 50% fat trimmings per animal than ever before. He points out most consumers don’t directly consume 50/50, thus it is an input into ground beef production, and it only works if there is more lean to blend with it.

If there is not enough U.S.-produced lean to blend, the next option is to import lean.

Dairy Culling Shifts and the April Pullback

After exceeding slaughter of a year ago through the first 10 weeks of 2026, dairy cow culling pulled back to year-ago levels during April.

“Dairy cow culling typically peaks in January and February each year, then declines into midyear,” Anderson says. “The decline in dairy cow slaughter has pulled down total cow culling as weekly beef cow slaughter has held at steady but low levels. For the year, total dairy cow slaughter is reported up 6% compared to last year while total cow slaughter (beef and dairy) is down 5%.”

(USDA-AMS and USDA-NASS, Livestock Marketing Information Center)

Beef and dairy cow slaughter is reported weekly by region of the U.S. In recent weeks, Anderson says reported regional cow slaughter data has declined due to confidentiality rules that prevent publication if there are too few buyers to prevent revealing any one operation’s actions.

(USDA-AMS and USDA-NASS, Livestock Marketing Information Center)

“The lack of reporting due to confidentiality concerns has been a problem in fed cattle reporting for many years,” Anderson says. “On the positive side, the weekly national cow slaughter data includes all of the regions, including those that could not be reported regionally.”

2026 projected cow culling is based on year-to-date beef cow slaughter.

(Oklahoma State University)

Retention vs. Liquidation: The Impact of Record Calf Values

Anderson says record-high calf prices are likely keeping cows on the ranch or dairy that otherwise would have been culled to get one more calf out of them. As those calves are born and move to weaning, there may be an increase in culling as those cows come to market.

“Cull prices tend to peak midyear, so there is room for cow prices to continue to increase over the next couple of months,” Anderson says. “Beyond just the seasonal pattern arguing for higher prices, cow culling should continue to be lower than last year, further supporting prices. Beef cow slaughter is expected to remain well below a year ago. Better milk prices should restrain dairy cow culling even though the herd remains large.”

Analyst Predicts Cull Cow Prices Will Remain Elevated

Adding to the discussion on cull cow marketing strategies, Don Close, Terrain chief beef analyst, explains, “Growing up in sale barns we always used to say the best day of the year to sell a used cow is the first day of baseball season. There is some grounding in that date. As soon as grass greens, after a producer has kept her and fed hay all winter, he isn’t going to sell her if he has grass, especially if he thinks she is bred. Once she has calved and grass is available, the producer isn’t inclined to do much unless it is a drought or injury issue. At this point they will wait until fall weaning and cow-sorting time.”

He also points out another driving factor for cull cow prices is the strength of ground beef prices supported with the beginning of the grilling season — prepared-meat manufacturers’ demand is at its peak. Hot dog and lunch meat sales go up as children are out of school and with ballpark hot dog consumption.

(USDA-AMS, Livestock Marketing Information Center)

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Party in the Pasture: Tickets On Sale Now for the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:07:15 GMT

If Cozad, Neb., cattlewoman Linda Benjamin has her way, her grandchildren or great-grandchildren won’t ever have to worry about a cancer diagnosis.

“If everybody gets together and we work really hard on this, we’re going to beat this,” says Benjamin. She, her husband, Howard, and their family, along with neighbors Levi and Bobbie Jo Messersmith, will host the 2026 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, which unites people across the agriculture industry to raise money for cancer research.

The annual event, slated for June 5 and 6, will be hosted at the Benjamin’s pasture 10 miles north of Cozad. Tickets are on sale until May 15 for the ball, which promises a good time and good beef, all in a picturesque location.

“It’s just the most beautiful site. You can see the entire valley from there,” Benjamin says.

The pasture was selected for its accessibility, off a paved road and with plenty of space for all the weekend’s activities.

Independent country music star Aaron Watson will headline the Saturday evening concert, performing his top hit singles like “Freight Train” and “Outta Style.”

The jam-packed schedule also includes a style show, golf outing, 5K run, gourmet beef meals, auctions, additional entertainment bringing together Nebraskans from across the state for fellowship, fundraising and fun.

“I hope everybody walks away with some type of ‘wow’ moment, whether it’s educational through the health care tent or beef. I just want people to come back and say, ‘I can’t believe you guys did this,’” Benjamin says.

The Cattlemen’s Ball raises vital support for the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, with 90% of proceeds directed to cancer research and 10% benefiting local health and wellness initiatives in the host community.

The Messersmiths have set a big goal fundraising but are also eager to show others what makes Cozad and the surrounding area so special.

“It’ll have that hometown feel,” Bobbie Jo says. “I want to promote the area and just our good, solid family values.”

Since its founding in 1998, the event has generated more than $20 million to advance cancer detection, treatment and care across Nebraska.

“We’re going to have a party in the pasture and we’re going to raise money for a really good cause and you don’t have to be a cattleman,” Benjamin says. “All you have to do is buy a ticket… buy a ticket and you’re going to be surprised.”

Tickets and event details are available at CattlemensBall.com .

Cybersecurity: The Biggest Overlooked Threat to American Agriculture

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:23:52 GMT

On the surface, cybersecurity may simply look like spam texts and emails that have no impact on the day-to-day operations or even future of family farms and ranches. However, it’s this mindset that makes it even more of a threat to American agriculture.

Why Cybersecurity Matters to Family Operations

Understanding what cybercriminals are after is the first step of understanding this topic.

“If you go all the way back to any warfare or any sort of conflict, and the first thing that people go after in times of war is the enemy’s food supply,” says Chris Sherman. “In a peacetime, ag is a major target because of the money that’s going through it and information we are using.”

Sherman is the founder of TechSupport.Farm, an IT company built for agriculture businesses which specializes in protecting clients from cybersecurity breaches. Family operations, while often considered small, still have a large amount of liquidity compared to nonagricultrual small businesses.

“Normal mom and pop small businesses might have $50,000 in the bank and $100,000 tied up in equipment or assets,” explains Sherman. “But in the farm, we’re averaging about $500,000 in just the average checking account. Plus, we have well over a million dollars tied up in infrastructure, equipment and tools.”

The average age of producers also increases the risk of threats.

“You’ll see the senior generation having a role on the farm and they still control the spending. Unfortunately, the older demographic is far more susceptible to financial fraud than any other demographic,” Sherman says.

Money movements of significant quantities and age demographics are only two of three reasons agriculture is a target of cyber-criminals — technology infrastructure is the third.

Sherman says, “Essentially, we’re running multimillion-dollar operations on residential-grade hardware.”

Consumer-grade routers and cheap laptops don’t have the same quality cybersecurity practices as those designed for businesses handling large quantities of money and data.

Real Cybersecurity Breach Examples

Cybersecurity breaches in agriculture don’t often make national news, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening on both small and large scales.

“We’ve seen where a father and sons are working on a land deal and right before they leave for a weekend trip, they get spoofed eSign documents,” says Sherman. “They all signed them, left and came back to find out they lost all the money and the land deal.”

A larger-scale example shared by Sherman happened near Mankato, Minn., and did catch the federal government’s attention.

“Essentially, an entire cooperative was held with ransomware during the beginning of harvest,” explains Sherman. “Hundreds of trucks couldn’t unload, scales weren’t working and employees couldn’t clock in or out.”

These attacks are well-timed and well-orchestrated to cause massive disruption to businesses.

Action Steps all Family Operations Can Take

The good news in all of this is there are simple steps individuals can take to protect themselves and their operations.

A simple first step is to buy a website domain and use it to set up a paid email account that uses encryption.

Sherman says, “People need to think about free emails like mailboxes. Someone can open the mail, read it, put it back in the envelope and move on without anyone knowing.”

Next, setting up good passwords on all devices and using multifactor authentication are necessities.

“Our recommendation is to have passwords that are a minimum of 12 characters long. Have a couple uppercase and lowercase letters in there and make sure you have some numbers in there and some special characters,” says Sherman.

Following these requirements has a large impact on how easily the password can be hacked.

He explains, “Your password will go from being hacked instantaneously to seven minutes or into the years if you add numbers, special characters and uppercase and lowercase letters.”

Segmenting Wi-Fi also prevents breaches.

“Have Wi-Fi specifically for your farm operation and have Wi-Fi for your kids and employees,” explains Sherman. “Just like kids coming home from school covered in germs all over their hands, kids are the same way digitally.”

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity, but these steps are a great start.

Learn more about what cybersecurity measures you need to take by listening to the full conversation on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

Stopping Flies in 2026: 4 Steps to Battling These Economic Pests

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:24:43 GMT

With fly season approaching, now is the time to evaluate and refine your fly management plan for 2026.

“Every year, stable and horn flies cause significant economic losses, but a good fly control program can minimize this impact,” says Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist. “Although often grouped together, these are very different flies that need different control approaches.”

Dr. Ashby Green, Neogen senior technical services veterinarian, says, “If you are seeing flies, ticks, lice or insect damage to your cattle herd, we know there is an economic impact; however, that impact can become far greater than production or weight gain loss alone. Insect pressure affects grazing patterns of cattle; it affects their comfort and it can lead to health issues. Some of those health issues can be definite, such as anaplasmosis.”

The vectors responsible for spreading anaplasmosis include horse flies, stable flies and ticks. This condition has been reported in most states across the U.S., while the disease has been recognized as endemic throughout the South and several Midwestern and Western states.

Jonathan Cammack, Oklahoma State University assistant professor and state extension specialist, says, “With horn flies, we’re looking at mastitis risk, so that’s going to impact both dairy cattle and also our cow-calf operations. A lot of times, horn flies will feed on the udders of the animals, and they transfer the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because they land on the manure, then they go back to the animal to feed and bring those bacteria with them.”

Several other conditions are propagated by flies, including pinkeye, which can be spread by face flies and causes inflammation and ulceration of the eyes. Pinkeye-affected calves are, on average, 35 lb. to 40 lb. lighter at weaning compared to healthy calves, according to a University of Kentucky report.

Cammack predicts flies are costing the U.S. cattle industry $6 billion annually in losses.

“That encompasses everything from actual loss in production due to decreased weight gain or decreased milk production, veterinary needs associated with treatment of cattle with exposure to pathogens from some of these insects, and then also the control measures associated with managing those individual fly species,” he explains.

David Boxler, Nebraska Extension livestock entomologist, says if previous control efforts underperformed, consider adjusting your approach.
“The best control method will depend on several factors including efficacy, cost, convenience and your current herd management practices,” he summarizes.

He also reminds producers that horn flies can migrate from neighboring untreated herds, masking the effectiveness of your efforts and increasing fly pressure. For this reason, Boxler recommends a comprehensive, integrated fly control.

Olds shares these tips for stopping flies, or at least reducing their impact:

Step 1: Know What You Have

“The first step in developing a good fly control program is knowing who you have,” Olds explains.

(Kansas State University)

Horn flies feed 20 to 30 times a day and stay associated with their chosen animal 24/7, with females only leaving briefly to lay eggs. Stable flies in contrast only feed once or twice a day, remaining on the host for a short period of time (3 to 5 minutes).

When not feeding, flies are resting in shaded areas such as building sides and vegetation. This short feeding time means producers often underestimate their stable fly burdens. While both flies affect pastured cattle, horn flies are not a problem in confined settings such as dairies and feedlots. This is because horn flies need fresh, undisturbed manure as a breeding site while stable flies can develop in any decaying plant matter such as hay bales, feed bunk spill over and decaying grass.

“Their populations can build rapidly and often exceed the economic injury level defined as 200 flies per animal,” Boxler adds about horn flies. “Once fly numbers surpass this threshold, cattle experience reduced weight gain and milk production due to fly-induced stress and altered grazing behavior.”

Step 2: Reduce Populations

Olds explains with either fly species, using non-insecticidal control methods is essential for slowing insecticide resistance. For horn flies, pasture burning in spring kills any flies overwintering, which can significantly reduce fly populations emerging as weather warms. A healthy dung beetle population will also significantly reduce your fly numbers for free.

“Dung beetles are very susceptible to macrocyclic lactones so avoid using injectable and pour-on avermectins (abamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin etc.),” Olds says.
Because horn flies die within hours of being removed from cattle, non-chemical walk-through traps can be effective if animals pass through it regularly.

Step 3: Eliminate Breeding Grounds

Round hay bales result in significant wastage, which when mixed into the manure-contaminated mud around bales provides a prime breeding site for stable flies.
Olds explains each round bale can produce 200,000 stable flies.

“Reducing hay waste and spreading/drying areas around finished bales is key to reducing stable fly numbers,” she says. “In feedlots, minimizing feed spillage and waste is critical to remove breeding sites for stable and house flies.”

Parasitoid wasps are available from multiple sellers and should be released around fly breeding sites. These are very effective if released before fly populations emerge and released repeatedly through the fly season.

Be careful using insecticides if using parasitoid wasps as they are very small and sensitive to these chemicals. Keeping vegetation surrounding pen areas short and exposed will remove sheltered resting areas, making life more difficult for the flies.

Step 4: Consider Chemical Control Options

Olds stresses chemical control options should be used as a supplement not the basis of a fly control program.

(Kansas State University)

“For horn flies, insecticidal ear tags are an effective method of control if correct rotation is used,” she adds. “Rotate the chemical class of your tag annually, in year one using pyrethroid-based products, year two use organophosphate-based products and year three use macrocyclic lactone tags. Repeating this three-year cycle will reduce the selection pressure on the fly populations, slowing down the spread of resistance.”

Olds also shares these tips for effective tagging: “Tag both ears and place the tag directly into the ear. For the tag to be effective, it must come into direct contact with the animal’s skin, which is greatly reduced when daisy chained.”

Little of the tag touches the body when attached to another tag.

(Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University)

She also instructs producers not to tag young calves and adds mature bulls with thick necks might not benefit from tagging unless the tag can touch the skin.

“Although the box may label products as effective for four to five months, field trials have shown that tags only remain effective for 90 to 100 days,” Olds says. “If possible, wait until fly populations are noticeable before tagging animals to get control over peak fly activity period. After 90 days, remove the tag to reduce the risk of insecticide resistance developing.”

(Neogen)

To increase coverage, pour-ons of the same chemical class as the ear tag can be used to increase coverage.

“Be aware that a macrocyclic lactone pour-on will impact dung beetle populations,” Olds says. “Make sure animals are dosed accurately according to weight and ensure head to tail coverage. Due to their low contact time with the host and preference for the legs, topical insecticidal treatments are generally not useful against stable flies.”

Spraying the legs can provide some relief, although it should be used sparingly as most sprays are pyrethroid-based, not allowing for effective annual rotation. Baits and premise sprays can be useful in controlling both house and stable flies, look for areas where flies are found resting such as building walls, fence posts and inside sheds and shelters.

Another option is feed through insect growth regulators (IGRs) to control horn fly. Olds says it is important cattle consume the correct amount, which can be difficult under free-choice conditions.

“Under-dosing will result in resistance developing over time, reducing product efficacy,” she says. “Although labeled for stable fly control also, when manure containing the IGR is diluted in the mud and hay, it is no longer effective.”

Often marketed as dung beetle safe, Olds says evaluations of these claims in most species have not been carried out, and their true impact remains unknown.

“Insecticide resistance to IGRs can and does happen; to slow this, rotate annually between Methoprene-based (Group 7A) and diflubenzuron-based products (Group 15),” she adds.

The Veterinary Entomology website , veterinaryentomology.org/vetpestx, provides a searchable database that can help producers select the right products. Producers can select from type of animal, insect and application method.

“For on-animal use, select the best product to allow an annual rotation between pyrethroid (Group 3A), organophosphate (Group 1B) and macrocyclic lactone (Group 6) groups,” Olds says.

Green also recommends using a multi-pronged approach to insect control. He says fly tags, IGR products, pour-ons, back rubbers and dust bags can help diminish the population.

“Both back rubbers and dust bags can be highly effective if managed correctly,” Green advises. “Keep in mind, when these are put out to withstand the elements, including moisture and rain, it’s key to keep the dust fresh or the oil recharged in your back rubbers. Otherwise, they will diminish in their ability to control flies quickly.”

Cammack stresses the importance of accurate dosing by the individual animal’s weight and following label guidelines.

To best control flies and insects on cattle operations, “the easy and effective way is the best way,” Green summarizes. “It’s up to you and with the help of your veterinarian to help create that combination.”

9 Tips to Ensure Calving Season Success

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:40:40 GMT

Early preparation prevents last-minute stress during calving season. From equipment checklists to mastering observation, veterinary collaboration and proactive intervention, calving season success starts before the first calf hits the ground.

AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State extension veterinarian, encourages producers to prepare for potential calving challenges through inventory assessment, tool and supply readiness, facility checks and mindful observation.

From years of hands-on experience, cattle producer and extension educator Shad Marston from Canton, Kan., says the key to a successful calving season is: “Just being prepared so you don’t have those unexpected problems.”

Marston highlights the importance of preparing earlier than expected.

“We have to prepare, not just the time that the breeding book predicts they’re going to calve, but maybe a week or two ahead of that,” he says.

Review breeding notes and pregnancy forms in advance to identify which cows are due first. He says shorter gestations (especially with calving-ease bulls) can result in females calving a week or two early. To prepare, he separates heifers into a dedicated pen for better monitoring and exercise as calving approaches.

Marston adds another step in preparation is having contact information handy for your veterinarian and neighbors to call during emergencies.

To help mitigate the potential of calving problems, Tarpoff suggests producers make educated genetic matings.

“Use proper selection tools such as calving-ease sires on heifers,” he stresses. “We have better tools than ever — use them.”

Tarpoff and Marston share these nine tips to ensure calving season is a success:

1. Build a Reliable Calving Kit for Every Scenario.

Ensure all tools, equipment and supplies like chains, straps, gloves, lubricant and colostrum replacer are cleaned, organized and ready before calving begins. Store crucial items in a portable, easy-to-access tote.

Check out Tarpoff’s Calving Checklist:

Your Calving Prep Starts Here: The Essential Checklist

2. Prioritize Facility and Equipment Maintenance.

Inspect calving facilities and restraint tools ahead of time to make sure everything is in good repair — fix or replace anything left undone from last season before calving starts.

Tarpoff reminds producers to determine how they will restrain animals in the pasture setting.

“Whether it’s a rope, whether it’s a portable corral or whatever that might look like, is everything in good working order?”

Marston encourages producers to walk their facilities: “Are your lights working? Do your gates latch? Bedding down?”

He says cameras are also excellent if your barn connectivity allows.

“Whatever the cost, saving just one calf … would pay for a camera system,” he says.

Learn more about calving camera systems:

Is a Calving Camera System Your Next Essential Ranch Investment?

3. Cleanliness and Biosecurity Matter.

Maintain clean, segregated feeding equipment like esophageal feeders to prevent disease transmission among calves.

Tarpoff encourages producers to have two esophageal feeders — one for colostrum and one for sick calves.

4. Collaborate with Your Vet.

Have proactive conversations with your local veterinarian about regional risks, health products and intervention protocols well before calving season begins.

5. Observe Females Closely.

Watch for subtle physical and behavioral cues such as herd separation, changes in appetite, vulva swelling or locomotion changes that signal impending calving. Tarpoff suggests producers train their eyes to watch for subtle changes.

(Illustrations: Oklahoma State University)

6. Understand Intervention Timing and Have a Plan for Emergencies.

Knowing the stages of parturition is crucial for timely intervention. It is also important to have a plan so you can safely restrain and assist cows. Don’t hesitate to seek veterinary help when needed for complicated or high-risk situations.

Offering assistance is a matter of judgment and good judgment is the result of experience.

Know the “rule of an hour”: Intervene if a mature cow hasn’t made progress within one hour of the water bag breaking. For heifers, the process can take a bit longer.

“It can normally take a heifer two hours to go through the normal birthing process,” Tarpoff adds.

If you don’t know when Stage 2 began and process seems to be slow, it might warrant a vaginal exam.

He says it is important to understand when to call for extra help or veterinary support. Visual red flags to intervene immediately include: head-only presentation, head with only one leg, backward calf with hocks visible but not progressing.

When intervention becomes necessary, safety and assessment come first.

“Proper restraint is very, very important,” he says. “When it’s time to intervene, take your time and get a diagnosis of what’s missing.”

Tarpoff instructs producers to diagnose quickly and protect mom.

Marstons adds, if possible, have the cow up on her feet, restrained in a well-lit area that is safe for both you and the cow. It is much easier when both you and the cow are standing.

Start by cleaning the cow’s vulva, rectum and surrounding area, as well as your hands and arms with soap and water. Cleanliness is important.

Wear protective sleeves. Gentleness and lubrication are important.

“Hair causes an enormous amount of friction,” Tarpoff explains. “I regularly use large amounts of lubricant to reduce inflammation and swelling.”

Feel for the cervix. If not dilated it will feel as if your hand passes through or along a firm, tubular or circular structure. Once fully dilated, you should no longer feel the cervical ridge.

Can you feel the calf? A normal anterior presentation will permit you to feel the calf’s feet and nose with the spine of the calf resting just under the cow’s spine. If the presentation is normal and the water bag is still intact around the calf, you can allow up to an hour to permit the cow to calve unassisted. If the water bag has broken and the cervix is fully dilated, the calf needs to be delivered sooner.

If you detect an abnormal presentation, encounter something that doesn’t feel right or a situation you can’t manage, you will need to contact a veterinarian for assistance.

Tarpoff tells producers if they are not making progress correcting the scenario in a half hour, it is time to call for help.

“The earlier, the better outcome for the cow, the better outcome for the calf,” he says.

Tarpoff reminds producers if a calf is not breathing not to hang it by the legs; instead, place it upright, clear mucus from nose/mouth and stimulate.

“It’s the physical stimulation that tells the brain it’s time to start breathing,” he says.

Tarpoff also suggests using the Madigan squeeze for non-thrifty or “dummy” calves. He says the procedure is an option within 48 hours of birth that can “pop” some calves into normal vigor.

7. Minimize Environmental Stress.

Be proactive about shelter, windbreaks and bedding to protect calves from wind, moisture and cold. Remember that wet, windy conditions can be just as dangerous as extreme cold.

“During the winter, our No. 1 thing that robs heat is wind and moisture,” Tarpoff says, “so if we have a nice wind protection or a windbreak, calves can stay comfortable.”

Body temperature matters more than outdoor temperatures.

“Once you get below 100°F internal body temperature, that begins the stages of hypothermia,” he explains. “Once we get into the mid 90s, we see blood shunting from the extremities, leading to frost bit ears or tails.”

He says outside temperature can be a poor indicator.

“Forty to 50°F and rain can cause hypothermia quicker than 17°F and dry,” he says.

Warming options range from calf warmers/hot boxes to safe heat-lamp setups (non-sparking units) to improvised pickup-floor “heat box” arrangements. Warm-water immersion can work but must be done carefully.

Tarpoff instructs to start with lukewarm water then gradually increase toward 101°F to 102°F. It is important to disinfect bathrooms thoroughly after use to protect families from pathogens.

8. Prioritize Nutrition.

Ensure cows are in proper body condition, not too thin or obese, to promote easier calving and healthy, vigorous calves.

Marston says feeding strategy can help shift calving to daylight. Feeding late at night can concentrate births in early morning.

“I feed in the evenings … open the gate later … they want to eat,” he says. “Then, once they get full, they lay down and have a calf … a lot of the time, it’s six, seven o’clock in the morning.”

Read more about the importance of nutrition prior to and post calving:

3 Nutritional Questions to Consider Prior to Calving

Does Supplementing Bred Heifers Increase Calving Difficulty?

Feeding at Dusk: How Does This Affect Calving Times?

From Calving to Conception: Nutrition Strategies to Keep Cows on Track

9. Don’t Forget the Colostrum.

Following calving is key to get colostrum in the calf within the first two to four hours. By nine hours after birth the calf will have less than 50% of absorption.

Tarpoff encourages producers to keep quality commercial replacer on hand. If a producer freezes on-farm colostrum, this should be used the same season and thawed under warm running water, not microwaved.

If a calf is cold and has not nursed, Tarpoff says it is important to “warm first, then colostrum.”

Gut absorption improves after warming.

Read more about colostrum:
How Important is Colostrum?

Tarpoff suggests producers assess calf vigor especially after a pull or C-section: “Use the suckle reflex — good suction and jaw tone suggests the calf will get up and nurse.”

Marston adds: “If I have that cow down or standing in the chute, I’ll milk her out right then and tube the calf. Then I know it’s got colostrum in its belly.”

He stresses this is especially important if you must leave and can’t monitor nursing.

Marston shares this simple mantra as calving season approaches: Get mentally prepared, be ready and be observant.

“Be prepared because it’s not going to happen when you’re home all day, it’s going to happen when you’re busy,” he says.

Your Next Reads:

Grilling Season 2026: Will Record Beef Prices Cool Summer Demand?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:44:38 GMT

The cattle industry is closely watching availability as we transition into the spring and summer months.

In a recent issue of “ In the Cattle Markets ,” Bernt Nelson, American Farm Bureau Federation economist, discussed cattle availability and where market conditions could be headed as the industry moves into spring and eventually the summer grilling season when seasonal demand for beef typically peaks.

(American Farm Bureau)

As of March 1, 2026, the total number of cattle on feed is estimated at 11.55 million head. While this is up slightly from last month and down slightly from the same time period as last year, specific trends in placements and marketings suggest a shift in the supply chain:

Placements: 1.61 million head (up 4% from 2025).
Marketings: 1.52 million head (down 7% from 2025).
The Trend: Placements have outpaced marketings in five of the last six months, indicating a growing volume of cattle being prepared for the peak summer demand.

“While marketings have been consistently lower than last year, marking fewer numbers of fed cattle available, it’s important to note that placements have outpaced marketings of cattle in five of the last six months,” he says. “This means more cattle are being placed on feed than are being marketed for beef. This should lead to more cattle being available for beef production during the next several months when grilling demand ramps up.”

Beef Demand and the “Grilling Season” Surge

Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of grilling season, which typically brings peak seasonal demand for beef. March and April usually bring peak demand for other proteins such as ham and lamb, while beef demand slows.

“This year, demand for beef has risen over the last several weeks, pulling prices higher at a much faster pace than in past years,” Nelson says. “Since January, the Choice beef cutout value has increased by $50.14/cwt. or 13%, from $349.97/cwt. on Jan. 2, 2026, to $400.11/cwt. on March 20, 2026. This is 25% higher than 2025 and has many analysts questioning if the strong demand from grilling season will pull beef prices even higher this summer.”

(American Farm Bureau)

Josh Maples, associate professor of agriculture economics at Mississippi State University, says in a recent “ Southern Ag Today ” article, “The Select cutout has also surged and is at levels only surpassed by May 2020. The gap between the Choice and Select cutout has been narrow during the first few months of 2026, indicating there has not been much of a premium for Choice cattle over Select.”

(Southern Ag Today, USDA-AMS)

He adds boxed beef values tend to build gradually through the first quarter before accelerating in the spring and reaching a seasonal peak ahead of summer grilling season.

“In 2026, the cutout has surged earlier in the year as cyclical market fundamentals are outweighing typical seasonality,” he explains. “Cattle supplies and beef supplies are tight. When supplies are tight, wholesale prices tend to respond quickly. Additionally, buyers may be pulling some purchases forward due to expectations of tight supplies and even higher prices later this spring.”

Increases in the rib and loin primal values since the start of the year are key contributors to the overall cutout value increase.

Maples explains in 2025, the Rib value ran up sharply from March to April, while the Loin value increased from March to June. This year, both primal values have been on a strong uptrend since mid-January.

“For producers, strong early-year boxed beef prices are supportive of fed cattle markets,” he summarizes. “Strong demand and tight supplies are supporting beef values in 2026.”

Economic Headwinds: Recession Risks

While cattle supplies are slow to rebuild, consumer demand can shift rapidly.

“Cattle supplies will take years to rebuild, but demand can change more quickly,” Nelson says. “Events such as a recession could be a threat to the strong demand that has supported beef prices over the last couple of years. Continued strong demand is key to maintaining a strong cattle market in the months to come. If demand begins to fall for any reason, especially during grilling season, beef prices will also begin to fall along with the cutout value. When the cutout falls, the packer has to buy cattle at a lower price, which leads to lower prices at the farm gate.”

As we move toward the summer months, the balance between tight cattle supplies and consumer willingness to pay record prices will define the profitability of the 2026 grilling season.

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Through the Flames: Miracles, Heartbreak and the Fight for Nebraska’s Cattle Country

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:26:16 GMT

Ranchers Julie and James Hawkins were at the dentist, two hours from their Arthur, Neb., ranch, when they got the call. The smoke was encroaching.

With Julie behind the wheel, and little regard for the speed limit, James was on the phone with their children — Annie, 17, and Ward, 21 — talking them through how to ready the tractor, disc, trucks, trailers and water rig for battle.

When Julie and James arrived back at the ranch around 5:30 p.m., they could see a massive plume.

“It looked like a storm front coming in, and then I realized it was all smoke,” James recalls. “The fire line was several miles wide.”

Frantic calls to the neighbors and the Garden County Sheriff revealed the wildfire was already “2 miles east of Racket Road,” a key landmark that meant it was close.

It was go time. Ward left with the tractor and disc to cut a firebreak around their hay yard. James took the fire truck. Annie followed with a pickup and trailer loaded with horses. Julie hopped in another truck to find their cows.

She expected their cows to be sheltered beneath a hill, but they weren’t there. She took out over the rough terrain to keep looking.

“I topped this ridge, and there’s fire and there’s my cows,” she recalls. “I honked the horn, ‘Come on, girls, let’s go.’ The fire was on my northwest, it was on my west and it had already shot past south, underneath Ward Hill.”

The panic set in because she had left her husband and daughter at Ward Hill filling the water tank on the fire truck.

Julie coaxed the cows to safety down into the valley where her son disced a firebreak to protect their hay yard. James and Annie had outrun the wildfire and made it back to the hay yard. The family turned on its irrigation pivot and moved the horses, trailers, saddles and other valuable equipment behind the pivot for protection.

When Julie Hawkins found her cow herd she also found the fire. She recalls the fire was on her northwest, west and it had already shot past south, underneath Ward Hill.

(Hawkins Family)

A Fire Wall Several Miles Wide Leaves Destruction

The Hawkins family was one of the many ranchers impacted by the historic Morrill Fire that burned more than 642,000 acres.

The “fast-moving, overwhelming event” that started on March 12 devastated pasture and hay resources, describes Dusty Wilson, a fourth-generation cow-calf producer from southwest Arthur County, but it also revealed the strength and generosity of the ranching community.

Northwest winds up to 75 mph meant firefighters’ efforts were no match for the west-to-east threat that escalated quickly, he explains.

Wilson and his 84-year-old father, Delwin, stayed behind to move cattle and fight fire while his wife and kids evacuated.

The father-and-son duo drove to the calving pasture blaring the horn, trying to locate and call the cows in the dark and smoke.

“We had already tried to move a few other bunches, opening gates to give them areas of exit,” Wilson says.

They were unable to locate the cows when they noticed the fire was moving closer and it was time to evacuate. They left the pasture, praying the cows could find protection from the fire.

When the fire reached Wilson’s place he describes the wall of fire was several miles wide, and it “boiled over the hill” right behind his dad’s house, his barn and their shop.

“We almost got trapped,” he recalls. “We were able to find a safe spot, a sandy spot, around a windmill to park and shelter until that wave got around us.”

Both the Hawkins and Wilson families spent Thursday night fighting fire along with their neighbors and volunteer firefighters. Generations of family members, including kids, worked together to help move cows, horses, equipment and pets while other family members scouted fire location and wind shifts.

After the fire at Hawkins’ ranch.

(Hawkins family)

Miracle in the Sandhills: Wilson and Hawkins Herds Survive

The Hawkins family lost more than half the ranch’s summer grazing land. They were able to save their home, hay and cattle.

“It pretty much took most everything, pasture-wise, from all of our surrounding neighbors, as it did us,” Wilson explains.

He lost 13,500 acres of grass and all the hay supplies he had allocated to get the ranch through calving, until turnout, and also for some carryover.

“We were able to save our home valley — our main hay meadow,” Wilson says. “We were able to save our two houses — it burned right up next to each of those. Thankfully, we were able to save our structures. Our cattle, thankfully, were safe.”

He describes the cattle’s survival as miraculous as the pasture around them was charred.

The Wilson family’s cow herd found safety under this big sandhill.

(Wilson Family)

“I fully expected to find a great amount of death loss,” Wilson says when he went to check on the cows the next morning. “I was just amazed when I saw they were safe and unharmed. They were able to tuck under one big sandhill and were in one spot under that hill where the fire didn’t burn. There was a halo or arc that remained where it didn’t burn.”

He’s not sure if the cows heard the horn or if they simply relied on their instincts to find safety.

With no grazing for the coming season, Wilson says the biggest need for Sandhills ranchers is hay and feed.

“We’re going to have to supplement these cattle every day for quite some time now. Our hope is that we can keep everything that’s going to calve here.”

(Adam Grabenstein)

Across the Miles, More Acres Burn Due to Wildfire

On the same day, more than 100 miles away, the Cottonwood Fire was burning in Lincoln and Dawson counties south of I-80.

Adam Grabenstein lives 10 miles south of Gothenburg along Highway 47, where the Cottonwood Fire began. Between 8:30 and 9 p.m., the fire crossed Highway 47 and within 45 minutes, it was on his doorstep.

The Cottonwood Fire approacing Adam Grabenstein’s home near Gothenburg.

(Adam Grabenstein)

“The wind was horrible,” he recalls. “Fifty to 60 mph sustained winds. You couldn’t see for the dust or the smoke, extremely, extremely dangerous conditions.”

Thanks to the efforts of local farmers, they were able to stop the fire about 4 miles north of the Highway 23 and 47 junction, east of Farnam.

“A lot of farmers hooked up their tractors and discs and hightailed it over there to help us stop the fire,” he explains. “When the wind switched out of the north, all the valley farmers brought their tractors and discs. When the wind switched again, it was kind of a reversal with guys from the south country going north. That demonstrates the heart and grit of rural America.”

Fighting fires all night, Grabenstein recalls how neighbors were helping neighbors, stressing the loss could have been much worse.

“There were points when you just felt helpless because the conditions were so ripe for fire — it was out of control,” he recalls of the emotions of that night. “You’re doing all you can, but it’s an extremely dangerous environment.”

His farming and ranching headquarters and feedlot are 10 miles south of his house.

The view from Adam Grabenstein’s home after the fire.

(Adam Grabenstein)

“My house is safe, but obviously we had a lot of smoke damage,” he says. “We’ve lost more than 2,500 acres of grazing lands.”

The difference between the Cottonwood and Morrill fire is terrain and fire fuel. Much of the Cottonwood fire included cedar trees and other wooded areas. To date, the Cottonwood Fire has burned more than 129,000 acres.

The Loss of a Neighbor

The Morrill wildfire claimed the life of 86-year-old Rose White of Arthur County.

Both the Hawkins and Wilsons called her a beloved neighbor who loved Halloween and hosting her neighbors and their children.

“Across the hills from where we were gathering cows, she lives about 3.5 miles southwest,” Julie explains.

White got stuck trying to leave her homestead, which had stood for more than 100 years. Reports say they found her about 15 feet from her vehicle. The whole place — the barn, house and vehicle — all burned.

Wilson says White lived 2 miles north of his ranch. Knowing her his entire life, he recalls the devastation he felt when he heard she died when he was still fighting fire on Thursday night.

“She’s a longtime family friend and was a longtime neighbor. We loved Rose,” he says. “She was a sweet, dear lady, always very friendly, happy and had a joyous personality. We’ll definitely miss her.”

When the Adrenaline Fades: The Hidden Toll on Ranchers

With little spring or summer grazing land left and most of their hay inventory burned, numerous Nebraska cow-calf ranchers are leaning on donated feed, disaster aid and tight-knit ranching communities to overcome the tremendous loss due to wildfires. The fires that ignited on March 12 continue to burn at 98% containment.

“We’ve had just terrific response from ranchers in other communities donating hay and fencing supplies or offering to come help with labor,” Wilson says. “The outpour of generosity has been amazing.”

There’s no doubt split-second choices and the grit to fight for their land and livestock defined how producers survived the recent wildfires.

“God is a big God, and he can send rains and heal our land, yet the damage that has been done is going to take time to heal,” Julie summarizes.

Reflecting on past blizzards, droughts and fires, Wilson adds: “There’s always challenges, there’s always loss. But I think the heart of the Sandhills people, and with the grit of the Nebraska Sandhills rancher, we’re going to continue that heritage and tradition, accept this head on and rebuild what we can and keep moving forward.”

Your Next Reads:
Ranchers Rally as Nebraska Faces Historic Wildfires
Historic Wildfires Continue to Scorch Western and Central Nebraska
After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation and Recovery
Using the D.A.R.T. Method to Identify Smoke-Stressed Calves

Five Generations of Women Ranching in California

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:03:34 GMT

There is cracked plaster above Grace Magruder’s desk at Ingel-Haven Ranch, the marks of a house that has carried generations and is still standing. Magruder describes it almost with affection, the way someone might notice the lines around a person’s eyes and recognize a life that has been lived.

The house in Potter Valley, Calif., has been holding women for more than a century, carrying the weight of decisions made long ago and the pattern of people choosing, again and again, to return.

A Century of Returning

Magruder’s great-grandmother, Helen, first walked through that doorway in 1919 after her father bought the land so she and her new husband could settle there while he was still strong enough to help them get started. It was the kind of gesture families make when land is both livelihood and inheritance.

Helen stepped into a life shaped by livestock, weather and land that asks something of you every single day and doesn’t much care if you’re tired. Helen met this demand head-on.

“You did not get between her and a chicken she was going to slaughter. She was a serious, serious lady,” Magruder says.

Seriousness can become its own inheritance. Helen raised two daughters on the ranch, and one eventually bought out her sister and continued the operation with her husband. The ranch moved forward because a woman chose to stay, and it moved forward again because another woman returned.

Another Helen, Magruder’s aunt, belongs in the story as well. She grew up on the ranch and later returned in the 1970s and 1980s to run a children’s summer camp there. Kids from the nearby cities would arrive each summer and sleep in tents and cabins while learning to ride horses and explore the ranch. For many of them, it was their first real experience of the land.

Over time Aunt Helen became the ranch’s most enthusiastic ecological observer, paying close attention to the birds, the creeks and the quieter corners of the landscape that others might pass without noticing.

“This ranch really owes itself to the women who decided to come back,” Magruder says. “They were never obligated to return. No one assigned them the responsibility of keeping it going. They chose it.”

Over the decades the ranch kept reshaping itself in the hands of those women. It began with sheep, as much of Mendocino County did in the early 20th century, when wool was the backbone of the local grazing economy. Later the ranch shifted toward cattle when Magruder’s grandmother took over the operation with her husband and decided sheep no longer suited either the landscape or their way of working. The ranch was never treated as something fixed, and what mattered was keeping the land productive and the family on it.

Magruder’s father continued that pattern of reinvention. After earning a master’s degree in sculpture, he returned to the ranch and began experimenting with ideas that were only just beginning to circulate in American agriculture. He noticed that the ranch grew grass well and began holding cattle longer, finishing them on pasture rather than sending them into conventional grain systems. He also began talking about rotational grazing before it became a common language in the industry.

At the same time, he kept one foot in the art world, teaching at the local college while managing the cattle operation. In this family, art and agriculture were never separate paths; they ran alongside each other.

By the time Magruder was growing up, the ranch had become an early example of grass-finished beef sold directly to customers. That model worked well for many years, until the realities around it began to shift. Slaughterhouses closed, markets tightened and weather became less predictable.

Each of those pressures required another adjustment, and you learned to observe what the land is offering, notice what the moment requires, and reshape the business accordingly.

Every generation did it a little differently; the land never stayed static and neither did the women caring for it.

Magruder herself left for eight years and built another life in Boston, studying American history and arts administration. She remembers knowing for a long time that she would return.

“I had known this was my path for a while,” she says.

When we talk about her earliest memories, you can hear the smile in Magruder’s voice. Rain hammering on a tin roof, the smell of hay dropping into winter stalls, cattle coming in from the weather, calves being raised on the ranch until they were 2 years old. “You got to see every step of their life,” she says.

Watching the full arc of an animal changes how you think about stewardship. You begin to understand the rhythm of growth and recovery, and the cost of rushing either.

(Halter)

The Physical Toll of Stewardship

Magruder also saw what decades of physical ranch work can do to a body. “I watched my dad get kind of gnarled by the ranch,” she says.

There were valves buried underground that required digging and wrenching hard enough to force water through the system, miles of fence to build and repair, posts to pound into uneven ground. Wire to stretch again and again across pasture.

“That work adds up over the years. It really does.”

(Halter)

Digital Boundaries, Natural Freedom

When Magruder and her husband, Kyle, stepped fully into managing the ranch, the conditions around them were shifting again. Slaughterhouses closed, margins tightened, rainfall patterns became less predictable. Elk began returning to the valley in larger numbers, which was very exciting for a family managing the land with wildlife in mind.

“This is such a dynamic climate,” Magruder says. “We couldn’t just have a stocking rate that worked every year.”

The land was asking for flexibility, and cattle needed to move regularly so grass could recover and wildlife could move through the landscape. Traditional fencing systems demanded constant physical work.

When the couple began exploring virtual fencing through Halter, they had their children front of mind.

“Being able to rotate the cattle regularly without physically building and moving fence is a game-changer,” Magruder says. “There is no point at which you’re unfit to rotate animals now.”

The ranch still requires judgment about grass height, water placement and herd health. Those decisions now translate into digital boundaries drawn from a phone. Cattle move calmly across the landscape without posts and wire defining every edge rotations can happen daily, grazing becomes more precise and wildlife movement can be accommodated without tearing down physical infrastructure.

(Halter)

After a few weeks of using Halter, she told Kyle, “I don’t want a ranch any other way. I love the dynamic of moving cattle comfortably and slowly and intentionally, across the landscape.”

For Magruder’s aunt Helen, that shift has opened up. Being able to guide cattle away from sensitive nesting areas and riparian corridors means parts of the ranch can recover while the rest continues to function as working land.

These days she shares her knowledge with Magruder’s children — June and Walter — through nature walks and birdwatching, passing on stories about the birds, the seasons and the life that exists alongside the cattle.

“We’ll be able to graze the way we want into later years in our lives,” Magruder says. “We’re not worried about having to switch careers when it becomes too hard.”

The Magruder Family

(Halter)

Grazing Into the Future

For this family, the question has always been how to stay in it, how to care for the land without grinding down the people doing the work and how to adapt as weather shifts and wildlife returns.

Five generations of women have shaped Ingel-Haven Ranch. Each inherited land already marked by the decisions of the last, and each adjusted the model to fit her moment. Virtual fencing becomes part of that lineage now. Another tool chosen by someone determined to keep the ranch viable, responsive and alive.

The cracked plaster above Magruder’s desk remains, and the house continues to hold the story of women returning. The land keeps asking for care, and the women keep answering.

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Ranchers Rally as Nebraska Faces Historic Wildfires

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:01:48 GMT

With more than 800,000 acres of Nebraska scorched, ranchers are rallying together to overcome loss and support one another. From grass to hay to structures and water tanks, the loss across the state is monumental.

The rally of ranchers began when the fires sparked a week ago, as neighbors helped neighbors working to slow down the tornado-like wildfires as they tore across the Sandhills in the Morrill Fire and through the canyons of the Cottonwood Fire .

There are multiple stories of local fire departments, neighbors and family members creating fire breaks and helping move livestock and equipment out of danger zones.

1 of 4:

Van Newkirk Herefords

2 of 4:

Van Newkirk Herefords

3 of 4:

Van Newkirk Herefords

4 of 4:

Van Newkirk Herefords

“We’ve had a remarkable, unprecedented response to stop this fire and we will come up with an equally innovative solution for recovery,” says Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton.

Vinton had a chance to fly over the fire-charred area Tuesday.

“It was blowing sand,” she says. “It looks like the Sahara.”

Nebraska Sanhills after the Morrill Fire.

(Hawkins Family)

Oshkosh, Neb., rancher Joe Van Newkirk of Van Newkirk Herefords describes the former lush Nebraska Sandhills like a moonscape.

While no official livestock death losses have been reported, NDA says the scale of the impact is significant. Vinton explains the burned acreage represents a major hit to the state’s cattle capacity, particularly in the area of the Morrill Fire.

“If we say it’s roughly 600,000 acres, that’s a grazing resource for 35,000 cows,” Vinton says.

Vinton frames the recovery as a statewide promise to keep multigenerational ranches and their herds together even after hundreds of thousands of acres of rangeland have burned, plus the loss of hay, fence, structures and so much more.

Containment Improves, Yet 4 Fires Continue

Crews made a lot of progress containing the fires Wednesday. As of Friday morning, the approximate acres burned and current containment (according to Watch Duty ) include:

Morrill Fire (Keith, Arthur, Grant, Garden and Morrill counties, near Lake McConaughy)
- Acres burned — 643,361
- Containment — 98%
- Origin — downed power pole and line in gusty winds near Angora on Thursday, March 12
- Watch Duty link
- This is the largest fire in Nebraska history.
Cottonwood Fire (Dawson, Lincoln and Frontier counties, south of Interstate 80, near Brady and Gothenburg)
- Acres burned — 128,036
- Containment — 80%
- Watch Duty link
The Road 203 Fire (Thomas, Custer, Logan and Blaine counties, south of the communities of Halsey and Dunning within the Nebraska National Forest)
- Acres burned — 35,912.6
- Containment — 80%
- Watch Duty link
The Anderson Bridge Fire (Cherry County, in the northeast portion of the Samuel McKelvie National Forest southwest of Valentine)
- Acres burned — 17,400
- Containment — 60%
- Watch Duty link

A warming and drying trend will peak on Saturday, with 90-degree temperatures and single-digit relative humidity expected. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team managing the fires reports that these extreme weather conditions have potential to increase fire activity within fire perimeters as unburned vegetation ignites and readily burns. The team stressed in its Thursday morning update any new fires would likely spread rapidly.

Last week, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban prohibiting burning until 11:59 p.m. March 27 to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in Nebraska.

Ranchers Helping Ranchers

While the stories of ranchers helping each other during the intense fire danger on Thursday and Friday are moving, that commitment to helping one another continues long after the smoke cleared.

“That’s what ranchers do, right? They help each other,” says Sara Cover. “It’s too hard to do it alone ... that’s how they have functioned in this area for hundreds of years.”

Cover is one of the Sandhills ranchers who is helping with recovery efforts and the Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief group, which is providing boots-on-the-ground assistance in coordinating donations of hay, supplies and financial support.

“Half these firefighters are volunteer firefighters that also had cows calving at home,” Cover explains. “So, it’s also the self-sacrifice of leaving your ranch during the busiest time of year to go help others.”

Many Sandhills ranchers have their own fire rig, so Cover explains in many cases the husbands would leave and go fight fire, leaving their wives and kids home calving cows. There are other examples of multiple generations — grandparents, parents and kids — all working together to fight the fires.

“It just takes everybody,” Cover says.

More than 150 truckloads of hay have arrived for ranchers who lost hay and grass due to the Morrill Fire.

(Provided by Van Newkirk Herefords)

Paul Cleveland is coordinating hay donations for the group.

As of Wednesday, Cleveland estimates the group has received 150 loads of hay and have four times that committed. The group’s goal is to get at least enough hay to get through calving season.

“The outpouring of support is phenomenal,” Cleveland says. “Hay is the immediate concern. We’re in the heart of calving season here, and the stress on these cows is off the charts. They truly know what it’s like to go through hell.”

He says the main challenge right now is not a lack of goodwill but rather information overload and logistics; he says he is “100 messages behind” responding to those who have reached out to support.

“Processing all the information is the biggest battle we have right now, and we need a lot of patience from people,” he stresses. “We’re not ignoring them, we’re trying to get back to them as fast as we can.”

The Nebraska fires follow February wildfires that burned more than 283,000 acres in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas .

Cleveland says a rancher from Kansas, who was in the same role as he is now about a month earlier when fires hit that area, reached out to him and has been a strong emotional support and source of knowledge. Other ranchers report wildfire survivors, who have benefited from fellow ranchers donating hay and supplies, have reached out and offered to donate and pay the support forward.

It is those examples of care and concern from across the country that makes the beef industry so special.

Resources and Services Available

NDA is concentrating efforts on assisting farm and ranch families and their livestock. On the NDA website are lists of individuals requesting assistance and those offering donations.

Vinton shares her deep appreciation for what Nebraska ranchers do and says local, state and federal partners are actively working on solutions. She welcomes innovative ideas and invites producers to share their unmet needs directly with her team at NDA.

Those impacted by the fire are encouraged, before starting to repair or rebuild fence lines, to review federal aid requirements that could impact eligibility for assistance. Contact the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to understand qualification rules.

A portal to match grass and pen space with those in need has been developed. The platform was designed to help connect those needing to relocate livestock with those who have extra capacity.

There are numerous resources available as producers evaluate livestock after a wildfire. The danger to livestock doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished. While the immediate destruction is visible, the microscopic threat of wildfire smoke can linger in a calf’s lungs for weeks, triggering a cascade of physiological stress and immune suppression.

Craig Uden, Nebraska Cattlemen Association (NCA) president, was a guest on AgriTalk Thursday, sharing an update on the wildfires and how NCA is helping coordinate resources for ranchers in need.

How to Help

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund

Mail monetary donations to: 4611 Cattle Dr., Lincoln, NE 68521-4309
Online donations: nebraskacattlemen.org/disaster-relief-fund

Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief

Mail monetary donations to: P.O. Box 291, Oshkosh, NE 69154
Online donations: kearneyfoundation.fcsuite.com/.../create/fund...

Volunteer fire departments were central to the response, often stretched thin, needing more funds and equipment maintenance support after days of nonstop firefighting. Nebraska Athletics announced Tuesday it will donate all ticket proceeds from Nebraska’s spring football game on March 28 to aid Nebraska wildfire relief efforts to help provide support to Nebraska’s volunteer firefighters for equipment, resources and recovery efforts.

“Nebraskans always step up in times of need, and we want to do our part to help our fellow Nebraskans affected by these wildfires,” says Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen.

Their Simple Request: Prayers and Hope

As individual ranchers report losing thousands of acres of grazing land, plus extensive fence and water system damage, they continue to speak of hope and optimism. They ask for prayers for snow or rain to help the Sandhills repair from the devastation. They all seem to share the determination to persevere.

“They’re the toughest, truest form of an American there is, and they’ll be fine,” Cleveland says about the Sandhills rancher. “They’ll persevere, but it’s going to be a long year for this area.”

Watch for rancher stories of resilience through the fires next week on Drovers.com, as we continue to cover this unprecedented wildfire season.

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The Cost of Early Turnout: Why Waiting for Green Grass Pays Off

Tue, 27 May 2025 17:02:58 GMT

When pastures green up in the spring, producers start thinking about turnout. They do not want to keep feeding harvested feeds any longer than needed. Three extension specialists say the challenge is producers can turnout too soon, which can result in reducing the forage production potential for the entire grazing season.

What should producers consider before turnout? Aaron Berger, University of Nebraska beef systems education educator, says there are three things to consider ensuring a successful and safe pasture turnout:

Forage readiness. “The first and most crucial step is assessing grass conditions,” Berger says. “Producers should ensure there are at least three leaves present.”

This is important during drought conditions, when grass availability may be limited. Berger explains turning out cattle too early can exacerbate feed shortages and potentially damage pasture vegetation.
Water source evaluation. Water availability and quality are paramount. Berger reminds producers to carefully inspect water sources, especially during drought years. Stock ponds, dams and dugouts may not be recharged as usual, potentially leading to poor water quality. Water with high solid content can be unsuitable for livestock consumption, making thorough assessment critical.
Noxious plant identification. Berger says scouting the pasture for potentially harmful plants is essential. Drought conditions can make cattle more likely to consume plants they would normally avoid. Identifying and addressing these potential hazards can prevent livestock health issues.

Ron Lemenager, Purdue beef specialist, says forage height is important. He explains cool-season grasses should be at least 6 inches tall.

“Leaf material is critical for photosynthesis and plant recovery after grazing,” he says. “The early-season forages are typically high in water, potassium and soluble nitrogen content but low in energy. We used to refer to this as ‘washy grass.’”

The challenge here is that cattle cannot eat enough dry matter to meet their energy requirement. This is especially true for replacement heifers coming off a gaining diet to reach approximately 60% of their mature weight by the beginning of the breeding season. When turned out to lush early season pasture, they can crash on energy and go into negative energy balance.

“This results in a reduction in the number of heifers cycling and early embryo death,” Lemenager says. “If the breeding season coincides with this energy crash, fewer heifers will become pregnant until they adapt.”

AJ Tarpoff, DVM and Kansas State University extension veterinarian, agrees with the importance of scouting pastures and determining forage availability.

“Be sure to check forage availability and make any stocking rate adjustments, if necessary,” Tarpoff adds.

Lemenager says soil condition is another factor to consider.

“If it is cool and soils are water-logged, the roots system is compromised,” he explains. “Additionally, hoof action on wet soils will result in pugging (deep depressions). The challenge here is that weed seeds that have accumulated and laid dormant over the years but buried below the germination zone. When soils are pugged, these weed seeds are now closer to the surface and germinate.”

Be Sure to Communicate With Neighbors

Tarpoff encourages producers to have an open line of communication with neighbors. It’s a good idea to share when turning out, what types of cattle are going out (yearlings, pairs, bulls) and how the cattle are identified, for example, tags or brands.

“This open communication helps identify strays earlier,” he adds.

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How to Conduct a Ranch Audit: 3 Steps to Improve Your Operation's Profitability

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:18:15 GMT

We’re a little over two months into 2026. Be honest with yourself — how are those goals and New Year’s resolutions holding up?

If you’re like most ranchers I talk to, you started the year with good intentions. Improve pregnancy rates. Tighten up expenses. Market calves more strategically. Maybe finally get a real handle on your breakeven.

And then calving season hit. Or weather shifted. Or markets moved. And those goals slowly drifted to the back burner.

That’s exactly why I want to talk about something simple but powerful: a ranch audit.

Why a ranch audit? Because I know profit matters on your family operation. It has to. But I also think we as ranchers make a common mistake when we work toward improving profitability.

We set goals blindly. The mistake isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s a lack of benchmarking.

Setting goals blindly and not benchmarking your ranch are closely related, but they aren’t the same thing. Not having a benchmark — not knowing exactly where you stand — leads to blind goal setting.

For example, let’s say you set a goal to improve pregnancy rates in your herd. That sounds great. But what was your average pregnancy rate last year? Was it 92%? 95%? 88%?

If you don’t know that number, two problems surface immediately. First, you won’t know whether your management changes moved you closer to your goal or further away from it.

Second, you may be pouring time, money and mental energy into an area that doesn’t actually need as much attention as something else on the ranch.
The same is true across every part of your business — finances, herd health, nutrition, genetics. Without a starting point, improvement becomes guesswork.

That’s where the audit process comes in.

Step No. 1: Define Success For Your Ranch

This sounds simple, but it’s where most people rush. Is success maximizing pounds weaned per exposed female? Is it lowering financial risk? Is it building a cow herd your kids want to come back to? You can’t measure progress if you haven’t clearly defined what winning looks like for your operation.

Step No. 2: Rank Your Confidence in Different Areas of Your Ranch

Be honest here. On a scale of one to 10, how confident are you in your bookkeeping system? Your reproductive program? Your herd health protocols? Your marketing plan? Your genetic direction?

This confidence ranking helps reveal where you feel strong and where you feel uncertainty — and uncertainty often points to opportunity.

Step No. 3: Put a Unit of Measurement to Those Areas

This is where benchmarking becomes real.

In finances and bookkeeping, that might mean knowing your breakeven cost of production, cost per cow or debt-to-asset ratio.

In reproduction, it’s pregnancy rate or calving interval.

In herd health, it could be death loss percentage or annual treatment cost per head.

For nutrition, you might look at weaning weights in combination with feed cost per cow and pregnancy rates.

For genetic selection, consider the cost of your bull investment compared to measurable returns in offspring performance or retained replacement value.

The reason we need a unit of measure is simple: feelings don’t drive profit — numbers do.

Once you assign both a confidence rating and a measurable number to each key area, you’ve completed your ranch audit. You now know where you stand today. From there, you can identify which areas matter most to your definition of success and which ones need the most improvement.

Instead of chasing random improvements, you’re making strategic decisions.

What I’ve outlined here is the simple version of this process. If you want a more in-depth framework — one that walks you through setting ranch goals you’ll actually stick to and building accountability without the January rush — that’s exactly why I created my online course, Profit Foundations for Ranchers.

It guides you step by step through this audit process and helps you turn clarity into action using a downloadable workbook and short training videos.
But whether you take that next step or not, I hope you’ll at least complete the audit. Even a basic one. Because clarity creates confidence, and confidence fuels better decisions.

And better decisions drive profitability.

If this conversation resonated with you, you can also find this discussion and more business-focused ranch content on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast and on YouTube .

Your ranch deserves more than resolutions. It deserves a plan.

Happy ranching, folks!

Paul Hill to be Honored with 2026 Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Award

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:20:25 GMT

Paul H. Hill has been named the 2026 inductee of the prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery . Hill will become the 381st member of this historic gallery and his portrait will be unveiled at an induction banquet to be hosted Nov. 15 during the North American International Livestock Exposition and the National Angus Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Hill’s record-breaking success with leading Angus seedstock operations throughout the past half century is well documented. He was managing partner of Champion Hill, Bidwell, Ohio, from 1990 to 2017, and previously led Northcote Farm, Cobble Pond Farm, Hayes Star Ranch, South Fork Angus Ranch and Briarhill Angus Farm. In his youth he was herdsman for Malloy Polled Herefords and was involved in 4-H and FFA livestock judging and land evaluation. He has not only bred and developed many leading Angus cattle but also positively influenced the cattle business through interactions with partners, customers, employees, competitors, industry professionals and, of course, his favorite — Angus youth.

Hill’s work ethic, wisdom and personality have always distinguished him as a unique leader throughout his life. This Florida native served in the U .S. Army from 1968 to 1970, and received the Army Commendation Medal for Exceptionally Meritorious Service in 1970 and was twice Battalion Soldier of the Month in 1968 to 1969. He was both student and instructor at the American Herdsman Institute from 1966 to 1968.

As a skillful breeder and exhibitor of Angus cattle, his lifelong record of awards is unsurpassed with hundreds of national champions yet his key to success is perhaps in his slogan “Where winning is only the beginning.” He exhibited at the All-American every year since 1966 except during military service of 1968-1969, and every year at the Atlantic National since its founding in 1987. He attended the North American International every year since it was founded in 1974 and the National Western nearly every year for approximately 50 years, most years of which he was a competitive exhibitor. His experience, enthusiasm and mentorship has helped build generations of future Angus leaders.

His leadership roles with the American Angus Association include serving as president from 2007 to 2008 and on its board of directors from 2000 to 2008. During that time, he was instrumental on the cabinet for the Vision of Value Campaign for Angus Leadership from 2006 to 2011, and served as chairman of the Angus Foundation board from 2004-2007 and as chairman of the Angus Productions Inc. board from 2006 to 2007. He co-founded the Atlantic National Angus Show in 1987 and has served as the chairman of the board since 2002, as well as being member of the board of directors of the All-American Angus Breeders Futurity since 1977.

Widely renowned as an astute judge of livestock, he accepted livestock evaluation assignments at the All-American, North American International, Atlantic National, National Western, American Royal, Canadian Royal, Argentina National Angus Show & Sale and the Brazil National Angus & Livestock Shows along with numerous state and regional livestock shows and conferences.

Paul and his wife, Lynn, reside in Martinsville, Ind., and have two adult daughters, both of whom were active as Angus juniors, Dr. Sarah Hill Schaffer, private practice pediatrician, and Neenah Hill Jain, partner and CFO of Armory Square Ventures. They also have three grandchildren.

Voice-to-Record App Reinvents Cattle Management

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:51:50 GMT

The challenge of maintaining herd records is a familiar struggle for many cow-calf producers who grapple with balancing detailed documentation and practical, cost-efficient management. However, there are multiple solutions available to help transition from traditional paper to platforms that make data input and analysis more productive. During Smart Farming week, we will learn more about five record-keeping options available on the market today.

Arkansas cattleman Gabe Wight has tried notebooks, Rite in the Rain pads, commercial software and even his own simple app to keep cattle records. The frustration of taking gloves off, pulling out the phone, logging in and typing data in meant he wouldn’t keep up with records.

Wight explains his No. 1 pain point is keeping up with his cattle records, and traditional systems never fit how he actually works. He wants to be on a horse or in a tractor, just talking, not typing.

With a poultry science degree from the University of Arkansas, Wight’s career started in marketing and brand management, while cattle remained a passionate side business. His professional career spans media, advertising and general management, and he founded a software company in 2019 that he then sold in 2023.

He says the combination of necessity, love for ranching and a drive to fix frustrating processes in agriculture fueled his entry into ag-tech solutions for cattle. His aggravation led to Herd Advisor — a voice‑first, AI-powered record-keeping system built by a working cattleman to solve the problem he hates most: paperwork.

Wight says he built the program for real ranch life:

No stopping to log in and type, just talk to your phone.
Works from a saddle, tractor or pickup.
Focused on what matters: something useful that reduces aggravation.
Can be used by the whole family or hired help

Hands-Free Record-Keeping

Instead of forms and keyboards, Herd Advisor lets producers “just talk” while they work cows, drive through pastures or feed. It allows ranchers to log herd data such as treatments, calving records, weights, movements and more, hands-free via voice commands.

He says this minimizes manual input and the risk of lost data, making adoption practical for producers who’d rather focus on livestock than data entry. Despite being a self-described technology rejecter, Wight leverages AI as a development partner and backend engineer.

“For me, voice-first cattle records have been a game changer,” Wight explains. “Just to be able to drive through the pasture and just talk.”

Wight first beta tested the program with a group of producers before rolling it out for public download during CattleCon 2026. He says the beta users have been instrumental in refining workflow, especially given the unique naming and tagging conventions in herds.

One of the beta testers was Susan Gurley. Gurley and her husband, Rick, operate Diamond G Farms near Huntsville, Ark. Diamond G is a commercial cow-calf operation. The couple also manage a neighbor’s operation and Rick’s father’s cattle. In total, they manage about 450 cows across 2,000 acres.

“You know the struggle is real when you’ve got notebooks this size and cardboard that size, and 47 different vehicles and people on the farm, and you can’t find the records you need,” Gurley says. “This is going to be something that we can truly utilize and benefit from.”

She says Herd Advisor’s simplicity and flexibility are what excite her most. She loves that initial data entry is not burdensome. Bulk editing and voice entry are also key features for her. She says reminders, pasture records and multi-farm management are also big wins.

“The beautiful thing about voice entry, for example, is on a new calf,” Gurley says. “If I don’t have a tag in the calf. It automatically pops up next to that cow that she’s had a calf, and it calls it calf, and it puts her number and then it puts the date.”

The Gurleys have multiple employees, so they can put reminders in Herd Advisor for their crew with jobs that need to be done — from cow and calf management to pasture management tasks.

“I love the bulk edit,” she summarizes. “If you go work calves, with one click, ‘I used this medicine, this medicine, this medicine,’ and you’re done. And that’s exciting to me.”

(Herd Advisor)

How Does it Work?

Herd Advisor is currently available as a website and iOS app, with an Android app in final stages pending Google Play approval.

The system is flexible, with three main ways to capture records:

1. Siri voice command
A user can say something like: “Hey Siri, cattle record for Herd Advisor … Cow No. 2 has a limp. I gave her a shot of LA‑300, 12 ccs, and remind me in five days to give her a booster.”

2. In‑app microphone button
A floating mic button in the mobile app lets users dictate records directly.

3. Emailing voice transcripts
Producers can create a phone contact like “Voice Records” and email dictated notes to a special Herd Advisor address. You don’t have to have the app on your phone. You can input records via email.

Offline use is also supported. If a producer does not have service, Siri or the app holds the text until the phone is back online, then pushes everything through to be processed.

(Herd Advisor)

How AI Processes and Organizes Data

When you voice in a record, the record goes through a series of AI agents.

1. Contextual understanding
Siri often mishears “cow” as “count,” or misinterprets drug names, so the first AI agent asks: Is this about cattle and what does it mean in that context?

2. Parsing complex spoken notes into structured records
One long narration might include several cows, a calf and a treatment. The system:

Splits those into individual animal records
Handles tricky realities like duplicate tag numbers or long, multi‑generation number sequences

User Workflow and Safety Nets

Wight says critical to the user experience are built in information redundancy and safety nets, with daily database backups and email confirmations.

Each new entry lands in a “Records for Review” page on the web/app. Producers see exactly what the system heard and how it interpreted it. They can:

Confirm or correct which specific animal a record belongs to (for example, if there are multiple “Cow 600s”).
Edit details before finalizing.

The system can also set reminders for booster shots or rechecks for animals or pastures.

Multiple safeguards are in place against data loss:

Optional email copies of each record so the raw text is never lost.
A daily full database snapshot kept for 30 days.

More than Records: The Cattle Market Guide

Along with the herd management program, Gabe Wight has also developed the Cattle Market Guide and a Cattle Market Guys podcast .
Wight says he always questioned if he sold cattle at the right time.

“I pulled out of the auction market parking lot I was thinking the same thing I every time, which is: ‘Should I have sold this week? And should I have sold them here?’” Wight explains.

That led him to build the market predictor. By harnessing AI, Wight first developed the Cattle Market Guide to report profitability differences in when and where to sell. This catalyzed the broader vision for a practical decision-support tool and records management solution tailored for cattle producers.

To learn more about Herd Advisor, the Cattle Market Guide and to listen to the Cattle Market Guys podcast visit HerdAdvisor.com .

Bridging Genetics, Management and Technology in Beef Production

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:37:44 GMT

701x is a North Dakota-based agricultural technology company specializing in smart, connected, solar-powered GPS ear tags and management software for the cattle industry. It enables ranchers to monitor livestock health, location, breeding activity and behavior.

“There’s a lot of pressures on the ranching industry today, and there’s not a lot of technology or tools that can help them,” summarizes Sam Fisher, 701x vice president of sales and marketing.

701x was created by Kevin Biffert, a ranch-raised engineer, who saw the lack of effective technological tools available for ranchers.

“We have to develop a feature set that offers a lot more to the rancher,” Fisher adds.

(Photo: 701X)

Three Pillars: Registry Services, Herd Management, Devices

Fisher explains 701x’s offerings fall into three primary buckets.

1. Registry Services

701x acquired Digital Beef, a software solution for breed associations. This registry allows users to register animals, manage pedigrees and integrate performance data. He explains 701x is currently working on a rebuild of the registry product to make it a sustainable platform.

2. Herd Management Tools

“Think of this as your on-ranch record-keeping system ,” Fisher explains. “Digital calving book, chute‑side mode, breeding record system, even a financial section in there, all available for kind of on‑ranch records.”

701x is working to provide a unified, modern platform that streamlines data from herd management straight into registry services, minimizing manual entry and ensuring consistent, usable records.

Fisher says the 701x system eliminates double/triple entry of data; it makes data searchable and usable and replaces paper records with quick digital access.

Montana Angus producer Sara Stevenson says, “How I best describe 701x is the solution to a long-time problem I was looking for.”

701x helps her manage and communicate herd data. She explains the biggest historical challenge wasn’t collecting data but organizing it over many years and sending accurate information to the American Angus Association and other breed associations.

She says 701x has replaced scattered notebooks and multiple Excel files with one central, long-term system. It allows the Stevenson family to track every animal from birth to sale in one place, including:

Birth, weaning, yearling data and ratios.
Health events such as treatments, navel issues, deaths and injuries.
Fertility records.
Exact reason an animal leaves the herd — feet, fertility, open or death.

Stevenson emphasizes that bad or incomplete data is worse than no data, and 701x makes it realistic to maintain high-quality, multiyear records.

She shares these additional 701x advantages:

Time, stress and marriage-saving benefits. Before 701x, Stevenson says Maternal Plus reporting meant referring to years of calving books and tedious backtracking, causing weeks of work, frustration and “marriage” conflict. “701x eliminated the annual stress and fights,” she summarizes.
Data entry is now done chute-side or same day versus months later, which reduces errors and guesswork. The 701x system ties together EID (electronic identification) tags, wand, scale head and software reducing transposed numbers, missing digits as well as duplicate or outdated spreadsheets.
Digital workflow keeps accurate cow and calf pasture counts, as well as provides the ability to figure correct vaccine dose and mineral needs and get an immediate check of what animals were missed after working cattle. Stevenson admits they keep paper copies as backup, but the digital data saves their ranch money and time, improves accuracy and reduces stress.
Strong customer service and partnership. Stevenson compliments the 701x team for being accessible and willing to help when needed. She says 701x is not just a tool; it is a partner in their operation.

“What they’re really going for is that one-stop shop — the Apple of cattle data — and we are very happy with it,” Stevenson summarizes.

3. Smart Livestock Devices

701x offers two types of smart ear tag devices: the xTpro tag for bulls and cows and the xTlite tag for calves.

Fisher says the tags are a management tool providing tangible, practical benefits like GPS tracking, health and behavior alerts and reproductive data. The tags help producers improve breeding rates, reduce losses and gain actionable data, making the investment cost-effective over time.

The Stevensons use xTpro tags in donor cows and herd bulls to help:

Detect estrus in older donor cows that don’t show strong physical heat signs.
Track bull activity (steps, mounts) and correlate that with actual calves sired via DNA, revealing which bulls are working harder versus just being lazier. She says this leads to data-backed decisions about which bulls and cows are performing.

Dakota Gerloff of Gerloff Farms , Bland, Mo., manages about 400 seedstock cows and 120 commercial cows. The Gerloffs put xTpro tags in all their herd bulls. He says the biggest benefit of the tags is the peace of mind the system provides his family during breeding season.

While he typically checks his fall cows in person every other day during breeding season, 701x allows him to open the app and see how individual bulls are behaving throughout the day: how active they’ve been, whether they’ve been mounting cows and, generally whether they appear to be doing their job.

He says the tags are a valuable tool in an era when good labor is hard to find. Gerloff adds that he plans to tag his cow herd for heat detection and calving alerts, which could reduce manpower needs by providing timely notifications instead of relying solely on constant physical checking.

(Photos: 701X)

User-Friendly Purchasing and Setup

The company aims to make technologically advanced cattle management solutions simple, accessible and valuable to both seedstock and commercial beef producers. Producers can order products directly online through a marketplace. Ongoing support, educational videos and in-person field staff are available to streamline onboarding and maximize value.

Fisher says transparent pricing and simple online purchasing eliminate barriers for adoption.

“We focused on easy, easy, easy, easy,” he says. “You go to 701x.com, there’s a tab for the marketplace ... add to cart ... check out and it’s shipped directly to you.”

Fisher explains the tags come pre-integrated into the software ecosystem, which makes the setup seamless. Producers are supported by educational materials, responsive field staff and personal phone/video help as needed.

When inserting xTpro tags, place the buttons between the two main ribs of the ear. Apply the tag so the solar panel sits forward and up for best sunlight exposure.

(701x)

The tags are designed to be robust, solar-powered and connected by both cellular and satellite networks for maximum utility and minimal hassle. The system’s value is demonstrable through examples of loss prevention, breeding improvement and labor savings.

Fisher says customer feedback shapes product development and issue resolution, and all customers have open access to knowledgeable staff. 701x continually refines its algorithms and is developing new features like feedyard systems and more advanced monitoring to adapt to industry needs and drive future genetic improvements.

(701x)

A Seedstock Supplier Service for Bull Buyers

The Gerloff family hosts an annual bull sale each October selling 80 bulls. As a customer service, the Gerloffs tagged all 2025 sale bulls with 701x’s xTpro. If a bull sold for more than $6,500, the buyer was offered a one-year 701x app subscription.

Gerloff says the tag process went smoothly and praises retention and durability. He says they tagged the sale bulls 10 days before the sale. He was originally concerned about the bulls fighting and losing tags before sale day. He reports they didn’t lose any tags despite the tendencies of 20-month-old bulls.

Gerloff says more than half of the buyers who qualified to use the system have made a 701x account thus far. He also notes he has not received one negative call or frustration about the tag.

701x’s core aim is to help both commercial and seedstock producers be more profitable and sustainable by providing customers cutting-edge, practical tools that deliver real-world results.

“I really believe we’re building tools that actually matter,” Fisher summarizes. “Tools that will actually keep people in the beef business, keep families on the same piece of dirt that they’ve always ranched.”

Your Next Read:
The Surge of Technology Adoption and Data-Driven Decision-Making
Unlocking Odde Ranch Success: How Profitability, Tech and Education Drive Innovation

Low-Stress Handling Isn’t Just for Livestock

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:11:26 GMT

We spend years learning how to move cattle properly.

We study flight zones. We talk about pressure and release. We redesign facilities so animals can flow instead of fight. We debate crowd tubs like they’re moral issues.

Then we walk into the clinic and bark at a technician before coffee.

Ashley Nicholls, founder of Reach Agriculture Strategies, has a way of making a room laugh before he makes it uncomfortable. When speaking on low-stress handling, he starts in familiar territory: prey behavior, blind spots, comfort zones. But he doesn’t stay there.

“We understand [cattle] are prey animals,” Nicholls says. “They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And their priority is survival.”

Then he pivots.

“Employees. Team members. Colleagues. They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And at the end of the day, their priority is survival — it’s just workplace survival,” he says.

The room got a little bit quieter after that.

Flight Zones Aren’t Just Physical

In livestock handling, we read the pen before we apply pressure. We look for heads up, animals bunching, tension in the group. We understand what looks calm may only be a snapshot.

Nicholls reminds us this is the same with people: we may only ever get a snapshot. We don’t see what’s happening off screen — exhaustion, financial stress, family strain, imposter syndrome. Yet we respond as if the visible moment is the whole story.

Even simple gestures can make a big difference.

“Something as simple as starting with ‘good morning’ just opens a channel of communication,” he says.

In barns, we know better than to storm in loudly. The same applies for spaces with coworkers.

Communication: It’s Not the Words

Nicholls references the 55-38-7 rule of communication: 55% body language, 38% tone and pitch and 7% actual words.

“In other words, 93% of what we’re doing is completely non-verbal,” he explains.

This is an important consideration. You can ask a perfectly reasonable question and still raise the stress in a room if your arms are crossed, your voice is clipped, you’re standing too close or you’re not making eye contact. The words may be neutral, but it’s all in the delivery.

Nicholls points out cattle feel pressure long before they process anything else. Humans do, too. We scan posture, pace and tone for signals of safety.

“If I climb over the fence and I land in the pen and I’m big and loud,” he says, “All of a sudden the cattle are holding up on the backside of the pen — I probably did that.”

If the room feels tense, it’s worth assessing the energy you brought in with you.

Pressure and Release

Low-stress handling depends on timing. Apply pressure, get movement. Release pressure, allow the animal to settle. Teams are no different.

Nichols demonstrates this with a deceptively simple exercise: A group is asked to lower a lightweight pole to the ground while each person keeps two fingers supporting it. What should be easy becomes surprisingly difficult. The harder individuals try to correct it on their own touch, the higher the pole floats.

When communication is inconsistent or unclear, people push against each other instead of working together. Pressure escalates, frustration builds and the task stalls.

In livestock handling, we’d change our angle or soften the cue. In workplaces, we tend to repeat ourselves louder.

Are You Crowding the Tub?

Nicholls calls the crowd tub “the most poorly named piece of equipment in beef.”

The mistake? We crowd it.

Cattle need room to circle back toward the exit. If you pack the tub tight, they can’t move their feet. They can’t think. They lock up.

“If we take away their ability to make decisions, they also don’t have the ability to improve,” Nicholls explains.

Micromanagement works the same way.

Hover long enough and people stop taking initiative. Correct every move and they stop experimenting. Remove decision-making and growth stalls.

In livestock systems, we intentionally design spaces that allow movement. In workplaces, we sometimes build invisible walls.

Space to Mess Up

Nicholls is blunt about this part. Teams need space to mess up — and space to fix it.

Agriculture often sends mixed signals. We say we want initiative. We say we want ownership. Then we add, “Check with me first.”

He jokes about “seagull leaders” — the ones who hover overhead, swoop in to criticize or “steal your chips,” then disappear.

That approach creates anxiety, not development.

In ranching, you set the gate before you ride out. You create the conditions for success before you ask for performance. The same principle applies to onboarding staff, explaining expectations and clarifying the why.

Clarity reduces stress, autonomy builds confidence and release allows learning.

Low Stress Shouldn’t Stop at the Gate

Low-stress livestock handling changed how we think about welfare and productivity. It works because it respects biology and behavior. It acknowledges that fear blocks learning and pressure without relief creates chaos.

Humans operate under the same principles.

The uncomfortable question Nichols leaves behind is simple: if we’re willing to treat livestock with patience, intentional movement and respect for their stress thresholds, why wouldn’t we treat our teams the same way?

Low-stress handling shouldn’t stop at the gate.

After the Fire: The Need for Feed, Fence and Prayers

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:18:59 GMT

Wildfires plagued the Plains last week from southern Kansas into Oklahoma and Texas. Hundreds of thousands of acres of grass are now burned to sand.

The Ranger Road Fire, which started in Oklahoma and made its way into southern Kansas, to date has burned more than 283,000 acres and is 65% contained as of Monday morning, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry .

The Oklahoma Forestry Services reports moderated fire weather over dormant fuels resulted in a downtick in wildfire activity over the weekend, allowing firefighters to improve the containment of recent large fires.

“Conditions also supported opportunity to execute burn plans for prescribed fires,” the report says. “If you engaged in prescribed burning, controlled burns or pile burns over the weekend, please ensure that fire perimeters are mopped up and secured ahead of increasing fire weather concerns Tuesday through the remainder of the week.”

Read more about how strong winds, above-average warmth and months of worsening dryness created a “perfect recipe”

for wildfires across the Southern Plains, scorching pasture and farmland — with little moisture relief in the forecast:

Why the Southern Plains Became a ‘Perfect Recipe’ for Wildfire

The wildfires have left a path of heartbreak and devastation. From the loss of livestock and homes, barns and shops to pastures and fence, the damage is hard to fathom.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur visited Oklahoma producers impacted by the wildfires on Thursday. “Please pray for our farmers and ranchers and our first responders who continue to battle challenging fires and weather,” she says.

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

Dr. Randall Spare, Ashland Veterinary Center Inc., says nine years after the losses resulting from the Starbuck Wildfire — still the largest, most extensive wildfire in Kansas history — many of the same ranchers have been affected by the Ranger Road Fire.

Spare explains the wildfire was unstoppable with little farmland or breaks to get ahead of the fire plus the extreme wind. The fire started near Beaver, Okla., at 11 a.m., and he reports many ranchers in the path were moving cattle by noon. He says the highest losses occurred where there were no nearby wheat fields or safe pasture alternatives for the cattle.

“When you have contiguous grass for 90 miles, and the fire line was 90 miles long, from Beaver, Okla. to Protection, Kan., and it was moving 70 miles an hour, it’s hard to get in front of it,” he says.

He also explains because of the good moisture in 2025 and good stewardship of the land, there was a lot of tall, dense forage to fuel the fire.

“Many of the best stewards — those who don’t overgraze and stockpile grass for calving and drought management — actually experienced some of the worst damage,” he explains. “Because they’ve done a good job of managing their grass and have forage to eat in the spring of the year before the growing season starts to calve on, they experienced some of the greatest damage.”

Spare says the Ranger Road Fire took the same path as the Starbuck Fire, but it did not burn as many acres in Kansas — about one-third less in comparison.

“The good thing is it did not go north of Ashland. It’s five miles south of Ashland before it starts and not near the acreage burned,” he summarizes. “Since it isn’t like the Starbuck Fire, we have an opportunity as neighbors to help neighbors, whereas before we couldn’t do that because we were all affected.”

He predicts producers in Kansas lost 1,000 to 1,100 head. He adds there will continue to be more loss as producers evaluate cattle condition.

“One of the biggest damage is feet,” he explains. “The walls of their hooves start to fall off due to the fire. And sometimes that doesn’t show up for five days.”

How Can You Help?

According to Reuters , other fires have burned thousands more acres in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

In agriculture, community is strong. When one producer hurts we all feel it and, if possible, we step up and help our neighbors in need. Along with prayers, Spare adds the immediate needs are:

Hay
Money (financial support)

In response to producers offering help, Spare shares a list of ways others can support ranchers recovering from the wildfires on social media, including lessons learned from the Starbuck Fire.

“I would like to share what we learned from the Starbuck Fire that, hopefully, will be helpful as you consider making decisions about how to help,” he writes.

Fencing supplies: “After the Starbuck Fire, we learned that if federal funds are used to rebuild and replace fences, the construction requirements to access those funds are very specific regarding type of wire, posts, etc. While the generosity of those giving nine years ago was remarkable, we were limited in how much of the donated resources actually could be used simply because federal loss recovery funds needed to be used, and the donated fencing supplies didn’t meet government specifications.”
Money: “Today, money is the most precious resource and in the greatest need. Many of the ranching operations affected need time to truly assess their losses. Some are finding cattle they first thought to be lost, alive and safe. Others are experiencing the opposite and unfortunately are seeing the losses increase.”
Available pasture and grassland: “If you have pasture available either short term or long term, please reach out to Ashland Community Foundation, Kansas Livestock Association or Ashland Veterinary Center,” he suggests.
Hay: There are designated drop off locations ready to accept loads of hay.

Multiple organizations have stepped up and are organizing supplies and assistance.

• Kansas Livestock Association. KLA is helping connect those wishing to donate with the most suitable drop location. If you’re hoping to donate goods including livestock feed or hay, you can contact KLA at (785) 273-5115, or visit this website . On KLA’s Facebook page you can find posts from feedlots that are offering pen space to wildfire victims.

• The Ashland Community Foundation. ACF is accepting monetary donations to help those affected by the fires in their community. To donate, please visit the ACF website and select “Become A Partner” in the dropdown. Donations are also being accepted at Stockgrowers State Bank or can be mailed to ACF at P.O. Box 276, Ashland, KS 67831.

• Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation. OCF has established a relief fund to help cattle producers who have been affected. As the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the fire relief fund at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation will distribute 100% of received funds to affected cattle producers. You can give online or make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation with “Fire Relief” in the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148.

• Beaver County Stockyards and Beaver County OSU Extension office. For those willing to donate feed or hay to the Beaver County, Okla., area, visit the Stockyards website or the Extension office website .

• Beaneighbor.org . The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority, provides access to local support including financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help. Search for aid in your area at Beaneighbor.org.

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry reminds the public to use caution before bringing hay to northwest Oklahoma to prevent the spread of invasive fire ants. Find out if your county is under quarantine for fire ants on the USDA website

Fire Weather is Not Over: Stay Prepared

The Kansas Forest Service reminds producers there are still months of fire season to come.

“As firefighters continue to mop up or extinguish hot spots along miles of fire line, recovery begins for the communities most impacted by recent wildfires,” the agency says. “Many wildfire managers are already preparing for the next round of fire weather.”

While recovery and readiness are happening at the same time, the forest service share these two tips:

Learn how to prepare your home and property for a wildfire. Proper preparation can help your home withstand a wildfire.
Have a plan when the wildfire is heading toward your home or property.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a Fires & Wildfires website dedicated to providing resources to help prepare for and survive wildfires.

A Note to Survivors

Spare says his message to producers who are recovering from the wildfires is to:

Think beyond today. Plan not only for immediate survival but for summer grazing and next winter’s feed. Recognize that hay now is also about having feed later, since grass is gone.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “If you are struggling, reach out to a trusted friend and accept neighbor and outside assistance,” he stresses.

Spare summarizes producers from his area are deeply appreciative and humbled by people from across the country who helped nine years ago and are helping again now, even to the point that local folks feel “almost embarrassed” it happened again.

“But it is life, and we’re going to trust God and go on,” he says.

Your Next Read: Tips for Care Following Wildfire

Your Input Needed: CattleFax 2025 Cow-Calf Survey

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:45:54 GMT

CattleFax is asking beef producers to fill out its 2025 Cow-Calf Survey . Submissions will help the team at CattleFax collect and analyze cow-calf profitability, regional data as well as industry trends and benchmarks.

Here is a summary of the 2024 CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey:

Four Key Takeaways from the CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey

What Can I win by Completing the CattleFax survey?

The survey is sponsored by Crystalyx Brand Supplements and Sweetlix Livestock Supplement System. By completing the survey and submitting a valid email address, participants will be entered in a drawing to win one of three $700 CattleFax vouchers.

All participants will receive a results summary packet, which includes useful benchmarking information that will allow managers and owners to evaluate their own operations. Items such as cow-calf profitability, tendencies of high- and low-return producers, regional data, and other valuable material will be included.

The $700 credit can be used for any CattleFax memberships, registration fees for educational seminars (Corporate College and Risk Management Seminar) or registration fees for the annual Outlook and Strategies session. Participants must complete the entire survey and submit a valid email address to be considered in the drawing. Winners will be selected by a random number generator and will be contacted via email after the survey closes.

What is the Deadline for the CattleFax 2025 Cow-Calf Survey?

The deadline to complete the survey is March 31. Note: All individual results will be confidential and remain anonymous.

Complete the CattleFax 2025 Cow-Calf Survey here .

For questions or concerns about the survey, please contact: Matthew McQuagge , CattleFax analyst.

How Gestational Nutrition Impacts Calf Health and Future Herd Fertility

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:56:15 GMT

Proper nutrition during gestation plays a critical role in the productivity, health and long-term success of beef cattle operations. Research and industry experts continue to emphasize what a cow consumes during pregnancy not only affects her own health but also has lasting impacts on fertility and the lifetime performance of her offspring. Understanding these connections allows producers to make informed management decisions that directly influence profitability and herd sustainability.

John Hall, University of Idaho professor and Extension beef specialist, presented research on how cow herd nutrition during gestation affects fertility and calf performance during the 2025 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium in North Platte, Neb.

While Hall shares several valuable takeaways, his central message is clear: proper nutrition during gestation extends far beyond the cow. Producers who invest in adequate nutrition for pregnant cows often see returns in improved herd condition, fertility, calf survival and long-term productivity.

What is the Ideal Body Condition Score (BCS) for a Pregnant Cow?

According to Hall, BCS remains the most reliable indicator of a herd’s nutritional status. Maintaining a moderate to good condition before calving is essential for reproductive success:

Estrus Recovery: 90% of cows with a BCS of 5 or greater reached their first estrus by 60 days postpartum.
Pregnancy Rates: Cows with a BCS of 6 achieved pregnancy rates near 60%, while those at a BCS of 4 dropped to 40%.

Research consistently shows cows maintained in moderate to good body condition before and after calving are more likely to resume cycling on schedule and produce healthy, vigorous calves.

How Does Cow Nutrition Affect Calf Vigor and Nursing?

Nutritional status directly impacts how quickly a calf stands and consumes life-saving colostrum.

BCS 6 Cow’s Calf: Average time to stand and nurse was 35 minutes.
BCS 4 Cow’s Calf: Average time to stand and nurse was 1 hour and 3.5 minutes.

Hall says calf vigor is especially critical during the first hours of life, as timely standing and nursing allow calves to consume colostrum. Delays in colostrum intake increase the risk of illness and mortality, particularly in challenging weather conditions.

Can Maternal Nutrition Improve Calf Immunity Against BRD?

Yes. Maternal nutrition also has a significant impact on calf immunity. Studies presented by Hall demonstrate supplementing dams with specific fat and protein sources during gestation reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory disease, or BRD, in offspring and improve calves’ responses to vaccination.

· Fat Supplementation: High-fat diets during pregnancy enhanced the calf’s immune response to BRD vaccines.
· Feedlot Performance: Calves from supplemented dams experienced lower disease rates upon arrival at the feedlot.

The Long-Term Benefit: Improving Heifer Offspring Fertility

Protein supplementation on deficient rangeland during late gestation pays dividends in the next generation of the herd.

Pregnancy Rates: Heifers from protein-supplemented dams achieved a 93% pregnancy rate, compared with 80% for those from non-supplemented dams.
Calving Ease: 78% of supplemented cows calved unassisted, compared with 64% of cows that received no protein supplementation.

These improvements not only enhance reproductive efficiency but also reduce labor demands and veterinary costs.

Expert Tip: Supplementation Should Fit the Ranch

Nutrient density and intake requirements change throughout gestation and lactation, and Hall stresses the importance of matching diets to each production stage. While the data are clear, Hall cautions there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Producers should monitor BCS regularly and adjust supplementation based on:

Forage availability and quality.
Labor resources and management logistics.
Current stage of production (late gestation and early lactation require the highest nutrient density).

“Supplementation strategies should fit the ranch,” he says, emphasizing nutrition decisions must account for forage availability, labor resources, management logistics and overall economics.

For many producers, small adjustments in supplementation timing, forage management or ration formulation can yield significant returns. Monitoring body condition regularly and responding proactively to nutritional gaps can help ensure cows calve in adequate condition, support calf vigor and maintain reproductive efficiency. The overarching message remains consistent: cow nutrition during pregnancy is not simply about maintaining body weight. It directly influences fertility, immune function, calf survival and the long-term productivity of the herd.

Hall summarizes producers who strategically manage body condition and implement targeted supplementation programs are better positioned to improve reproductive outcomes, enhance calf health and build resilient, profitable operations for the future.

Drovers Beef Biz: Check Out These New Products Promoted During CattleCon

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:18:40 GMT

Akralos Animal Nutrition , a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations. Operating a network of more than 40 feed mills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers feeds, minerals and supplements through its brands.

Bimeda announces the launch of Eprimectin , a new generic eprinomectin pour-on. Eprimectin delivers the same broad-spectrum parasite control as the pioneer brand Eprinex (eprinomectin) from Boehringer Ingelheim. Eprimectin is the ideal solution for both beef and dairy operations, including lactating dairy cattle, thanks to its zero milk and meat withdrawal time. Producers can expect the same convenient, weatherproof formulation and proven efficacy they’ve come to trust from this molecule.

Breedr announced new features to make managing breeding stock and tracking calves easier. These features include: separate breeding stock from commercial cattle, create virtual animals before calves are born and view genetic and EPD information at the chute. It also introduced three new chute-side processing improvements: quick induction, genetic results in chute mode and reliable offline performance.

Solvet announces CattleZen, a new cattle stress management tool designed to help producers maintain calmer, healthier beef and dairy cattle. CattleZen is a proprietary blend of maternal bovine-appeasing substance and a calming pheromone that, when applied just above the muzzle, stimulates a calming effect.

Using a direct-to-satellite device, CERES GEN6 brings together livestock health, behavior, location and pasture feed intake intelligence with new reproduction algorithms. Producers can now identify cycling cows, monitor bull activity and receive calving alerts to improve reproductive efficiency, season after season.

Envu is making it easier for ranchers to make smarter decisions about their grazing management rotation through their innovative ranch management tool, RangeView . Now, ranchers can seamlessly integrate CERES TAG into their RangeView dashboard to track cattle across range and pasture, herd optimization and ROI.

Ever.Ag announces the launch of Feedlot IQ , an intelligent, connected feedlot management platform built for cattle feedlot operations. Designed to help feedyards improve consistency, support animal health and make earlier, more informed decisions, Feedlot IQ uses advanced artificial intelligence and connected data for a clearer understanding of what’s changing across the yard.

Golden Agri-Resources, ED&F Man and Westway Feed Products are partnering to expand sustainable palm-based animal feed through the GoNutri product line. This collaboration will strengthen the supply chain for sustainable animal feed, providing customers in North America direct access to high-quality, sustainable, palm-based animal feed supplements.

Built by a lifelong rancher and software founder, Herd Advisor combines practical experience with data to give producers a clearer view of the market ahead. Just say “Hey Siri, cattle record” then speak naturally. Records go to review — confirm, edit or delete. Nothing slips through the cracks.

FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for IVOMEC(ivermectin) 1% Injection to prevent infestations caused by New World screwworm in cattle. The over-the-counter product must be administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration or at the appearance of a wound.

John Deere’s V452M round baler headlines the updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features for heavy crop and silage conditions. The current 1 Series round balers remain and continue to serve customers with their baling needs.

Jones-Hamilton Co. announces the launch of SurpHace , a rebrand that brings together the company’s pH and ammonia control products for beef and dairy operations under a single product name. SurpHace replaces BeefUp and ParlorPal, delivering the same environmental control but positioned to serve the broader livestock market.

KEEN Utility announces the release of a new pull-on waterproof work boot — Flatland . Keen is known for out-of-the-box comfort, snug heels, wide toe boxes and asymmetrical carbon toes that are lightweight and unobtrusive.

Merck Animal Health’s EXZOLT CATTLE-CA1 (fluralaner topical solution) received FDA’s conditional approval for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus). Recently, FDA removed the “single use only” language from the product label.

MGK Insect Solutions launched Troika Farm and Livestock Aerosol , a synergized dual-active, broad-spectrum insecticide that delivers the quick kill needed for immediate relief and provides residual control. The aerosol kills more than 25 insects on contact with residual control up to four weeks.

New Holland expands its T7 tractor series with three redesigned models . A new front axle design cuts the turning radius by 20% versus previous models, and in-cab visibility has been improved in every direction.
Norbrook’s Defendazole (fenbendazole) is the first FDA-approved generic white drench dewormer. The product treats and controls many of the common profit-limiting internal parasites that reduce feed efficiency and threaten the health of your herd. With Defendazole, producers can expect the same safety, efficacy and performance advantages as Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) oral suspension.

Ritchie introduces an all-climate solution for cattle operations that need a flexible watering solution for use in various pen configurations. The new OmniMaster 4 puts the proven performance and producer-favorite features of the OmniMaster 8 in a smaller footprint to water up to 180 beef cattle.

Suther Feeds announces the launch of Sulutions CaliGuard Paste , a biologically active nutraceutical designed to support gut health, hydration and digestive stability in livestock. This ready-to-use paste is a tool for calves and young animals during periods of stress, transition or digestive challenge. CaliGuard Paste is formulated with a targeted blend of tannins, essential oils and probiotics.

Vermeer Corporation and alliance partner G.T. Bunning & Sons Ltd. announce a new milestone in their collaboration efforts: The first MS400 manure spreaders produced at Vermeer’s Griswold, Iowa, facility are now shipping to dealers and customers in North America. While Bunning remains the design and engineering lead, Vermeer is leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to better meet demand and expand future product availability.

Westway’s Synergy line delivers nutrition where it matters most — out on pasture. Available in a molasses base, Synergy products provide cattle a highly palatable source of vitamins and minerals through a consistent, self-regulated delivery system to eliminate waste and increase labor efficiency. This new product is a fit for cattle producers who feed cubes, a TMR, commodities or liquid feed.

Zoetis Inc. has announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in INHERIT Select for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.

Be sure to check out BoVet Editorial Director Andrea Bedford’s The Bovine Vet Podcast . She walked the trade show floor at CattleCon 2026 and visited with companies about new products. You can read more at: Beyond the Trade Show Floor: Translating CattleCon’s Top Tech Into Daily Practice

How Should You Manage Bulls in Winter to Ensure Summer Breeding Performance?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:31:26 GMT

It can be easy to forget bulls and focus on cows when weather hits, but management strategies during the winter months can impact a bull’s performance in the upcoming breeding season. Managing herd bulls properly to prevent frostbite of the testes and properly manage body condition score before the next breeding season is imperative.

“Owning bulls during the idle months is not all sunshine and rainbows,” says Beth Reynolds, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program specialist. “Broken fence, beat up hay rings, injuries from fighting …. And all that comes with bored boys — I mean bulls — in the winter.”

She says in a recent Iowa Beef Center Growing Beef Newsletter article that bull management must be kept to high standards in order to get a good return on investment, because quality bulls are not cheap.

“Winter management puts a large emphasis on periods of cold stress and temperature fluctuation,” Reynolds explains. “The negative impacts of poor winter management are broad, but two general categories are nutritional and breeding soundness.”

She stresses these three keys to managing bulls during the winter.

1. Provide windbreaks.

Reynolds says managing the breeding soundness impacts of cold weather on herd sires requires being proactive and using tools to mitigate frigid temperatures.

“Windbreaks are very impactful in mitigating cold stress effects,” she explains.

Temporary windbreaks using portable windbreak panels, hay bales or even stock trailers can be effective if placed with prevailing winds in mind.

According to South Dakota State University , there are several considerations for designing windbreaks, and the requirements for sizing will largely depend on the number of animals that will be usng the structure for shelter.

“A common rule of thumb is to allocate 25 sq. ft. of protection per cow, or 1' of fence length per cow,” explains SDSU guidelines. “The protected zone of a windbreak will extend out to the leeward side by 8 to 15 heights of the structure with a reduction of wind speed of approximately 50%. Previous research has identified an ideal ratio of length to height of 10:1, so for example a 10’ windbreak should be a minimum of 100’ long for maximal protection. Structures should be placed at least 75' upwind of any roads, alleys or buildings to reduce the impact of high winds and drifting snow.”

2. Provide bedding.

Dry areas to lay are important to consider when wintering bulls. These areas can be achieved by providing bedding or areas within a pasture that provide adequate cover from wind and snow.

“Bedding is especially important to create a barrier, keep the scrotum off the frozen ground to prevent frostbite and help alleviate the increased nutritional needs,” Reynolds says.

A feedlot trial from SDSU found providing 4 lb. of bedding per head per day reduced energy maintenance requirements by 20% to 40% compared to unbedded counterparts on cement. While less research has been done on breeding stock to quantify changes, Reynolds says one would expect providing bedding would also reduce maintenance requirements for bulls and cows during cold-stress periods.

Wet and cold conditions increase the risk of frostbite. Frostbite presents as a scab, discoloration and/or sloughing of the bull’s scrotum. These tissue damages limit or prevent the ability for a bull to regulate testis temperature. This is caused by the inhibition of the raising and lowering of the testes that occurs naturally. Come breeding season, this can result in a decrease in fertility.

“Arguably, the most discussed negative impact of not managing cold stress in bulls is frostbite on the scrotum,” Reynolds explains. “Mild frostbite will set back normal sperm production for 45 to 60 days, and severe frostbite may cause permanent damage.”

Additionally, in periods of cold stress, a cortisol spike can be expected. Cortisol can transfer from the bloodstream to semen, and in vitro trials have observed negative effects on sperm quality.

3. Provide adequate and strategic nutrition.

Reynolds explains managing the nutritional impacts of cold weather on herd sires will look very similar to nutritional adjustments needed for the gestating cow herd. The genera rule of thumb for cold stress still applies: for every degree the temperature is below the lower critical temperature, energy needs increase by 1%. The lower critical temperature for a dry winter hair coat on cattle in good (5-6) body condition is around 20°F.

Cold stress for brief or extended periods increases energy requirements while protein, mineral and vitamin needs remain consistent. If adequate forage is available, bulls will increase their dry matter intake during periods of cold stress. Depending on hay quality, this could perpetuate the problem of needing more energy in the diet. In cold stress scenarios, supplemental grains high in energy can be extremely effective for bulls on high-forage diets.

Use the offseason to bring bulls back into good condition after the breeding season and allow plenty of time and space for them to recover from any immune system strains or physical injuries.

Underfed bulls are more prone to disease, poor libido and lower quantity and quality sperm.

“Micronutrients and the mineral program in particular should not be overlooked if you expect a healthy, active bull to pass a BSE and perform well in the following breeding season,” Reynolds says. “For example, zinc and selenium are essential for testicular function in addition to their importance for an effective immune response.”

Other Stress Reduction Strategies

Reynolds encourages trying to reduce bull stress in general by ensuring commingled bulls have adequate room to reduce fighting . This goes beyond providing space for bulls to “get away” and roam. It includes providing enough space at the feed bunk or hay ring, as well as a larger area for bedding down to reduce fighting when active, eating and resting.

Cold weather and frozen ground can also strain bulls’ hooves, making them prone to toe abscesses, foot rot and other infections.

“To promote hoof health, be diligent in maintaining pens in the warm spells when uneven ground and manure can be addressed,” she says.

Even if all available cold stress prevention strategies are used, follow up with your veterinarian to schedule breeding soundness exams . A close-up examination is needed to catch some physical injuries and sperm abnormalities, even after the best off-season management.

“When scheduling, remember that sperm production takes about 60 days. Although some bulls may go from a failed to a passing BSE if rechecked, a plan B likely requires purchasing another bull, and bull sale season is underway,” Reynolds says.

Producers in the Midwest should also be cautious if the primary fall and early winter feed source is pasture containing a significant portion of mature, unimproved fescue.

“Endotoxins found in Kentucky 31 fescue cause vasoconstriction, or reduced blood flow to the extremities,” she says. “This will ultimately perpetuate any negative effects of cold stress at warmer temperatures than would be expected on other feed sources.”

Lastly, don’t forget water. Be sure bulls always have sufficient access to clean, fresh water.

“The moral of the story,” Reynolds stresses, “don’t forget about herd sires in the winter months or in the spring when calving season is in full swing.”

Your Next Reads:
Wanted: Bulls Ready to Work
Why Bull Rest Matters: Time to Prepare for the Next Breeding Season

Providing You a Front-Row Seat to CattleCon

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:51:09 GMT

For beef industry stakeholders, CattleCon is one of the most anticipated annual events, bringing together thousands of producers, feedlot managers, suppliers, researchers and industry professionals.

As the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Convention & Trade Show, CattleCon combines business, education, innovation, entertainment and networking opportunities.

Of course, one of my favorite sessions each year is the CattleFax Outlook session, which will be Thursday morning. The CattleFax team will also provide a glimpse into what 2026 and beyond have in store for the industry.

I also look forward to the NCBA Trade Show, where the latest in equipment, technology, pharmaceuticals and feed supplements can be found under one roof.

There are some new events planned for this year as well:

The new marquee stage on the trade show floor will host several dynamic education sessions and industry conversations spotlighting innovation, leadership and community.
The Prime Cut Awards event on Tuesday evening will feature the presentation of the National Environmental Stewardship Award and Beef Quality Assurance Awards.
There will be a sustainability forum on Thursday, which focuses on legacy in action. Serving on the panel will be producers and experts who have navigated — and are navigating — the challenges of succession planning and generational transfer, a big topic for many in the beef industry today.
Also on Thursday will be the NCBA town hall, an open state of the industry forum where producers and NCBA leaders tackle the issues shaping the beef business.

Throughout CattleCon, keynote general session speakers, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jon Acuff and Jimmy Yeary, are sure to inspire and spark innovation. I think there will be a lot of exciting discussion in the sessions and on the trade show floor.

Overall, I believe there are five key reasons to attend CattleCon:

Education and Innovation: Access the latest in cattle care, handling and industry trends through Cattlemen’s College, Learning Lounges and Cattle Chats. Some topics covered include reproductive success, herd health and risk management.
Networking: Connect with producers, industry leaders and suppliers from across the country to form new business relationships and share best practices. At the core of CattleCon is the unparalleled networking opportunity. Whether you’re a seasoned rancher or new to the field, the convention connects you with industry leaders, innovative peers and potential partners. It’s a melting pot of expertise, experiences and passion for cattle.
Trade Show: Explore the massive trade show floor to see cutting-edge technology, equipment and services designed to improve operational productivity and profitability.
Advocacy and Policy: Participate in shaping the future of the cattle industry by influencing Checkoff and policy priorities.
Career Development: For students and new producers, the event offers specialized opportunities to connect with industry leaders and explore job opportunities.

It will be an eventful week. I’m looking forward to our Farm Journal team being in Nashville to bring our readers, listeners and viewers highlights of the meetings, educational sessions and more. You won’t want to miss Chip Flory live for “ AgriTalk ” broadcasts on Wednesday and Thursday from our Drovers booth No. 310. Tyne Morgan will tape a live U.S. Farm Report at noon on Wednesday from the marquee stage, and Michelle Rook will be doing reports for AgDay and her “Market News Now” podcasts from Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday. Andrea Bedford, our Bovine Veterinarian editor, and myself will be producing a special CattleCon enewsletter that will be distributed to Drovers Daily subscribers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

There’s no doubt I’m excited about the opportunity to learn and network with beef producers from across the country. I can’t wait to share with you, our Drovers readers, what I discover. I’ll be looking for strategies to share that will help make you more profitable.

U.S. Cattle Inventory Hits 75-Year Low at 86.2 Million Head

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:08:06 GMT

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the U.S. beef cattle herd stands at 86.2 million head, continuing a downward trend. Despite a year of strong prices, USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows the U.S. cattle inventory shrank another 0.35% and now sits at its smallest size in 75 years.

“I would say the story continues,” summarizes Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist from Oklahoma State University. “I mean, it really doesn’t change the pattern that we’ve been in for the last three years now.”

Quick Report Stats:

Total Cattle and Calves Inventory: 86.2 million head (Down 0.35%)
Beef Cow Herd: 27.6 million head (Down 1%)
2025 Calf Crop: 32.9 million head (Smallest since 1941)
Beef Replacement Heifers: 4.71 million head (Up 1%)

Patrick Linnell, CattleFax director of market research, calls the report bullish.

“I think the big picture message of this report is expansion, while there was some signs of it within this report, by and large expansion remains elusive at this point,” he says.

What Are the Big Takeaways from the USDA Report?

According to Peel, the data highlights two critical areas:

1. Shrinking Cow Herd: The beef cow inventory fell 1% to 27.6 million head.
“The industry technically got a little smaller in 2025,” Peel says.

Linnell adds, “As you looked at just how tight beef cow slaughter was this past year, us and other groups had expected we would actually see an increase in the beef cow herd. Small, but an increase nonetheless. However, that’s not what this report showed.”

2. Heifer Retention Signs: Beef replacement heifers rose 1% to 4.71 million.
“There was a slight uptick in beef replacement heifers, not enough to amount to any growth in 2026, or probably even in 2027, but maybe it’s the beginnings [of a rebuild].”

John Nalivka, Sterling Marketing Inc. president, says the report indicates while replacement heifers was up 1% and those expected to calve were also up 1% from 2024 or 17% of the beef cow herd.

“From 2015 to 2018 when producers began aggressively building herds, the average number of heifers that were identified as replacements on the Jan. 1 inventory was 6.2 million or an average heifer retention rate of 21%,” he explains.

Nalivka says heifer slaughter during 2025, at 9.5 million, was down 7% from the prior year but still represented 52% of the heifers weighing more than 500 lb. on Jan. 1, 2025. In 2024, the industry slaughtered 56% of the January 1 heifers weighing more than 500 lb.

“When the industry was retaining heifers to build herds, the percentage of heifers weighing over 500 lb. that were slaughtered ranged from 39% to 49%,” he adds.

Why is the 2025 Calf Crop Significant?

The calf crop estimate was reduced to 32.9 million head — a 2% drop from 2024. This marks the smallest U.S. calf crop since 1941. This scarcity will be the primary driver for market dynamics in the coming years.

The calf crop in 1941 was approximately 31.8 million head. While the industry saw a significant liquidation in 2014, the calf crop that year only dropped to roughly 33.5 million. This means the current contraction has pushed production levels back more than 80 years.

Outlook: What Will Cattle and Beef Prices Do in 2026?

Peel predicts the small calf crop and tightening feeder supplies will push prices even higher.

“We’ve got record-high prices, and we’re going to see them push even higher for cattle and beef,” Peel says.

He reminds producers it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not just about supply.

“Demand has also continued to be remarkably good for beef as prices have gone up,” he says. “Beef prices have increased relative to pork and poultry. There are alternative proteins that consumers could be turning to, and they’re not. So that’s a very positive sign from a beef industry standpoint.”

The “Historically Slow” Rebuild

Unlike the rapid expansion seen 10 years ago, Peel expects this cycle to be much slower. Producers are cautious, remembering how quickly record prices vanished in the past.

“I do think we’re probably beginning, but it’s certainly not a concerted effort,” Peel says. “There’s not a strong, broad-based initiative in the industry. It will probably grow, but I think it’s going to continue to grow pretty slowly.”

He explains the industry has outlasted the previous cycle highs by two-plus years.

“I think producers are coming around to the idea that this is a more sustained story,” Peel says.

What is the Take-Home Message for Producers?

The market is signaling a desperate need for a rebuild.

“The incentive is there, the value of forage is there,” he says. “If you’ve got forage you can use to raise calves, the market wants you to do that. And if you aren’t fully stocked, then it’s encouraging you to think about doing that. I think the main message for producers is to take advantage of this market.”

He also encourages producers to maintain the productivity of their herds.

“We have cut cow culling so far in the last two to three years that some of these cows are going to have to be culled going forward,” he explains. “So, we got to have a few more replacement heifers just to maintain the productivity of the herd. Take care of that first and then if you need to restock. I understand the tradeoff between selling them now for what is a record price versus investing in the future, but you know, sooner or later, we have to make that investment and look a little bit farther down the road.”

Other January cattle report highlights include:

Of the 86.2 million head inventory of all cattle and calves, cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million.
The number of milk cows in the U.S. increased 2% to 9.57 million.
The number of cattle on feed was down 3% to 13.8 million.

Nalivka adds, “Only time will tell as the year progresses to determine if USDA’s Cattle Inventory is on track. One cross-check will be cattle slaughter which is an actual number reported to USDA by the packers. The inventory is generated from an annual survey number. I understand that USDA aligns annual surveys with the five-year Agricultural Census. To say the least, I have greater confidence in numbers reported to USDA that can cross-check the validity of the survey.”

He does not expect the Cattle Inventory Report to have an impact on cattle numbers or the market going forward through 2026 and into 2027, particularly with a 2% smaller 2025 calf crop.

“Numbers will continue to tighten and when coupled with continued strong demand for beef will support the market at levels at and likely above the market peak seen during third quarter 2025,” he summarizes.

Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University ag economist, posted on LinkedIn his analysis of the report. He shares state-level beef cow inventory estimates (of seven states with more than 1 million head) Kansas’ 7% decline stands out while Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and Texas are estimated to be down 1-3% and Oklahoma and South Dakota are flat. Only Texas has a sizeable increase in estimated replacement heifers.

He shares two broader points:

While it certainly is valuable to count the number of beef cows, understand status of herd expansion, and other factors that is far from a complete story on industry supply dynamics. In short, the industry has implemented a number of efficiency gains resulting in the net effect of more edible beef production per cow in the industry.
It has become way too common to focus on supply and overlook demand dynamics. In fact, recent work with Brian Coffey documents how recent beef price patterns have been impacted more by strong consumer beef demand than any supply-side adjustments .

Analyzing the inventory numbers Peel summarizes, “It’s just amazing to me that we continue down this path. We’ve kept extending the timeline. You know, technically, with the beef cow herd and the way we look at cattle cycles, I thought 2025 would turn out to be officially the low. Well, now we’re even smaller in 2026, so we will have to wait until next year’s number to see whether this is the low. We just keep pushing this timeline out that provides even more opportunities for producers to take advantage of this market.”

Bi-annual Cattle report would be called lightly positive. 1) There was no sign of any type of January 2015 expansion (retained beef heifers +9.5%). 2) Overall, numbers came in just below the four analyst expectation. pic.twitter.com/lvNaDBusz3
— Rich Nelson (@RichNelsonMkts) January 30, 2026

To obtain an accurate measurement of the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, NASS surveyed approximately 35,000 operators across the nation during the first half of January. Surveyed producers were asked to report their cattle inventories as of Jan. 1, 2026, and calf crop for the entire year of 2025 by internet, mail, telephone or in-person interview.

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The Mental Pressure of Being an Off-The-Farm Spouse

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:09:38 GMT

Being an off-the-farm spouse can sometimes feel like you’re living life in the in-between. You’re not fully involved on the operation, but you’re not removed from it, either.

Most of the time, you’re hearing about the good days and the bad ones secondhand, whether it’s a conversation at the dinner table or a late-night recap of the day as you crawl into bed. Through blurry details, you piece together what happened, how the day went and how your spouse is really feeling. You celebrate the wins, worry through the challenges and carry the stress right along with them, even though you weren’t there to see it firsthand.

That in-between space can be hard to explain to anyone outside the farm, but it’s a feeling many off-the-farm spouses can relate to.

Balance the Comfort and the Pressure of Stability

It’s no secret that an off-the-farm job can come with real advantages.

A steady paycheck
Health insurance
A retirement plan

Knowing when that next check will hit the bank account and having reliable health coverage feels like a safety net when life on the farm is anything but predictable. And for a lot of farm and ranch families, this reliability helps make everything else work. But with stability can also come added pressure. A pressure to provide, to stay employed and to keep everything moving forward.

More often than not, the off-the-farm paycheck carries the heavier load of the responsibility, especially when margins are tight. Per USDA data, in 2023, 96% of farm households earned money from off-farm sources, making up 77% of household income. And USDA states most households, regardless of farm size, work off the farm because it pays better than farm work, and access to health care benefits is often part of that decision.

For off-the-farm spouses working to help keep the farm afloat, this heavy load can take a mental toll.

They’re juggling budgets, weighing the “what-ifs,” and sometimes lying awake at night running the numbers in their heads — thinking through what could go wrong and how to keep the farm and family going. It’s a constant, behind-the-scenes effort to make sure everything keeps running smoothly.

Open the Lines of Communication

When that stress starts to build, one of the most helpful tools families have is simply talking about it. According to the University of Wisconsin’s Farm Management Program, farm couples and families who manage stress well tend to communicate openly, working together to plan ahead and tackle problems as a team. Having honest conversations and sharing information can help bring back a sense of control when finances feel uncertain.

That can be easier said than done. When financial pressure builds, many people try to carry it quietly — thinking they are protecting their family by keeping worries to themselves. But holding it all in can actually create more tension at home. Opening up does not mean sharing every detail or worst case scenario. It can be as simple as letting trusted family members or friends know what you are carrying and being honest about changes that may need to happen at home.

Share the Load

While there’s no perfect way to handle the stress that comes with being an off‑the‑farm spouse, you learn how to carry it in a way that works for your family. Sometimes it means adjusting plans, sometimes it means talking things out and sometimes it just means taking a deep breath and reminding yourself you’re doing the best you can.

Finding small ways to share the load can really help, whether that means talking things out, relying on people you trust or giving yourself a moment to breathe when you need it.

Drive Cattle Productivity with Combination Deworming

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:36:44 GMT

Parasites are a hidden drain on cattle performance, quietly stealing productivity and profit from herds across the country.

For producers, the cost isn’t just in lost weight gain, but also in overall herd health and efficiency. That’s why veterinarians and ranchers alike are turning to improved parasite control strategies, like combination treatment.

“Combination treatment is the use of two or more dewormers from different classes, each with a different mode of action, to get more effective control,” says Matt Washburn, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim.

The advantage? Each dewormer targets parasites in a different way. When used in combination, they can help reduce the number of parasites left behind. In fact, fecal egg counts in cattle herds have been shown to drop by nearly 99% when using dewormers from different classes.

Understand Dewormer Classes For Smarter Control

To get the most out of combination treatment, it helps to understand how each class of dewormer works.

Dewormers can be divided into three different classes, based on their chemical structure and mechanism of action: macrocyclic lactones (endectocides), benzimidazoles (white dewormers) and imidazothiazoles. Each class controls a distinct spectrum of parasites, and for a different amount of time (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Classes of Cattle Dewormers

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

“Some classes of dewormer do a better job controlling certain parasites than others,” Washburn says. “Endectocides provide strong coverage against both internal and external parasites, while white dewormers work well against only internal parasites.”

There are also differences in how long the dewormers will persist in the animal.

“Most of our macrocyclic lactones have a persistence of about 28 to 30 days, with the exception of the extended-release dewormer, with which we can get out to 150 days,” Washburn says. “On the other side of that, you’ve got the benzimidazoles, which are also known as purge dewormers, because they’re going to clean the animal out, and in two days, they’re gone.”

Putting Combination Treatment Into Practice

Near Okemah, Okla., rancher Buck Rich has been using combination treatment for several years under the guidance of his veterinarian, Dr. Tyler Thomas, to protect his nearly 2,000 cow-calf pairs, as part of his deworming protocol at Leaning Oak Ranch.

“We’ll normally use an injectable, and then we’ll do an oral drench,” said Rich. “It seems to work really well for us, and cleans those cattle up a little quicker. That’s our go-to protocol now.”

Depending on the time of the year, Rich may apply a pour-on dewormer to the calves instead of an injectable, as part of his combination treatment protocol for additional coverage.

Rancher Buck Rich applies a pour-on dewormer to his cattle as his son looks on.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

Strategic timing can also make combination treatment even more effective, especially when cattle are carrying their highest parasite loads.

“Using combination treatment, you get a better clean-out up front, and you’ll see it on the cattle, particularly coming out of winter, when our highest parasite load occurs,” Thomas says. “They’ll shed that winter coat off, they get fat, and they look good.”

Recommending combination treatment to producers for the first time can sometimes be a tough conversation, because of the additional cost of another dewormer.

“Going from a single class to combination therapy, producers are almost always on a macrocyclic lactone, and they’re adding a white dewormer to it,” Thomas notes. “I would just tell them it’s well worth it, it’s very economical, and it doesn’t take much more effort. If anybody tries combination treatment, they can see the results in the cattle.”

Rich is one of the producers Thomas has worked with who has seen benefits from implementing a combination treatment protocol.

“We’ve seen a drastic change,” Rich says. “The cattle look better. Their hair coat is better. I really think combination treatment is worth it for our operation.”

Dr. Tyler Thomas giving an oral drench dewormer.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

Combining parasite control programs

Healthy cattle that put on weight and stay in condition are reason enough for Rich to continue implementing combination treatment and other deworming practices advised by Thomas.

“We’re getting paid for pounds of beef at the end of the day,” Rich relates. “Using a quality deworming program helps put on more pounds, which is always a benefit in our business.”

For long-term success that helps drive performance and profitability, combination treatment should be part of a broader parasite control plan that includes:

Diagnostic testing: Performing routine diagnostic tests, such as fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) and coprocultures, can help assess the effectiveness of a deworming program and identify the parasites that may be surviving treatment.
Refugia: Intentionally not deworming a small percentage of the herd is recognized as an important factor in delaying the onset of parasite resistance.
Management: Producers can increase overall herd immunity through routine vaccinations and enhanced nutrition. Limit overgrazing, maintain appropriate forage height and rotate pastures, if possible.

When evaluating deworming practices, be sure to include a veterinarian in the process, similar to how Rich and Thomas have collaborated to develop a parasite control plan for Leaning Oak Ranch.

To further investigate combination treatment and the other deworming strategies, tune into Out Here with the Legends , where Buck and Dr. Thomas discuss all things sustainable deworming.

Legislation to Delist the Mexican Wolf Advances

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:11:58 GMT

The House Natural Resources Committee advanced the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025 (H.R. 4255) with bipartisan support. The bill would remove federal ESA protections for the Mexican wolf, restoring commonsense wildlife management authority and providing much-needed relief to cattle producers and rural communities across the Southwest. The next step for the bill is to be presented to the full House for a vote.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) strongly support H.R. 4255, which would reduce regulatory barriers that have prevented effective management to safeguard livestock and rural communities from this abundant apex predator.

“For decades, cattle producers have borne the cost of federal policies that prioritize paperwork over practical wildlife management. The Mexican wolf population has grown well beyond recovery goals, yet producers are left without the tools needed to protect their livestock, their families and their livelihoods,” says Oregon rancher and NCBA Policy Division Chair Skye Krebs. “This isn’t just a producer issue — it’s a rural community issue. When predators cannot be responsibly managed, it puts people at risk and undermines the stewardship efforts of those who live and work on the land every day. Delisting the Mexican wolf would allow wildlife professionals to use proven, science-based management tools to reduce conflict and restore balance.”

Because of its ESA status, Mexican wolf management remains heavily restricted, even in areas where wolf populations have expanded significantly. Producers face ongoing livestock depredation, disrupted grazing operations, and delayed or denied responses to problem animals — often with little to no compensation for losses.

“Whether it is Mexican wolves, grey wolves or grizzly bears, ranchers across the West face daily challenges with recovered species protected by the Endangered Species Act. This bill is a step toward alleviating the challenges southwestern producers face and would recognize the realities on the ground,” says Colorado rancher and PLC President Tim Canterbury. “This legislation is grounded in established science and restores commonsense in the listing determination. The Mexican wolf has recovered, now is the time for Congress to finish the job and pass this legislation.”

NCBA and PLC commend the House Natural Resources Committee for advancing this legislation and thank Rep. Paul Gosar for introducing a bill that recognizes conservation success while standing up for the men and women who help feed Americans.

Read More about Wolves:
House Approves Gray Wolf Protection Removal in a Victory for Cattlemen
Nightly Battles and Big Losses: Ranchers Demand Reform as Wolves Continue to Wreak Havoc
Wolves Are Not Going Away: Ranchers Push for Practical Management Tools
The Cost of Coexistence With Wolves

Tips to Prevent Hypothermia in Calves

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:29:19 GMT

Hypothermia, which is lower than normal body temperature, is one of the major causes of death in newborn calves. Wet and cold weather (below 50°F) accompanied by wind will take a toll on calves especially if the calving process takes longer than normal.

Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, shares these four tips to reduce the chance of hypothermia:

Dry calves immediately, remove all wetness with towels or a blow dryer
Warm externally, use heat lamps, the floor board of your farm truck, a “hot box,” or a warm water bath (around 100°F, gradually increasing); remove heat source when calf’s temperature is up to 99°F and monitor to ensure they are able to maintain their temperature
Get calves off the cold ground, place calves on pallets or blankets to prevent heat loss
Get calves to a warm, dry, sheltered area like a barn, garage or shop

(Mindemann Farms)

How Can You Reducing the Chance of Hypothermia?

Johnson explains the precalving nutrition of the cow can reduce the chance of hypothermia.

“Moderate environmental temperatures aren’t typically a problem for calves produced by cows with adequate milk/colostrum supply that are in good condition,” he says describing good condition is a body condition score of 5.5 to 6. “Calves from cows that have had good nutrition during the last trimester of pregnancy have a layer of brown fat that serves as a rapidly mobilized energy reserve to make them vigorous at birth and quick to get up and nurse. On the other hand, calves from thin cows may not have the energy needed and are more susceptible to hypothermia.”

Dystocia or calving difficulty increases the amount of time a calf will take to stand and nurse, which increases the potential of hypothermia.

“Calves maintain body temperature by converting food into body heat,” Johnson says. “Calves need to stand and nurse an adequate amount of colostrum as soon as possible after birth. If there is any question as to whether a calf has ingested an adequate amount, use a tube feeder or bottle to administer warm, high fat (up to 10%) colostrum.”

A practical rule-of-thumb is to feed 5% to 6% of the calf’s body weight within the first four hours and repeat the feeding when the calf is about 12 hours old. For an 80-lb. calf, this will equate to about 2 quarts of colostrum per feeding. Calves that nurse or are given colostrum within the first two to four hours after birth fare much better throughout their entire lives.

How Do You Assist a Hypothermic Calf?

There are several ways to assist a hypothermic calf, according to Johnson, the first step is knowing when to help.

Normal rectal temperature of a newborn calf is 101.5°F to 102.5°F. A thermometer will help to know if a calf is at risk. If the temperature drops below 101°F, help might be needed.

Johnson says place a finger in the mouth to check for a suckling reflex.

“The mouth of a healthy calf will be warm and moist, and the calf will attempt to chew or suck your finger,” he explains. “Lack of a suckling reflex is a definite sign that you are dealing with a cold stressed calf that needs assistance.”

When calves are cold, the body responds in two ways: shivering and diverting blood flow to their inner core.

“Shivering is an involuntary reflex that increases heat produced by the muscle, but it requires energy,” Johnson says. “Excessive shivering, erratic behavior, confusion and clumsy movement are all signs of hypothermia.”

Mild hypothermia is a calf temperature below 100°F. Severe hypothermia, when internal organs start to cool is below 94°F.

Johnson suggests when rewarming a calf is necessary, there are two routes: internal and external.

Administering colostrum should be the first step to warm the calf internally. Warm (100°F to 102°F), high-quality colostrum is vital as it provides fat and energy that will be burned for internal heat. In some cases, administering colostrum or milk replacer might need to be repeated. Externally, the following steps should be followed to treat and prevent hypothermia in at-risk calves.

Producer Tips: Saving Ears

For producers who want to reduce frostbite and frozen ears, Kassi Werning of Jared Werning Cattle, Parkston, S.D., shares this strategy:

Werning adds a few tips forgotten in the video, include:

Dry is essential to success. “We dry every baby with a blower when it’s this cold (after mom has had a chance to do her job for a bit) focusing on neck, ears and tail.”
Do not tag at these temps.
When warm enough to remove, a good, sharp tag cutter works like magic.

Your Next Read:
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Is Your Herd Winter Storm Ready? 4 Ice and Blizzard Prep Strategies

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:34:56 GMT

AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting a high-impact winter storm will spread snow and ice across more than two dozen states from Texas through the Carolinas and Massachusetts from Friday through the weekend. Other areas of the country are also dealing with Mother Nature and cold temperatures.

To prepare for the storm, here are four strategies to help producers and their cattle get through an arctic blast.

(Purina)

1. Provide Ample, Clean Water

Access to fresh, clean, unfrozen water is crucial. Water is essential to feed digestion, and limiting water decreases passage rate of feeds, which will in turn compromise feed intake, making it very hard for cows to maintain weight. Ranchers should consider various options to contend with frigid temperatures and freezing water issues.

Check to make sure water heaters are in working order before bad weather hits, and be prepared to break ice or haul water if needed.

One factor that affects water needs is the stage of production. The need for water increases with the demands of production. For example, lactating cows require more water than dry pregnant cows. Dehydration is an added stress on cattle.

The good news is there are plenty of tried-and-true options for both temporary and permanent livestock watering systems that work in harsh winter conditions.

How to Keep Livestock Waters Open All Winter Long

Cattle on bedding behind a windbreak.

(Gabriel Ribeiro)

2. Offer Shelter and Bedding

Providing a windbreak can lower an animal’s cold stress. According to Oklahoma State’s Paul Beck , cows need to get adjusted to cold temperatures over time and grow a thick winter hair coat to be acclimated before winter storms arrive, or they will suffer from cold stress and require extra care.

“Body condition of cows and their hair coat can play a large part in their tolerance to colder conditions,” he says.

University of Nebraska’s Jessica Sperber says windbreaks, such as trees, walls, human-made structures or strategically placed hay bales, reduce wind exposure and prevent snow from drifting into the pen.

“Windbreaks must be tall enough to block the wind, aim for 7' to 8' in height while still allowing for some air flow between breaks,” she explains in an UNL Beef Watch article . “Common products used for construction of windbreaks include windboards and guardrail with 2"-to-2.5" openings between the rails. Guardrails require little to no maintenance, making them an excellent option for windbreak structures.”

Sperber says bedding is a source of insulation for cattle when temperatures drop.

“Bedding made from straw, corn stalks or other materials keep cattle off the cold ground, reduce heat loss and provide comfort,” she says. “In a study from North Dakota State University, offering modest bedding during feedlot winter weather events (defined as “straw available for steers to lay on”) increased daily gain by 0.86 lb. per day and improved feed efficiency by 31% with no change in feed intake.”

Don’t forget your bulls. Providing bedding for bulls is important for protecting testicles from frostbite, which can impair the testes’ ability to thermoregulate and affect semen quality.

Cattle need more shelter and nutritional needs during winter.

(Maggie Malson)

3. Adapt Feed and Nutrition

As temperatures drop, cattle’s energy requirements increase as they attempt to maintain body temperature. OSU recommends cattle have access to as much hay as they want to eat. Ruminal fermentation helps keep the animals warm.

Sperber says cattle typically require around 1% to 2% more feed for every degree Fahrenheit the temperature falls below their comfort zone, which is around 15°F (-10°C) for cattle with a dry coat during the winter months.

Beck adds cows in good body condition, those with body condition scores of 5 to 6, with good thick winter hair coats have a lower critical temperature around 32°F. Thin cows with thin hair coat are at more risk to cold stress with lower critical temperatures of around 40°F, while cows with wet hair coat have lower critical temperature of 59°F.

“With wind chills down to expected to get below zero, maintenance energy requirements will increase by up to 30% to 40%,” Beck explains.

How Much More Feed?

Beck explains a 1,200-lb. cow in good body condition needs 2 lb. of supplemental 20% range cubes to meet her requirements in normal conditions, as an example. When temperatures get down to 20°F her requirements increase by 12%; to meet the shortfall in energy, she will require 3 lb. of additional cubes per day for a total of 5 lb. of cubes per day.

“If we consider a thin cow with a thin hair coat, it gets to be more critical,” he stresses.

A thin cow needs to gain body condition to increase her chances of rebreeding for the next calf crop, so a producer should already be feeding around 4 lb. of cubes a day. Her lower critical temperature is 40°F so, when temperatures fall to 20°F her requirements increase by 20%.

“We will need to provide seven additional pounds of supplement for a total of 11 lb. of supplemental feed daily,” he says. “Feeding this much supplement is expensive and hard to manage.”

(Wyatt Bechtel)

4. Check Equipment and Supplies in Anticipation

The Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association developed a winter storm preparation checklist . Some of their suggestions include:

Fill up diesel with anti-gel to prevent freezing
Check antifreeze levels
Park equipment out of wind trajectory to avoid accumulation of ice
Leave all water sources at a drip; have troughs filled just below float
Insulate exposed water pipes, wrap or bundle with straw
Harsh weather can stress cows into calving early , so be prepared with the proper veterinary supplies
Consider post-storm needs: starter fluid, propane heater, tools to bust water, diesel treatment, fence repair equipment, replacement parts for pipes/valves if busted, stocked hay ready to feed
Prepare yourself for any amount of time outside with gloves, ear warmers, neck gaiters and bibs
Plan for loss of power: easy-to-make meals, back-up for water heaters, double check generators
Check with elderly neighbors and friends to make sure they have a plan, too

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Winter Storms are Brewing: Is Your Barn Ready?