Latest News From Shaye Koester

Here's some tips and strategies to help cattle producers stretch their dollars when it comes to winter feeding, shared by Aaron Berger, extension educator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Keeping cattle fed, bedded and out of the wind is one thing; but making sure they have flowing water is another. Here's some tips on winter watering your livestock.

This week’s podcast episode discusses the importance of investing in good working facilities and designing them correctly the first time.

Small things make a big impact, but in the instance of parasites that impact isn’t a good one from a herd health or economic standpoint.

As we look at the future of the beef industry, it all comes down to focusing on the simple decisions that could ultimately drive big changes to keep all of us in business longer.

Getting ready to graze cattle on cornstalks? Here's a look at common mistakes made when building a fence along with the proper way to avoid them during this podcast episode.

It’s no secret that marketing livestock online is becoming more popular, but understanding how to do it is critical.

Enjoy the record-keeping and financial side of ranching? John Haskell with Ranch Right LLC shares the 3 biggest mistakes cattle producers make when it comes to management accounting and how to fix them.

Calli Thorne, a cattle producer and mindset coach, shares tips and strategies to help cattle producers navigate the highs and lows of the agriculture lifestyle.

The fall run can be a stressful time for everyone involved. Experts share how nutrition and mineral supplementation play an important role in reducing stress and increasing performance in weaned calves.

A picture is worth 1,000 words, but are great pictures of your livestock worth more than that? Chelsee Camblin shares the value in high-quality visuals of cattle and how to make picture day go smoothly.

Marketing replacement heifers and bred heifers can be a great method of diversifying your income stream. However, knowing how to display the value of these heifers is a critical component of making it successful.

Every person communicates differently but nobody can read minds. Knowing how you like to communicate and how others you work with like to communicate can help you find a middle ground.

Weaning can be a stressful period for livestock and humans but making the extra effort to reduce stress on calves can lead to increased performance in the form of less illness and increased weight gain.

Cattle producers on the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border, Arron Nerbas shares how implementing bale grazing and focusing on genetic selections has allowed their family to maximize their time and land resources each year.

Jack Keating noticed a need for an easier way to build cross-fences. This problem led Jack to start Corral Technologies, a virtual fencing company that changes the way producers manage rotational grazing strategies.

Using data and precision technology is the new norm in many segments of the agriculture industry. In the beef industry, Neogen's Igenity Feeder DNA test is paving the way to a new era in cattle feeding.

We know that the cattle market runs in cycle. Lee Schulz shares tips for how beef cattle producers can understand cattle cycles and how to make decisions accordingly.

Within each of us is a collection of stories about how we’ve tried, failed, succeeded and overcame obstacles. These are meant to be shared to improve the lives of others. Here’s how.

Are you avoiding important conversations to avoid conflict? By delaying the conversation, are the potential conflicts greater or less than having it? Elaine Froese shares some key tips to help in these family situations.

Here's why Shelby Rosasco, Beef Extension Specialist at the University of Wyoming, feels it is important for cattle producers to focus on heifer development and which strategy is right for their operation.

It’s no secret that understanding the genetic value of your cattle is critical to garnering an ROI. But how can you capitalize on genetics and ensure you get an ROI from the process?

When you look at your operation, do you know exactly which enterprises, practices, inputs and strategies are profitable and which ones are losing money?

What do you think of outside investors in ag? Chris Rawley of Harvest Returns shares how using outside investors may provide an unique financial opportunity for farmers and ranchers to start or grow.

As beef producers, we know beef is healthy, nutritious, a great source of protein and tastes delicious! But, do you think consumers know all of these things?

Considering adding a beef business to your operation? Hannah Klitz, owner of Oak Barn Beef, talks about the time it takes to sell beef directly to consumers.

The Hadricks, both fifth-generation beef producers in South Dakota noticed a need for a small packing plant in their area to help not only themselves but also their rural community. The result? North Prairie Butchery.

As beef producers, who is our real customer? While there is value in focusing on the person writing the check, it's also important to keep the whole supply chain in mind, Koester says.

Before we implement change and take action to move forward with innovation and goal setting, it is important to understand 2 things: 1) What type of operation are you running? 2) What type of operation do you want to be?

In order to make progress and grow toward our true potential, our mindset needs to be in the right place.

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it,” Dr. Clint Rusk reminds cattle producers to think about as they do or don’t collect herd data.

Callahan Grund, a cow-calf producer in Kansas and executive director of CattleTrace discusses traceability and biosecurity, why they matter and some potential solutions being explored.

It’s no secret that rotational grazing is an important practice used by producers to improve the natural resources they have available, but where can you go to get started and what does that first step look like?

Weeds impact the performance of the rest of your forages and can even be detrimental to the health of your livestock if they are poisonous. Here's some strategies cattle producers can use to prevent and control them.

Fixing fences in the spring can be quite a task. Neil Mentzer of Gallagher shares his favorite fencing tips and tools to help make spring fencing tasks easier and ensure cattle stay where they belong.

The grazing season will be here before we know it. Providing water for your herd looks different depending on your grazing system, but there are a few things all producers need to know.

Bull shopping season is upon us and in full swing. It's time to think about the goals of your operation, and which traits need to be improved in your herd to get there faster.

The topic of the labor shortage is not new for any industry, with agriculture as no exception. What would you do with an extra set of hands?

Cattle producers have a unique role of being able to create businesses and communities that excel in all 3 areas of sustainability – economic, environmental and social. How does your operation look in these areas?

You’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into building the cattle operation and business you have today. Have you taken the time to write down your vision and share it with the next generation?

What was the biggest challenge you faced during your last calving season? Here's a few things to consider and have ready for when that first calf hits the ground.

Technology and ranching go together more than one might initially expect. Here's one example where technology helps cattle producers capture herd data.

Who loves winter fencing? Here's a look at some tips and strategies for working around the challenges winter throws at cattle producers when it comes to the not-so-loved winter task.

What’s the reason behind the length of your calving season? When it comes to your improving your bottom line, the length of your calving season may be a good place to start.

Breaking ice on water tanks is often a daily or multiple times per day task this time of year. What water systems do you have on your operation to ensure cattle always have water on the coldest days of winter?

The number one input cost for many cattle operations is feed. While weather conditions often play a huge role in the availability of growing and stored feed sources, producers might have a new alternative.

How do you control the rat and mice population on your place? While they may seem harmless, these rodents, if not controlled, can bring economic and health impacts.

As cattle producers, we can learn something new every day. Considering your goals and what will move the operation forward, what can you learn today for a better tomorrow?

How many steps are in your cattle record-keeping process? Keeping up-to-date records is critical when improving your profitability through breeding stock. However, could extra steps be wasting your time?

By analyzing expenses of your operation and where you spend your time each day, there may be areas to improve to create a more financially sustainable operation.