It’s no secret: Feed has always accounted for, by far, the biggest production expense of beef cattle production.

Rumen health is the cornerstone of a successful cow-calf operation, impacting calf health, maternal performance, feed utilization and, ultimately, economic profitability.

We all use the term crude protein to describe nutritional value without much thought about it, as if crude protein were something that has been around forever, like pi or I Love Lucy.

For years I’ve recommended a very simple diet for ewes in their lambing jugs: a few pounds of alfalfa pellets in a tray hanging on the side of the pen. Nutritious, convenient and waste-free.

As we roll into the new year, one thing is on almost every rancher’s mind: calving season. For those who calve in January and February, the rapid changes in temperature may play a role in calf sickness and growth.

While failures of the immune system are often seen, little is taken into account of what the immune system requires and if it is getting what it needs from the digestive system of the animal.

This is quickly shaping up to be a year that all cattle producers, both big and small, won’t forget any time soon. As sale barns across the country begin to crush previous record highs in calf prices, the decision to keep or sell the 2023 calf crop will be weighing heavy on every producer’s mind.

The transition from summer to fall can bring tremendous uncertainty for beef cattle producers. The shorter day length not only signals the coming cooler weather, but also the end of the growing season for most forages, especially warm-season grasses. 

Ranching brings rewards, but it’s not all “sunshine and rainbows.” With drought and high input costs in the balance, it takes sharp management decisions to keep black ink on the bottom line.