The dry period is a time of rest and relaxation for the dairy cow. While her body continues to finish growing a calf, other organs are recovering from the lactation that has just been completed and preparing for another year of milk production.

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.

By optimizing nutrition, maintaining optimal rumen health, utilizing genetics and breeding strategies, and focusing on good cow comfort and management practices, producers can significantly improve milkfat production.

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. 

It’s no secret that reproductive success is the most influential factor determining profitability in beef production. If a cow doesn’t produce a live calf, the operator is left holding the bag of her annual production cost without an opportunity for a return.

Beef producers continually search for ways to improve their operations and bottom lines. One tool worthy of consideration is creep feeding calves.

Millions of cows around the world consume diets that have been formulated as optimally as possible.