As we near the feedlot fall run and cow-calf producers market their calves at the highest prices received to date, every additional pound of gain has greater profit potential.

Understanding and identifying genetic mutations allows beef producers to make breeding decisions that avoid producing cattle affected by those mutations. Working toward that goal, researchers have spent years studying genomics, identifying mutations and developing tests to help producers make those decisions.

Crossbreeding to beef sires is a powerful management tool at the dairy farmer's disposal using superior sexed dairy semen for heifers and beef semen for cows. This combination can significantly impact a herd's genetics and overall net return.

When most ranchers describe unforgiving conditions, they often think of high-mountain cattle or those hunkering down for a long, drawn-out winter.

The American Simmental Association presented the Golden Book Award to Hart Simmentals of Frederick, South Dakota, at the ASA’s Fall Focus event Aug. 26 in Denver. Recipients of the Golden Book Award are recognized for being lifelong promoters of the Simmental breed.

“Male sexed semen is an opportunity to capture value,” said Kansas State University's Ken Odde, who also helps manage a family cow-calf ranch in South Dakota. “The opportunity’s greater when the price spread between steers and heifers is significant.”

Breeding Simmental and SimAngus cattle is the passion for Stephens Beef Cattle, a family-owned operation located in Ewing, Kentucky. The business was started in 1997 by Jeff and Angie Stephens, and their two children and son-in-law now partake in daily operations.

Jennifer Redd Westfall is owner and operator of Redd Ranches based in Colorado. The family runs a Red Angus-based seedstock operation that also incorporates Angus, Simmental and Gelbvieh genetics. Jennifer oversees the registered herd and is actively involved in the day-to-day ranch management.

TRAFALGAR, Ind. - Six years ago, Thomas Burgett, a third generation farmer and a sergeant with the Indiana State Police, noticed that the 100-year-old family farm was struggling financially and experiencing significant soil erosion and fertility issues. This directly affected the rate of gain within the cattle herd, so a family decision was made to switch to rotational grazing in an effort to practice more regenerative agricultural methods. The results have boosted the productivity and sustainability of the land and the animals while providing a new path forward for the Burgett Farm.