Building immunity in feedlot cattle requires a holistic focus that begins long before an animal reaches the feedlot. The foundation of immune function starts in the cow-calf herd, where the right combination of maternal nutrition and vaccination program sets calves up for lifelong health and productivity.

Christmas is a special time of year, filled with sharing memories of Christmases past and spending time with friends and family. Progressive Cattle staff and a few of our regular contributors share Christmas memories that have a special place in their hearts.

As we celebrate the Christmas season, let’s not forget that light will always overcome darkness. Let’s try to illuminate that light for our fellow travelers on life’s unpredictable road. Appreciate and seek the one whose birth we honor this time of year, the one who would leave the 99 to find the one.

Join the Progressive Cattle editors in a discussion about the candidates for USDA secretary; hear Scott Wright, director of the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence at University of Saskatchewan, talk about the facility’s research and mission in beef production; and listen in to our editors' memories of Christmas.

Fall is a wonderful season for agriculture and a time to, hopefully, reap the bounty of the year’s production.

Sustainability seems to be the word of the decade lately, especially in the agriculture industry.