Many cattle production tasks demand extensive labor and time commitments, resulting in large money investments.

A recent USDA cattle behavior-based grant focused on beef production decentralization, especially among small farmers.

With increasing prices affecting every aspect of daily life, finding ways to save money without compromising quality is essential.

Drench guns are indispensable tools on livestock operations when administering oral dewormers or liquid medications. As with other tools on a cattle operation, it is important to know how to use these appropriately and maintain them.

Have a livestock management concern? No doubt someone is working on tech to address it.

U.S.-based beef cattle operations face unique challenges ranging from labor and time shortages to water source and feeding management issues. More than ever, technology is confronting these obstacles.

The usage of technology has also been utilized in the beef industry, such as with RFID tags, genomic testing and robotics. The newest technology to enter the ring is artificial intelligence (AI), which is continuing to develop for the use of facial recognition in cattle, which is being implemented, and which can contribute to a national disease animal traceability program with a developing app called CattleTracs.

E-ID tags can be a great tool for cattle producers looking for a simpler way to track data and automate inventory. They also come at a cost – around $1 to $3 or more per tag depending on the type, size and volume purchased.

The use of virtual fence technology using GPS collars with the ability to provide audio and electrical cues may offer an economical management tool to strategically graze areas based on specific land and livestock management objectives.

As muddy spring weather approaches, it is more important than ever to make sure your ranch is prepared. Spring is a season of growth and renewal, and on a cattle ranch, it marks the beginning of another busy season filled with newborn calves, preparing the fields and fixing fences to prepare for cattle to go to pasture.