Starting feedlot cattle correctly is one of the most important parts of the entire feeding program. A feedlot animal is being asked to make a major transition: from pasture, backgrounding or a previous management system into a high-energy, tightly managed environment where rapid weight gain is the goal.

By the time the corn silage is covered and the last acres of sunflowers are combined, the pace at Feikema Farms hardly slows. Located in Rock County in southwest Minnesota, the operation feeds roughly 4,000 head of cattle while cropping nearly 6,000 acres, a scale that reflects decades of steady growth and careful decision-making.

Todd Miller of Head Honchos talks with Tyrell Marchant about H-2A programs, and Abby George joins Joe Paschal, Texas A&M University, to discuss New World screwworm and whether it's if it comes or when it comes. The podcast team chats about beef prices and the best Western movie actors.

Beef-on-dairy cattle and native beef animals often require different health and nutrition protocols when entering the feedlot. Knowing your cattle and their source can prevent a lot of headaches when in receiving and feeding.

Playing markets and feeding calves without the foundation of a program is like taking the family on a road trip without planning your destination, fuel stops, alternate routes or snacks for the kids.

Chasing cattle production perfection is a commendable goal, but could it be too costly and unrealistic for some operations? Will aiming for “good enough” help balance expenses, resources and challenges such as weather and market shifts?

Collecting and recording cattle health and production data is a worthwhile endeavor, but even more important than where to store it is ensuring it’s of high quality. To meet this standard, it should be confirmed, useful and actionable for producers and experts alike to deliver the right information at the right time.

Typically, feeder cattle concentrations have shifted north from Kansas and Texas into states such as Iowa and Nebraska in the summer months; however, the industry has seen new movement beginning earlier this year.

One of the most notable recent feedlot trends has been the trend toward finishing heavier animals, a practice that has contributed to increased profits but has also introduced new challenges and potential concerns.