A Wyoming family uses clarity, communication and business discipline to build a ranch the next generation wants to come back to.

Protein is one of the most expensive nutrients in a dairy ration on a per-unit basis, and it is also one of the easiest places to lose money when diets are not balanced precisely.

Idaho has a new top ag commodity: beef cattle. Livestock sector gains led Idaho farmgate cash receipts to a second consecutive all-time high in 2025. Net farm income is forecast to see a small year-over-year increase, with livestock sector gains outweighing losses in the crop sector.

Pricing of feeder calves is based on weight as well as their expected future performance. Feedlot owners and managers are tracing superior as well as inferior animals to the previous owners, and future bids depend on animal quality.

“The ag community is all suffering. We all know this,” says Brandon Vining, president of ProGro Agronomy in St. Anthony. Agronomic outcomes differed by region, but low commodity prices and high input costs have most producers (outside of the beef industry) tightening their belts and hoping for better times.

Fertilizer prices have eased since the 2022 spike, but for most farmers, they still feel painfully high.

Bull buying strategies are a critical component of success for cow-calf producers across Canada. With operations ranging from small family farms to large-scale commercial enterprises, an important question must be asked: Do purchasing tactics differ depending on the size of the farm or ranch?

Crop prices are volatile, and for many producers, the market price at harvest in 2025 was below their cost of production. While no one has a crystal ball, a producer with a basic marketing plan can take steps to mitigate their price risk and increase their chances of long-term profitability.

For those considering growing their beef cattle herd, quick wins and day-to-day details may be extremely tempting to pursue. But like most things in life, it’s important to look well beyond the immediate. Expansion may have different meanings for different operations.