To background or not to background, that seems to be the age-old question. It can be hard to look at the high cattle prices and justify backgrounding your calves instead of sending them to the sale barn after weaning. But everything is relative.

Emerging technologies in pheromone application are enhancing the stress management scene in cattle production. Traditionally, stress reduction has been recognized under the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) umbrella of effective stockmanship.

What are the hidden effects of heat stress on animals, what threats does it pose to the sustainability of the U.S. meat industry and what can be done to mitigate these effects?

Squeeze chutes, alleys, tubs or Bud boxes may be decades old or brand-new, but all remain the greatest defense against chaos and bring their level of safety and order to the handling process.

Guardian dogs are bred to protect sheep, goats or cattle from predators. Learn which dog breeds excel as guardians, what their jobs entail and why jennies and some llamas are effective as guardian animals.

We all know the drill. Inbound calves arrive and we might treat a random animal that arrived ill. Then things are pretty calm … until about day 21. Then it all breaks loose. Animals that had escaped scrutiny suddenly appear quite ill, or worse, at death’s door.

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.

No matter if you’re hauling a few miles down the road or a long haul across state lines, paying attention to key transportation principles is essential for getting cattle there safely and in good condition.

Estrus synchronization is a powerful tool to help tighten calving windows, incorporate superior genetics and improve long-term herd efficiency. But even with the right protocol, results can fall short if the fundamentals aren’t in place.