The 21-day cortisol surge in stressed cattle is a common problem that costs the combined beef and dairy sectors millions of dollars annually in mortality, morbidity, drug and labor costs, and impaired efficiencies in animals. And, yet, this inescapable reality is poorly understood and seldom planned for in producer protocols.

John Smith and his wife, Laura Laing, recipients of Alberta’s 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award, are the third generation on their 450-head cow-calf operation west of Nanton, Alberta. John’s maternal grandparents, John and Shirley Hay, started the ranch in 1959.

A hundred head of recently weaned calves wandered the downtown streets of Boise, Idaho, on the first cold morning of October. Steam rolled off their backs, a mass of tipped-over trash cans behind them. A tightly packed alley of wandering souls staring blankly into a haze of flashlights and headlights. A cacophony of chaos filled with the rumble of lowing calves rising into the crisp morning air.

Cowboys and farmers tend to emphasize the differences between pasture and range, but when we bring it back to the plant level, there are more similarities than differences.

As an extension agent here in Virginia, I have the privilege of working with some of the best cattle producers around. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with raising cattle – from health and genetics to markets and handling.

The way calves are managed during the backgrounding phase can greatly influence cattle performance down the road.

Successful beef producers work cattle with tried-and-true strategies during hot, muggy summers. Innovative methods, such as working early in the morning or at night, can prevent excessive heat loads in cattle.

Located in Glade Spring, Virginia, is a cattle operation that stands as a testament to hard work, adaptability and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle business. CH Cattle Company, owned and operated by Craig Hammond, is a livestock dealer, buying and selling thousands of cattle each year.

Abby speaks with T.R. Lansford, Texas Animal Health Commission, about the threat of New World screwworm and Tyrell talks with Dawn Hnatow from Cattle Up Stockmanship about ways to reduce stress on livestock and workers. Stay tuned for Paul's branding and and David's fence building stories.

Large and small contributions build the beef industry’s success. Some of these contributors are more well known than others, but each adds their own unique strengths.