Ranchers learn the cooperative way to survive ESA enforcement Regulations. Rules. Restrictions. For ranchers dealing with government agencies, it may feel like those are the reigning powers.

Most producers know the usual amount of rainfall in their area, but doing a soil test in the fall can help identify deficiencies before spring. Preparing the soil for seeding should come next.

What you can’t see is costing the industry millions Recently, a local cattleman when asked, “What kind of dewormer program do you use?” said, “Well, I haven’t had a strategy in a while.

As I sit here writing, Winter Storm Helena has just brought much-needed moisture to the drought-stricken southern Appalachian region. While these rains are a welcome sight for our pastures, wet conditions lead to horn fly propagation as well.

We recently finished up the first round of pre-calving shots to the bred cows here on Withington Creek, and Mother Nature has provided less- than-ideal cow-working conditions.

Marbling is the intramuscular fat that accounts for juiciness and flavor in cooked beef. This beef quality variable has received long-standing attention from the beef cattle industry and the animal science community. Consequently, much has been written about factors that influence marbling score.

I’m sure you’ve read about the VFD. It’s kind of like BVD, bovine viral diarrhea, only VFD is a disease of the bureaucracy. In my opinion, it’s just another in a long line of regulations to fix something that wasn’t broke.

Well, I’ve got another mess on my hands. It’s not life-threatening, but it’s going to be a real joy to clean up. On top of the responsibility to clean up this mess, I have the extra burden of guilt that so often accompanies the scourge of procrastination.

I like a pickup that looks like a truckAnd not like a tropical fish.Or a two-ton poodle with running lightsOr a mutant frog on a leash.