This article is part one in a five-part series. Be sure to read “Ranch employees – Recruiting the right kind” in the upcoming January issue.

Is business expansion in your future? Most of us think of expansion as the first way to increase profit. It’s quite common to hear, “Get big or get out.”

The presence of wolves in the Western states has led to many conflicts between wolves and humans, primarily in agricultural communities. As wolf populations rise, there is no doubt that the frequency of these conflicts will increase as well.

Winter grazing patterns or dry lot forage and hay feeding is on the horizon for many cow-calf producers. With pregnancy checking and the necessary culling of open or deficient females completed, the finalized herd is likely in place until calving season.

Here’s a look back at which stories captured the most online attention from readers of Progressive Cattle.

Since the 1800s, Texas has been an open-range state – meaning it is not mandatory for livestock owners to fence in their livestock to prevent them from roaming. Livestock that wanders onto the land belonging to another are not classified as trespassers, and owners are not responsible for any damages caused by the livestock. However, local county ordinances and U.S. state highways may modify the common law.