In the cattle business, there are few things as rewarding as getting weaned calves and newly arrived feeder cattle off to a good start. The first 30–45 days after weaning and/or commingling can set the tone for calves’ lifelong health, performance and profitability. Whether calves are destined to be herd replacements or feeder cattle, they should all be provided with feed that helps them build strong immune systems and grow at a pace that will enhance their production for their entire lives.

Body condition scoring (BCS) is nothing novel, exciting or earth-shattering, but it does pay! It is such a basic concept in the cattle industry that, without meaning to offend anyone, I dare to say it is elementary. However, it is also widely underused.

Rick Machen from the King Ranch Institute addressed a full house at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course when he spoke to attendees about marketing commercial calves. The overarching question he addressed throughout the presentation was “What is a ‘good’ price for my calves and how do I get it?”