It was a fairly nice day for Cut Bank in early April. A little breeze blowin’ off the reservation, the sun about the color of skimmed milk and the creek startin’ to show the runoff.

What exactly are expected progeny differences (EPDs) and what information do they really offer producers? Genetic specialists Alison Van Eenennam from the University of California – Davis and Matt Spangler from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln teamed up for the first of four webinars focused on beef genetics that were sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and eBEEF team.

Some people breathe easy on the beach, in the mountains or at the spa. I breathe easy when I step off the plane in Texas.

The April 1 inventory of feedlots with over 1,000-head capacity was 11.729 million head, up 7.4 percent from last year. This report was very close to pre-report estimates and contained no surprises. Feedlot marketings in March were 96.1 percent of last year, just about even with last year considering that there was one less March business day in 2018 compared to one year ago. March placements were 90.7 percent of last year. While close to expectations, this placement number is significant because it breaks a string of 12 consecutive months of year-over-year placement increases.

When you look back in the past 10 to 15 years at the data trends, Choice-graded beef has been on the rise.

A growing number of farmers and ranchers are raising grass-finished beef using high-quality forages that facilitate good gain and finish without grain, creating a healthier meat product.

In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in baleage production in the Southeast. Baleage, or high-moisture forage baled and ensiled at 40 to 60 percent moisture, may provide an alternative source of stored high-quality forage during the winter months compared with traditional hay feeding systems.

Current culture focuses on success. Topics ranging from successful parenting to business success to a successful marriage fill our headlines. What is success? Money, fame, power?

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to update its branding requirements for cattle entering the U.S. from Mexico.

Many producers in the Southeast tend to avoid it or not make the effort. Maybe you are the exception as the progressive cattlemen you are.