The 2010 Beef Financial Management Conference, cosponsored by Frazer Frost, LLP, now Frost, PLLC, Great Plains Ag Credit, and Commodity Risk Management, was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo, Texas on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

January 2011 will be the first regular monthly edition of Progressive Cattleman. The Progressive Cattleman staff is working to prepare the best editorial, relevant information and most innovative advertising options in the business.

Except for a brief retreat in early October, corn, soybean, and wheat prices were in a steady uptrend from June 30 through Nov. 9. December 2010 corn futures increased about 70 percent, while January 2011 soybean futures and July 2011 wheat futures increased about 50 percent.

Feed typically accounts for 60 percent of the total yearly cost of cow ownership according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

‘Tis the season: weaning time. This month we’ll address on-the-farm weaning rations. The biggest hurdle in getting calves started off right in the fall is the weather. That’s one reason to consider early weaning and subsequent backgrounding. If calves get through the stressful process of weaning from their dam and onto feed ahead of the annual fall 35 degree rain, they have a good chance at success.

A common marketing claim is the source and age verification of calves. As producers gather cattle to go to market, they have the option to provide documentation to a third-party verifier that their calves are eligible to be source and age verified. Seems simple, and many producers are offering their calves as sourced and aged.

MT. VERNON, Mo. -- Fall breeding soundness exams done on 95 bulls in Cassville, Miller, Billings and Aurora revealed that 10 (or 10.5 percent), would not do well at getting cows or heifers bred if turned out on that day.

The 2010 Northern International Livestock Exposition held Oct. 12 to 18 in Billings, Montana, lived up to its motto, "Preserving and Embracing the Western Lifestyle," perhaps more than any previous year in spite of some obstacles presented by Mother Nature months prior to the conference.

BRYAN, Texas – A Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist has forecasted continued strength in cattle prices heading into 2011, but has warned to keep a watchful eye on the corn supply.

At its 36th Annual Bull, Female and Quarter Horse Sale held Oct. 13 in Throckmorton, Texas, the R. A. Brown Ranch continued to offer the innovative value-added incentives to its seedstock customers for which it is well noted.