Progressive Cattle

All they’re cracked up to be

The folks at Lazy JB Angus know there’s more to producing quality cattle than looking good in a show ring.

February 7, 2023

Kathi Creamer remembers it like it was yesterday – the moment she knew she’d found her life’s calling. She was 9 years old, following her 4-H club as they made their rounds of the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

Breaking down the components of pre-breeding exams

While visual evaluations of potential replacement heifers help disqualify those with obvious physical limitations, pre-breeding examinations including pelvic measurements and reproductive tract scoring can clarify exactly where the quality lies.

February 7, 2023

Bruce Derksen

For cow-calf producers, it’s impossible to determine which of their heifers will become their most profitable long-term females simply by eyeballing them over the fence.

What are indexes, and when should you use them?

When selecting breeding stock, producers often ignore information such as $ Index value simply because they don’t understand the data. When used in concert with EPDs, these indexes can help determine different animals’ true reproductive value.

February 7, 2023

Randie Culbertson and Patrick Wall

In bull selection, indexes and EPDs are often used as an either/or type of question: “Do I use indexes when I select bulls, or do I stick with EPDs because our operation focuses on _____?” Without a doubt, the answer is always: “Use both.”

Reducing disease risk on a cow-calf operation

Many cow-calf operations are considered closed herds and only bring new animals onto the property with the addition of new herd sires. However, with any new addition, the greater the risk for disease and the need for biosecurity.

February 6, 2023

Lisa Pederson

Many diseases enter our herds when we acquire new animals and commingle them with our herd. In a cow-calf operation, this often occurs with the addition of new herd sires, replacement females or calves you intend to graft on a cow who lost her calf.

2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program regional winners announced

February 6, 2023

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized seven of the nation’s top cattle operations as Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) regional winners for their environmental conservation efforts during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans on Feb. 1.

South Dakota cattleman becomes new NCBA president

February 6, 2023

Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota native, cow-calf producer and cattle feeder, became the new NCBA president during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, held Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in New Orleans.

2023 Beef Quality Assurance award winners announced

February 6, 2023

The National BQA Awards annually recognize outstanding beef producers, marketers and educators.

Not-so-new autonomous equipment

February 6, 2023

Erica Louder

Sorry, Case, you must do better to impress the 4-year-old farm video critic. The 20th century technology of four-wheel drive has your state-of-the-art autonomous technology beat in my little guy's eyes.

South-Central: Calf visual eartag considerations

February 6, 2023

Jason Banta

Identification of calves makes it easier to monitor them to ensure they are doing well and to check on any that might be sick or have some type of problem.

West: Scours – dealing with it now, preventing it later

February 6, 2023

Meranda Small

As we patiently wait for the turn of the season, producers will continue to keep a watchful eye on young calf health, especially regarding scours.

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