In February, I discussed the benefits of maintaining a controlled calving season to produce an older, heavier and more uniform calf crop, reduce the risk of disease spreading among calves, simplify cow herd vaccination schedules and nutritional programs, and streamline more scheduled labor needs.

Ranchers across the West are looking forward to spring – new calves, warmer temperatures and growing pastures. What ranchers should also be on the lookout for are weeds.

For many operations, spring means it is time to work calves. When working calves and other cattle, it is important to use Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best management practices. Attending an in-person training or going through an online training can be valuable in many ways and can help make the operation more successful.

Why did April 2020 live cattle futures lose $10.675 per hundredweight (cwt) from Friday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Feb. 28? Why did it recover $3.70 per cwt over the next three trading days?

The sentiment is unanimous – among the day-work cowboys anyway, and maybe a few “wanna be” ranchers seeking leased land. “That lady is crazy. There’s plenty of grass on that ranch.”