There was a time when targeting the Choice grade seemed like a lofty goal. But as the song goes, the times, they are a-changin’.

For the industry to remain profitable, input costs must be reduced. This statement was shared by a cattleman at a conference I attended years ago. The source? A cattleman’s journal from the late 1800s.

Thanks to our Creator and the tilt of the Earth, winter is just starting to think about leaving us here on the Northern Plains. When summer finally comes, we can look back on the memories of this time and reminisce, with the warm breeze on our face while sipping a cool iced tea. Unsweetened, of course, because if you want sugar in your drink this far north, you have to order a pop.

It’s hard to count the number of wonderful things that come along with calving season: sleepless nights, spring storms, frozen ears (yours and the calves), endless chores, mean mamas, and the list goes on and on. And while in the trenches, it can seem like haying season would be a glorious break. Calving is the point at which the reproductive clock is reset for the next year within your cow herd.

Learn more about the metrics that matter in farming and ranching businesses. Without clear metrics, it’s close to impossible to determine if your farm or ranch is thriving, floundering, or falling somewhere in between, but it can be tricky to determine exactly what those metrics should be as well as how to analyze them. If you’re looking for tips on how to best measure your agricultural operation’s progress, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading, and grab paper and a pen – you’re going to want to take notes.