For producers who grow up on a family operation with the expectation of taking the reins one day, day-to-day ranch life may seem solidly based on common sense and logic – and includes an innate skill set that comes as natural as riding a bike.

“It’s important to note John Wayne never made a movie about rotational grazing. There’s nothing sexy about it,” said Brent Fry at the 2017 Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association convention in Fort Smith.

Most Progressive Cattleman readers do not graze on public land.

Nobody likes surprises. Neither the runt calf that looks like a baby deer at delivery nor the late-night calf pull is ideal. No one wants those issues. It’s stressful, time-consuming and can be very costly.

With regions across the country experiencing drought conditions for consecutive years, and high hay prices this past spring, many producers chose to integrate forage annuals into their crop rotations or plan to integrate cover crops this fall to expand their grazing season either into the fall or early spring months.

As fall begins, the drought monitor suggests much of the West is still dry, and conditions in some parts are worsening. With hay in short supply, concern for cost-effectively acquiring fall feed supplies has intensified.

Unfortunately, drought and abnormally dry conditions have continued for much of the South Central region, and with these conditions come questions about nitrate toxicity.

Weaning season is a critical time of the year as cattle producers prepare calves for the next stage of production. Through proper weaning practices, large- and small-scale producers can maximize the performance and value of their calves, whether as stockers, feeders or replacement heifers.

Oklahoma feeder cattle prices averaged nearly 4 percent above one year ago in the first week of August, with calf prices increasing from the previous week. Feeder prices are holding strong despite continued growth in feeder cattle supplies. Combined Oklahoma feeder auction totals have averaged 13 percent higher year over year since early July.

Cow-calf operations today are much like the Wild West of the cattle industry – operating with little direction and few rules. Sure, there are some broad guidelines for things that must be done, but in general, the rules are pretty limited. Each producer manages his or her herd and raises cattle as he or she sees fit.