Bayer closed the $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto in early June, making it the largest acquisition in the company’s history. Bayer announced its plans to acquire Monsanto in May 2016 and has been working steadily to complete all requirements for such a large transition.

After years of focusing on the definition of “Waters of the United States (WOTUS),” a new issue is brewing related to the scope of the Clean Water Act.

From pet food, to fast food, to ads in the weekly newspaper, a common trend in the retail world is encouraging bigger and better beef.

Would you buy your next herd sire or feed truck from someone you didn’t trust? I would presume not. People prefer to do business with people they can rely on, respect and trust. There is too much at stake to do business in an environment where you don’t feel comfortable.

TV informercials are very convincing, even to the most ardent skeptic. That new gadget is going to save you time and money for only $19.99 plus shipping and handling. It’s exactly what you need, but the new gadget doesn’t fulfill all its promises.

In addition to heat stress, July is often one of the peak months for horn and face flies. Studies have reported reduced weaning weights of 15 to 20 pounds in herds not controlled for flies.

The grazing season is in full swing and dry conditions persist on some Western ranches. Every dry period results in a different set of circumstances, so a variety of resource (forage, cattle and capital) management options should be considered.

As I look at the current drought monitor map for the week ending May 15, 2018, and compare it to the map for the week ending Feb. 13, 2018, the changes are mixed. Fewer total acres of Oklahoma and Texas are in the drought or abnormally dry categories.

Beef production for 2019 is projected to expand to 27.7 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above 2018. Cattle placements during second-half 2018 and early 2019 are anticipated to be marginally higher, and these cattle will be slaughtered during 2019.

It’s been a few years since we heard from Progressive Cattleman readers in a survey. So this year, we invited readers once again to respond to questions about their herds, operations and production methods. Here’s what they told us.