Most Progressive Cattleman readers retained ownership of their calves in order to increase profit.

Although analysts project cattle prices to be lower than 2016 for year-over-year averages, several factors are poised to have a significant effect on 2017 cattle and beef markets and may change current price expectations.

It wasn’t our first choice to calve our heifers in January, but some things can’t be helped. It’s a risk to calve in January, especially in Idaho. But to calve in January in Idaho during a 30-year storm – well, that is downright stupid.

In an unexpected move, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday, Jan. 13, to grant the cert petition for the industry coalition lawsuit challenging the EPA on its “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.

As producers anticipate a new calf crop, they continue to consider the needs of their livestock. This includes castration of bull calves. So when is the best time to castrate?

For the first time in several years, on average, cow-calf producers are projected to have a negative net return. What does that mean, and what can be done about it?

“Why do you hang on to your calves?” the beef economist asked cow herd owners in the room. Scott Brown answered his own question: “Because their price is going up. Right?”

When beef herd profit margins shrink, the losses from grazing toxic tall fescue gain attention. Convincing cow herd owners to eradicate their old fescue and plant new novel-endophyte fescue is difficult in the best of times. Now, the case will be remade by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal.

With the recent fall of cattle prices, producers everywhere are looking for ways to make extra money from their quality beef. Jimmy Taylor, who runs roughly 12,000 acres of leased and owned ground with a herd of approximately 600 cattle near Cheyenne, Oklahoma, collects premiums on carcass quality by focusing on genetics to produce top-grade beef.

Most Progressive Cattleman readers need two crew members to get through calving season.