Inbreeding is defined as the mating of related individuals. In the broadest sense, all animals within a certain breed are somewhat related.

The ability to focus intently is often a worthwhile and productive tool for one seeking improvement. However, when it comes to genetic selection – whether that focus is on calving ease or weaning weight – that intense focus can often have unintended, and sometimes disastrous consequences.

Commercial cattlemen are continually encouraged by university beef cattle specialists to use expected progeny differences (EPDs) when purchasing herd sires to help ensure they buy the animal that fits their breeding plans and ranch environment. EPDs are a useful tool for identifying bulls that will likely produce the desired type of calves.

Genomics technology in the beef industry has rapidly advanced over the last decade. It is sometimes difficult for animal scientists, much less the average beef producer, to keep current on the latest genomics technology on the market.

Cattle genetics are no longer just the focus of the registered breeder. Every producer strives to constantly enhance their herd each generation to make increasingly better cows that will produce more offspring at a better weaning rate with increased sale weights and that live longer.

To some, a rancher and a range conservationist could be considered “night and day,” but are these two groups of people really that different?

As a beef producer, you have been instructed many times to body condition score (BCS) your cow herd.

Are distillers grains with solubles (DGS) a “byproduct” of the ethanol production process or are they a “co-product?” This is more than just semantics, and it matters for your feeding operation.

For most producers, spring parasite management is always at the top of the “to-do” list. Parasites are at their prime when the weather starts warming up and, as such, producers nationwide take steps to minimize associated performance losses.