As you turn out onto the new green grass, keep in mind the potential health implications that come with the decision, and with some mitigation hopefully they are avoided.

With spring upon us or right around the corner, getting cattle off feed and into the pasture is one of the top priorities for many Western producers. Getting our pairs onto pasture means processing and generally branding calves before turnout.

I discovered the Great Divide Basin the year we delivered a few loads of hay to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.

The words “financially stressed,” “weary” and “frustrated” paint a less than cheery picture of the current state of the dairy economy heading into 2024 for producers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Obviously, we want to pair cows with the bull that is going to make the best progeny for our operations goals, but how do you know if that bull will perform? I am sure we all wish we had a crystal ball that could tell us, but we must use the tools that we have available, and that starts with a breeding soundness exam.

With the new year upon us, many producers across the country are looking toward calving season to bring in the new crop of calves. All your tools need to be organized and ready with everyone responsible for assisting trained on how to use them.

With the frigidity of winter comes the realities of needing to continue to manage external parasites of cattle. Regardless of an operation’s size or type, when it’s winter, we’re dealing with lice here in the West.

While many will say they love what they do, as they should, it’s vital to the overall well-being of individuals, families, employees and the industry as a whole that ranchers and farmers take well-earned breaks, regardless of what season that happens in.