The 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo commenced with a welcome reception and BlackHawk concert on March 17 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The following two days were filled with breakout sessions covering fly control, technology, herd health, immigration law, artificial intelligence (AI) and more.

Resting a pasture for two growing seasons postburn is a common recommendation in the Intermountain West since at least the ’80s. “The question is, ‘Is there a real reason two full years rest are needed after fire?’” says University of Idaho (U of I) area extension range educator K. Scott Jensen. “Can it occur sooner than that without delay or harm to postfire recovery? We wanted to put some science to it.”

Sensor-based soaking delivers cooling when and where cows need it and uses cow activity to drive system response. When nozzles open because a cow is present and close when she leaves, cooling becomes both more effective and more efficient.

For decades, hoof health programs relied on routine schedules and human observation. Cows were trimmed at set points in lactation or flagged by employees who noticed visible signs of lameness.

The genetic direction of your herd is one of the most powerful management decisions you make. As genetics improve, the performance of your herd improves as well.

BVD remains one of the most economically significant infectious diseases affecting cattle worldwide. While many producers vaccinate routinely, the virus can still circulate quietly within herds, reducing performance long before obvious clinical signs appear.

Soil testing helps producers tailor nutrient and pH management across mixed forage systems for healthier stands and stronger yields.

Seedstock producers are often faced with the challenge of preparing their young bulls for a sale and having those animals ready to go to work for their customers. There is a lot of truth to the old adage “fat sells.” Bulls that are underconditioned are viewed as higher-risk and of lower value than those that carry more muscle and cover.