As one season wanes and another somehow, almost imperceptibly, creeps into my consciousness and then into my reality, I’m often given to moments of reflection. First of all, especially in the transition from summer to autumn, I’m quite often rudely reminded by the weather and the ever-shortening days that there remains a very long list of things I failed to get done over the summer.

It was a dreary April day this past spring in western Wisconsin. I spent the afternoon driving back from a cattle event, heading right to another community commitment I had that evening. That’s where I got the dreaded text, “Looks like 048 is calving.”

For Deer Creek Ranch, a 1,200-head cow-calf operation spread across 24,000 acres of leased land and 21,000 acres of deeded land, productive success builds on a healthy ecosystem where wildlife thrives alongside livestock.

Proper planning and sound implementation are critical to making beef-on-dairy programs work, and the results can improve overall farm income and can complement the dairy operation as a whole.

Winter weather brings cold temperatures and severe conditions that create various workplace hazards. While snow and ice are inevitable, injuries are not. Being proactive with a comprehensive winter safety plan is essential to ensure the safety of all workers.

Several years ago, Lynn Jaynes, the now-retired editor of this publication, asked writers to share three things that might make a great gift idea for the “mechanic who had everything.”

Cattle prices are at historic highs, making management of the cow herd investment more critical than ever. A lot of focus is put on developing heifers, rebreeding the 2- and 3-year-old cows, delivering a uniform, healthy calf crop to the next segment of the industry, or managing cull cows. Rightly so, as all these topics are important to the overall financial success of the beef cattle operation.

It was a big year for the forage harvesting industry, with both John Deere and Claas unveiling new series this summer. Several operators across southern Idaho had the opportunity to demo these machines while on tour in September.

Whether you’re pursuing a new opportunity or responding to a crisis, financial resilience provides a healthy foundation for thriving amid uncertainty. With a solid vision and goals, a clear view of your organization’s value and a plan to address risk – your business can be ready for just about anything.