Dealing with the heat was in the news recently as many cattle producers and feedlots in the Great Plains states, specifically Kansas, lost cattle due to extreme heat in June.

Whether directly or indirectly, heat stress typically results in decreased performance in our herd.

Extreme heat and humidity make for dangerous situations on cattle operations and can cause heat stress, cattle sickness and even death, in extreme cases. Heat management in your cattle operation should always remain a top concern.

The ruminant digestive system is as complex as it is important to beef and dairy production. Understanding how the gastrointestinal (GI) tract functions, how it contributes to overall ruminant health and what to do when it’s compromised are critical to the success of your herd. After all, a healthier GI tract helps improve performance, prevent leaky gut and mitigate stress — all of which lead to healthier cows and profits.

The cost of heat stress, it's a losing proposition.

Don’t get caught off guard by the summer heat as the transition from spring to summer can be fast and furious. The rapid change in heat and humidity can put increased stress on cattle.

As someone born and raised in the Midwest, whenever I visit ranches in the South, it continues to amaze me how cattle adapt to the environment they live in.

The full swing of summer will bring high temperatures, high humidity and high chances of heat stress.

Imagine it’s early morning on a warm summer day, a delightful pastoral scene. You see a herd of cattle grazing hungrily through a lush green field of alfalfa or white clover.

Calving season brings the joy of newborns on the farm. Managing the health and development of these calves encompasses many different factors but one nutrient that is often overlooked, or taken for granted, is water. Whether you are running a cow-calf farm on pasture or are raising deacon calves, water plays an essential role in a calf’s development which in turn affects their overall health and wellbeing.