Ranches are dynamic biological systems where numerous things interact with one another in the “whole” of the ranch. This makes decision-making for ranch managers challenging, as often the interaction of multiple factors needs to be considered in order to achieve a desired outcome. It also makes identifying the actual results of a decision difficult, as dynamic factors can mask the true cause and effect of a decision.

The verdict is in – an open cow is among the top three financial liabilities for cow-calf operators. Calf sales are the largest contributor to annual income; cows that fail to wean a calf are a financial burden borne by the productive cows.

For ranching families, it is common for their household expenditures to be included in their operating budget and loan. With that, household budgets need to be managed differently for ranch families than for families who don’t utilize operating loans.

It’s time to talk more about controlling replacement costs from the perspective of the cow-calf enterprise.

Researchers suggest utilizing growth-promoting implant technologies for cattle marketed live and taking advantage of branded programs like NHTC that may benefit grid-based marketing schemes.

With drought plaguing much of the West and herd dispersals happening in affected areas, the industry is posed for a possible repeat. “So, let’s make sure we’re learning from the past,” Ross Bronson told viewers in a webinar hosted by Redd Summit Advisors.

The end of the year can also be a great time to reflect on what happened this past year and to reevaluate how tasks are done. I encourage you to focus on the now and recent past to improve the future of your operation.

Livestock producers can enhance success by identifying and exploiting their competitive advantage in relation to their competition.