Regardless of what part of the country you occupy, winter comes with its own set of challenges. Whether it's the abundance of cold, precipitation or mud, there is plenty to dislike.

Keeping records is a fundamental part of ranch management that often gets relegated to a dingy notebook or a shoebox of receipts. However, successful ranch managers know that in order to cut costs, save money and take the best care of animals, crops and equipment, meticulous record-keeping is key. As has been said before, "You can't manage what you don't know."

As the seasons turn, so does a rancher's wardrobe. When the sun comes out, so do the sunglasses and cowboy hats. When the rain and the snow – or irrigation season – arrives, out come the Bogs and insulated gloves.

As fall approaches, most spring-calving herds are approaching weaning season. For calves, weaning can be more or less traumatizing depending on how it is handled by producers.