As I write this editorial in my hotel room, my boots are off, my feet are up – and if I was wearing a Fitbit, I am certain I would have exceeded the day’s recommended 10,000 steps with more planned tomorrow.

Three minutes was all it took. Three minutes and my groceries were purchased, loaded in my trunk and I was pulling out of the Walmart parking lot. Now, for those of you that do the shopping, you know a quick trip to Walmart – even at self-checkout – can take much, much longer.

Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, shared an optimistic industry outlook with producers during the National Cattlemen’s Association 2021 Winter Reboot virtual event, held on Feb. 24.

“Beef demand to me is a good story,” said Kevin Good during the outlook session of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association’s Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot held virtually on Feb. 24.

In a recent Progressive Cattle online reader poll, we asked, “Which issue surrounding the beef industry are you most concerned about?” Of the choices listed, environmental policy changes and fake meat were the most selected at 35.6% and 23.8%. Other options included the beef supply chain, international trade and exports, antibiotic restrictions, tax changes and “other.”

Most ranchers would admit they have a love-hate relationship with calving season, and each year seems to come with its own set of challenges.