Anniversaries. Whether it’s five years, 20 years or 50 years, they give us an opportunity to reflect and refocus – and that’s exactly what happened at the 50th anniversary of the Beef Improvement Federation.

Coleman and John Locke are fifth- and sixth-generation members of the J.D. Hudgins family. The father/son team operates one of the seven divisions of J.D. Hudgins Inc., a 110-year-old Brahman ranch on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Wanted: ranch hand $25,000 salary Housing provided Cow-calf experience required

Decisions. Should I plant low-lignin alfalfa? Can I afford to hire another employee? Can I not afford to hire another employee? Should I buy the neighboring property? Can I justify a new rake? What about a hay barn? Is it time for me to sell out?

A man is talking to the family doctor. “Doc,” he says, “I think my wife’s going deaf.”

A 10 percent calf crop – just the thought can make even the toughest rancher cringe. Although it sounds like a nightmare or a poorly managed cow herd, it’s actually what some Western ranchers are battling due to a tick-transmitted disease commonly referred to as “foothill abortion” or epizootic bovine abortion.

By the lack of people in attendance during the “Interactive strategies for engaging with federal agencies” session of NCBA Cattlemen’s College in Phoenix, one could assume many ranchers feel it’s a lot like waiting for rain in a drought – hopeless.

As the piston moves on its first downward stroke, the intake valve opens to allow a mixture of fuel and air to fill the combustion chamber. Once the valve closes and the piston moves upward, the fuel-air mixture is compressed, causing it to combust.

According to Art Douglas, CattleFax meteorology analyst, La Nina is to blame for drought conditions impacting about two-thirds of the U.S. “But as we move toward the summer, things are going to start easing up,” he told NCBA attendees in Phoenix.