High cattle prices and good feed availability, coupled with low cow inventories, set up a common conversation around feeding and breeding cull cows.

Allowing cattle to graze into late fall and early winter is crucial to maximizing profits. Stockpiling cool-season forages and growing cover crops for forage present opportunities to extend the grazing season.

Consider a few animal management strategies to mitigate the effects of drought.

While better cattle prices are a relief to many, it is important not to lose sight of the basics.

Proper storage of hay prior to feeding is important to reducing waste, avoiding nutrient loss and maintaining palatability.

With breeding season approaching, let’s look at some areas of focus that could be robbing from conception rates. Some factors that I think deserve discussion are cow condition, cow requirements, lush pastures, timing of vaccinations, lack of heterosis, stress and bull fertility.

I think now is a good time to look at your cattle herd and evaluate crossbreeding.

Investing time in animal handling skills improves the quality of life, safety, health and performance … for both animals and humans.

Although there are year-round management strategies that can impact calving season success, here are some short-term, in-the-moment calving tips for success this year.

We know that not every dystocia can be prevented, but there are some management factors that can help reduce difficult births.