The beef industry in the U.S. has always been based on producing a high-quality, safe, wholesome product that appeals to the consumer’s palate.

As I put this article together in mid-June, much of the central and eastern Corn Belt is in need of precipitation.

With spring rapidly approaching and the calving season well under way for most, it’s never too early to make decisions to maximize the value of your calf crop.

When analyzing factors that affect profitability on any cow-calf enterprise, terms such as “pregnancy rate” and “calf crop percentage” certainly rise to the forefront.

Back in April when I wrote my last article, feed costs were at all-time record highs and – thankfully – live cattle were fetching unprecedented prices. Since that time, we have seen a slight increase in feed prices while cash cattle have fallen steadily.

When cost of production rises, producers aggressively seek out information and tools that can have a positive influence on their bottom line.