Developing replacement heifers is one of the most expensive aspects of a cow-calf operation. Eliminating heifers that may not be successful cows early in the development process reduces costs.

Fall and early winter forage can be limited in some parts of the U.S. In addition, backgrounding of calves on pasture can be an integral part of a feeder calf development and marketing program.

Winter weather can cause stress on cattle. A proper understanding of the amount of stress caused by different weather conditions, as well as the strategies used to mitigate that stress, is key for a healthy cow herd and a successful winter.

Feed is expensive, but you may be surprised by which feeds provide the best value for a given nutrient. Producers should always put the pencil to a ration, but it is critical in times when feed prices are high and feed supply is short. This article describes a process that should be used to determine the value of a feed when you particularly need energy or protein to balance a ration.

The nutritional needs of cows increase by 25 percent to 35 percent after calving compared to late gestation. For many producers, this postpartum period comes at a time when they are still feeding stored forages.