With the hottest part of summer upon us, high daily temperatures and humidity can cause heat stress to grazing cattle, especially cattle grazing endophyte-infected (toxic) tall fescue.

In Part 1 of this article published in the August 2017 issue of Progressive Cattleman, we evaluated the biological efficiency of beef cows with different mature weights and peak milk production when calves were sold at weaning.

Current feed and fertilizer prices have moderated relative to the highs five to 10 years ago, resulting in reduced input costs for cow-calf producers. But current cattle prices have decreased significantly compared to the highs three years ago, putting the financial squeeze on cattle producers again.

Growth-promoting implants are the most cost-effective management practice available to cattle producers in all sectors of the industry. Implanted cattle typically have improved weight gains of 5, 15 and 20 percent in nursing calves, stocker cattle and feedlot cattle, respectively, with a typical cost of approximately $2 per head.

Increasing numbers of fed cattle are marketed using grid-based pricing systems where premiums and discounts are paid based on USDA quality and yield grades.

Starting a new cattle business is a large undertaking with considerable financial risk. Feed is one of the largest variable expenses in every phase of beef cattle production, accounting for 70 percent of all variable expenses.