With drought conditions common in many parts of the country in recent years, cattle producers often find themselves scrambling for forage. One underutilized forage, tree hay, is gaining traction as an emergency feed for ranchers trying to feed cattle economically.

Successful beef producers maximize available pasture. Planting annual forages is a time-tested way to increase yield per acre for a grazing herd of cattle.

Dogs have been helping humans take care of livestock for thousands of years. Although dogs often perform the essential task of protecting livestock from predators, they have also developed the specialized skills necessary for herding – putting the cattle where they need to be. Several breeds have developed strong instincts related to herding.

With the price of cattle and beef often in flux, wise producers are always looking for ways to build financial resiliency. One way to capture the most value out of cattle is to process them and market the meat directly to customers.