For ranchers, a fire moving through pasture can feel like total loss – fences down, damaged infrastructure, forage gone and livestock stressed or injured. However, rangeland is resilient, and with a sound recovery plan, most operations can rebuild.

Most cattle producers first think about feed, forage and mineral supplementation when evaluating herd performance or troubleshooting challenges. Water quality often doesn’t even make the list.

Calves have never been more valuable than they are today. The price of a 550-pound steer has doubled in the last three years! Preparing a calf for weaning has always been critical, but the cost of mistakes is increasing exponentially.

Water can be an issue, because it is such a good carrier of debris and organisms. Water is ideal for spreading positive elements like nutrients but can also spread harmful organisms like pathogens.

Effective water and feed management are the cornerstones of a profitable and healthy beef cattle operation. When properly executed, these two elements work in tandem maximizing performance, reducing health issues and improving overall efficiency.

Across much of the U.S., ranchers are dealing with a shift that’s been building for years: The patterns they’ve relied on are changing.

Starting feedlot cattle correctly is one of the most important parts of the entire feeding program. A feedlot animal is being asked to make a major transition: from pasture, backgrounding or a previous management system into a high-energy, tightly managed environment where rapid weight gain is the goal.

Landon and Anne Plagge show how soil-first farming, community leadership and a willingness to innovate can expand conservation efforts far beyond their own acres.