It is no secret that technological improvements are critical to the continued success of agricultural producers. Row crop farmers operating machines with varying levels of sensors have enjoyed watching their progress through the field for decades now, while poultry, swine and dairy producers have access to the capability of numerous robotic systems designed in some cases to automate barn management decisions and lower onsite labor requirements.

Feeding hay is often just part of the cattle business, and it's almost an afterthought to some. Habit and routine can sometimes overshadow a piece of your cattle business that deserves further evaluation.

Whether up north in last summer’s ash or down south in the dust, winter feeding is nearing its end, and the need for a grazing plan is mounting. Year over year, producer efforts to balance grazing and growth will hopefully result in profitable calf crops as well as healthy grasslands.

Rib‑Arrow Dairy uses a fully connected system – vision monitoring, activity collars, cow‑locating tools and automated footbaths – to spot changes early and respond fast.

Before planting a cover crop, Hines urges producers to ask one key question: What’s your objective? A clear goal can turn a good idea into real on‑farm benefits.

Sheep and goats share ruminant anatomy with cattle, but their smaller rumens and distinct grazing behaviors demand higher-quality, more digestible forage to meet energy needs.

Rotational stocking improves forage use, but it can't overcome the biological limits of pasture growth. Meeting animal demand requires aligning stocking rates with forage yield.