June 25, 2026

June 25, 2026 Progressive Cattle digital magazine

June 25, 2026

The latest issue of Progressive Cattle magazine is available. To view it, make sure you're logged into your agproud.com account. If you do not have access, click "Subscribe" in the top-right corner of agproud.com to add permission to view.

New World screwworm arrives in the U.S., import restrictions span North America

June 11, 2026

Carrie Veselka

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service officials confirmed the first U.S. case of New World screwworm on June 3, found in a 3-week-old calf in southern Texas. As of June 9, six cases have been confirmed – five livestock in Texas, and one dog in New Mexico.

Protecting high prices without giving up the upside: Why livestock risk protection matters in today’s cattle market

Livestock Risk Protection insurance helps cattle producers protect high-value inventories from sudden price declines while preserving upside, improving cash-flow certainty and supporting disciplined risk management decisions.

April 16, 2026

Derek Gerratt

Cattle markets have rewarded producers over the last several years with historically strong prices. For many cow-calf and stocker operations, that has translated into significant equity built into today’s cattle inventories. But as prices rise, so does the amount of risk tied to every hundredweight.

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Challenges and opportunities for the next generation of beef producers

Despite unprecedented opportunity for profitability, the industry also faces new challenges. Laying a foundation for the next generation to lead a rewarding life on the ranch should be a top priority today.

June 16, 2026

Bryan Sanderson

For the cow-calf producer, the last couple of years have been maybe the most financially rewarding in the history of the beef business in the U.S. Many people talk about the strong financial performance and how that could lead to beef herd expansion in the next couple years, and the “10-year cattle cycle” would agree, but for how long?

Ranchers navigate tough grazing decisions amid drought

As drought threatens producers across the country, here are strategies for making tough grazing and culling decisions.

June 9, 2026

Callie Hanson

Across the Great Plains, farmers and ranchers are entering another summer under dry conditions, balancing feed costs, stocking rates and long-term pasture health while hoping for rain that may or may not come in time. For many, drought planning is no longer an occasional challenge, but rather a part of the business model.

Room to roam: What the Grazing Action Plan actually means

The USDA Forest Service and BLM’s Grazing Action Plan signals a potential shift toward expanded grazing access and faster permitting on federal lands.

June 1, 2026

Jenna Whitaker

Back in November, the USDA and the Department of the Interior announced a partnership promising something many Western cattle producers haven’t heard in years: more opportunity for grazing on public lands, not less.

Tannins and worms

More research is needed to fully understand their effects, but tannins can, under the right conditions, be a big help in the fight against livestock parasites.

June 1, 2026

Woody Lane

Something new is afoot underfoot, something we can grow to combat, something we can’t see that is becoming resistant to all the medicines we can drench and inject.

Understanding summer pneumonia in calves

Triggered by stress, heat, dust or fading maternal immunity, summer pneumonia leaves young calves vulnerable to lung infections. A combination of targeted vaccinations, management strategies, accurate identification and treatment protocols will limit its effects.

June 19, 2026

Bruce Derksen

Summer’s warmth and sunshine should spell carefree days for young nursing calves, with pastures coming to life and the stresses of harsher weather in the past. Yet, behind this idyllic curtain, the threat of summer pneumonia lies in wait, ready to challenge newborns’ health and well-being.

Early warning signs of heat stress in cattle: What to watch and how to manage

Heat stress in cattle builds gradually, often with subtle early warning signs, such as changes in breathing, behavior and feed intake, before more visible symptoms appear. Recognizing these early indicators and responding with practical management strategies can help producers protect performance, reduce stress and maintain efficiency during hot weather.

June 3, 2026

Emma Homan

Heat stress in cattle develops progressively, often beginning with subtle changes before more severe symptoms appear. By the time obvious signs such as open-mouth panting or lethargy are visible, performance losses may already be occurring.

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Stay informed about New World screwworm

New World screwworm (NWS) is a serious concern for the cattle industry. By staying informed and working with your veterinarian, you can help support livestock health and protect the industry.

June 3, 2026

Harold Newcomb

Are you prepared for New World screwworm (NWS)? Originally eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, NWS (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) presents a challenge many cattle producers have never experienced firsthand.

Water is becoming the hard limit on U.S. ranches

With drought tightening supply and diesel driving up the cost of every mile, the real risk on most ranches isn’t running out of water – it’s not knowing you’re already losing it.

June 9, 2026

Andrew Coppin

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.

How do I choose the right technology for my ranch?

Decision paralysis is a common symptom of producers looking at implementing new technologies on their ranches. The best approach is not to ask, “What’s new?” but rather, “What works?”

May 22, 2026

Rafael Landaverde

Every day, new technologies such as artificial intelligence, sensors and data platforms emerge with the promise to increase efficiency and improve the performance of production operations. However, many farmers and ranchers face the dilemma that “just because something is new does not mean it fits my operation,” which complicates decision-making related to the adoption and use of technology on their ranches.

Liquid vs. dry supplements: What are the differences?

Understanding how to best deliver nutrition supplementation to your cow herd as cost-effectively as possible is key to herd health and profitability.

May 11, 2026

Stephen B. Blezinger

Anyone who is at least somewhat familiar with the cattle industry knows there is a long list of products and product types that can be used for providing supplemental nutrients to cattle.

Richards Ranch enhances tradition with virtual fencing

June 17, 2026

Theo Beaumont

The Hackley family is blending 160 years of ranching heritage with modern technology, refining the grazing practices their ancestors pioneered.

How daily decisions shape long-term herd performance

The most successful, profitable producers are not the ones chasing quick fixes. When it comes to your herd’s nutrition, it’s important to take the long view, even as you make day-to-day adjustments.

June 6, 2026

Alyssa Clements

For many cattle nutritionists, the line between professional decisions and personal ones does not exist. The same choices made for customers are the ones made at home, often with similar risks and rewards on the line.

Irons in the Fire: What makes a good day?

June 24, 2026

Paul Marchant

I glanced at the clock on the dash of my pickup as I rolled through the four-way stop sign. The gentle green 7:08 a.m. glow painfully reminded me that I was once again several minutes late.

Across the Fence: Embracing independence and searching for answers

June 23, 2026

Marci Whitehurst

Drought has consumed much of the nation. Winds replaced winter. Heat replaced cold. And nothing replaced the snow or rain.

The industry that helped build 250 years of America

June 25, 2026

David Cooper

By the time Thomas Jefferson, joined by Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston – all of them successful producers of cattle – worked together to draft the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, Americans were ready to throw off the shackles of a monarch state and build a place hundreds of millions would call home.

South Central: Calf marketing considerations

June 22, 2026

Jason Banta

Some factors to consider when marketing calves include shrink, transportation costs, commission, flexibility and the potential for premiums or discounts.

West: Benefits of backgrounding calves at home

June 22, 2026

Carmen Willmore

By backgrounding calves at home for 45 days after weaning, producers allow the calves time to adjust gradually while maintaining a familiar environment.