July 25, 2026

July 25, 2026 Progressive Cattle digital magazine

July 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.

BIF Symposium focuses on sustainability, reproductive efficiency

The annual BIF Symposium brought together hundreds of the beef industry’s brightest minds and strongest leaders in the arena of genetics and reproduction.

July 8, 2026

Tyrell Marchant

Boise, Idaho, played host to the Beef Improvement Federation’s (BIF) annual research symposium and convention June 1-4. Per event organizers and attendees, the event was a rousing success, with more than 400 attendees gathered to mingle and discuss the latest innovations in beef cattle genetics.

Unions push back on USDA relocation, USMCA gets an expiration date

July 10, 2026

Carrie Veselka

A new lawsuit has been filed in an attempt to stop the Trump administration’s planned decentralization of the USDA federal offices, citing new evidence, and the Trump administration has rejected the extension of the USMCA trade deal.

Legal considerations involving New World screwworm

New World screwworm is here. It's time to take a look at some legal considerations surrounding the pest.

June 22, 2026

N. Cahil Murchison

No doubt you’ve heard that New World screwworm (NWS) is now in the U.S. As of this writing, it is as far north as Tom Green County, Texas. This is not an article to tell you what NWS is, how to treat it or whom to call should you come in contact with it. There are plenty of other great articles and resources for those pieces of information.

Is your water source canceling out your trace mineral program?

Even a diet well balanced for trace minerals can fall short if cattle cannot properly absorb those nutrients. High iron levels and other antagonists in water sources can interfere with mineral absorption.

July 2, 2026

Chris Ashworth

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.

Managing diet transition in early-weaned calves

Early weaning moves much of the responsibility of raising a calf from the cow to the producer. Knowing what calves are dealing with can set them up for long-term success.

July 15, 2026

Brandon Koch

The success of early weaning hinges on one critical factor: how well calves transition onto a new diet.

Critical start: The phase that sets the tone for everything that follows

The first few days calves spend in the feedlot is critical. The quicker an animal is comfortable in the new environment, the better will be its health, feed intake, growth and profitability.

May 12, 2026

Garrett Preedy

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.

Fighting pests naturally

Many producers have found garlic to be beneficial for herd health and repelling flies and parasites. However, some insect experts remain skeptical.

July 10, 2026

Gilda V. Bryant

Many beef producers want to introduce natural products, such as garlic, to their herds. Garlic, classified as an essential oil, is being added to commercial mineral tubs and other products. Although some ranchers are excited about the positive results they see in their herds, some researchers are not convinced.

Creating healthy, high-value heifers from day one

High-value replacement heifers start at the cow with sound body condition, gestation nutrition, low stress and proper vaccinations. Quality colostrum, early disease prevention, timely vaccines, strategic parasite control and targeted nutrition improve fertility, longevity and herd productivity.

May 30, 2026

Abigail George

Today’s decisions, beginning even before a calf is born, can determine whether that heifer becomes a long-lasting, productive cow or falls short of her genetic potential.

Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture

Pinkeye remains a frustrating challenge for cow-calf producers as no single control tool is fully reliable. Fly control, vaccination, prompt treatment and veterinary guidance can reduce risk, but outbreaks may still occur.

July 9, 2026

Bruce Derksen

A warm summer day is often a most desirable time on the ranch, especially when a “leisure” trip to check the pastures and cow-calf pairs is on the day’s agenda. But this relaxing trip quickly turns stressful when the first calf we encounter is teary-eyed, followed by another and another.

Docility: Understanding pressure and selection

Everyone wants cattle that are easier to handle. But how do you select for docility while maintaining cattle that can function well in real-world environments?

June 11, 2026

Kirk Ramsey

Home to a few onion sheds, a grocery store and a handful of hometown restaurants, every Wednesday the town becomes Grand Central Station for nearly every cattle operation within 150 miles.

Increase breeding results with synch protocols and estrus detection aids

Every breeding is an opportunity for producers to maximize genetic potential and cattle value. Pairing synchronization with strong estrus potential helps take advantage of those opportunities.

July 20, 2026

Jordan Thomas

By implementing the latest technologies and protocols, producers can achieve greater reproductive success while advancing their herd’s genetics. Improving reproductive efficiency is especially important now when cattle are at record values and each calf brings more revenue potential than it ever has.

The stuff of legends: North Dakota’s Red Legend Cattle

Fourth-generation ranchers Mark and Bryan Ressler are forging their own path in the Red Angus breed even as they hold tight to the values that have brought them this far.

June 18, 2026

Heather Smith Thomas

Located near Cooperstown in east-central North Dakota, Red Legend Cattle is a family ranch focused on producing high-quality Red Angus genetics. Brothers Mark and Bryan Ressler formed their partnership in 2013 and today manage a herd of registered Red Angus cattle alongside a diversified grain and row-crop operation.

The heat is on: The hidden damage heat stress causes in feedlot cattle

Heat stress in feedlot cattle reduces growth, harms metabolism and welfare, impairs fetal development and lowers carcass yield. Heavier modern cattle are more vulnerable, and chronic exposure causes economic losses.

May 29, 2026

Loretta Sorensen

What are the hidden effects of heat stress on animals, what threats does it pose to the sustainability of the U.S. meat industry and what can be done to mitigate these effects?

Managing calf stress during weaning

Weaning is perhaps the most stress a beef animal will ever experience. Take these steps to help keep your calves on a healthy, profitable trajectory.

June 29, 2026

David Secrist

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.

Grazing management in times of drought

Developing an effective grazing plan is no easy feat, especially during drought. But even in the driest years, there are achievable ways for proactive producers to keep both their cattle and pastures healthy.

July 3, 2026

Sam Wyffels

In drought years, grass that once sustained a herd through the grazing season stops growing early, reducing overall biomass production, and water resources begin to tighten. For livestock producers, this period becomes a balancing act between meeting immediate cattle needs and protecting the long-term productivity of the land.

Grazing management key to drought recovery and resilience

Grazing management during and after drought helps pastures recover, protects plant health, prevents overgrazing, delays spring grazing appropriately and builds long-term ranch resilience through flexible, diverse grazing systems.

June 26, 2026

Miranda Meehan and Kevin Sedivec

Drought conditions have been widespread in the U.S. this year, creating challenges for ranchers. Grazing management decisions directly influence the ability of rangelands and pastures to recover from drought and can increase a ranch's drought resilience.

Irons in the Fire: The let-down fence

July 17, 2026

Paul Marchant

My professional life, ergo my personal life, my family life and my leisure life, revolves around and is quite beholden to the mountain. By the mountain, I mean the mountain range to the east of my home place where we summer the cattle on U.S. Forest Service grazing allotments.

Across the Fence: That’s my perspective

July 16, 2026

Marci Whitehurst

If you put a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls in a room, each one will have a tale. Whatever the story may be, it’s a tale that informs you that they’ve been around the block or around the ranch. They want others to know they aren’t newbies, and they’ve acquired some knowledge.

Posterized

July 24, 2026

Tyrell Marchant

I was probably 8 years old when my dad brought the poster home. I’m sure it was just some free thing sitting on the table next to a pot of lukewarm coffee at either the auction yard or the extension office in town. But, man, I loved that thing.

South Central: Proper intake is critical when feeding loose mineral or tubs

July 22, 2026

Jason Banta

For mineral supplements and other feed additives to work effectively, it is critical that cattle consume the targeted amount on a regular basis.

West: Evaluate your vaccination program before weaning

July 22, 2026

Carmen Willmore

A well-designed vaccination program, combined with good nutrition, sound biosecurity and low-stress management practices helps reduce disease, improve animal performance and strengthen the profitability of your operation.