agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles Dear future self, what are you going to remember about this time in the cattle business? Dear future self, what are you going to remember about this time in the cattle business?

]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/63406-dear-future-self http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/63406 Lately, a verse from the Old Testament has been circling in my head. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). Lately, a verse from the Old Testament has been circling in my head. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/63284-to-everything-there-is-a-season http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/63284 I’ve always believed that quality is better than quantity. Whether it's the people you spend time with, your pair of work gloves or the kind of coffee you drink, quality is preferred. But is that the same in the beef industry? I’ve always believed that quality is better than quantity. Whether it's the people you spend time with, your pair of work gloves or the kind of coffee you drink, quality is preferred. But is that the same in the beef industry?

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/63079-build-better-not-bigger http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/63079 Is this a Super Bowl-sized victory for the beef industry? You bet! Will the victory last long? Probably not. Is this a Super Bowl-sized victory for the beef industry? You bet! Will the victory last long? Probably not.

]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62924-contrasting-the-super-bowl-to-beefs-big-win-in-the-dietary-guidelines http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62924 Groundhog Day is, in my estimation, one of the most underappreciated holidays on the American calendar. Cattle and horses obviously sit the throne and occupy most of the court of my animal kingdom, but any event that elevates an unlikely critter into the national consciousness is OK in my book. Groundhog Day is, in my estimation, one of the most underappreciated holidays on the American calendar. Cattle and horses obviously sit the throne and occupy most of the court of my animal kingdom, but any event that elevates an unlikely critter into the national consciousness is OK in my book.

]]> Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62741-groundhogs-and-hamster-wheels http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62741 Better late than never is an oft-used phrase in my vocabulary. It’s one of those things you can whip out when you don’t have anything nicer to say. Better late than never is an oft-used phrase in my vocabulary. It’s one of those things you can whip out when you don’t have anything nicer to say.

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62616-never-too-late http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62616 For many of us, Christmas looks a little different than it does in a Hallmark movie. The snow doesn’t fall just right, the wind bites harder than we’d like, and chores don’t take a holiday. For many of us, Christmas looks a little different than it does in a Hallmark movie. The snow doesn’t fall just right, the wind bites harder than we’d like, and chores don’t take a holiday.

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62448-in-a-frosted-pasture-or-a-church-pew http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62448 Life can’t and shouldn’t be one big joke, but keep your sense of humor handy, even if it’s aimed at yourself. Life can’t and shouldn’t be one big joke, but keep your sense of humor handy, even if it’s aimed at yourself.

]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62312-a-little-humor-goes-a-long-way http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62312 Cowboy garb, when executed properly, is an unquestionably awesome uniform, right up there with firefighters and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cowboy garb, when executed properly, is an unquestionably awesome uniform, right up there with firefighters and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/62160-keeping-up-appearances http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/62160 Even if you’re not an economist, you probably know how AI – artificial intelligence – has become the defining modern technology for Wall Street, Main Street, factories, government, schools, hospitals and yes, even your ranch or farm. Even if you’re not an economist, you probably know how AI – artificial intelligence – has become the defining modern technology for Wall Street, Main Street, factories, government, schools, hospitals and yes, even your ranch or farm.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61950-signing-our-name-to-authenticity-over-ai http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61950 It has recently been brought to my attention that I am … how do I put this appropriately? Oh, that’s right: old. It has recently been brought to my attention that I am … how do I put this appropriately? Oh, that’s right: old.

]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61816-musings-of-an-apparent-dinosaur http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61816 If you have tuned into the news recently, you may have noticed that the road has gotten a little bumpy. If you have tuned into the news recently, you may have noticed that the road has gotten a little bumpy.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61686-potholes-and-hairpin-turns http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61686 We did something stupid. A couple of years back, my wife and I took the kids to the animal shelter in town on Free Cat Day and let them pick out a couple of kittens. But that wasn’t the stupid thing. We did something stupid. A couple of years back, my wife and I took the kids to the animal shelter in town on Free Cat Day and let them pick out a couple of kittens. But that wasn’t the stupid thing.

]]> Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61516-big-mistake-huge http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61516 While at the NCBA CattleCon this past February, I heard one of the speakers say, “Bovine are God’s favorite protein, so we are blessed.” It was one of those fun little quotes I wrote down, thinking I could use it as a photo caption or something one day. While at the NCBA CattleCon this past February, I heard one of the speakers say, “Bovine are God’s favorite protein, so we are blessed.” It was one of those fun little quotes I wrote down, thinking I could use it as a photo caption or something one day.

]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61363-gods-favorite-protein http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61363 So what should we make of the ongoing saga to cut federal jobs in this new administration? And what about when those cuts are made to critical programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture? So what should we make of the ongoing saga to cut federal jobs in this new administration? And what about when those cuts are made to critical programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture?

]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61204-beware-of-heavy-bleeding-with-some-federal-job-cuts http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61204 March is upon us, and that can only mean one thing. Actually, it can mean a lot of things – your heifers are calving; the corrals are a soupy quagmire; you really need to get started on your taxes – but for our purposes here, March means one thing: March Madness, baby. March is upon us, and that can only mean one thing. Actually, it can mean a lot of things – your heifers are calving; the corrals are a soupy quagmire; you really need to get started on your taxes – but for our purposes here, March means one thing: March Madness, baby.

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/61050-chock-full-of-heroes http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/61050 Boosts and breaks come at different times and in different forms for everyone, but the important thing is to take them when you have the chance and, when the opportunity presents itself, be the helpful friend or kind stranger someone else may need in their day. Boosts and breaks come at different times and in different forms for everyone, but the important thing is to take them when you have the chance and, when the opportunity presents itself, be the helpful friend or kind stranger someone else may need in their day.

]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60884-a-boost-and-a-break http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60884 Now that you’ve filled up on all the holiday sweets, it’s time to ring in the new year. There’s that saying, “new year, new me,” right? It’s the time of year to set new goals. Now that you’ve filled up on all the holiday sweets, it’s time to ring in the new year. There’s that saying, “new year, new me,” right? It’s the time of year to set new goals.

]]> Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60740-the-year-of-contentment http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60740 So his plan was always to keep one steer or heifer from that spring’s calf crop, fatten it up and send it to fall market. It had always worked out well, and it was one of the fruits of immense joy for him to have the means to make it a joyous Christmas. So his plan was always to keep one steer or heifer from that spring’s calf crop, fatten it up and send it to fall market. It had always worked out well, and it was one of the fruits of immense joy for him to have the means to make it a joyous Christmas.

]]> Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60831-the-christmas-heifer http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60831 I have thought quite a bit about Mary this Christmas season, especially the part at the end of the Christmas story we read in Luke 2: “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I have thought quite a bit about Mary this Christmas season, especially the part at the end of the Christmas story we read in Luke 2: “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60598-pondering-the-past-hoping-for-the-future http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60598 Election Day, as I’m sure you’ve heard, is coming up. Responsible citizen that you are, I’m sure it’s been on your mind. It’s been on mine, too. Election Day, as I’m sure you’ve heard, is coming up. Responsible citizen that you are, I’m sure it’s been on your mind. It’s been on mine, too.

]]> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60465-my-cup-runneth-over http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60465 Wildfires were a fact of life growing up, especially out West. I’d see bulletins come across the news – 50,000 acres, 100,000 acres, gone. I’d shake my head, think “That’s too bad” and go about my day. I think, from now on, I will view these events with a little more compassion. Wildfires were a fact of life growing up, especially out West. I’d see bulletins come across the news – 50,000 acres, 100,000 acres, gone. I’d shake my head, think “That’s too bad” and go about my day. I think, from now on, I will view these events with a little more compassion.

]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60318-wildfires-and-helping-hands http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60318 It’s county fair week, or at least it is at the time of me writing this (the first week of August) it is. When I was younger it was my favorite time of year. It was like Christmas morning. The one where you just can’t wait. You’re excited, jittery with anticipation. It’s county fair week, or at least it is at the time of me writing this (the first week of August) it is. When I was younger it was my favorite time of year. It was like Christmas morning. The one where you just can’t wait. You’re excited, jittery with anticipation.

]]> Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/60140-county-fairs-and-canadian-cattle http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/60140 At a recent minor league baseball game, my wife and I found ourselves seated next to a lovely young couple who were pretty obviously baseball novices. At a recent minor league baseball game, my wife and I found ourselves seated next to a lovely young couple who were pretty obviously baseball novices.

]]> Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59992-i-dont-know-what-im-talking-about http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59992 Curious George. Yes, the little monkey from children’s books who was rescued by “The Man in the Yellow Hat.” That is what kids at school liked to call me – and no, it wasn’t because I was always getting into trouble but because when your last name is George that is where the creativity of kindergartners ends. Curious George. Yes, the little monkey from children’s books who was rescued by “The Man in the Yellow Hat.” That is what kids at school liked to call me – and no, it wasn’t because I was always getting into trouble but because when your last name is George that is where the creativity of kindergartners ends.

]]> Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59791-satisfying-your-curiosity-about-cattle-industry-data http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59791 While the expressed purpose of hosting a weekly auction is buying and selling livestock, we all know that a good portion of the folks making themselves comfortable in those worn-out bleachers show up with no intention of letting go of a single penny. While the expressed purpose of hosting a weekly auction is buying and selling livestock, we all know that a good portion of the folks making themselves comfortable in those worn-out bleachers show up with no intention of letting go of a single penny.

]]> Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59648-where-everybody-knows-your-name http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59648 Is anyone else wondering how it’s May already? Because I am! They say time moves faster as you get older and, at the ripe age of 25, I can attest to that. All jokes aside, May marks my 10th month here at Progressive Cattle. But I’m no stranger to this publication. Is anyone else wondering how it’s May already? Because I am! They say time moves faster as you get older and, at the ripe age of 25, I can attest to that. All jokes aside, May marks my 10th month here at Progressive Cattle. But I’m no stranger to this publication.

]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59428-remember-why-you-started http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59428 I am a firm believer that attending these events are crucial for the success and improvement of the cattle industry, but the loveliest thing to me is the fact that nobody has to do it. I am a firm believer that attending these events are crucial for the success and improvement of the cattle industry, but the loveliest thing to me is the fact that nobody has to do it.

]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59295-supporting-the-program http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59295 The Jan. 31 U.S. Cattle report showed the overall beef cattle inventory dropped another 2% below 2023, down to 87.2 million head. The beef cow numbers also dropped 2% to 28.2 million head. The Jan. 31 U.S. Cattle report showed the overall beef cattle inventory dropped another 2% below 2023, down to 87.2 million head. The beef cow numbers also dropped 2% to 28.2 million head.

]]> Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/59099-the-cattle-cycle-is-ripe-for-a-profitable-2024 http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/59099 In an exchange parroted ad nauseam with my buddies with every charming ounce of teenage wit available to us in the mid-2000s, two movie pirates discuss their Plan B should Plan A go awry: “What if the worst should happen?” “Keep to the Code.” In an exchange parroted ad nauseam with my buddies with every charming ounce of teenage wit available to us in the mid-2000s, two movie pirates discuss their Plan B should Plan A go awry: “What if the worst should happen?” “Keep to the Code.”

]]> Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/14-progressive-cattle-from-the-editor/post/58924-keep-to-the-code http://www.agproud.com/blogs/14/post/58924