Progressive Cattle

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

carrie.veselka@agproud.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Docility: Understanding pressure and selection

kramsey@neogen.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Let’s spice it up with essential oils

abe.scheaffer@sweetpro.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Livestock producers need an integrated pest management plan to control the loss of production due to filth flies while cattle graze summer pastures. This may include the movement of livestock, mechanical disruption of grazing areas, mechanical removal of flies and the use of natural and chemical insecticides or repellents.

Ranchers navigate tough grazing decisions amid drought

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:47 -0400

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.

[Podcast] Selling Calves in a Record Market: What Ranchers Need to Know Right Now

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Bailey Ballou with Superior Livestock Auction joins Progressive Cattle to discuss current market trends, buyer behavior, value-added premiums and what producers should be thinking about as Superior's Summer Run approaches.

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

andrew@farmbot.com.au — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

2027 beef production to decline slightly year over year

russell.h.knight@usda.gov — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The outlook for beef production in 2027 is forecast at 25.31 billion pounds, a 0.9% decline from 2026. A slight decline in production next year is based on fewer cattle slaughtered that is only partially offset by heavier anticipated carcass weights.

Backgrounding? The age-old question

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

To background or not to background, that seems to be the age-old question. It can be hard to look at the high cattle prices and justify backgrounding your calves instead of sending them to the sale barn after weaning. But everything is relative.

How daily decisions shape long-term herd performance

aclements@landolakes.com — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Can stress-suppressing pheromones fit into BQA best practices?

libby.bigler@colostate.edu — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Emerging technologies in pheromone application are enhancing the stress management scene in cattle production. Traditionally, stress reduction has been recognized under the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) umbrella of effective stockmanship.

New World screwworm confirmed in southern Texas

david@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) officials confirmed Wednesday night the arrival of New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County of southern Texas, making it the first confirmed case to arrive across the Mexico border.

A closer look: Reading the mineral tag

bethr@iastate.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to feeding mineral, producers have ample opportunity to customize a program that fits their unique needs while also being economical. There is a wide variety of minerals on the market, but reading the labels to compare products can be a bit daunting.

Stay informed about New World screwworm

harold.newcomb@merck.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

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

emmahoman@cattlekrush.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

The importance of the skeletal system to cattle production

katie.shira@wsu.edu — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Over time, selection pressure for improved growth efficiency and earlier reproductive maturity in cattle has focused heavily on muscle development, fat deposition and reproductive performance, while the skeletal system is often overlooked. However, these same selection pressures also influence skeletal growth and maturity, making proper bone development critical to overall cattle performance.

Room to roam: What the Grazing Action Plan actually means

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:55:38 -0400

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.

Seven tips for choosing the right record-keeping system for your ranch

terrell@cattlemax.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Making the move from paper or notebook records to computer-based cattle software can seem daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. There are so many benefits to software that can make a tremendously positive impact for your ranch.

Tannins and worms

woody@woodylane.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Creating healthy, high-value heifers from day one

abby@agproud.com — Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

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

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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?

Dear future self

abby@agproud.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Dear future self, what are you going to remember about this time in the cattle business?

[Podcast] Cattle market signs in 2026 – with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall

Tue, 26 May 2026 15:52:45 -0400

Don’t miss this episode as NCBA CEO Colin Woodall chats with Managing Editor David Cooper on multiple key issues the industry is now facing, including high beef demand, when the border can open to Mexican cattle, and U.S. preparation for the possible arrival of New World screwworm.

May 2026 USDA Feed Outlook report

abby@agproud.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The May Feed Outlook report shows global coarse grains supply in 2026-27 is projected at 2,156 million metric tons (MT), 15 million MT lower than 2025-26. Spurring the projected supply decrease are expected declines in production, particularly in the U.S. but with notable declines in other major producing countries, including the European Union and Argentina.

May 25, 2026 Progressive Cattle digital magazine

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Irons in the Fire: Just close the gate

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As far as winters are concerned, the past one was pretty easy on me. I started to get quite concerned in mid-January when I glanced up at the mountains to the east where my summer water supply is usually stored in the form of some stout drifts and snowpack on the peaks and in the draws and north facing hillsides.

How do I choose the right technology for my ranch?

rafael.q@ag.tamu.edu — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Midwest/North: Tips for drylotting beef cows

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When drought forces tough decisions or expanding herds find themselves without pasture availability, drylotting beef cows may be an option to consider.

West: Handling the summer heat

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While producers can’t change the weather, they can adjust management practices to help cattle stay cooler and maintain productivity.

South Central: What makes a good commercial cow

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The list of traits that make a good commercial cow may vary some by producer. However, there are several fundamental things every producer should keep in mind when evaluating commercial cows.

Southeast: Pounds weaned per acre – rethinking metrics

kmason21@utk.edu — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Bigger calves are beneficial, but weaning weight alone doesn’t tell the full story.