Cattle Management https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us Backgrounding? The age-old question 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63417 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63417-backgrounding-the-age-old-question 63417-brown-dixon.jpg The heat is on: The hidden damage heat stress causes in feedlot cattle 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? 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?


]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63424 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63424-the-heat-is-on-the-hidden-damage-heat-stress-causes-in-feedlot-cattle 63424-sorensen-2355.jpg Starting strong: Early-life management as cattle stay on feed longer abby@agproud.com By the time today’s cattle leave the feedyard, they are heavier and have been there longer than ever before. This shift has created new opportunities for efficiency and carcass value. Today, the success of feeding cattle can be largely determined long before the animal ever sees a bunk. By the time today’s cattle leave the feedyard, they are heavier and have been there longer than ever before. This shift has created new opportunities for efficiency and carcass value. Today, the success of feeding cattle can be largely determined long before the animal ever sees a bunk.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63179 Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63179-starting-strong-early-life-management-as-cattle-stay-on-feed-longer 63179-george-tmarchant.jpg Stop the late-calving slide and build productive heifers from the start peggy_1.thompson@boehringer-ingelheim.com Late calving in a heifer’s first season is more than a timing issue – the consequences often extend beyond year one. Late calving in a heifer’s first season is more than a timing issue – the consequences often extend beyond year one.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63085 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63085-stop-the-late-calving-slide-and-build-productive-heifers-from-the-start 63085-shirbroun-Boehringer_Healthy-Heifers-4.jpg Why can’t we avoid the 21-day shot show? bnellison@aol.com We all know the drill. Inbound calves arrive and we might treat a random animal that arrived ill. Then things are pretty calm … until about day 21. Then it all breaks loose. Animals that had escaped scrutiny suddenly appear quite ill, or worse, at death’s door. We all know the drill. Inbound calves arrive and we might treat a random animal that arrived ill. Then things are pretty calm … until about day 21. Then it all breaks loose. Animals that had escaped scrutiny suddenly appear quite ill, or worse, at death’s door.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63063 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63063-why-cant-we-avoid-the-21-day-shot-show 63063-ellison-getty.jpg Transportation tips for getting cattle to summer pasture lwaechter-mead13@unl.edu No matter if you’re hauling a few miles down the road or a long haul across state lines, paying attention to key transportation principles is essential for getting cattle there safely and in good condition. No matter if you’re hauling a few miles down the road or a long haul across state lines, paying attention to key transportation principles is essential for getting cattle there safely and in good condition.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62934 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:57:47 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62934-transportation-tips-for-getting-cattle-to-summer-pasture 62934-waechter-mead-brown.jpg Southeast: Cow behavior drives productivity kmason21@utk.edu Have you ever put much thought into how cattle behavior can drive productivity and profitability on your operation? Have you ever put much thought into how cattle behavior can drive productivity and profitability on your operation?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62726 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62726-southeast-cow-behavior-drives-productivity West: Building better calves cwillmore@uidaho.edu Healthy calves start with good colostrum, a clean environment and thoughtful management. Healthy calves start with good colostrum, a clean environment and thoughtful management.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62725 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62725-west-building-better-calves South Central: Things to consider when selecting bulls jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu When it comes to selecting bulls, there are several factors to consider. Additionally, some factors that should be emphasized will vary depending on the type of operation and how cattle are marketed. When it comes to selecting bulls, there are several factors to consider. Additionally, some factors that should be emphasized will vary depending on the type of operation and how cattle are marketed.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62723 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62723-south-central-things-to-consider-when-selecting-bulls Ensuring newborn calf survival: Stomach tubing best practices Newborn calves occasionally encounter challenges that undermine them in the early hours or days of life. Difficulties such as birthing stress, weakness or an inability to nurse effectively may leave them unable to consume the vital colostrum and nutrients they require. Newborn calves occasionally encounter challenges that undermine them in the early hours or days of life. Difficulties such as birthing stress, weakness or an inability to nurse effectively may leave them unable to consume the vital colostrum and nutrients they require.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62683 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62683-ensuring-newborn-calf-survival-stomach-tubing-best-practices 62683-derksen-182842753.jpg What your mother never told you about the 21-day cortisol surge in cattle bnellison@aol.com The 21-day cortisol surge in stressed cattle is a common problem that costs the combined beef and dairy sectors millions of dollars annually in mortality, morbidity, drug and labor costs, and impaired efficiencies in animals. And, yet, this inescapable reality is poorly understood and seldom planned for in producer protocols. The 21-day cortisol surge in stressed cattle is a common problem that costs the combined beef and dairy sectors millions of dollars annually in mortality, morbidity, drug and labor costs, and impaired efficiencies in animals. And, yet, this inescapable reality is poorly understood and seldom planned for in producer protocols.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62623 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62623-what-your-mother-never-told-you-about-the-21-day-cortisol-surge-in-cattle 62623-ellison-auroch.jpg Prepare for difficult calvings now The most rewarding time on a ranch is the time of new life – newborn calves hitting the ground. Calves have resiliency and spirit and often thrive even when born in the wrong circumstances or weather. Still, any beef producer will have the occasional calf who was stuck or had some other mishap that requires extra care. The most rewarding time on a ranch is the time of new life – newborn calves hitting the ground. Calves have resiliency and spirit and often thrive even when born in the wrong circumstances or weather. Still, any beef producer will have the occasional calf who was stuck or had some other mishap that requires extra care.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62654 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62654-prepare-for-difficult-calvings-now 62654-omeara-getty.jpg Through the gate: Reflections from a veterinarian’s year in cattle country kramsey@neogen.com A hundred head of recently weaned calves wandered the downtown streets of Boise, Idaho, on the first cold morning of October. Steam rolled off their backs, a mass of tipped-over trash cans behind them. A tightly packed alley of wandering souls staring blankly into a haze of flashlights and headlights. A cacophony of chaos filled with the rumble of lowing calves rising into the crisp morning air. A hundred head of recently weaned calves wandered the downtown streets of Boise, Idaho, on the first cold morning of October. Steam rolled off their backs, a mass of tipped-over trash cans behind them. A tightly packed alley of wandering souls staring blankly into a haze of flashlights and headlights. A cacophony of chaos filled with the rumble of lowing calves rising into the crisp morning air.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62577 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62577-through-the-gate-reflections-from-a-veterinarians-year-in-cattle-country 62577-ramsey-1.jpg Hauling heavy bred beef cows bethr@iastate.edu Calving is around the corner, and many producers are looking to relocate the cow herd to the location best suited for their calving season needs. A few regions and operations can trail cattle between summer, winter and calving pastures, but many rely on fuel and wheels to get them where they need to be. Calving is around the corner, and many producers are looking to relocate the cow herd to the location best suited for their calving season needs. A few regions and operations can trail cattle between summer, winter and calving pastures, but many rely on fuel and wheels to get them where they need to be.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62496 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62496-hauling-heavy-bred-beef-cows 62496-lundy-img-3150-marchant.jpg The main goal: Doing things right michaelevanmendel@yahoo.com In 1940, my great-grandfather, Joe Mendel, started the Mendel family farm, located outside of Doland, South Dakota. What started as a diversified farm with beef, hogs and small grains is today an operation focused on corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers, as well as a 1,000-head feedlot and 600-head cow-calf operation. In 1940, my great-grandfather, Joe Mendel, started the Mendel family farm, located outside of Doland, South Dakota. What started as a diversified farm with beef, hogs and small grains is today an operation focused on corn, soybeans, wheat and sunflowers, as well as a 1,000-head feedlot and 600-head cow-calf operation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62364 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62364-the-main-goal-doing-things-right 62364-mendel-cattle-2.jpg Innovative calving techniques: Understanding the Utrecht method In most cases, cows are quite capable of calving without intervention, delivering healthy calves naturally on pasture or in the barn. However, a small percentage of births present difficulties requiring human assistance. In most cases, cows are quite capable of calving without intervention, delivering healthy calves naturally on pasture or in the barn. However, a small percentage of births present difficulties requiring human assistance.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62366 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62366-innovative-calving-techniques-understanding-the-utrecht-method 62366-derksen-lay.jpg [Podcast] Beef-on-dairy relationships and New World screwworm defenses – with Laurence Williams and Jason Sawyer Join the Progressive Cattle crew as they try to make sense of the U.S. beef industry's import and export markets. Join the Progressive Cattle crew as they try to make sense of the U.S. beef industry's import and export markets.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62377 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62377-podcast-beef-on-dairy-relationships-and-new-world-screwworm-defenses-with-laurence-williams-and-jason-sawyer PC-podcast-newsletter.png Assisting with backward calvings: Identification, preparation and intervention Most calves are born as nature intended, but some are determined to enter the world facing the wrong direction. For these occasional events, it’s critical to understand the anatomical and timing challenges presented. Most calves are born as nature intended, but some are determined to enter the world facing the wrong direction. For these occasional events, it’s critical to understand the anatomical and timing challenges presented.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62262 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62262-assisting-with-backward-calvings-identification-preparation-and-intervention 62262-derksen-anterior.jpg Precision at the arrival gate: Tailoring receiving protocols for specific populations Beef-on-dairy cattle and native beef animals often require different health and nutrition protocols when entering the feedlot. Knowing your cattle and their source can prevent a lot of headaches when in receiving and feeding. Beef-on-dairy cattle and native beef animals often require different health and nutrition protocols when entering the feedlot. Knowing your cattle and their source can prevent a lot of headaches when in receiving and feeding.



]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62069 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62069-precision-at-the-arrival-gate-tailoring-receiving-protocols-for-specific-populations 62069-derksen-Rimrock23-2424.jpg Turning challenges into opportunities: Managing cows in a drylot setting When a lack of rainfall negatively affects the pastures that producers rely on, moving cow-calf herds into drylot settings tops the list of management options. While this change is a multifaceted challenge, it also brings some surprising benefits. When a lack of rainfall negatively affects the pastures that producers rely on, moving cow-calf herds into drylot settings tops the list of management options. While this change is a multifaceted challenge, it also brings some surprising benefits.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62058 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62058-turning-challenges-into-opportunities-managing-cows-in-a-drylot-setting 62058-derksen-drylot.jpg A clinic worth attending: Stockmanship that works jligon@vt.edu As an extension agent here in Virginia, I have the privilege of working with some of the best cattle producers around. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with raising cattle – from health and genetics to markets and handling. As an extension agent here in Virginia, I have the privilege of working with some of the best cattle producers around. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with raising cattle – from health and genetics to markets and handling.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62159 Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62159-a-clinic-worth-attending-stockmanship-that-works 62159-ligon-1032411112.jpg Making cull decisions and selling cull cows megan.vanemon@montana.edu Cull cows can be a major factor in the bottom line of a ranch, representing 10% to 20% of the ranch’s total cow-calf revenue. However, selling and marketing cull cows is not a primary focus of the ranch, and more effort tends to be placed on calf revenue. Cull cows can be a major factor in the bottom line of a ranch, representing 10% to 20% of the ranch’s total cow-calf revenue. However, selling and marketing cull cows is not a primary focus of the ranch, and more effort tends to be placed on calf revenue.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62048 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62048-making-cull-decisions-and-selling-cull-cows 62048-vanemon-cow.jpg How winter rate of gain, implant strategy and housing system impact growing calves erin.laborie@unl.edu The way calves are managed during the backgrounding phase can greatly influence cattle performance down the road. The way calves are managed during the backgrounding phase can greatly influence cattle performance down the road.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62025 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62025-how-winter-rate-of-gain-implant-strategy-and-housing-system-impact-growing-calves 62025-laborie-brown.jpg Weaning: Time to evaluate cow performance kalyn.waters@ufl.edu While most of us are either dodging rain or praying for it in the hayfield, fall will be here soon, and weaning time will sneak up on us again. Whether you ship your calves straight off the cow or choose to wean them, those days around weaning are key times for management decisions to be made and data to be collected. But not just for the calves, also for the cows. While most of us are either dodging rain or praying for it in the hayfield, fall will be here soon, and weaning time will sneak up on us again. Whether you ship your calves straight off the cow or choose to wean them, those days around weaning are key times for management decisions to be made and data to be collected. But not just for the calves, also for the cows.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61972 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61972-weaning-time-to-evaluate-cow-performance 61972-waters-udder.jpg Midwest/North: Deciding what to do with open cows wmeteer@gmail.com High cattle prices and good feed availability, coupled with low cow inventories, set up a common conversation around feeding and breeding cull cows.  

High cattle prices and good feed availability, coupled with low cow inventories, set up a common conversation around feeding and breeding cull cows.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61992 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61992-midwest-north-deciding-what-to-do-with-open-cows South Central: Age and location: Key factors for weaning success jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu When it comes to weaning, it is important to consider the age of calves. When it comes to weaning, it is important to consider the age of calves.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61734 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61734-south-central-age-and-location-key-factors-for-weaning-success Southeast: Weaning considerations for healthy calves kmason21@utk.edu Weaning is a stressful time for calves, cows and the folks who are caring for them. But there are some considerations to keep in mind related to timing, strategy and handling to make the process a bit smoother for everyone involved. Weaning is a stressful time for calves, cows and the folks who are caring for them. But there are some considerations to keep in mind related to timing, strategy and handling to make the process a bit smoother for everyone involved.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61733 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61733-southeast-weaning-considerations-for-healthy-calves Midwest/North: Manage your herd, manage drought wmeteer@gmail.com Consider a few animal management strategies to mitigate the effects of drought. Consider a few animal management strategies to mitigate the effects of drought.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61632 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61632-midwest-north-manage-your-herd-manage-drought Helping cattle feeders transition to cloud-based data management Collecting and recording cattle health and production data is a worthwhile endeavor, but even more important than where to store it is ensuring it’s of high quality. To meet this standard, it should be confirmed, useful and actionable for producers and experts alike to deliver the right information at the right time. Collecting and recording cattle health and production data is a worthwhile endeavor, but even more important than where to store it is ensuring it’s of high quality. To meet this standard, it should be confirmed, useful and actionable for producers and experts alike to deliver the right information at the right time.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61609 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61609-helping-cattle-feeders-transition-to-cloud-based-data-management 61609-derksen-rimrock.jpg Southeast: Managing calves into the summer kmason21@utk.edu From rising heat and humidity to increased pressure from parasites, this time of year can greatly impact calf health and performance, but with proactive management, producers can navigate these challenges, setting their calves up for a successful future. From rising heat and humidity to increased pressure from parasites, this time of year can greatly impact calf health and performance, but with proactive management, producers can navigate these challenges, setting their calves up for a successful future.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61432 Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61432-southeast-managing-calves-into-the-summer