https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us 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 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 Preconditioning calves includes giving dewormers and vaccinations, castrating bulls and teaching them to eat at the bunk. Although this management style costs money upfront, producers can make their investment back and then some. Preconditioning calves includes giving dewormers and vaccinations, castrating bulls and teaching them to eat at the bunk. Although this management style costs money upfront, producers can make their investment back and then some.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59264 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59264-the-value-of-preconditioning-calves 59264-bryant-8E4A5681.jpg jbhall@uidaho.edu Calves raised on the range are often lighter at weaning compared to calves raised on irrigated pastures. With the right management through backgrounding and finishing, range calves can catch up with their counterparts. Calves raised on the range are often lighter at weaning compared to calves raised on irrigated pastures. With the right management through backgrounding and finishing, range calves can catch up with their counterparts.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58391 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:42 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58391-are-we-getting-enough-from-range-calves 58391-hall-graze-sagebrush-dixon.jpg erin.laborie@unl.edu Winter backgrounding systems can vary greatly from backgrounding in a drylot to grazing cornstalks or native range. Winter backgrounding systems can vary greatly from backgrounding in a drylot to grazing cornstalks or native range.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58215 Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58215-winter-rate-of-gain-and-implant-strategies-for-stockers 58215-laborie-yearlings.jpg sroberts@alltech.com When to market your calf crop is one of the most important decisions that a producer must make and can have a significant impact on your operation’s profitability. Market dynamics are usually the main drivers behind when a producer decides to sell their calves. When to market your calf crop is one of the most important decisions that a producer must make and can have a significant impact on your operation’s profitability. Market dynamics are usually the main drivers behind when a producer decides to sell their calves.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57977 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:24:50 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57977-planning-the-key-to-backgrounding-on-grass 57977-roberts-2619fe54-23c2-4295-b059-6638b489972a.jpg Fall is officially here, and that means it is time to pull your stockers off pasture. But before you load them up for sale, there are a few practices to consider that will improve the health and profitability of your calves. Fall is officially here, and that means it is time to pull your stockers off pasture. But before you load them up for sale, there are a few practices to consider that will improve the health and profitability of your calves.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/55904 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:01:26 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/55904-stockers-prepping-calves-for-transition-to-the-feedlot 55904-hawkins-stockers-1.jpg