Regional Roundup

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.

Midwest/North: Should I buy hay or grow my own?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While cost is the primary factor, there are several reasons to choose buying hay or growing it.

South Central: Forage species and grazing management impact animal performance

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Understanding and managing forage quality is important for cow-calf and stocker operations that rely on forage as the main component of the diet.

Southeast: Designing a drought plan before you need it

kmason21@utk.edu — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

It is most effective to have a drought plan in place before lack of rainfall becomes a problem.

West: Fencing decisions that pay off

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Whether you’re managing a cow-calf herd or running stockers, fencing should be included in long-term planning – not just added when cattle are ready to graze.

West: Preparing a cattle operation for a drought year

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With low snowpack levels across much of the western U.S., cattle producers should begin preparing now for the possibility of drought conditions in 2026.

Midwest/North: Growing summer annual forages

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With poor profitability projections on most row-crop budgets, planting summer annual forages and using forage mixes for grazing should be considered on marginal acres.

South Central: Improving animal performance with better forage

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article will focus on the factors that affect forage quality to help producers improve animal performance and produce better-quality hay, which can reduce or eliminate winter supplementation needs.

Southeast: The critical window

kmason21@utk.edu — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:09:17 -0500

Good nutrition means greater reproductive success, and reproductive success drives profitability in the cow-calf sector.

Midwest/North: Don't overdo it on spring greenup

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Turning cows out on immature forages can have long-reaching consequences, including permanent damage to grass stands, high risk of grass tetany and a need for supplementation to fill nutritional gaps.

Southeast: Manage spring grazing for success all season long

kmason21@utk.edu — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Although it is nice to have abundant forage during springtime, rapid growth often outpaces animal demand and may quickly push plants beyond the vegetative stage, which reduces nutritive value and pasture longevity.

West: Making smart culling decisions after calving

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

While removing animals from the herd can be a difficult decision, addressing problem cows early helps prevent repeated issues in future calving seasons.

Southeast: Cow behavior drives productivity

kmason21@utk.edu — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever put much thought into how cattle behavior can drive productivity and profitability on your operation?

West: Building better calves

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Healthy calves start with good colostrum, a clean environment and thoughtful management.

Midwest/North: A little better is still better

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The constant talk of the cattle markets and market volatility has put a lot of anxiety into decision making. I have found myself trying to be a steady voice in consultations with producers, reminding them that a little better is still better.

South Central: Things to consider when selecting bulls

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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.

West: Optimizing late-gestation nutrition for a successful calving season

cwillmore@uidaho.edu — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Cow nutrition remains one of the most important management concerns for producers heading into calving.

Southeast: The employees you never see

kmason21@utk.edu — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Understanding how to support the “microbial workforce” in the rumen is key to improving feed efficiency, herd health and overall profitability.

South Central: Hay feeding considerations

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

To best utilize hay, it is important to consider hay quality, nutrient requirements of the cows it is being fed to and how the hay will be fed.

Midwest/North: When do cows feel the cold?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

With winter weather and lower temperatures setting in, it is time to talk about when cows feel the cold. The big factors that determine the lower critical temperature for cattle are temperature, wind speed and heaviness of winter hair coat.

Midwest/North: Reinvesting profits on the ranch

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Are you looking for avenues to reinvest in the ranch this year? Careful thought and allocation of profits is necessary to maintain a sustainable business in the future. Check out a few ideas for reinvestment on the ranch.

South Central: Mineral nutrition – don’t overdo it

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When it comes to cattle mineral nutrition, it is about delivering the right amount to the animal.

West: Winter blues and mental health

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

For a long time, there has been a stigma around mental health topics. This is nothing to be ashamed of. We are all going through tough times. However, there is always something positive to look forward to.

Southeast: Reducing hay waste: How to manage expensive inputs

kmason21@utk.edu — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

With careful attention to utilization, producers can significantly reduce hay waste and get more nutrition from every bale.

West: Safeguarding herd health in harsh conditions

sfonnesbeck@uidaho.edu — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Winter stress doesn’t have to mean compromised health. By implementing proactive winter protection from the elements and biosecurity measures, producers can minimize disease risk and maintain productivity through the cold months.

Midwest/North: Breeding season tips for fall-calving herds

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

While general breeding practices are similar to spring-calving herds, breeding fall-calving cows can pose some unique challenges.

Southeast: Stretching winter feed with stockpiled forages

kmason21@utk.edu — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

With proper planning, stockpiled forage can extend the grazing season, save money and keep cows in good condition.

South Central: Understanding your hay test report

jason.banta@ag.tamu.edu — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A good hay test can prove valuable when designing a winter feeding program. There can be a lot of information on a hay test, and knowing which numbers to focus on may not always be clear.