Ranching.com is your weekly dose of trending news, seasonal tips, and community content put together by our team of ranchers.

IN THE NEWS

🪟 A Tighter Calving Window Pays

🪟 A Tighter Calving Window Pays - Operations with a short calving season consistently rank higher in profitability—and for good reason. Earlier-born calves gain more by weaning, adding up to $120 or more per cow in today’s market. Plus, a tighter window means easier management and more uniform calves that buyers want. This article breaks down the key questions to ask now to set yourself up for success next spring.

🐺 Wolf Tracking Tool Launched - The California Department of Fish & Wildlife has launched an online mapping tool to share GPS data on collared gray wolves. Designed to help ranchers track wolf movements near their herds, the system aims to reduce livestock conflicts while balancing transparency and conservation. Ranchers and ag groups welcome the tool as a critical resource for herd protection.

🪮 Early Shedding, Heavier Calves - New research from the University of Missouri shows that cows that shed their winter coats earlier in the year wean significantly heavier calves—up to 57 pounds more. While hair shedding has long been linked to heat stress and fescue toxicosis in the South, this trait also holds value for producers in other regions. With moderate heritability, incorporating hair-shedding scores into selection and culling decisions could improve both animal comfort and herd profitability.

📄 Black Vulture Bill to Protect Livestock - Senator Markwayne Mullin has introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025, which would allow ranchers to protect their livestock from predatory black vultures without needing a depredation permit. With black vulture attacks on the rise and populations up nearly 470% since 1990, the bill aims to reduce burdens on producers while maintaining federal oversight through required reporting.

🌱 Spring Pasture Bloat Warning - Frothy bloat is a sudden, unpredictable risk for cattle grazing lush spring pastures, especially those with high legume content like clover or alfalfa. Since there's no simple vaccine or cure, prevention through forage management, fly control, and quick treatment with anti-bloat agents is essential. Early recognition and action can save lives and reduce costly losses in the herd.

Beef Prices Expected To Hit Record Highs

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Pinkeye Prevention Tips

Pinkeye is a persistent challenge after pasture turnout—and vaccines alone won’t cut it. This article from Iowa State University outlines practical prevention strategies, from fly control to nutrition, plus tips for early intervention when cases appear. Don’t wait until it spreads—get ahead of pinkeye this season.

Shade Boosts Cattle Gains

Studies from Kansas State University show that providing shade during summer months improves cattle performance and welfare. Heifers in shaded pens gained more weight, used less water, and had better carcass quality—highlighting the value of shade as a heat stress solution. Researchers are now exploring feeding time adjustments to further reduce heat-related impacts.

CATTLE COMMUNITY

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