🧬 Build Better Herds - Ranching.com’s 100th Edition!

Finding the Right Cow Fit, Cold Weather Tips, The Science Behind Better Beef Cattle & Prime Rib Pasta with Broccoli & Cheese Recipe, from Ranching.com by CattleMax.

Today we celebrate 100 editions of Ranching.com — and more importantly, we celebrate you.

This newsletter has always been about connecting ranchers with ranchers, and you’ve helped build something far bigger than weekly headlines. Thank you for your time, your trust, and the passion you bring to this way of life. Here’s to the next 100!

Ranching.com — the leading cattle management resource for a community of 96,000+ ranchers and farmers.

IN THE NEWS

🧬 Build Better Herds

Drovers

🧬 Build Better Herds - Using selection decisions and breeding values isn’t just for the big seedstock operations — it’s a tool any producer can lean on to make genetic progress in their herd. By understanding expected progeny differences (EPDs) and how they relate to your goals, you can make smarter bull choices and move your herd forward with purpose.

🐃 Winter Calving Prep - Winter calving takes extra planning — from making sure cows stay in the right body condition to lining out facilities, bedding and nutrition ahead of the cold. A little prep now helps protect newborn calves, support rebreeding and keep the whole herd on track once temperatures drop.

📏 Measure What Matters - The article emphasizes that managing a cow herd well starts with measuring the right things — from pregnancy rates and weaning weights to grazing days and feed costs. Tracking meaningful data gives ranchers clearer decisions, fewer surprises and a better handle on long-term profitability.

🐄 Finding the Right Cow Fit - Is there an “ideal” cow size? Experts say the right size is the one that matches your environment, forage, and management — not someone else’s standard. Choosing cows that naturally fit your land can cut inputs and boost overall herd productivity.

🦠 Managing Coccidiosis Risk - Weaned calves are especially vulnerable to coccidiosis, and early stress only increases the odds. Drovers outlines how clean water, good nutrition and targeted treatments can help keep outbreaks under control. A little prevention now avoids a big wreck later.

This week marks a big milestone for Ranching.com — our 100th newsletter!
To celebrate, we’ll be giving away a special industry bundled prize to one lucky subscriber out of our 96,000 readers.
TO ENTER JUST TAKE THE POLL!

We also want to feature ranch life from our readers in upcoming editions and on social media. If you’d like your operation highlighted, send your favorite ranch photos to [email protected] — we always love seeing what ranch life looks like where you are.

VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WEB

The Science Behind Better Beef Cattle

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Cold Weather Tips

K-State Research and Extension

Keeping cattle comfortable when temperatures drop isn’t just about warmth — it’s about managing feed, windbreaks and water access so animals can maintain condition without wasting energy. Simple steps like checking water isn’t frozen and adjusting nutrition for cold stress can pay off in cow condition and weaned-calf performance.

Take the guesswork out of managing your herd.

Stop juggling notebooks, spreadsheets, and scattered paper records. CattleMax puts everything in one place — breeding, health, weights, pasture management, and more — so you can make confident decisions backed by real data.

 More ranchers in North America use CattleMax than any other cattle management software. Isn’t it time you did too?

* This is sponsored content from CattleMax

RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP
CATTLE COMMUNITY

Photo by: Reader, Shelby Mindrup Wieghat
Old LS Ranch, in Wildorado, TX

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Prime Rib Pasta with Broccoli & Cheese

Looking for a way to use leftover beef? This easy dish uses cooked pasta, leftover Prime Rib, sun-dried tomatoes and truffle oil to flavor this speedy dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Get the recipe

READER POLL

You will be emailed Monday, December 22, 2025 if you have won the prize.

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

How do you keep records on your ranch?

24.14%: Paper notebook

16.09%: Spreadsheets

51.72%: Cattle Software

8.05%: Mostly in my head