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

IN THE NEWS

 🐂 Bulls Built to Perform

🐂 Bulls Built to Perform - Bulls play a major role in herd performance, yet they’re often overlooked in herd management. Experts stress the importance of proper early nutrition, breeding soundness exams, and stress management to ensure fertility. From avoiding injuries and social dominance issues to monitoring libido and sperm quality, proactive bull management can improve conception rates and protect your bottom line.

📈 The Calving Scoreboard - Post-calving is the ideal time to evaluate cow herd performance. Experts recommend using a scorecard to track key data points like pregnancy rates, calf death loss, calving ease, udder health, and timing of births. By reviewing these metrics, producers can identify management or nutrition issues and make informed decisions for improving herd productivity.

💲Cattle Prices Hit Record Highs - Live cattle futures and cash prices surged to new records, fueled by tighter slaughter rates and strong beef demand. June live cattle closed at $202.05/cwt, and feeder contracts also climbed, especially in late summer and fall months. With seasonal demand rising and retail prices near all-time highs, the coming weeks may reveal whether consumer spending can sustain the rally.

🧬Genomics Matter - Genomic tools boost confidence in bull selection by increasing the accuracy of EPDs, even in young, unproven sires. As testing costs drop, commercial producers can also use genomics to pick better heifers, fine-tune mating decisions, and unlock added-value marketing opportunities.

➕Boosting Local Meat Processing - A newly reintroduced bill would support small meat and poultry processors by expanding access to federal resources, increasing inspection funding, and offering grants for upgrades and workforce training. Lawmakers say it will ease processing bottlenecks and help producers meet local demand.

Follow the Marbling

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

Foot Health in Wet Conditions

Wet conditions raise the risk of foot rot in cattle by damaging skin between the toes and opening the door to infection. Early signs include lameness and swelling, especially between the dewclaws. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is typically effective, but prevention—through good mineral nutrition, hoof care, and managing muddy environments—is key to reducing cases.

Make Hay in May

May is the ideal time to cut cool-season grasses like tall fescue and orchard grass for optimal hay yield and quality. Cutting before seed development preserves nutrition, while cutting too late or too short can reduce quality, invite weeds, and increase toxicity risk. Proper storage is also essential to avoid significant dry matter loss and protect your investment.

CATTLE COMMUNITY

@ristaufamilyfarms

Not much can beat cows on spring grass! #farmtok #cowtok #fypシ #beefcattle #familyfarm #greengrass

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