📊 Cattle Data Drives Decisions

Boost Cattle Productivity, Winter Bull Care, Big Cows and Profitability, and a Cowboy Beef Stew Recipe from Ranching.com by CattleMax.

February 11, 2026

Welcome to the 108th edition of Ranching.com – the leading cattle management resource for a community of 96,000+ ranchers and farmers.

IN THE NEWS

📊 Cattle Data Drives Decisions

Beef Magazine

📊 Cattle Data Drives Decisions - Producers are finding that better measurement and management tools help build momentum toward smarter cattle decisions and greater profitability. New integrations make it easier to bring genetic and performance data together so you can make clear, informed choices for your herd.

📉 Price Risk Tools - Producers should consider price risk management because markets can swing faster than expected and those swings can impact your bottom line. Using tools like forward contracting or hedging helps protect your cattle revenue when prices move against you. Ranchers who think about risk ahead of time often feel more confident in their marketing plans.

 🐄 Boost Cattle Productivity - Combining strategic deworming with good nutrition can help cattle maintain condition and perform better throughout the year. Ranchers who pay attention to parasite control and overall herd health often see stronger gains and fewer setbacks.

🚧 JBS Strike Vote - Workers at the JBS beef facility in Greeley, Colorado have voted on whether to authorize a strike, reflecting ongoing tension in labor and packing plant dynamics. Any labor action could slow processing and add pressure to an already tight cattle supply chain. For producers, these developments are another piece of the bigger picture that may affect cattle flow and marketing options.

📈 Cattle Market Turn - The latest CattleFax outlook suggests the cattle cycle may be turning in 2026 as strong demand meets tighter supplies. That combination could support better prices for producers willing to lean into marketing opportunities this year.

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 KNOW-HOW

Winter Bull Care

Springhill Herefords - Drovers

Managing bulls well through winter helps ensure they come out in good condition and ready for strong breeding performance in the spring. Proper nutrition, shelter, footing and careful monitoring of body condition all play a role in keeping them healthy through cold weather. Ranchers who plan winter bull care now can avoid setbacks when breeding season arrives.

BEHIND THE MIC

Big Cows and Profitability

Ep 242: Are Big Cows Paying Their Way? w/ Dr. Kenny Burdine | Working Ranch Radio Show

This week we’re joined by University of Kentucky livestock economist Dr. Kenny Burdine for a timely conversation that starts with cow size and weaning weights — and quickly moves into the bigger picture of efficiency, consistency, and profitability in the cow-calf business. We discuss how mature cow size ties back to real costs, why consistency in the calf crop matters more than many producers realize, and how marketing dynamics like lot size can add — or leave — money on the table. We’ll also take a look at current market signals, herd retention, competing meats, and what ranchers should be thinking about as we head into 2026.
Plus a discussion with Jeremy Martin & Chrisman of Stockmen's Source Bull Sale.

Where AgTech Meets Ranching

Ranching.com is proud to be a media partner for the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in Fort Worth on April 8–9. Good ideas spread fast in this industry, and the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit is where a lot of those conversations start. From practical advances in animal health and nutrition to new tools in genetics, biosecurity, and precision livestock, the summit highlights what’s moving the needle for producers today.

Ranching.com readers receive 10% off with code RANCHING10.

CATTLE COMMUNITY

National Beef Wire

U.S. CATTLE REPORT 📊Top 10 States With the Largest Calf Crops📊

U.S. calf crop totals declined in 2025, with the national inventory falling to 32.9 million head, down 520,900 head from 2024.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Cowboy Beef Stew

Fill your house with the aroma of slowly cooked beef stew. The hearty combination of beans, beef and tomatoes will satisfy any hunger.
Get the recipe

READER POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What’s your biggest priority with tighter cattle supplies?

36.36%: Herd retention and rebuilding

23.86%: Getting top dollar for market cattle

25%: Cost management

14.77%: Record-keeping & performance tracking