Welcome to the 97th edition of Ranching.com – the leading cattle management resource for a community of 96,000+ ranchers and farmers.

📊 Data-Driven Breeding - A team at Kansas State University says the secret to a successful breeding season lies in three simple steps: keep accurate records, make an intentional plan and follow through with consistency. If you know which cows calved early and which heifers bred on time, you’ll be in a much stronger position to build momentum for next year.

🏭 Plant Closure Alert - Tyson Foods announced it will permanently shut its Lexington, Nebraska beef-processing facility — which handles up to 5,000 head per day and employs around 3,000 workers. This move speaks volumes about how tight cattle supply and processing economics are hitting the beef sector — and ranchers should keep a close eye on how it affects local markets and cattle buyer options.

🥩 $10 Ground Beef? - Talk is floating about ground beef reaching $10 per pound, but analysts say that kind of jump (over 50%) doesn’t line up with long-term history and likely won’t be the average market outcome. For ranchers, it’s a signal to keep one eye on consumer pricing and the other on how your cost structure and margins are shaping up.

🦟 Screwworm Watch - USDA has launched a new dedicated website to keep ranchers in the loop about New World screwworm threats and the collective response—including a Texas fly-sterilization facility set to go online early 2026. The insect hasn’t crossed the U.S. border yet, but with surveillance up and infrastructure improving, it’s smart to stay aware and prepared on the ranch.

🌾 Efficiency in Action - Texas A&M AgriLife is working with cow-calf and stocker producers through a targeted education initiative aimed at cutting input costs, improving herd efficiency and protecting grazing land resources.

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