- Ranching.com Newsletter
- Posts
- 🔑 Keys to Cow-Calf Herd Success
🔑 Keys to Cow-Calf Herd Success
Cooler Cattle: Better Gains, Proper Hay Storage, Culling Strategies and Creep Feeding from Ranching.com by CattleMax.
Ranching.com is your weekly dose of trending news, seasonal tips, and community content put together by our team of ranchers.
IN THE NEWS
CattleFax - Drovers
🔑 Keys to Cow-Calf Herd Success - CattleFax’s latest survey breaks down what top-performing cow-calf operations are doing differently—from calving windows and weaning strategies to genetics and herd expansion plans. With costs up and calf prices soaring, the data offers valuable insights for ranchers looking to boost returns.
➕ Right Time To Grow Your Herd?- With record-high cattle prices, herd rebuilding is tempting—but it’s not a simple decision. Whether retaining heifers or buying bred ones, producers must weigh high upfront costs, delayed income, and market uncertainty. Timing and long-term planning are key to making it pay off.
💉 Mycoplasma Bovis Risk - As confinement and commingling increase, so does the risk of Mycoplasma bovis—a stealthy BRD pathogen that’s hard to detect and even harder to treat. Dr. Vickie Cooper of Zoetis shares how early prevention, sound vaccination programs, and calf management strategies can help protect your herd from irreversible lung damage and rising costs.
🧊 Cooler Cattle, Better Gains - Managing heat stress in cattle doesn’t have to be complicated — small changes like shifting feeding times, adding shade, or improving water access can make a big difference. K-State’s A.J. Tarpoff shares practical strategies to help cattle stay comfortable, productive, and healthy through the heat.
🧬 Better Genetics Start At The Hoof - Nebraska ranchers Mark and Patty Goes are developing Hoof Track, a 3D scanning system designed to improve the accuracy of hoof scoring in cattle. By replacing subjective evaluations with standardized imaging, this technology aims to strengthen genetic selection, herd soundness, and long-term profitability.
VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WEB
RANCHING KNOW-HOW
Troy Walz
With drought conditions expected to continue, Nebraska experts recommend a proactive culling plan to manage limited forage and maintain long-term herd health. Use records, pregnancy checks, and calving data to make informed decisions—and consider early weaning to ease grazing pressure. Planning ahead can help turn tough decisions into long-term opportunities.
Casual Cattle Conversations - Drovers
Creep feeding can add weight—and value—to calves, but is it worth the cost? Oklahoma State’s Mark Johnson shares tips for evaluating whether creep feeding or creep grazing pencils out for your operation in today’s market. With high cattle prices and dry conditions, now might be the time to run the numbers.
RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP
Global Beef Roundup: Focus on New Zealand [Beef Magazine]
Virtual Fencing For Beef Cattle Gains Momentum in Canada [Canadian Cattlemen]
CATTLE COMMUNITY
@tleblanc76 Wonder if vets will do a mental evaluation? #cattle #farmlife #farmtok #beef #calves
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Good judgement comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgement.”
— Vista Verde Ranch
READER POLL
What’s the biggest factor in your operation’s success right now?💬 Cast your vote and share why in the comments. We’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for your herd and learn from each other’s experiences. |
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
How much do genomic tools like DNA testing and GE-EPDs factor into your bull buying decisions? | 17.81%: Rely heavily on genomic data 58.90%: Use it alongside visual appraisal & EPDs 9.59%: Mainly focus on visual appraisal 13.70%: Still learning how to use genetic data |
THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS
Use it alongside visual appraisal and EPDs
“The use of EPDs and genetic verification are invaluable tools for selection but you should never forgo visual inspection. Structural correctness with good feet and the ability to travel is essential for breeding your cows. ”
“We found that bulls with the best genomic data aren't always durable out to 5&6 breeding season. Just because their data claims 'they hang the moon' doesn't mean they can carry it around in a pasture effectively with longevity. We have learned to balance all the genomics against physical confirmation/ease of movement. When you can put a bull's genes against a good phenotype, then you have something.... problem is you'll be paying for it.”
Rely heavily on genomic data
“However I also use visual appraisal.”
“We have a long list of requirements and tools we use to not only evaluate bulls and cattle for purchase, but for our own cattle as well.”
Still learning how to use genetic data
“We use a spread sheet and paper printouts to keep track of where cattle are as well as data on each animal.”
“I've tried a few and settled on an excel spreadsheet. Leaves a little to be desired, but tracks the basics.”
