Let’s be honest—breeding season asks a lot from our cows. Within 90 days after calving, we expect them to nourish a growing calf, recover from giving birth, and cycle back into estrus so they’re ready to breed again. That’s a tall order, especially when you consider how much their performance impacts the success of our entire operation.
A yearly calving interval isn’t just a goal—it’s a financial necessity. If a cow isn’t giving you a calf every year, she’s not paying her way. And with rising input costs, feed bills, and tight margins, every open cow hurts a little more. Keeping cows on schedule helps maintain a steady bottom line.
But here’s the catch: cows can’t meet these demands on empty fuel tanks. To stay on track, they need proper nutrition at the right time. That means we’ve got to pay close attention to three things:
- Forage Quality – Is the grass packing the protein and energy she needs?
- Forage Quantity – Can she consume enough to meet her daily requirements?
- Her Stage of Production – Is she lactating, regaining body condition, or getting ready to breed?
Meeting her nutritional needs isn’t just about tossing out some cubes. It’s about understanding what she needs and ensuring your pastures—and your plan—can support her through this high-demand period.
Because when cows get what they need, they’ll give you what you want: a healthy calf on the ground, year after year. And that’s the kind of return we’re all after.
When it comes to raising cattle, the correct storage of hay isn’t just a beneficial practice—it’s an absolute necessity, especially during the winter months when pastures go dormant and natural forage is scarce. In 2023 alone, over 4.6 million acres of hay were harvested in Texas, underscoring the vital role of hay in maintaining smooth livestock operations. However, the challenge lies not just in growing or buying hay, but in storing it correctly. Failure to do so could mean a significant loss of your investment.
Breeding season prep isn’t just another thing on your to-do list—it’s one of the most essential parts of your ranch’s success. For cow/calf producers, the steps you take before the season starts can make or break your calf crop. At the end of the day, it’s those good-quality calves that bring in the income and keep your operation moving forward. A healthy, consistent calf crop isn’t luck—it results from solid planning and management.
Cedar—more accurately called juniper—can be a real headache to deal with. It’s not just a scraggly-looking tree; it’s an aggressive woody plant that loves to spread. Around here in Texas, and in many other places too, it’s known for taking over pastures if left alone. It creeps in fast, crowding out the grasses your livestock need. Before you know it, your beautiful open pasture starts to look more like a forest—and not the kind that’s doing you any favors.
If there’s one thing every livestock owner knows, it’s that a fence isn’t optional—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re raising cattle, sheep, horses, or goats, a good fence is the first line of defense in keeping your animals where they belong. Without one, you risk them wandering off, getting injured, or even causing accidents. Just as important, a well-built fence helps keep predators out, protecting your animals from threats like coyotes or stray dogs. Simply put, a strong, reliable fence is one of the best investments you can make for your operation.
Pinkeye, a highly contagious disease in cattle, can spread rapidly if not promptly addressed. This bacterial infection, which primarily affects the eyes, can lead to irritation, excessive tearing, and in severe cases, blindness. Given its mode of transmission through direct contact and flies, an outbreak can swiftly engulf an entire herd. Therefore, early detection and immediate action are crucial, as managing it becomes significantly more challenging once it takes hold.
Sulfur salt blocks have sparked plenty of debate among cattle producers. Some ranchers swear by them, believing they offer real benefits to their herd. In contrast, others argue they’re nothing more than an unnecessary expense. With so much conflicting information out there, it’s easy to see why the topic can be confusing. Do sulfur blocks truly help cattle, or are they just another product that sounds good in theory but doesn’t deliver? Making the best decision helps to take a closer look at what they actually do—and what they don’t.
Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) could be lurking in your herd right now—and you wouldn’t even know it. This silent disease is already costing the cattle industry millions, especially in dairy herds. While it often flies under the radar, BLV can have a profound financial impact, leading to lost production, higher vet bills, and the need to replace affected animals. Even if your cattle look healthy, the virus could still spread, putting your operation at risk.
Feed costs are the single most significant expense for any cattle producer, often making up as much as half of the total annual costs. These expenses can fluctuate dramatically depending on the season and forage conditions. In drought situations, feed costs can even climb to 70% of the total yearly expenditure, posing a real challenge for ranchers.
Mineral supplementation is not just a routine task in a cattle operation but a crucial element that directly impacts the health and productivity of your herd. These minerals are the building blocks for growth, reproduction, and basic maintenance. Without them, your cattle won’t perform at their best. Even the highest quality forages can only provide part of the nutrient profile your animals need. That’s why a consistent, year-round mineral supplement is a must.
