There are two different kinds of mistakes; some are preventable and some aren’t. Take calving season, for instance; a calf dies because it was born on frozen ground and simply couldn’t maintain its body temperature at that fragile time of life. If bedded, out of the wind, or warmed up, that calf would have been perfectly fine....More

I spent the last week attending bull sales and talking to commercial producers; the excitement in the marketplace is palpable. In view of historical relationships, if calves are going to bring $1,000 each, then prices of $1,500 for replacement females, $2,500 for bred heifers, and $5,000-$6,000 for bulls aren’t out of line....More

Production sales are in full swing, and if your kitchen table looks like mine, it’s filled with sale catalogs, ads, fliers and various promotions pushing different breeds, value-added programs and the hottest bulls of the year. It can be easy to get lost in the hype of a well-advertised bull, and fat and pampered cattle sure look nice at the sale, but it’s important to do your due diligence before buying your next herd bull....More