Ranching.com is your weekly dose of trending news, seasonal tips, and community content put together by our team of ranchers.

NEWS

🌊 High Waters, High Stakes

 🌊 High Waters, High Stakes - Parts of the Upper Midwest are dealing with severe flooding, affecting fields and causing significant crop damage. The Mississippi River also faces flood threats, with high waters potentially leading to the loss of up to a million corn acres. Replanting corn is no longer viable, and planting soybeans is risky due to low yield potential. Eighteen river gauges along the Mississippi River are at major flood stages, with more rain expected over the next 10 days, exacerbating the situation.

🤔 Think Zinc - Beef cattle face stress and fatigue during transport, which affects their health and growth. Research at Iowa State University, led by Professor Stephanie Hansen, is investigating if boosting zinc levels before transport can help. Preliminary results show that cattle fed extra zinc perform better and recover faster. This could lead to improved cattle health and potentially higher market value.

💵 Checkoff ROI Check-In - A recent economic analysis of the national Beef Checkoff program revealed that each dollar invested from 2019 to 2023 generated a financial benefit of $13.41 for beef producers and importers. Conducted by Dr. Harry M. Kaiser of Cornell University, the study found that without these investments, domestic beef demand would have been 8.5% lower, and export demand 11.5% lower. The program added $3.3 billion to the beef industry in 2023, boosting U.S. employment by nearly 47,000 jobs and increasing the GDP by $9.5 billion. This highlights the program’s significant impact on both the beef industry and the broader U.S. economy.

ᨎ Hemlock Harm - Poison hemlock, a deadly plant for cattle, was unexpectedly found in baleage purchased by a neighbor. Recognizable by its tall, feathery appearance and purple-spotted stems, it resembles harmless wild carrot but emits a foul odor when crushed. The plant contains potent toxins that can cause severe neurological symptoms and even death in cattle if ingested. While grazing animals generally avoid it, hay and silage can retain its toxicity, making careful inspection vital to prevent livestock poisoning.

📈 Riding High - Despite some skepticism, many see positive trends in the beef industry this year. Feedyards have achieved higher prices and larger volumes, with inflation-adjusted fed prices at $147/cwt compared to historical averages. Packer gross margins are currently at 9.7%, similar to 1980 levels, amid tightening inventories. Industry experts argue that record profits stem from high consumer demand and tight cattle supplies, emphasizing the role of free enterprise over government intervention.

🥩 Trimmings Opportunities - The market for beef trimmings, once a homogeneous commodity, now shows clear price variations based on attributes like breed (e.g., Wagyu, Angus), feeding methods (grainfed, grassfed), and certifications (Organic, HGP-free). These distinctions can lead to premiums up to 15% for Certified Organic trimmings and higher for specialties like Wagyu, depending on global demand dynamics. However, these premiums are subject to seasonal and market-specific fluctuations, highlighting the complexity of the trimmings market today.

☀️ Powering Pastures - Gallagher launches its innovative Lithium Solar Energizers for North American farmers, livestock producers, and equine owners. These energizers offer fast charging, long-lasting energy, and exceptional portability, catering to modern pasture management and rotational grazing needs. Designed for dairy, livestock, and equine applications, they excel in strip grazing, waterway fencing, and crop protection, delivering reliable power in diverse conditions. Gallagher aims to boost pasture productivity and animal growth through efficient grazing management, providing farmers with sustainable and effective fencing solutions.

🧬 Genetics by Environment - Dr. Jared Decker, from the University of Missouri, emphasized the economic impact of genetics by environment (G x E) interactions in beef production at the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium. He cited a 1960s study showing how relocating cattle between Florida and Montana significantly altered pregnancy rates, underscoring the need for tailored genetic adaptation. Decker introduced USDA-funded projects aimed at enhancing livestock adaptability through advanced genetic tools like EPDs and crossbreeding, focusing on traits crucial for resilience and productivity in varying environments.

RANCHING KNOW-HOW

From Stress to Success

Our mindset significantly shapes our reality, influencing how we perceive situations and their outcomes. As a business owner and rancher, John Sachse has encountered both successes and challenges. Despite setbacks and losses, he remains convinced of his ranch’s future potential and embraces each challenge as a learning opportunity. Reflecting on past experiences and maintaining a positive outlook have been crucial in turning his setbacks into valuable lessons. Join him in a free webinar to explore powerful techniques for building resilience and gaining mental clarity, helping you navigate life's challenges with a positive mindset. Register for "From Stress to Success: Building a Resilient Mindset for Men" and take the first step toward personal growth and mental clarity.

Resilient Ranching during La Niña

By mid-growing season, ranchers should have accumulated over half of the necessary forage for their livestock. However, La Niña years, like 2024, can result in forage shortages due to drier and warmer conditions. Understanding and adapting to these changes is essential for sustainable operations, as La Niña can significantly alter precipitation and temperature patterns, particularly across the Southern U.S., where dry conditions can hinder forage growth and challenge ranchers relying on year-round grazing.

Manage Stressors and Minimize BRD

Summer presents various challenges and stressors for beef cattle, potentially leading to bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Mitigating risk is essential in managing BRD, which includes building immunity and handling infection. Risks can arise from new cattle entering the herd and stressors related to handling, nutrition, and environment. Collaborate with a veterinarian to assess threats and develop a comprehensive plan is crucial and read this article to learn more!

WE WANT YOUR TESTIMONIAL!

Are you enjoying the weekly Ranching.com newsletter? So do Howard and Carolyn Davis of San Jacinto Ranch in Huntsville, Texas:

“I was pleased to see that the Cattlesoft organization has started a weekly publication for its customers and cattle producers in the US and all over the world. I was not surprised to observe the relevance and the content quality of the articles that this new publication contains. The articles examine current industry topics that every producer should read. These articles are meant to challenge and inform all sizes of producers. The survey questions and published responses have been quite informative. Another well-produced product from Cattlesoft.”

Please share a quote, as it will help us spread the word and continue to build the top digital ranching community for our industry.

RANCHING AROUND THE WORLD RECAP

🇦🇺 Project working to improve Australia’s grazing pastures gains year-long extension [Beef Central]

🇨🇦 New Canadian feed regulations released [Canadian Cattlemen]

🇲🇽 Mexico Leads Regional Efforts in Sustainable Agriculture [Mexico Business]

🇳🇿 NZ Government progressing commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea [Beef Central]

CATTLE COMMUNITY

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

READER POLL

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS

Sales and Coupons

• “We haven't stopped eating out, but are more judicious in our choices and not eating out as often.”

Other

• “I do more meal planning and try new recipes to utilize leftovers and reduce food waste.”

Hasn’t affected

• “We were always watching our food spending budget so while food prices have gone up our habits haven’t changed.”

• “We raise our own beef, and we butcher hogs annually purchased from a neighboring farmer, so we always have a large meat supply in our freezer. A bonus is a summer garden that provides lots of yummy veggies for the grill! We never have to purchase beef or pork from the grocery stores.”

GIVE FEEDBACK & WIN!