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💪 The Power of a Defined Breeding Season
Pasture Transition, Watch the Water, Prescribed Burns, and Stopping Flies in 2025 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.
NEWS
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💪 The Power of a Defined Breeding Season - A defined breeding season helps streamline herd management, labor, and marketing. While shortening the season can boost uniformity and value, it also requires top-notch reproductive and nutritional management. The key is balancing your herd goals with what’s practical for your operation.
🌱 Pasture Transition Matters - New research from Iowa State shows that how heifers are transitioned from dry lot to pasture around breeding season can affect weight gain and conception rates. Heifers who continued gaining weight post-AI breeding had better outcomes than those who lost condition—highlighting the importance of nutrition during the first 21 days of breeding, not just before it.
🥇Legacy in The Ring - After 55 years of coaching, Dan Hoge reflects on the impact of livestock judging, the evolution of stock show trends, and the importance of inspiring the next generation. From teaching students to finish strong to encouraging positivity in the show ring, Hoge’s message is clear: great coaching is about heart, not just skill.
💦 Watch The Water - As drought lingers, surface water sources are drying up in North Dakota—and those that remain may pose serious health risks to cattle. NDSU experts warn that high levels of sulfates and TDS can limit weight gain or even harm livestock, urging producers to test water quality and consider long-term alternatives to improve drought resilience.
💉 Disease Defense Gap - A new Iowa State survey reveals widespread concern among livestock producers over major diseases like PRRS, avian flu, and bovine RSV—but many also report uncertainty about the effectiveness of their current disease management tools. While over half say they have adequate resources, nearly 40% feel unsure, pointing to a growing need for education and support.
VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WEB
RANCHING KNOW-HOW
Maggie Malson - Drovers
Grass tetany is a fast-acting, potentially fatal condition in lactating cows grazing lush spring grasses. Experts urge producers to begin magnesium supplementation 30–45 days ahead of peak risk periods and to stay alert for symptoms like staggering or sudden death. Prevention is key to protecting herd health.
David Boxler - Drovers
With fly season approaching, K-State entomologist Cassandra Olds outlines a 4-step strategy to reduce losses from horn and stable flies. Her recommendations include identifying which flies you’re battling, reducing breeding sites, using non-chemical methods, and rotating insecticide types to slow resistance. Prevention now means fewer bites—and bigger gains—later.
CATTLE COMMUNITY
@mandy_potter I have been super busy lately and loving every minute! #mediainmotion #missouri #videographer #videography #media #digitalmarketing
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.”
— Kobe Bryant
READER POLL
What best describes your breeding season strategy?💭 A defined breeding season offers benefits like more uniform calves and streamlined management, but every operation is different. Let us know why your current strategy works for you and what challenges you have faced in the comments! |
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
What’s your go-to strategy for managing open cows? | 15.19%: Sell them right away 12.66%: Feed and rebreed 7.59%: Keep and finish out 53.16%: Depends on cow and market 11.39%: Still figuring out what works best |
THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS
Depends on the cow and market
“I take into consideration the prior year's weather conditions, the cow's body condition, and her calving record.”
“I ask myself the following questions. Age of cow? Has she been an easy keeper? Feet condition? Udder condition? Cow disposition? Market price? Does she raise good calves? An experienced cow with no problems is less risk than a heifer.”
Keep and finish out
“We sell grass-fed, grass-finished beef direct to consumers, so they bring us top dollar.”
