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đź’˛Turning Open Cattle into Assets
Breeding Tools, Packing Plant Launch, Investing in Herd Expansion, and To Graze or Not 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
Drovers
💲 Turning Open Cattle into Assets - Experts from Kansas State University weigh in on evaluating each cow’s potential—from feed costs to market timing—to determine whether she’s a loss or an opportunity. Strategic thinking and a little math can turn open cows into profitable assets.
🛠️ Breeding Tools - Advanced tools like A.I., embryo transfer, and IVF can fast-track herd improvement—but are they worth it? While natural service remains the norm, A.I. is the most affordable and widely used upgrade, offering cost savings and genetic gains. ET and IVF offer faster genetic advancement but come with higher costs and complexity, making them best suited for operations targeting high-value markets.
🪟 Calving Window Countdown - Narrowing the calving window can boost calf value and better align with forage availability, says K-State’s Bob Larson. He recommends a gradual shift—starting with early-calving heifers and culling late-bred cows—to achieve a 65-70 day calving season within a few years. Synchronization can help, but added labor may not be worth the minimal gain.
🚀 Packing Plant Launch - A major new beef processing facility opens Thursday in Wright City, Missouri. America’s Heartland Packing will employ 1,300 workers and process up to 2,400 head daily—split between cull and finished cattle—bringing a projected $1 billion annual impact to the state. Missouri cattle producers can sell directly to the plant or through local sale barns.
💰 Investing in Herd Expansion - With bred heifer prices up 26% from 2023, producers are urged to assess the long-term value of herd expansion. Using net present value (NPV) helps weigh future returns against today’s costs—ensuring that an investment in replacements adds real value rather than risk. Don’t let high prices alone drive your decisions—do the math.
VIDEOS FROM AROUND THE WEB
RANCHING KNOW-HOW
BT_Cow_Calf_Mineral - Drovers
As spring grazing begins, now’s the time to revisit your mineral program. Kansas State experts advise including magnesium for grass tetany prevention, starting fly control early, and closely monitoring intake to avoid over- or under-consumption. A tailored approach based on forage type and herd status ensures better health and performance through the season.
Austin Schroeder
Despite the green-up, turning cattle out too early this spring could backfire. Dry conditions across much of Ohio mean pastures are still fragile—overgrazing now could limit summer growth. Experts suggest delaying turnout, practicing good rotation, and exploring alternative forages to build long-term grazing resiliency.
CATTLE COMMUNITY
@christuten We aren’t just raising beef here at 210 Cattle, we are raising the future.
Beef Cattle Research Council | Facebook
For some producers, adopting the Sandhills Calving System has improved herd health and time management at a busy time of year. This method involves moving pregnant cows to fresh ground and leaving...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
— C.S.Lewis
READER POLL
What’s your go-to strategy for managing open cows?💠What do you do with open cows? Every herd is different and we want to hear your take! Let us know how you typically handle it in the comments below. |
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
What do you believe has the biggest impact on early pregnancy success in your herd? | 75.44%: Cow condition & nutrition 8.77%: Bull fertility & genetics 5.26%: Heat stress or environmental factors 7.02%: Timing & stress around breeding 3.51%: Embryo quality |
THOUGHTS FROM VOTERS
Cow condition & nutrition
“Without a good BCS score on breeding cows in the cow herd success in achieving and maintaining pregnancy is limited. The Cow is your factory and you can’t produce calves in a run down factory.”
“Drought and low nutrition have lowered my pregnancy success in past years.”
Bull fertility & genetics
“If your bulls are shooting blanks, you’ll miss an entire calf crop. Many of those other factors are very important, but the way the question was worded, I think that is the most crucial issue listed.”
