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Since ranchers are traditionally optimistic, we now are thinking about restocking before the next growing season. Buying replacements that maintain or increase herd uniformity should be a primary focus of this effort.

These recommendations help commercial cow-calf producers make better decisions internally and produce a more consistent, desirable product.

Anyone who's been through even one calving season has most likely dealt with calving difficulty.

A timely, costly, and many times mismanaged topic is winter feeding. I continually meet producers that have not heard of feeding their cows three days a week. Others have heard of it, but do not think it will work for them.

Cattle producers should seriously consider getting a breeding soundness exam. Before you jump to conclusions, let me explain!

A common thread among cow-calf producers is that they need bulls. This may be the most critical decision made by cow/calf producers. How do you make this decision? I'll share with you some of the steps I use when making the bull purchase decision.

A trait exhibited by a cow herd or individuals within a herd that saves time and money is referred to as a "convenience trait." Examples are polledness, parasite resistance, heat tolerance and calving ease.

On some ranches, hay feeding is caused by the calving season, regardless of the stocking rate. This is because cows in late gestation and early lactation have nutrient requirements that often dramatically exceed the nutrient content of available forage.

We often think about the bull as the means of introducing new genetics into a beef herd. However, management of the bull (or lack of it) after purchase is often the "Achilles Heel" of cattle production. Failure to pay attention to important management practices affecting the bull often results in reduced calving rates, increased calf mortality, and loss of uniformity and marketability.

Often times cow-calf producers have a difficult time incorporating replacement heifers into the cow herd with a high degree of success.