Herd Quitter™ Blog
Heat-Tolerant Genetics
Pictured below is a first-calf heifer with an 8-month-old calf at side. Momma is bred to have her second calf in October. This pair is in one of our Heat-Tolerant Composite herds. Cattle like this have been bred to handle the heat and humidity. They are also parasite...
Where Have All the Good Bugs Gone?
Peter, Paul and Mary was a very popular American folk singing group in the 1960s. In 1962, they had a big hit when they recorded a song called “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” Where have all the flowers gone?Long time passing.Where have all the flowers goneLong time...
How To Solve the Horn Fly Problem
Horn flies are costing the cattle industry billions of dollars every year. Controlling horn flies with chemical insecticides is not working because horn flies have been able to develop a resistance to all of the chemical insecticides that have been used in the last 80...
The Horn Fly Problem
In last week’s PCC Update (sign up here), we began a discussion on horn fly control that was prompted by an article on page 2 of our Summer 2024 Newsletter. Most of today’s cow-calf producers have been programmed by the chemical companies to treat the symptoms of the...
Off The Charts
I have subscribed to “The Weekly Market Summary” put out by The Cattle Range for over 14 years. I receive it via email every Saturday morning. If you want up-to-date news, market reports and commentaries, this weekly email is a must! Several times within the last six...
Cattle Cycles
Most cattlemen know there is a very predictable and repeatable cattle cycle that is driven by supply and demand. The wise ones know how to use it to their advantage. When there are high cow numbers, cattle prices will go down. When there are low cow numbers, cattle...
The Real World
We spend a lot of time talking about working on the business, about planning and marketing. The goal is to get people to look at options on paper that make the most financial sense. Maybe selling 6-weight calves in October isn’t the best financial plan? Maybe selling...
A Cowboy Hat and a Dream
NOTE: This article is somewhat of a follow up to my previous Business or Hobby and Small Producers articles. It was originally shared in September of 2016. However, I have made several revisions. I am fortunate enough to know several very successful cattlemen who...
The PBR Finals
Deanna and I spent last Saturday and Sunday at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Finals in Fort Worth, Texas. Deanna’s sisters Donna and Debbie and Debbie’s husband Ron went with us. We always have a great time – no matter where we are. As I said last week,...
Small Producers
This article is a follow up to last week’s "Business or Hobby" article. It was first shared in January of 2022 in response to a question I had been asked by a relatively new subscriber in Arkansas. He asked, “What would be your recommendations for a small producer -...