I look in on a few internet discussion forums on a regular basis just to see what the status quo whiz kids are saying and thinking.   In late February, one forum started a discussion on “Fly Control.”   Really?   In February?   I can’t believe it! I usually don’t see...

Throughout history, the most ambitious and adventurous of people have constantly yearned to leave old, overcrowded territories in search of new frontiers.   These are trailblazers, frontiersmen, pioneers and innovators.   They quickly tire of the status quo....

I came across an internet article late last week entitled, “Selecting Bulls to Meet Your Goals,” or something like that.   It wasn’t worth the time it took to open the link – but it did get me to thinking.   I suspect most cow-calf producers have no goals....

• Treat their cows tougher than you treat your cows? • Refuse to make an excuse for a cow, or give a her a second chance? • Develop bulls on forage — with nothing but starch-free supplements? • Evaluate and score bulls for disposition? • Evaluate and score bulls for...

If you want to produce the right kind of replacement females, you need to be using bulls that were produced by the right kind of momma cows.    Weights, ratios and EPDs serve a purpose, but they don’t tell the whole story. Although most ranchers tell me they want to...

While thumbing through a status quo beef publication, I came across an article about “average producers.”   The leadoff sentence said, “Being average in the cow-calf business means you are probably just breaking even.”   That got my attention, so I read on. When you...

With the coming of the New Year, it is traditional to look back at what happened, good or bad, in the world around us.   For the cattle industry, one definite change I have seen in the last year is that “cow size” is mentioned more and more and finally given its...

WARNING: This Newsletter may be Hazardous to Closed Minds.   Read at your own risk!

One of the smartest things I've heard anyone say was Johann Zietsman's comparison of corn farming and beef production.   The rancher-consultant from Zimbabwe said if corn farmers thought like beef producers, they would space their plants far apart and try to maximize...

The easiest money you will ever make is the money you DON’T spend.   Ben Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”   Folks, this is just as true today as it ever was – and it applies to every $10, $100 and $10,000 you DON’T spend.   Guess what?   This...