The most gratifying part of my job is hearing from people who made the transition from high-input, break-even ranching to low-input, high-profit ranching.   I receive emails on a weekly basis from those who are so glad they made the transition when they did.   Most...

People hate change!   Nowhere is this more prevalent than in agriculture.   It seems to take years for people in agriculture to make simple changes – even though they know the change will be for their own good.   I must confess that I too am reluctant to change.   I...

According to the USDA Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, the average Angus, Red Angus and Hereford cow in America weighs over 1,400 pounds.   WOW!   The status quo seedstock industry has successfully out-Simmentalled the Simmentals.  ...

When you purchase something, you always hope you will get your money’s worth.   That, however, is often easier said than done, isn’t it?   When purchasing bulls, cost is always a factor – but it should not be the only factor.   First and foremost, you should consider...

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...