NEWS

The summer heat is quickly fading, which means fall time and weaning are just around the corner. Transitioning newly weaned or received cattle can present a number of challenges. Good management during the preconditioning phase is key to long-term health and performance of calves.

Many fall-calving herds may have calves on the ground already. Fall-calving cows and young calves are at risk for heat stress, and excessive heat can lead to lethargic calves at birth.

The lingering effects of inclement weather conditions earlier in the year and a greater proportion of heifers and cows in the slaughter mix have largely kept cattle weights below expectations from the previous month. Average cattle carcass weights appear to have bottomed in the week ending June 1, 2019, at 790 pounds.

President Trump, joined by trade representatives and members of the U.S. beef industry, recently signed a trade agreement with the European Union (EU) that will designate a larger duty-free quota of U.S. beef to the European meat market.

There is a step in between weaning and payday that can make a difference in our product. I’m sure you can recall seeing trailers with various issues over the years. When loading out after a sale once, I loaded a heifer onto a buyer’s bumper pull trailer.