NEWS

The new year symbolizes a great opportunity to reflect about ways to reduce costs and improve upon 2018 profitability. Ranch profitability is essentially determined by enterprise cost structure.

For the last several years, calving in a confinement setting has been on the rise because of the advantages offered, including better opportunity to monitor and assist during parturition if needed, ability to control feed intake and waste, and avoid dealing with mud.

Let’s run through the January checklist: grass tetany prevention for grazing winter annuals, spring-calving herds need to make sure bulls are in a body condition score (BCS) of 5 or 6 and have a breeding soundness exam, and ensure appropriate nutrition for cows in peak lactation.

If the thought of seeing more than 22 different cattle breeds in one place makes you want to jump in your truck or board a plane for Denver, then you won’t want to miss the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSS).

2018 was a tough year for U.S. trade relations, but 2019 holds potential for a little more peace on the trading front. President Trump reached a tentative truce with China President Xi Jinping during the much-anticipated G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 1, 2018.