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Despite major differences in cattle production nationally, there’s one thing I’m comfortable generalizing: Cattle producers do not have an abundance of time, labor or resources.

Just as cattle genetics and management practices have advanced over the last few generations, nutritional knowledge and practices have also evolved. These developments have allowed calves to continually improve, meeting the increasing demands of cattle producers and consumers alike.

In the Intermountain West, the sagebrush steppe ecosystem is a crucial resource for the livestock industry because it provides a large portion of forages for grazing livestock. Sagebrush steppe also provides important habitat for hundreds of wildlife species.

One of the most sensitive subjects in neighbor relations for landowners concerns the removal of trees and brush along property lines. While cutting brush and trees on one’s own land may seem simple, the matter becomes more complicated when the brush and trees lie along property lines or result from overhanging plants and trees from neighboring property.

Proof of livestock ownership in the western half of the U.S. is a hot iron brand, and in some herds freeze branding is used for individual animal ID. Creating a good-looking brand depends on proper technique and materials.