Education

Many cow-calf producers would tell you that the cattle are simply a by-product of the land they graze, and the pasture is the foundation of their operation. The goal is simple: allow cattle to harvest as much nutrition as possible from available forage while maintaining body condition, reproductive performance, and herd health. But even the best pastures have a changing nutritional calendar.

It seems like nearly every year Mother Nature wreaks havoc on various regions with drought. Drier than desirable conditions challenge livestock producers who depend on forages for their cattle to graze during the summer months. Grain producers who rely on adequate moisture at the right times see their crops suffer again and again. However, with proper drought management for cattle, your herd and your bank account can survive the drought.

If summer heat leaves you drenched with sweat before morning chores are finished, imagine wearing a permanent fur coat in the middle of July. Producers know summer is more than an inconvenience. It is prime season for heat stress in cattle and insects, both of which lead to performance setbacks in their herds. 

Summer marketing success doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of intentional decisions made months in advance—decisions rooted in efficient management and a clear understanding of what today’s buyers demand. 

Flies are more than just a seasonal nuisance for cattle producers. When populations build during warm months, they create measurable stress on cattle, reduce grazing time, interfere with feeding behavior, and ultimately impact performance. Horn flies alone can cost the U.S. cattle industry more than 2 billion dollars annually through decreased weight gain and reduced productivity.