9 Cows of Yesteryear

Skinny cows may look better in bikinis, but in the beef business that’s not really how we measure success. Economic losses from thin cows can be substantial.  As the graph below shows, the thinner the cow, the less likely she is to become pregnant.  While weaning weight may not always be a good measure of your success as a producer, calves from skinny cows will have lower weaning weights, which could result in lower revenues.  This is because skinny cows produce less colostrum, so their c

What makes a successful grassfed operation? Well, one important ingredient is the right kind of cow, and that’s what I’m talking about in this 3:20 minute video. I took it at the end of April just as the green grass was coming on to show you the kind of cows I’m raising so that I can make a profit. These South Poll cows have come through a rough winter, with their calves still on them because we haven’t weaned for about 13 years now. While other folks are feeding cattle

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) infests rangelands and pastures in all but the southern U.S. and is found throughout Canada.  It is considered a noxious invasive species everywhere it turns up thanks to the extreme difficulty we have in controlling it.  It spreads via seeds and rhizomes and there is some evidence that it changes soil chemistry in its immediate vicinity so that other plants can’t grow.  But what most farmers and ranchers living with this plant don’t know is that cattle can

After weeks, months and sometimes years of planning, it is here; you are ready to send cows through the robotic milking system.Expectations, as well as tensions, are usually high during startup week, but with proper preparation, you can address issues quickly and maintain your momentum.To help set yourself and your animals up for success during the early days in the robot barn, here is a checklist to help keep you on track:1. Prepare and share a schedule for startup week. Make sure everyone work