Progressive Cattlemen Focus on Improved Efficiencies over Generations

To be successful in any business, takes dedication, skills and the desire to improve efficiencies with new technologies while embracing tradition that still is applicable. Alpers Farms at Hudson, Kan., is one such business that has stood the test of time and has adapted to new technologies to improve proficiencies and increase profitability with each generation that […]

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Tips to Building a Successful Breeding Program

Cow-calf producers have a checklist of endless options in order to be successful. They can choose the breed or breeds they want to incorporate into their herds. They can choose a time of year to calve based on their marketing strategy and demand. They can choose from a multitude of health and nutrition protocols. And […]

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Every Animal has Value: Keeping Cull Calves Profitable

Each fall when you go to market with your weaned calves, it seems like there are a handful of outliers in your calf crop that could cost you some premiums. But don’t dismay; there are ways to find value for every calf that you’ve produced; it might just take some extra time or some different […]

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Take the Stress Out of Weaning

A high-quality, healthy calf crop doesn’t just happen. It takes well-planned matings, caring for gestating and lactating cows with proper nutrition and management, and a low-stressed, healthy weaned group of calves. Producers know that perhaps the most challenging aspect of that equation is reducing the stress during weaning time, but one progressive seedstock operation in Central Illinois has found a […]

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A Three-Step Approach to Successful Weaning

If you are a cattle producer who has raised kids, there are a lot of similarities, especially when it comes to challenges. Think about weaning time and compare it to the first few days of sending your littles to pre-school. Who sheds more tears?  At weaning, it could be a toss-up as bawling calves missing […]

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Bringing the Heat to Optimize Operation

Imagine the anticipation of calving season to get one calf from your entire herd. The next year isn’t much better, but you double your pregnancy rates, and get two live calves on the ground. However, those two calves represent a small fraction of your herd. You’d probably start looking for a few answers. That’s exactly […]

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How One Progressive Cattleman Weathered the Storm

Livestock producers from across the country are reeling from the wrath of Mother Nature. From record rainfall amounts, to early-season tornadoes in the South, prolonged winter in the North, and the worst storm to ever hit Nebraska with the blizzard and floods from the “bomb cyclone” in March, producers could easily give up. But that […]

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How Customer Service Creates a Competitive Edge for One Operation

Passion. Quality. Commitment. These are just three traits that come to mind when one mentions Garrett Lampe’s name. Lampe, a fourth generation Angus producer from Western Kansas, has a passion for the cattle, land and the people that surround him. He’s dedicated to raising high-quality cattle, something he takes seriously as the General Manager of […]

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Comparing the Advantages of Spring and Fall Calving Systems

Cattle producers have many choices when it comes to their herd. Perhaps one of the most important decisions they will make when they are starting their operation and getting a foundation cow herd established is if they will calve in the spring, calve in the fall or perhaps they will choose to have two calving […]

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