Check Out Our Current Issue!
American Cattlemen May 2025
This Issue Brings You:
-
- Gain a New View of Your Pasture Forage Potential
- Sponsored By
- Sponsored By
- Improve Hay Quality with Hay Wraps and Bags
- Maintaining Cattle Handling Systems
- Fly Control Strategies
- Altosid® IGR: Effectively Control Horn Fly Populations
- R&R Machine Works: Revolutionizing Feeding & Industrial Mfg since 1976
- Gain a New View of Your Pasture Forage Potential
Click Here To View This Issue Now!
Portable Corrals Materials Matter
Why Portable Corrals Materials Matter Here’s one thing we know: In the agricultural industry, Portable Corrals Materials Matter. Products that are made of strong, durable, and long-lasting materials can stand up to the intense activity within the cattle industry. John McDonald, founder and owner of Rawhide Portable Corral understands too well the necessity of […]
READ MORE
Building More Electric Fence
Check out these tips used on Building More Electric Fence to Meet Your Regenerative Grazing Goals Noble Ranches . “You can just imagine what that looked like,” Pokay recalls. “It was a mess, really mudded up. When I saw that, I thought I was done for.” But he let the paddock rest, and 70 days […]
READ MORE
Cattle Handling Systems
Cattle Handling Systems Whether you’re running a handful of cows in a small place or working a big outfit. We’re all looking for ways to make cattle handling systems more manageable and safer. The less stress on the cattle and the people working them the better. Regarding working cattle, the conversation often concerns two central systems: crowding tubs and Bud Boxes. Each has its place in a well-run operation and what works best for you depends on your setup handling style and labor situation. Some folks swear by tubs while others won’t use anything but a Bud Box. The truth is that both can be effective when used correctly. Let’s look at what each system offers how they work and their pros and cons. Crowding Tubs A crowding tub also known as a sweep tub is a curved or funnel shaped area. Designed to guide cattle into a smaller space usually an alley or a squeeze chute. The tub has a sweep gate that gradually pushes cattle forward narrowing their available space and encouraging them to move in the right direction. Cattle enter the tub and as the handler moves the sweep gate the animals naturally move forward seeing only one way out. The tub’s sides are typically solid preventing cattle from seeing distractions outside and keeping their focus on the exit. A roughened concrete floor often provides secure footing and easy cleaning. The “degree” of the tub refers to how much of a turn it makes to direct cattle. That plays a significant role in how smoothly they move through the system. There are a few standard options, and which one works best depends on your setup and how your cattle handle it. A 90-degree tub is a pretty standard design, and it is a quarter circle design. It redirects cattle just enough to get them lined up and moving where they need to go. It makes a sharp turn which works well in smaller spaces where you don’t have a lot of room to work with. A 180-tub makes the cattle turn entirely around doubling them back in the opposite direction. This setup needs more space but can help with cattle flow if designed correctly. It’s a curved semi-circle design. A 270-degree turn is a more gradual way to direct cattle. The extra turn makes for a smoother transition and can be helpful when dealing with nervous or high-strung cattle. It’s also a good option when space is tight, […]
READ MORE
Building the Preconditioning Program
There’s no shortage of opinions on preconditioning. And while Building the Preconditioning Program does not require excessive labor when done correctly, its economic trade-offs remain a point of debate. When a preconditioning program does make financial sense, make sure you have a plan that will maximize returns. “Effective preconditioning programs increase the value of […]
READ MORE
Featured Story
Maximize Profitability with Wagyu
Beef Cattle producers are feeling more optimistic. With an El Nino winter forecasted, cattle producers are anticipating a reprieve from multi-year drought conditions. For consecutive years the beef cattle herd has been in decline due to environmental conditions. A March 2023 USDA report shows that since 2022, there has been a 4% decrease in beef cows, 6% decrease in replacement heifers, and 5% decrease in heifers expected to calve this year. According to another published USDA article, the latest cattle inventory peaked in 2019 at 94.8 million and has since plummeted 6% to 89.3 million this year. The rapid decline in beef cattle inventory over the past four years was driven by drought conditions; however Northern states experienced above average rainfall during the 2023 spring and summer months and in the coming months NOAA predicts a wetter-than-average winter in the southeastern United States, allowing calf producers in recovering areas to consider opportunities to rebuild their herd.
Twin Rivers Media
Publisher of American Cattlemen and American Dairymen magazines. Founded over 30 years ago, Twin Rivers Media serves the information and marketing needs of America’s beef and dairy producers.
