Pasture Forage Archives - American Cattlemen

Graze Fall-Weaned Calves this Winter to Boost Profits

Posted on September 14, 2026September 14, 2026 by Cattle- Web-Manager-2

Got extra forage? Graze fall-weaned calves this winter to boost profits.

If forage resources permit, consider holding overcalves weaned in the fall for winter grazing to take advantage of a spring or early summer market.

Whether they’ve been blessed with abundant rain this year or have calculated the cost and opportunity of targeting a non-traditional market, many ranchers who enroll in the Noble Grazing Essentials course are curious about strategies to overwinter spring-born calves, says Charles Rohla.

Rohla, a senior regenerative ranching advisor at Noble, says ranchers may realize more value for their calf crop if they avoid selling when the market is saturated in the fall. If forage resources permit, they might consider holding weaned calves over through the winter for a spring or early summer market. But in order to do so, “You’ve got to start planning now.”

First, make sure you’re being frank about your land’s ability to carry the load. Calculating carrying capacity involves putting current numbers to your grazeable acres, forage production, seasonal utilization rate, daily livestock intake and the number of grazing days.

“A lot of producers are running at a historic carrying capacity that should have been adjusted over time, or they’ve been supplementing with hay so much that they don’t have a clear view of their land’s actual capacity,” he says.

If the numbers don’t show you have the true potential to carry calves through, pause and evaluate how you might use the soil health principles to help grow your grazing capacity to make that plan more feasible in the future.

If your up-to-date numbers give a green light to carry calves over, Rohla says the next step is to evaluate forage availability in quantity, quality and seasonal timing. You might employ one or a combination of the following strategies to extend your grazing season to accommodate weaned calves:

1. Stockpile Native Range and Supplement as Needed

If you’re dealing with primarily warm-season native pastures, one strategy might be to stockpile forage and offer supplemental nutrition through the winter months. Under the right conditions and management, you could get a light graze early during the growing season, but plan to allow upward of 60 days of active growth for recovery. Cool-season natives will need similar rest during the fall flush to carry over, too.

Dormant grass will not provide the nutrition young calves need, so plan for their supplemental requirements now and weigh the pricing options. Remember, the goal is supplementation, not substitution. Determine the breakeven price for hay, cake, grain or other supplemental purchase now, and make sure this strategy is a profitable one.

Young calves will be picky about eating less palatable dormant grasses. When grazing stockpiled forages, consider using small paddocks or a strip-grazing method with quick movement to encourage an even graze.

2. Use Cover Crops to Graze, Give Soil Health a Boost

If you’re dealing with more introduced pastures, consider planting a cool-season cover crop to graze.

“This is a strategy that could not only help you extend your grazing season, but boost your soil health, too, by keeping those living roots in the ground year-round,” Rohla says.

When preparing to broadcast or no-till-drill the cover-crop seed, plan to graze those pastures fairly heavily right before you plant to ensure good seed-to-soil contact for germination. Rohla suggests a cover-crop mix that offers at least three different seeds, but he often turns to those with upward of 12 or more. He encourages a mix with a grass species, a broadleaf, a legume and perhaps a brassica, too.

3. Plan a Late-Season Burn for Late-Season Burst of Fresh Growth

A late-summer prescribed burn could force a flush of fresh growth for late-in-the-year grazing. If that’s an option, plan to graze that pasture early and lightly to allow the necessary fuel load to carry the burn to accumulate. Be prepared to wait 45-60 days after the burn before you graze it.

“You need to get that regrowth high enough in quantity and quality before you can actually do some adaptive grazing on it,” Rohla says.

4. Consider Alternative Weaning Strategies

If the calves you’re planning to overwinter are your own, consider alternative weaning strategies. Perhaps not separating cows from calves – keeping them together using devices that deter suckling, or allowing the calves to wean naturally – could help realize stock density goals, reduce labor, increase adaptive grazing possibilities by managing of one herd instead of multiple, and even take advantage of mama-cow sense.

“There is power in using that maternal instinct of the cow to teach her offspring to graze,” Rohla says. “Especially if you’re looking at retaining those heifer calves, they will learn a lot about how to graze, how to make it through a winter, how to behave, if they’re learning from their mothers.”

That strategy comes with plenty of tradeoffs, but he says the practice of entertaining new ideas like this will help you understand all your options. Whether you choose to implement the strategy or not, a close examination will either give you a fresh view or further confidence in your current approach.

Considerations for The Calves – What They Need to Succeed.

Next, calculate your average daily gain goals for the calves, and make sure those goals correlates with your forage and nutritional availability.

“Especially when we’re pushing for gain on these calves, they need the highest quality nutrition in front of them all the time,” Rohla says. Keep a fresh grazing area in front of them as often as possible by speeding up paddock movements.

Pay special attention to mineral availability in late fall and winter grazing, when dormant or stockpiled forages will be lacking in some nutrients. Clean, high-quality water is the simplest nutrient calves need, and it can be easy to overlook when seasonal ponds dry up or freeze over.

Take time to train the young calves to an electric fence. After weaning or upon purchase, take a couple of days to make them navigate a hot fence for water or feed to help them learn to respect it.

Plan for every possibility, but prepare to adapt, too

When implementing a new practice on the ranch, Rohla says creating “opportunity triggers” as checkpoints is essential. These triggers might be based on weather: “We got X inches of usable precipitation by this critical date, so we can run a heavier stocking rate.” Or the trigger might be based on markets: “If the 7-weight calf market hits X dollars, it makes sense to sell, even if we planned to keep.”

“Each person needs to determine what their decision-making triggers are,” he says.

One of the critical components of having a trigger-induced plan is having it written down on paper. The power of the written plan is not in following it exactly, but rather using the plan as a guide to make adjustments along the way.

“Just because you plan, it doesn’t mean you have to follow that script,” Rohla says. “It’s flexible, but when you have it written out in front of you, it’s easier to adjust instead of scramble.”

Back to Home

Understanding the Regenerative Ranching Mindset

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Weicks-Webmaster

When Are You Regenerative? Understanding the Regenerative Ranching Mindset

Regenerative ranching isn’t a finish line — it’s a mindset shaped by curiosity, cause-and-effect thinking and context.

The question comes up more often than he expected: “When do I call myself regenerative?”

Noble Research Institute’s senior regenerative ranching advisor, Charles Rohla, Ph.D., says he repeatedly fields variations of this question.

He heard it again in a recent conversation with along time friend and leader in the silvopasture field —a man with a long, well-respected career and also a growing sense of unease.

For years, the man confidently taught research-backed best practices. As his curiosity about soil health grew, he found himself questioning his own research and the very recommendations he once promoted.

In his own orchards, he was quietly changing course. He added mulching for ground cover and increased carbon cycling. He reduced mowing and herbicide use to encourage biodiversity. He observed insect and disease pressure to respond to management choices in a new light.

And still, he admitted to Rohla, “I’m trying all these things … but I know I’m not regenerative yet.” Rohla responded: “You are. You’re thinking, you’re observing, you’re adjusting. Regenerative isn’t a title you earn at the end. It’s a mindset you practice along the way.” Cause-and-effect thinking and context.

Curiosity First: Learning To See with Unbiased Eyes

Rohla loves opening Noble courses by recalling a day perusing pastures with his then 8-year-old son. Rohla was checking for the presence of dung beetles. His son lingered. “Dad, is this what you’re looking for?” He stopped long enough to look again. It wasn’t. But what was it?

Clusters of tiny crustaceans covered the dung pile, busily decomposing and cycling nutrients back into the soil. He sent a photo to an entomologist to identify the pill bugs and learned to see their value in the system. “That’s a Ph.D. for you,” he says, laughing.” I was so locked into finding what I expected. My son wasn’t looking for anything. He just saw what was there.”

That moment reshaped how he observes. Now, he coaches ranchers to look at their land with childlike curiosity. “As adults, we bias ourselves by going out with expectations of what we think we should see,” Rohla says. We expect to know exactly what should be growing, what should be grazed and what problems need fixing. True observation begins when we release those expectations and start to notice what’s actually happening.

To do this, tap into all five senses: Feel the soil structure. Note the smell after a rain. Watch how cattle move. Listen for insects. Sit still for a minute or two before concluding. “Once you get into that child’s mindset, that true curiosity, it changes people.”

Where Research Struggles, Regenerative Ranching Reveals Systems

Rohla knows, because he’s been there. Early in Noble’s transition to studying regenerative ranching, he found himself rethinking some of his own research and wrestling with his own scientific training. Traditional research relies on deductive, single-variable studies — a method accelerated during World War II when the medical field needed rapid, isolated testing. It’s an effective and efficient system, soon adopted as the university standard.

“The challenge is, once you form a hypothesis, you’ve already put yourself in a box,” Rohla says. “And it’s really hard to look for something other than what you expect.” He went back and reread his own research, challenging his own assumptions, limits and unintended conclusions. Then, he began rediscovering research from the1920s and 1930s — decade-long studies that tracked entire systems, not isolated variables.

“These older studies were incredible,” he says. “They looked at the whole operation overtime. That’s what regenerative ranching management really is — managing the entirety, not one practice or one outcome. ”

Moving From Symptoms to Causes

Curiosity toward the entire system naturally leads to the next shift — replacing symptom-based management with cause-based problem-solving. Rohla points to weeds as the primary example. It’s easy to see them as a nuisance— a problem to spray, mow or otherwise destroy. But weeds rarely appear without a reason. “Don’t start with, ‘I have weeds. How do I get rid of them?’” Rohla advises.

“Start with, ‘Why do I have these weeds in the first place? What about my management may have led to the bare ground that they’re trying to cover?’ “Once you start to follow that question, the answer often leads back to one or more ecological processes: water cycle, energy flow, nutrient cycling or community dynamics. When those processes are disrupted, the soil health principles are there to help restore harmony — add living roots, increase diversity, cover the soil, optimize disturbance and integrate livestock.

Weeds, bare ground, erosion and low production are all symptoms. Keep digging into the “why” until you find the management choice, ecological process or soil health principle that addresses the core cause. This quest reveals one of Rohla’s most important regenerative indicators —managing for what you want, rather than against what you don’t want.

Context: The Compass of Regenerative Management

If there is one underlying theme that anchors every regenerative conversation, it is context. Rohla uses ultra-high stock density as an example. A million pounds of stock density per acre sounds extreme, and under the wrong conditions, it can be. But used well — in the right place, at the right time, for the proper duration — it can create an ecological hot spot. “But timing, location and goals have to line up,” he says. “And it may take a couple of years to understand what that management choice truly meant.”

That’s where recordkeeping and reflection come into the regenerative mindset. A rancher who tracks these events — natural events, management choices, rest periods, recovery processes and more — can recognize delayed responses and longer-term implications.

Context also guides management tool selection. Don’t conflate regenerative with more strictly defined models like organic. In a regenerative system, all tools are on the table — grazing, fire, mowing, herbicides, stock density, multispecies grazing and more. The question is whether that particular tool fits your goals, your land, your labor and your long-term plan.

That’s where best management practices often fall short, Rohla says, leading back to the initial question — if it’s not a set of practices, a certain response on your soil test or a finished checklist, how does one know when they are considered regenerative? If you’re choosing curiosity over certainty, addressing causes over symptoms and considering context over prescriptions, he says, you’re already there.

June 2026

By Noble Research Institute

Back to Home

Pasture Rangeland Forage

Posted on August 15, 2024September 26, 2025 by Weicks-Webmaster

Pasture Rangeland Forage: A Marathon Not A Sprint

Droughts are a constant threat to the cow-calf business, impacting forage availability and driving up input costs. The Pasture Rangeland Forage (PRF) program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can be a valuable tool to help manage these risks and provide financial security for your cattle operation.

Fortunately, there are risk management tools available to cattle producers. Among them is the Pasture Rangeland Forage Program (PRF) offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture which has been available since 2007 but really took off when the rainfall index was expanded to the lower 48 in 2016.

While valuable, navigating PRF solo can be daunting even for seasoned ranchers. AgRisk Advisors, affiliated with Silveus Insurance Group, specializes in helping ranchers make PRF and other USDA insurance programs work for their operations.

Filling a Vital Need

“When we first started with this program, it was a new concept for many customers. Essentially, the program pays producers when precipitation falls below the historic average during a two-month timeframe,” explains Aaron Tattersall.

With customers in every state east of the Mississippi, AgRisk Advisors has nearly two decades of experience advising cow-calf producers on how to implement PRF into their operation.

“As PRF has grown popular, more inexperienced agents see an opportunity but lack the tools and experience,” cautions Aaron Kravig, a fifth-generation rancher and AgRisk Advisor.

According to Aaron Kravig, these pop-up agents rely on easy sales pitches, implying it’s a guaranteed deal, which frustrates seasoned advisors. Misuse of the program by these agents leaves a bad taste in the mouths of producers who have dealt with them.

What Exactly is PRF?

“From a producer standpoint,” says Kravig, speaking from personal experience, “it’s increasingly challenging to stay in production agriculture, especially for cow-calf operations. This is one of the few programs available for cattlemen.”

As a true insurance program, PRF provides a safety net for dry weather and the constant challenges faced by producers. More are warming up to implementing this program to sustain and extend their operations.

“It’s subsidized and offers a higher level of coverage than the FSA NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance ProgramNoninsured Crop Disaster Assistance) Program, and PRF has really helped producers over the years,” says Tattersall.

“It’s important for producers to budget for PRF for the long term and stick with it. It works over time,” notes Tattersall.

Tattersall adds that PRF allows flexibility in premiums by adjusting enrolled acres.

Eligibility is based on two factors (1) risk in the ground they are grazing and (2), ownership of livestock. Producers may insure ground they own or lease (including government agency land) to graze their livestock, notes Kravig.

AgRisk Advisors helps customers by mapping eligible land to determine coverage options. While headcount doesn’t affect eligibility, producers must own livestock and prove the land is used for grazing.

“I think PRF may benefit smaller-scale operations and newer operators,” continues Kravig, “by easing the pain of higher input prices.”

Considerations for Newcomers

For first-time PRF producers, AgRisk Advisors ensures it fits the budget. It may be best not to insure all acres at once.

“You can cover 100, 1,000, or 10,000 acres,” explains Kravig. “It’s not all or nothing.”

He adds that many customers start with a percentage of their acres and gradually increase over time, as they see how the program performs for their operation.

Overcoming Roadblocks

“I can speak personally from for my own operation in eastern Colorado,” shares Kravig. He recommends that ranchers don’t think of it as a short term deal, It’s a long-term commitment.

Tattersall provides some additional insight based on a study of Customer policies in 2023. Last year was one of the wetter years we’ve had in a while for many Western states.

“By the billing deadline last year, September 1, 2023, 70% of our customers experienced average to above average precip during the first five months of 2023. So, most of our customers received a premium bill.

“By the time the full coverage expired on the 2023 policies, only 30% of our customers had losses that didn’t fund their premium. In other words, the below-average precipitation during the late summer and fall triggered losses to fund their remaining premium. This shows that even in wet years, as long as your policy is set up the right way with an AgRisk Advisor, you’re going to be served well. And that was a wet year.”

This year, it’s been dry in the West, so most policies are expected to be funded by the time the premium comes due, depending on the operation’s location. The key point being emphasized is the importance of maintaining coverage for the long term.

Another common objection from any operation or business is the cost of premiums. While there are ways to adjust the premium to make it more manageable, such as enrolling fewer acres or selecting different coverage levels, a large premium in an average rainfall year can deter producers from continuing coverage. This again underscores the importance of long-term planning and an understanding of how the program works over multiple years.

Long-term Success Strategies

Engaging with the PRF program requires understanding its long-term benefits and commitment. This program is not a quick fix but rather is one designed to smooth out the roller coaster of inevitable dry weather.

AgRisk Advisors has seen producer interest in PRF increase significantly during drought periods.

“Anytime you get into a drought pattern, you’re obviously going to have more interest from producers,” says Kravig. “If it’s been raining every month, you’re probably not thinking, ‘Oh, hey, I need protection against a lack of precipitation.’

But it should be noted that perceived short-term results of PRF can discourage producers.

“We’ve all run into producers who quit the program after a year or two because it wasn’t all that it was promised to be,” adds Tattersall. “Education has been crucial in helping producers understand how to integrate this program into their operations…No producer wants to receive a PRF loss because if they do it means its been dry! On the other hand when PRF losses have not funded 100% of their premium producers have experienced above average precipitation typically resulting in livestock gains…writing a PRF premium check isn’t’ a bad bet to lose!

Successful integration of PRF into a ranching operation also relies heavily on education and proper planning. AgRisk Advisors spend hours between software and customers to ensure coverage is placed correctly based on long-range weather and historical data. They can also track a policy for a customer for an entire year to help them get a feel for the program.

AgRisk Advisors’ Role and Expertise

AgRisk Advisors play a significant role in helping producers navigate the complexities of the PRF program. Having a local presence and production background offers customers a sense of comfort and trust.

“I’ve been working with AgRisk Advisors as an agent for six years,” Kravig shares. “And I’m proud to work with the company. We have a great team and excellent resources. (Many) are involved in production practices while serving as agents, which gives our customers a real sense of commonality.

Cattle producers can visit PRFadvisors.com to learn more about the insurance program and working with the AgRisk team.

By focusing on long-term success and integrating the PRF program into their operations with professional support, Tattersall and the AgRisk team are confident that producers can effectively manage their risks and achieve sustainable growth.

“We are very proud of who we serve and our customers, ranchers and farmers.”

For more resources such as weekly weather forecasts, long range forecasts, podcasts, and much more, visit AgRiskAdvisors.com or PRFAdvisors.com.

Article and photos courtesy of AgRisk Advisors

September 2024

Home – American Cattlemen

Here is another Article, Check it Out!

US Cattlemen’s Association Supports Hageman’s Resolution

The Dairy side of things is Here

Home – American Dairymen

If you enjoy the Outdoors. Whether it be hunting, fishing, or just enjoying nature the Iowa Sportsman is a great choice

Home – Iowa Sportsman