By Rick Machen, PhD The US beef industry is experiencing record high prices for calves, feeder and fed cattle. Cow prices are rising rapidly and expected to surpass 2014-15 replacement female prices. La Niña weather patterns are shifting to El Niño. Great Plains soil moisture conditions are improving; the current U.S. Drought Monitor map has improved appreciably (except Kansas and …
By Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Every day cattle producers are taking steps to protect their families, animals, and operations from various risks. These risks could include inclement weather, poor nutrition, predators, viruses and microbes, contaminated water, among many others. The cattle production system in the U.S. does an …
By Kindra Gordon, published in the KRIRM Fall 2023 Newsletter It is said that “Big things are built one brick at a time.” For Wyoming-based True Ranches LLC that approach has established a solid foundation for their modern day, innovative beef production efforts. The cornerstone was laid in June 1957 when Dave and Jean True, pioneers in Wyoming’s oil industry, …
INTRODUCTION Many of the historical southern Texas Panhandle ranches were established in the late 1800’s. With a long-standing commitment to western heritage, they embody ranching traditions, with a focus on raising high quality cattle and working ranch horses. The host ranch of this case study consists of native rangeland with no cultivated ground. Important landowner considerations include natural resource management …
by Dave DeLaney, KRIRM Practitioner in Ranch Management Whether in response to restocking due to drought, or simply a change in operations to take advantage of the uptrend in the current beef cycle, those of us at the Institute thought this might be a timely subject to address. Of all the strategic decisions the commercial cow-calf operator has to make, few …
With exposure to diverse operations across the country, networking with professionals, and classroom learning, KRIRM students embrace the opportunity to learn more about current challenges facing the industry. As the graduating class of 2023 prepares to return to the workforce, they share some of the biggest challenges they have noticed and potential solutions going forward. The class of 2023 includes …
The Class of 2023 is ready to apply their knowledge and experience to serve the ranching industry. By Emily StriblingWinter 2023 Newsletter In May 2023, the next class of KRIRM graduates will earn their Master of Science in Ranch Management. The class of 2023 includes Bradley Donner, recipient of the Lee and Ramona Bass Endowed Fellowship; Caroline Wild, recipient of …
by Clay Mathis, PhD Droughts are inevitable and each one demands a management response. Protecting drought-stressed natural resources (soil and forages) for the long-term and sustaining the ranch business isn’t easy. Since each drought is different and may occur at different stages of the cattle cycle, the best management actions vary as well. The good news in 2022 is weaned …
by Jason Sawyer, PhD In the last decade, there has been a substantial increase in the development of solar energy projects in the US, and much of the surge in development has occurred in areas that have a history of ranching as a primary land use. Land managers often seek additional income streams and enterprises supported by their land assets, …
The King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) Spring 2022 Newsletter is now available online. This quarter’s issue features exciting news as we are pleased to announce that Dave DeLaney, retired Vice-President and General Manager of Ranching and Wildlife for King Ranch, Inc., has joined our faculty. Read more about three of our students, Scott Crozier, John Worthington, and Ethan …
By Clay Mathis, Ph.D. From the Director, KRIRM Fall 2021 Newsletter. The KRIRM model for developing excellent ranch managers is founded upon a learn-by-doing approach requiring students to complete multiple case studies for partnering ranches. The projects are designed to solve problems for the ranches we serve, and to provide hands-on discovery opportunities for our students. Over time, some similar …
The annual King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management symposium will be a hybrid event on Sustainable Ranching, delivered in Kingsville, Texas, and online October 14-15, 2021. In the past, “sustainability” was a relatively simple concept within the ranching industry. It was passing on the ranch to sustain the next generation by taking care of livestock and wildlife and maintaining or …