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 …
Professor of Agribusiness; Oklahoma State University, OK Derrell Peel is the Charles Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He has served as the Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist since he came to Oklahoma State University in 1989. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Montana State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He previously …
Range & Wildlife Scientist; East Foundation Dr. Abe Woodard is a Range and Wildlife Scientist at the East Foundation in Hebbronville, Texas. His research focuses on population ecology and sustainable management of game species, with a primary focus on upland game birds. Abe has a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries from Rio Grande University, an M.S. in Wildlife Science from …
President & CEO; Padlock Ranch Co Dr. Trey Patterson received a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Nebraska. Trey served on faculty as Extension Beef Specialist for South Dakota State University for five years. In this role he led statewide extension and research programs in beef …
President & CEO; King Ranch, Inc. Robert is the President and CEO of King Ranch Inc (KRI). He joined the iconic King Ranch in August of 2021 to lead the various operating businesses within KRI while at the same time preserving the heritage of the Historic Home Ranches and famous Running W Brand. Robert’s capabilities are built from a career …
CEO; Leachman Cattle of Colorado Lee Leachman is the CEO of Leachman Cattle of Colorado. Leachman Cattle markets over 2,500 bulls per year and is currently one of the three largest seedstock breeders in the US. Lee graduated from Harvard University with an Honors BA in Economics in 1988. Lee also completed graduate level work in animal breeding at Colorado …
Ranch Consultant Burke was raised on a family ranch in western Wyoming. His father and grandfather were ahead of their time in understanding the importance of low-input, low cost agriculture. He earned a BS in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in AgBusiness from BYU. He also served a 2 ½ year mission for his church in Brazil. Received a MS …
Agricultural Law Specialist; Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Tiffany Dowell Lashmet has served as an Agricultural Law Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service since 2013. Tiffany’s work focuses on legal issues impacting Texas landowners and agricultural producers including leases, water law, oil and gas law, pipeline easement negotiation, estate planning, and landowner liability. She travels the state speaking at various …
Meteorologist; Makens Weather LLC Matt Makens has presented thousands of weather forecasts and outlooks to dozens of industries since the 1990s. Makens Weather, LLC was formed in 2016 and grew quickly by providing actionable weather and climate information, clearly communicated. The primary focus is on long-term seasonal forecasts and short-term weather hazards for the agricultural industry. Makens Weather serves global …
Owner and Manager; Maddux Cattle Company John Maddux is the fourth-generation manager of the family ranch operations, which includes 45,000 deeded and leased acres, 2,500 mother cows, and 6,000 yearlings. In addition to his daily ranch duties, he is a past member of the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition; the Nebraska Investment Council, which is responsible for managing the state’s 9 …
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 …