Month: October 2025

Precondition or Not, That is the Question

– Dr. John Yost, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Wayne County, Ohio State University Extension (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman)

I have mixed feelings about social media but must admit that I have profiles on several platforms.  My feeds mostly contain posts from various livestock related pages and I enjoy reading some of the opinions and questions.  Recently, there was a post that caught my eye.  Someone had raised the question of it was worth the effort this year to pre-condition their calves.  As an educator my initial reaction was “of course you want to pre-condition your calves”!  However, after a little reflection I was able to understand someone questioning, what might be, their traditional management practices.

Cattle prices are crazy.  Marketing cattle is almost as easy as one of those “drive it, tow it, drag it” used car deals that are advertised from time to time.  The market is hungry for cattle and buyers may be willing to compromise their standards to fill their needs.  It is easier to understand why someone would reconsider the added expense and time to keep calves around an extra 45 days and choose to Continue reading Precondition or Not, That is the Question →

When it comes to weeds, what is the best course of action?

– Jordan Penrose, Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Morgan County (originally published in Farm and Dairy)

Cocklebur, a growing problem in Ohio pastures!

This year has seemed to be another year for weeds. Last year, I wrote an article for Farm and Dairy, “How to manage weeds in a drought,” because the weeds were more noticeable due to the short supply of grass.

This year, the weather has been a little different for us in southeastern Ohio, where I am located, but we still have had drought conditions in the latter part of summer, reaching D1 Moderate Drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor. This year, weeds seemed to be more noticeable all year, and just not in the later part of the summer.

I believe that we can all agree that a weed is a plant that is out of place and growing where it is not wanted. This year, some of the more problematic weeds I am seeing include johnsongrass, spotted knapweed, hemp dogbane, cocklebur, horsenettle, smooth Continue reading When it comes to weeds, what is the best course of action? →

On the Prowl for Foxtail Solutions

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

Foxtail can easily invade thin areas in pasture and hay fields. Photo: Ohio State

One of the most common weed complaints we have been hearing this year in pasture and hay systems has been, “What do I do about all this foxtail?” Before I dive into proposed ways to deal with foxtail today, we’ll review what foxtail is and why it is a concern.

There are three types of foxtail that we commonly encounter- green foxtail (most common in lawns), yellow foxtail (more common in crops and waste spaces), and giant foxtail (common in crops and disturbed sites). All three of these species are warm-season annual grasses that produce seed heads that resemble a fox’s bushy tail. All three have the potential to reduce desired crop yield and pose health challenges for livestock. While foxtail is not poisonous, it has unfavorable forage nutritional value and the structure of the bushy seed heads often catches in the gums and nasal cavities of animals as they eat. Because the seed heads have a bristle like appendage called an “awn” attached to them, once caught in the mouth or an airway, they can be difficult to expel. The damage that can result from the bristly seed can cause Continue reading On the Prowl for Foxtail Solutions →

Cattle Markets React to Policy Uncertainty on Beef and Cattle Imports

– James Mitchell, Livestock Marketing Specialist, University of Arkansas, Dr. Kenny Burdine, Extension Professor, Livestock Marketing, University of Kentucky, and Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

Feeder and Live Cattle futures have fallen sharply over the past 12 days. The CME December Live Cattle futures contract closed at $247.88 per cwt on October 16 but is trading today (October 27th) near $224 per cwt. The CME November Feeder Cattle futures contract closed at $380.95 per cwt on October 16 and is now trading below $339 per cwt. This period has included multiple limit-down days in the futures market. The goal of this article is to provide context for some of the key questions circulating during this market swing. We certainly don’t claim to have definitive answers as the situation remains fluid and will continue to evolve.

Argentina Beef Imports
The market shock began on October 16, following President Trump’s suggestion that there was a plan to lower beef prices. As more information emerged, it appeared that the proposal centered on increasing beef imports from Argentina. Specifically, the plan would expand the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) from 20,000 metric tons to 80,000 metric tons for Argentina beef, effectively quadrupling the volume of Argentina beef that could enter the U.S. market. Understandably, this announcement has Continue reading Cattle Markets React to Policy Uncertainty on Beef and Cattle Imports →

Policy changes won’t result in a short-run change to beef and cattle prices

– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Livestock Marketing Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

Imports from Argentina will be lean grinding beef.

The questions concerning the Trump administration and their plans with Argentinian beef have been at the top of the list the past week. As it relates to Argentinian beef, Dr. Derrell Peel at Oklahoma State University provided some tremendous insight supported by data in the weekly Cow-Calf Corner newsletter. At this moment it is appropriate to provide some simple and direct statements to ease concerns and/or fears.

There are certainly policy changes that can be made to support an increase in domestic beef production. However, none of those policy changes will result in a short-run change to beef and cattle prices. From an international trade standpoint, policy can be changed to reduce the barriers to importing more beef, but nearly all of that beef will be lean grinding beef, which means ground beef products. Thus, it may marginally result in a decrease in the cost of beef at “Sir Burger Doodle”, but consumers will not know the difference.

Increasing imports is not going to change the price of high-valued cuts such as steaks or other muscle cuts.

Fall Beef Management in Ohio: Forage Challenges and Herd Prep

– Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County (originally published in Ohio Farmer on-line)

Does the quality of your forage suggest supplementation is warranted?

As fall deepens across Ohio, cattle producers are entering an important time of year for the beef herd and forage management. With winter on its way, the decisions made now will shape herd health, feed efficiency, and economic outcomes through the cold months. This year, however, brings added complexity: forage quality is down significantly, especially in first cutting hay, which suffered from delayed harvests and excessive rainfall in many regions.

The Ohio State Beef Team recently evaluated 180 forage samples from across the state and found that overall forage quality was notably poor. Many of the samples, especially first cutting hay, showed significantly reduced protein and energy levels. This decline is largely attributed to delayed harvests caused by wet spring conditions, which led to overly mature forage with diminished nutritional value. As a result, producers must Continue reading Fall Beef Management in Ohio: Forage Challenges and Herd Prep →

Stretching Hay Supplies: Feeding Co-Products to Beef Cows This Winter

– Dr. Haley Linder, Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, OSU Extension

DDGs are a co-product high in both protein and energy.

A cold, wet spring followed by a dry summer has reduced hay yields across Ohio. Heading into winter, many producers now face the challenge of stretching limited hay supplies to maintain cow condition. Fortunately, Ohio beef producers have several options for supplementing or partially replacing hay with feed co-products.

What Are Co-Products?
Co-products are feed ingredients that remain after grains, oilseeds, or other crops are processed for another primary product such as ethanol, corn syrup, soybean oil, or flour.

These feeds are excellent options for beef cattle because they provide highly digestible energy and protein at a cost-effective price. Most co-products are Continue reading Stretching Hay Supplies: Feeding Co-Products to Beef Cows This Winter →

Forage Management After Drought and a Tough Growing Season

– Emma Matcham, Christine Gelley, Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension

Two years of drought have stressed pastures.

After two years of drought stress followed by erratic rainfall patterns in 2025, Ohio forage producers are facing a challenging landscape. Pastures across the region show signs of wear—uneven growth, bare patches, and thin stands—while newly seeded alfalfa fields have struggled to establish due to poor planting conditions and unpredictable moisture. As winter approaches, now is the time to take action to protect soil, improve forage stands, and plan for a more successful spring.

Bare ground in pastures is more than an eyesore—it can lead to erosion, weed invasion, and mud. To prevent further degradation, producers should . . .

Continue reading Forage Management After Drought and a Tough Growing Season

Relative Prices of Steers, Heifers, and Bulls

– Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

Cattle prices are incredible. Nearly all weights and types of cattle sold this fall are fetching the highest prices ever. Just four years ago, 650 lb. steers in Mississippi were averaging about $850 for the total price of the animal. This fall, those same steers are averaging about $2,200 per head. Even 250 lb. bull calves are averaging over $1,000 per head and outpacing the 650 lb. steer value from a few years ago.


Cattle prices differ based on weight and sex of the animal. Lighter weight cattle are typically worth more per pound than heavier cattle. This is because of their growth potential and ability of the buyer to add more pounds (value) to a lighter animal than they could to a heavier animal. Heavier cattle are Continue reading Relative Prices of Steers, Heifers, and Bulls →

Public Data & Information – Sometimes We Never Realize Value Until Something Is Gone

– Glynn T. Tonsor, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

How can you manage what isn’t measured or assessed?

The calendar year of 2025 continues to evolve as a memorable one for cattle producers. Markets continue to reflect supportive demand and supply fundamentals that have underpinned cattle price levels many deemed unreachable just months ago. While indeed market fundamentals largely remain supportive, it is important to note how and why we can come to that conclusion. Alas market data and information are critical to modern agricultural industry functions – you can’t manage (or assess) what you don’t measure. At the time of this writing, we remain in a federal government shutdown leading to this article’s focus on market data and information.

Most livestock producers are what economists would describe as price takers. The available set of market data and information for livestock sellers has long been justification for Continue reading Public Data & Information – Sometimes We Never Realize Value Until Something Is Gone →