New Year's Resolutions for Cattle Producers

by Neil Cates

2013 is quickly coming to an end. The New Year represents a time to reflect upon your struggles and accomplishments of the past and to plan for what’s ahead. For a cattle producer, there can be a lot to reflect on from the previous year, such as having to wean early from lack of pasture production or a major out-break of scours within last years’ calf crop. All of these experiences lead to a great deal of thinking and planning for the upcoming year. Now is the time to evaluate your operation, and decide what changes you want to make, goals you want to set, or even keep doing something that you are currently having success with for 2014. 

So what are some New Years’ resolutions you can make as a cattle producer?

Goals and management practices of operations vary, but there are some resolutions that can apply to everybody. I think it is a pretty unanimous consensus among producers that record keeping is not something we look forward to doing, but it is an absolute necessity, so strive to keep consistent production records and detailed financial records in 2014. You cannot manage what you don’t measure.

Another goal for the New Year could be working to reduce your feed costs by managing feed losses. This can be accomplished through feed storage methods, feeding practices or both. With feed costs representing the largest expense for producers, this resolution seems like a no-brainer.

Maybe improvements are needed in your pastures? Reevaluate your stocking rates for the upcoming grazing season. Make sure to get a head start on controlling thistles and other unwanted weeds this spring. Set aside time to clear invasive trees such as cedar, hedge, and honey locust.

There can be a lot of accomplishments made in one year. Identify improvements for your operation that will have the greatest impact. It is important to keep your resolutions focused and obtainable. Now is the time to consider future changes to your operation to ensure higher profits and fewer challenges for 2014. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year.

Neil Cates is a Livestock Production Agent for Post Rock District Extension in north central Kansas.