Blog | Beef Cattle | Illinois Extension

The Cattle Connection

What will a good bull cost me in 2026?

February 5, 2026

A popular question this time of year is “What will a good bull cost me?.” My go-to answer is usually… “How much revenue loss would you have from a...

A little better is still better

January 20, 2026

Speaking for myself, the past year has been fun. Conversations have mostly been positive with profitability gracing all segments of the cattle...

When do cows feel the cold?

December 15, 2025

With winter weather and cold temperatures setting in, it is time to talk about when cows feel the cold. The big factors that determine the lower...

Is it time to bale graze?

November 24, 2025

Adding nutrients, organic matter, and ground cover to poorly productive lands have some raving about bale grazing. Added fertility and better water...

Re-investing profits on the ranch

November 17, 2025

Are you looking for avenues to re-invest in the ranch this year? First, know that not every year is as profitable as this year and sometimes...

Breeding season tips for fall calving herds

October 29, 2025

Fall calving herds are approaching breeding season. While general breeding practices are similar to spring calving herds, breeding fall calving cows...

Supplementing cows on drought-stressed pastures

October 7, 2025

Supplementing cows during drought is common practice. Harvested forages, such as hay, can be used to replace available forage for grazing. However,...

A group of black cows walking forward on a dry, grassy pasture

Deciding what to do with open cows

September 25, 2025

Prices for all classes of cattle remain high. Feed availability is adequate in most parts of the country, and commodity feed prices remain moderately...

More Blogs