03/28/2026
Howdy!
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with local beef producers at Cold Copper Commodities Company’s cattle meeting, where we focused on drought nutrition and the long-term impact it can have on herd performance.
One of the biggest takeaways from the discussion was the importance of fetal development during drought conditions. If cows are not managed properly during this time, the effects can be significant and long-lasting. In a market where many producers are retaining females to help rebuild the beef herd, the future of the herd is often being shaped before that calf ever hits the ground.
Research continues to show that what goes into the cow can directly influence the lifetime performance of her calf. Proper nutrition during gestation gives that calf the best opportunity to express the genetics it was born with.
We also discussed a few common misconceptions in the cattle industry — one of the biggest being:
“Just because cows aren’t eating mineral doesn’t mean they don’t need it.”
Cattle are heavily driven by salt intake, and mineral consumption can be influenced by factors like palatability, formulation, and elevated levels of certain nutrients. If intake is off, it’s worth taking a closer look at the program rather than assuming mineral isn’t necessary.
Always enjoy the opportunity to visit with producers and talk through practical nutrition strategies that can make a real difference in the pasture and in the long-term productivity of the herd.
