The beef cattle industry is eager to get 2024 underway as they will enter the new year waiting to see if the nation’s cow herd inventory will begin to increase.
Beef cattle breeding specialists with Oklahoma State University say the opportunity is there. They note good selections and making decisions could help grow cow numbers. While the animal is a big part of the equation, they say taking care of the soil and plants are also vital. Grazing systems can take years to regrow from drought and many areas saw dry conditions this past year. They also suggest keeping inputs as low as possible and keeping expenses top of mind.