Play the Short, Medium and Long Game Strategies to Maximize Cattle Returns

The current state of the cattle market is providing unique opportunities for producers to capitalize in a variety of ways by employing a variety of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to maximize returns.

What does “Play the Short Game” mean?

Producers play the short game by maximizing pounds prior to marketing whether you market off the cow or after weaning, extra weight is extra dollars. So, how do we get extra weight?

Implant, deworm, and fly control for nursing calves: Research has shown that implanting nursing calves can result in an additional 10-30 lbs. at weaning, deworming an added 10-40 lbs. and fly control an additional 10-15 lbs. We cannot logically expect all three practices to be completely additive in response, but what if we employed all three strategies and gained a conservative estimate of an additional 30 lbs. In today’s market that extra 30 lbs. could be worth and additional $80-100/head depending on the weight class of the calf. All three of these strategies can be done for under $7.50/head. Not a bad return on the time and labor to work the calves in the midsummer.

What does “Play the Medium Game” mean?

Producers play the medium game by employing strategies this breeding season to have a tighter calving distribution and older, heavier, and more uniform calves for the 2025 marketing season.