There may be times where cattle producers are challenged with less-than-ideal circumstances. Whether it is uncertain markets, bouts of severe weather, or even a global pandemic, producers must know how to effectively navigate their operation through uncertain times.

Cattlemen and women are extremely innovative, so now is a time to improve the overall production efficiency of your operation by focusing on the following 12 basic principles for managing an efficient beef cattle operation to make the best use of existing resources.

For example, improving soil health and fertility will increase forage yields, and, when combined with an effective rotational grazing and integrated pest management program, can increase overall stocking rates. By-product feeds may be an option for some, and the addition of ionophores and adequate mineral supplementation can improve feed efficiency, health, and production.

Management Resources

• Improve Soil Health in Hayfields and Pastures
• Manage Water Resources Effectively
• Perform Forage and Feed Analyses
• Improve Forage Management
• Consider Alternative Feeding Strategies
• Consider Economical Supplementation Strategies
• Consider Including Ionophores in Cattle Diets
• Provide Adequate Mineral Supplementation
• Control Hayfield and Pasture Insect Pests
• Control Weeds in Pastures and Hayfields
• Safety When Applying Chemicals
• Reproductive Management

Additional Information and Resources

• Beef Systems Management Basics
• Beef Basics Online Course
• Animal Science and Forages Regional Extension Specialists and Agents

Contributing Authors

Soren Rodning, Extension Veterinarian, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Eve Brantley, Water Resources Specialist, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University

Leanne Dillard, Extension Forage Specialist, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Josh Elmore, Regional Extension Agent, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Michelle Elmore, Assistant Extension Professor, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Audrey Gamble, Extension Soil Scientist, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University

Ken Kelley, Regional Farm and Agribusiness Management Extension Agent, Auburn University

Katelyn Kesheimer, Extension Entomologist, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University

Kim Mullenix, Extension Beef Systems Specialist, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Max Runge, Extension Professor, Agricultural Economics, Auburn University

David Russell, Extension Weed Scientist, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University

Jason Sawyer, Associate Professor, Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Sonja Thomas, Pesticide Applicator Training Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Gerry Thompson, Regional Extension Agent, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University

Alex Tigue, Regional Extension Agent, Animal Sciences and Forages, Auburn University