Great Plains Livestock Consulting, Inc.

06/24/2026

Common Metabolic Disorders in Cattle — Continuous Series, Post 3: Ketosis
Ketosis is one of the most significant metabolic challenges facing the dairy industry, often resulting in substantial economic losses. Both clinical and subclinical ketosis are widespread, particularly among high‑producing dairy cows.

06/21/2026

Honoring all the dads and father figures today. Happy Father’s Day!

06/19/2026

U.S. CATTLE REPORT 🐂📈 Kansas Posts Largest Increase from May in June Cattle on Feed Report 📈🐂

U.S. cattle on feed inventories increased by 98,000 head during May, rising from 11.584 million head on May 1 to 11.682 million head on June 1. Kansas posted the largest monthly increase among the major feeding states, adding 50,000 head to reach 2.420 million head. Texas ranked second with an increase of 30,000 head, followed by Colorado (+20,000), California (+15,000), and Oklahoma (+10,000). Nebraska remained the nation's largest cattle feeding state at 2.630 million head despite a decline of 10,000 head from the previous month.

🐂📈 June Cattle on Feed Inventory: States Ranked by Largest Monthly Increase 📈🐂

Change from May 1 to June 1 inventories in feedlots with capacities of 1,000 head or more.

🟢 Kansas: 2,420,000 (+50,000)
🟢 Texas: 2,610,000 (+30,000)
🟢 Colorado: 940,000 (+20,000)
🟢 California: 510,000 (+15,000)
🟢 Oklahoma: 345,000 (+10,000)
🟢 Washington: 275,000 (+5,000)
⚪ Iowa: 680,000 (No Change)
🔴 Arizona: 217,000 (-2,000)
🔴 Idaho: 350,000 (-5,000)
🔴 Nebraska: 2,630,000 (-10,000)
🔴 South Dakota: 235,000 (-10,000)

🇺🇸 United States: 11,682,000 head (+98,000 from May)

Sandhills Cattle Association DTN/The Progressive Farmer BEEF Magazine Foote Cattle Company Pratt Livestock Fort Scott Livestock Market Winter Livestock Inc. Coffeyville Stockyards

06/17/2026

Common Metabolic Disorders in Cattle
A Continuous Series: Post 2 -> Acidosis

Acidosis is a major metabolic issue—and a major financial hit. Acute cases are obvious, but subacute acidosis is the real silent profit‑killer, reducing performance long before it’s detected.

06/14/2026

06/12/2026

Let's just say it has character, and every operation should probably have one.
😅

06/11/2026

Common Metabolic Disorders in Cattle

A Continuous Series: Post 1 -> Polioencephalomalacia

Although it's probably harder to pronounce than actually identify, polioencephalomalacia is a disorder that can be especially seen in feedlot cattle.

Visual reference showing real‑life PEM posture and behavior:
>https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/video/sulfur-induced-polioencephalomalacia-steer

06/05/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a 3-week old calf in Zavala County, Texas.
What is one component of the playbook to eradicate NWS from the United States? Sterile NWS flies.

06/03/2026

The impact of heat stress on feeder cattle is heavily emphasized, but the effects on reproduction in the cowherd can be just as detrimental. In a year where we may see much of the cowherd in dry-lot situations, mitigating heat stress becomes an important consideration.