Lessons From the Pasture Gate Winter Resolve and the Road Ahead By Megan Webb, Ph.D. | Contributing Editor
WINTER SETTLES QUIETLY ACROSS the countryside. The mornings come slower now – feed steam rising in the cold air, fence lines edged with frost and the sound of calves calling for their morn-
That trust remains one of beef’s greatest assets. Despite high prices, consumers continue to choose beef for their families. They connect it with quality, comfort and con- fidence. Maintaining that relationship means continuing to tell our story – the real one that plays out every day behind the gates and feed bunks. On our farm, even winter has its visitors. Families stop by for local beef boxes or a quick tour, curious to see what happens when the fields aren’t green. They learn that car- ing for cattle doesn’t stop when the grass fades; it shifts to careful feeding, bedding and planning for spring. They see that stewardship continues, even when the weather bites. Those small moments build relationships more powerful than any advertisement. It’s also the season to invest in young people – our future producers and advocates. FFA and 4-H members are out working livestock in the cold, preparing for contests and learning that leadership in agriculture means more than handling
ing hay. It’s the season when pastures rest but ranchers rarely do. Instead, we shift from the motion of fall to the mindset of planning. As 2026 begins, the cattle industry stands at another turn- ing point. The national herd remains historically small, a lingering result of years of drought, input costs and tough culling decisions. Markets continue to reflect that scarcity, with beef prices holding firm even as feed and freight costs stretch budgets thin. But through the weight of those realities, there’s still plenty of grit left in rural America. Every rancher I talk to is – balancing pasture recovery, rebuilding genetics and maintaining customer confidence. Rebuilding isn’t a sprint; it’s a multi-year commitment grounded in patience and persistence. We’re making breeding decisions, not just for this spring’s calf crop but for what kind of industry we want to hand to the next generation. Another theme that’s gaining momentum this winter is biosecurity. It’s not a headline issue to most consumers, but for producers it’s front and center again. Whether it’s monitoring for foreign animal diseases or tightening on- farm practices, keeping cattle healthy has never been just routine – it’s survival. I often think of my grandfather’s stories about the old days of dipping vats and fly control. His message was simple: Never take herd health for grant- ed. That lesson still holds true. work- ing on the long game Today, biosecurity may sound like a buzzword, but it’s really about everyday discipline – clean water, proper nutrition, vaccination schedules and sound management. It’s also about transparency. When the public sees that level of care, it strengthens trust in the food system we all depend on.
animals. It’s about com- munication, adaptability and sharing why we do what we do. As we look
TODAY, BIOSECURITY MAY SOUND LIKE A BUZZWORD, BUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT EVERYDAY DISCIPLINE – CLEAN WATER, PROPER NUTRITION, VACCINATION SCHEDULES AND SOUND MANAGEMENT.
toward the new year, I find a renewed sense of balance between challenge and opportunity. The economics are complex, the weather unpredictable and the headlines sometimes discouraging – but the spirit of the people in this industry hasn’t changed. We’ve been through tight cycles before, and each time we’ve come out smarter, stron- ger and more connected to the land that sustains us. Beef remains more than a product – it’s a symbol of re- silience and craftsmanship. Every steak, every roast, every burger on a winter table carries the story of someone who refused to quit when it was easier to walk away. My grandfather’s advice still echoes: “Protect the herd, care for the land and share the story.” That’s not just good history – it’s a blueprint for the next chapter of our industry. So here’s to 2026 – to the cold mornings, the feed bunks filled before sunrise and the faith that spring will come again. From the pasture gate, you can see both where we’ve been and where we’re headed. And that view, even in winter, is worth every bit of the work.
20
www.calfnews.net
CALF News
December 2025 | January 2026
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs