University of Illinois Beef Cattle Extension

06/05/2026

Most of the outcome for your breeding season has already been set. So what can you still influence this breeding season?

➡️ Check out the blog posted this week on The Cattle Connection!

06/04/2026

Dr. Jim Lowe, DVM, University of Illinois, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine discusses new world screw worm earlier this week on the RFD livestock report. Take a listen for his insight on this hot topic! https://open.spotify.com/episode/0W5R3wRs0IupIAKEpg5buN?si=IetK55uNQgy_dvG4Qo8AqQ

Livestock Report · Episode

06/04/2026

Check it out! We will see you there!

The Forage Expo provides a focused, engaged audience, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations and strong connections between producers and industry partners like you.

05/15/2026

The Forage Expo provides a focused, engaged audience, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations and strong connections between producers and industry partners like you.

05/07/2026

Steve Campbell is coming to Effingham, IL! Known as the “cattle coach,” Steve has spent decades helping beef producers improve herd performance, cut input costs, and build operations that actually pencil out.

He’ll be delivering multiple sessions across both days of the 2026 Heart of America Grazing Conference. Topics include cattle selection for grazing environments, easy-keeping cow traits, mineral management, and soil-plant-animal health.

📅 July 15–16, 2026
📍 Effingham, IL
🔗 Register: https://www.ilgrazinglands.org/events/heart-of-america-grazing-conference

Illinois Forage and Grassland Council University of Illinois Beef Cattle Extension USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

04/09/2026

Check out these tips for getting cows bred early in the breeding season!

There are many reasons to maintain strict breeding windows and shorter calving windows. A tight 60-day calving window can aid in programming cow nutrition, concentrate

04/03/2026

Turning cows out on immature forages can have consequences. If forages are overgrazed early, permanent damage to grass stands can lower yields and increase w**d

03/11/2026

The grass is green and turnout is quickly approaching. What should you know before turning cows out on lush, spring forage?

Turning cows out on immature forages can have consequences. If forages are overgrazed early, permanent damage to grass stands can lower yields and increase w**d

02/24/2026

Are you looking for answers to questions about your pastureland? Join Illinois Extension at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, March 4, for a Pasture Management Workshop. This free workshop will bring the latest science and solutions from state specialists to our local farmers. Learn more about foundational principles and innovative management tools to strengthen pasture health and increase pasture forage by utilizing cover crops. The session will conclude with a Q&A, so participants can engage directly with experts and get answers to their operational questions.

Register here - go.illinois.edu/PastureManagement

02/24/2026

🌱 Pasture Improvement: The Basics and Beyond-March 5 Session 🌱
Join University of Illinois Extension for the first session of our pasture management series designed to help you boost pasture productivity and long term resilience.
📅 March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
📍 University of Illinois Extension-Jo Daviess County, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth, IL
💲 $5 per session • Pre registration strongly encouraged
Kicking off the series, Kathryn Seebruck, University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator, will cover key foundational topics including:
✔ Fertility
✔ W**d control
✔ Pasture species selection
✔ Stocking rate guidance
👉 Register or learn more at go.illinois.edu/jsw
📞 Or call 815 858 2273
Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your pasture management from the ground up! 🌾