Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch

10/16/2026

Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg spoke on the importance of farmer and rancher involvement in the U.S. Department of Agriculture ag trade programs aimed at promoting U.S. ag exports in the global marketplace.

“We have experienced a remarkable amount of folks who have taken time off the farm to get engaged, to get on these trade missions with us around the world to help facilitate these deals. The magic happens when we get buyers and sellers in the same room,” said Lindberg. https://southeastagnet.com/2026/10/13/usda-luke-lindberg-farmer-rancher-involvement-agricultural-trade/

USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg highlights farmer and rancher involvement in trade missions and export programs to expand U.S. agricultural

10/14/2026

It is no secret that record-high beef prices over the last year are a result of tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand. The average monthly retail price for all fresh beef products in July was $9.63/lb. This is down from the high of $10/lb in April but is still 5% higher than the same month last year and 31% higher than the 5-year historical average for August. Demand shifts among beef products are normal for this time of year as we transition from the grilling months of summer to the pot roast days of fall. https://centralfloridaagnews.com/the-impact-of-heifer-slaughter-on-herd-expansion-beef-supply/

The average retail price for all fresh beef products in July was $9.63/lb, down from $10/lb in April but still 5% higher than the same month last year.

10/12/2026

As temperatures cool and northern ranchers prepare for harsh winters, our Florida cattle are living their best lives in fall! Comfortable 60-70 degree days mean our cattle can graze actively all day without heat stress. Florida's fall grasses are lush and nutrient-rich, providing the perfect diet for thriving animals. These perfect fall months directly translate into the quality grass-fed beef you enjoy. There's a reason Florida cattle thrive; our climate is simply unbeatable for raising healthy, happy cattle, even in fall and winter months! Get your delicious grass-fed beef from us today: https://dh-lr.com/grass-fed-beef

10/09/2026

After seven consecutive years of liquidation, there are emerging signs — and substantial industry hope — the U.S. beef cow herd is finally carving out a cyclical bottom. According to Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, turning a cattle cycle requires a distinct two-step process: first slowing liquidation to stabilize the base, and then accelerating heifer retention to trigger expansion.

Oklahoma State's Derrell Peel says record-low cow culling and early signs of impulse heifer breeding suggest stabilization, but significant herd expansion will take time.

10/07/2026

What is helping some Florida wildfires burn hotter and spread farther? A University of Florida study suggests cogongrass, an invasive grass that has spread across much of Florida and the Southeast United States, is adding more fuel to the landscape in wildfires.

What is helping some Florida wildfires burn hotter and spread farther? A University of Florida study suggests the answer is cogongrass.

10/05/2026

Want your children to understand agriculture and develop a connection to their food? Bring them to our ranch for an agritour! See the cattle up close, learn how grass becomes beef, and develop an understanding of the hard work that goes into getting food to the table. Early exposure to farming builds appreciation for agriculture, teaches responsibility, and helps the next generation value quality food and land stewardship. Whether it's a school group, family outing, or homeschool adventure, our ranch is the perfect place to learn. Contact us to schedule your agritour today! https://dh-lr.com/agritours/

10/02/2026

As fall approaches, many producers are making decisions on what cool-season forages to plant for grazing, silage or hay production. To help with that decision-making, the UF/IFAS forage team conducts, annually, the cool season forage variety trials. This is a partnership with the seed companies, also supported by the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and the Milk Check-Off program. The objective is to evaluate commercially available and experimental varieties of annual ryegrass and small grains under Florida conditions, and provide producers with information on forage production, nutritive value, maturity, and disease response.

Email 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Reddit 0 X Linkedin 0 Stumbleupon 0 UF/IFAS Agronomy Department Forage Team Authored by: Maria Elena Mailhos, Marcelo Wallau, Cheryl Mackowiak, and Diwakar Vyas As fall approaches, many producers are making decisions on what cool-season forages to plant for grazing, sila...

09/30/2026

Growing America’s cattle herd is a bit more complicated than simply telling ranchers to raise more cows.

The nation’s cattle herd is currently at a 75-year low, and rebuilding it means ranchers have to make decisions today that might not pay off for several years. On August 31, the USDA announced new measures intended to make some of those decisions a little easier.

Growing America’s cattle herd is a bit more complicated than simply telling ranchers to raise more cows. The nation’s cattle herd is currently at a 75-year low, and rebuilding it means ranchers have to make decisions today that might not pay off for several years. On August 31, the USDA announce...

09/28/2026

You might be familiar with the fact that cattle have four-chambered stomachs specifically designed to digest grass and forage. This unique digestive system allows them to break down cellulose that humans can't process, converting grasslands into nutrient-dense protein. Grain is not a natural part of a cow's diet; it's a supplement used in conventional feedlot operations to speed up growth. So when you see "grass-fed beef" on a label, you know those cows are simply doing what they're biologically meant to do: graze on pasture and convert grass into quality beef. The results show in the superior nutrition and flavor of the final product. Get yours today! https://dh-lr.com/grass-fed-beef

09/25/2026

As summer forage production begins to decline across the Southeast, producers should focus on preparing fields for fall and winter. Proper planning during late summer and early fall can improve forage availability, extend grazing days, reduce supplemental feed costs, and strengthen pasture productivity for the following growing season. Throughout the southeastern United States, fall pasture management begins with soil testing, fertility correction, and careful establishment of cool-season annual forages.

As summer forage production begins to decline across the Southeast, producers should focus on preparing fields for fall and winter. Proper planning during late summer and early fall can improve forage availability, extend grazing days, reduce supplemental feed costs, and strengthen pasture productiv...