Drought conditions may be looking a little better across the country, but late summer and early fall moisture can’t completely erase the stress placed on producers due to a troublesome lack of early-season moisture. Despite the mental strain many cattle producers face when considering alternative management plans due to drought, animal husbandry — including breeding, weaning and pregnancy-checking — couldn’t be placed on hold.

In this edition of “From the Field,” regional managers Will Harsh and Andrew Swanson share how producers in their regions handled weaning this year, whether summer temperatures affected pregnancy percentages, typical marketing pathways for cull cows and why taking a moment to continue learning within the beef industry can make or break cattlemen.

Purposeful weaning plans

Though having a solid weaning plan can help producers better manage calf health as well as feeder calf marketing, the drought conditions many commercial producers faced in 2026 meant expediting weaning for the welfare of calves, their mothers and grazing lands.

Regional manager (RM) for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, Andrew Swanson says that while producers in his region are optimistic with the arrival of September rains, there were plenty of cattle pulled off pasture earlier than usual. As far as method, he says that is entirely dependent upon the producer.

“Some producers will take up fenceline weaning, especially if they’re grazing close to home. That’s one good option,” Swanson explains. “Other people wean out on pasture before calves come to the yard to start the backgrounding phase or early morning gather and get calves to the sale barn on the same day. There’s not a one-size-fits-all for weaning in Region 6, but there are definitely different strategies being used.”

That sentiment is one shared by Will Harsh, RM for Colorado and Nebraska, who says while a traditional hard wean is used by a number of cattlemen in Region 7, fenceline weaning certainly helps cut down on stress.

“I think a lot of people would agree that fenceline weaning is going to be easier on stress,” he notes. “If you pick the right time of the year and are in the right climate to do it in, have the available room for it and all the stars align, I think fenceline weaning would be more of a common practice.”

Pathways for open cows

For Region 6, Swanson says producers haven’t indicated lower than usual pregnancy rates despite challenging weather conditions during breeding season.

“Overall, [pregnancy] rates are right in line with where they have been traditionally, or even better,” Swanson says, explaining that producers in his region choose different routes to market cows that come up open. “I would say cows who do show up open are sorted off that day. Most guys would just take [those cows] to the sale barn, but there’s also a percentage of producers that start those cows off and try to put a bit of feed in them. Those producers feel like they’re getting paid selling a fat cow.”

Regardless of the outlet for open cows, Swanson says one good strategy is getting an early pregnancy diagnosis.

“[Ultrasounding is] becoming more common, and it’s an affordable way to sort your cows into groups by calving date,” he notes. “At the same time, some producers are giving a preweaning shot to calves to help with weaning stress. Putting an extra round of vaccine in calves and ultrasounding cows? I think you’re getting paid for both applications.”