A cattle operation in Florida has found success in taking the sickest calves for sale and transforming them into healthy animals ready for the feedlot.
Steve Yoder’s farm in Altha, Florida serves as a prime example of the upside stocker operations provide the market.
The high-risk calves are brought to his farm, where he says they are offered a little TLC. That begins with castration, vaccines, and deworming. The calves are then treated to Bermuda grass with supplements.
Once cattle are healthy and gaining weight, Yoder describes his animals as “bulletproof” and ready for finishing.
Programs like this often find success in areas where grass is plentiful and feeding costs can be cut down.
Related Stories
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
Junior Livestock Champions Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000
Rising import pressure and tougher export competition are likely to persist into 2026, supporting domestic supplies while capping export growth.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.