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AI Tools for Ranchers
AI tools that help ranchers track livestock market prices, monitor weather for herd safety, research grazing management, find local suppliers, and stay on top of drought and regulatory conditions.
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Works in Chat, Cowork and Code
Live Cattle (LE) $/lb
Feeder Cattle (GF) $/lb
Cattle market price tracking
Monitor live cattle and feeder cattle futures prices daily to time sales and purchases. Track feed grain prices to manage input costs. Stay on top of market movements that directly impact your operation's profitability.
What are today's live cattle (LE) and feeder cattle (GF) futures prices for the front three contracts? Also show corn and hay prices if available.
Live Cattle (LE): Apr $1.865/lb, Jun $1.832/lb, Aug $1.798/lb. Feeder Cattle (GF): Apr $2.510/lb, May $2.488/lb, Aug $2.442/lb. Corn (ZC): $4.28/bu. Hay: no futures contract — regional spot prices vary; Plains states currently $180-220/ton for alfalfa. Cattle-to-corn ratio: 29.1:1, above break-even for most operators.
ToolRouter get_quote
ContractMonthPrice
Live Cattle (LE)Apr$1.865/lb
Live Cattle (LE)Jun$1.832/lb
Feeder Cattle (GF)Apr$2.510/lb
Corn (ZC)May$4.28/bu
Cattle-to-corn ratio: 29.1:1 · above break-even for most operators
Severe weather and winter storm monitoring
Track winter storms, blizzards, extreme cold, and spring flooding that threaten livestock. Get detailed forecasts far enough in advance to pre-position feed, prepare windbreaks, and move cattle to safer pastures.
I have 300 cow-calf pairs in pasture near Rapid City, SD. What is the 10-day forecast with special attention to any blizzard or extreme cold risk?
Rapid City 10-day: Days 1-3 clear, highs 42-48°F. Day 4: Strong front arriving, temps plunge to 12°F overnight, winds W 40 mph, wind chill -28°F. Days 5-6: 8-14 inches snow likely, temps remaining 10-20°F. Day 7: Partial clearing. Days 8-10: warming to 35°F. Recommendation: Move pairs to calving facility or protected pasture before Thursday. Pre-position 7+ days of hay.
ToolRouter get_forecast
Days 1–3
Clear, highs 42–48°F, winds 12 mph — normal grazing conditions
Day 4
Strong front: 12°F overnight, gusts 40 mph, wind chill -28°F
Days 5–6
8–14 in snow likely, temps 10–20°F — blizzard risk
Day 7
Partial clearing, highs 22°F
Days 8–10
Warming to 35°F — pre-position 7+ days hay before Thursday
Drought and range condition monitoring
Research current drought conditions, USDA livestock assistance programs, and pasture/range/forage disaster designations. Understand when your county qualifies for LFP, LIP, or Emergency Loan programs.
What counties in Montana and Wyoming currently have USDA drought disaster designations that qualify for Livestock Forage Disaster Program payments?
Current LFP-eligible designations (as of March 2026): In Montana, 18 counties in D2 drought or worse including Powder River, Carter, Fallon, and Custer counties. In Wyoming, 12 counties including Sheridan, Johnson, and Campbell. LFP pays 60% of monthly feed cost estimate for the number of animals that exceed the normal carrying capacity of eligible land. Application period through January 31 of the following year.
ToolRouter research
Montana (18 counties)
D2 or worse — Powder River, Carter, Fallon, Custer counties
Wyoming (12 counties)
Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell counties LFP-eligible
LFP payment rate
60% of monthly feed cost estimate for excess stocking
Application window
Through January 31 of the following year
Grazing management research
Access peer-reviewed range science on grazing management systems, stocking rate guidelines, rest-rotation schedules, and rangeland restoration. Build your management approach on evidence-based practices.
Find research comparing continuous grazing versus rotational grazing on rangeland vegetation composition and weight gain in beef cattle in semi-arid grasslands.
Found 27 relevant papers. Summary: No consistent yield advantage for rotational vs continuous at similar stocking rates (8 of 12 studies). Vegetation composition: 6 studies show improved grass diversity with rest-rotation; 4 show no difference. Weight gain: generally equivalent when stocking rates match carrying capacity. Key finding: Stocking rate control matters more than system. High-intensity short-duration grazing (mob grazing) shows mixed results — 3 positive, 4 neutral, 2 negative.
ToolRouter search_papers
Studies reviewed
27 papers in semi-arid grasslands (rangelands)
Weight gain comparison
No consistent advantage for rotational — 8 of 12 studies equivalent
Vegetation composition
6 studies: improved diversity with rest-rotation; 4: no difference
Key finding
Stocking rate control matters more than system choice
Mob grazing
Mixed results — 3 positive, 4 neutral, 2 negative outcomes
Local supplier and service network
Find auction yards, feed dealers, veterinarians, equipment dealers, and brand inspectors near your operation. Build your local supplier network quickly when moving to a new area or seeking alternatives.
Find livestock auction yards, large animal veterinarians, and bulk feed suppliers within 80 miles of Gillette, WY.
Found 9 results. Auction yards: (1) Thunder Basin Livestock, Buffalo, 73 miles — Friday sales. (2) Northeast Wyoming Livestock, Sundance, 64 miles — Monday sales. Vets: (3) High Plains Veterinary Services, Gillette — large animal mobile. (4) Campbell County Vet Clinic, Gillette — in-clinic and farm calls. Feed: (5) Hi-Line Feed & Ranch Supply, Gillette — bulk grain and supplements. Full contact info provided.
ToolRouter search_places
1
Thunder Basin Livestock
Auction yard · Buffalo, WY · 73 mi · Fri sales
2
Northeast WY Livestock
Auction yard · Sundance, WY · 64 mi · Mon sales
3
High Plains Veterinary Services
Large animal mobile · Gillette, WY
4
Hi-Line Feed & Ranch Supply
Bulk grain & supplements · Gillette, WY
Ranch industry news and policy monitoring
Stay informed on predator compensation programs, grazing permit changes, public lands policy, wolf reintroduction impacts, and cattle industry news that affects your operation.
Search for recent news on wolf depredation compensation programs in Montana and Wyoming and any livestock grazing conflicts on federal lands.
Found 7 relevant articles. Key items: Montana FWP processed 23 wolf depredation compensation claims in Q1 2026, averaging $1,840 per claim. Wyoming Game and Fish expanded the compensation zone northward. New BLM draft rule on grazing permit renewals on National Forests open for public comment through May 15. Three articles on rancher advocacy coalition opposing proposed grazing reductions in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
ToolRouter search_news
StorySourceDate
Montana FWP wolf depredation claims — 23 processed Q1 2026 avg $1,840Montana FWPApr 1
Wyoming Game and Fish expands compensation zone northwardWY G&FMar 28
BLM draft rule on grazing permit renewals — public comment through May 15BLMMar 20
3 of 7 relevant articles · wolf depredation + federal lands policy
Ready-to-use prompts
Cattle market check
Get current live cattle, feeder cattle, and lean hog futures prices. Show the front-month, next-month, and deferred contract prices for each.
Winter storm forecast
Provide the 10-day weather forecast for Casper, WY including daily high/low temperatures, wind chill values, snow accumulation, and any severe weather watches or warnings.
Drought assistance programs
Summarize USDA emergency livestock assistance programs available during drought including Livestock Forage Disaster Program, Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, and Livestock Indemnity Program eligibility and payment rates.
Stocking rate research
Find USDA NRCS or university extension research on appropriate stocking rates for native mixed-grass prairie in the Northern Great Plains under average and drought precipitation conditions.
Local auction yards
Find livestock sale barns and cattle buying stations within 100 miles of Cheyenne, WY. Include sale days and whether they handle stocker cattle, cow-calf pairs, or feeders.
Range condition news
Search for recent USDA NRCS pasture, range, and forage condition reports and any drought monitor updates for Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Cattle market outlook
Search for recent analyst commentary on the 2026 cattle market outlook — include supply factors, export demand, and price forecasts from industry sources.
Predator compensation research
Research livestock predation compensation programs in western states — which states have programs, what predators are covered, and what documentation is required for claims.
Tools to power your best work
Academic ResearchSearch papers, authors, citations
Deep ResearchAI research reports with citations
Stock MarketQuotes, history & analyst insights
NewsSearch and track news worldwide
Places SearchFind restaurants, shops & venues worldwide
165+ tools.
One conversation.
Everything ranchers need from AI, connected to the assistant you already use. No extra apps, no switching tabs.
Pre-calving season preparation
Before calving season begins, review weather outlook, check disaster program eligibility, and confirm local veterinary and supply resources are available.
Marketing plan development
Build a data-driven marketing strategy for your calf or yearling crop based on current futures prices, seasonal patterns, and market access.
Grazing plan update
Annually update your grazing management plan using current range science and drought conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can these tools help with USDA FSA loan and program paperwork?
Deep Research can explain USDA FSA program requirements, eligibility criteria, payment calculations, and application processes for programs like Livestock Forage Disaster, Emergency Livestock Assistance, and Operating Loans. It cannot submit applications, but it can help you understand exactly what you need to bring to your local FSA office.
How far in advance can the weather tool forecast blizzard conditions?
Weather Forecast provides forecasts out to 14 days, with highest reliability in the 1-7 day window. For severe winter weather, the 5-7 day window is typically sufficient to make livestock protection decisions. The tool will reflect NWS watch and warning information when available.
Can I track real-time cattle prices at specific auction yards?
The Stock Market tool tracks futures prices from the CME, not local cash prices at specific auction yards. For local cash market prices, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service publishes regional livestock market reports, which Deep Research can help you locate and interpret.
Is academic research useful for day-to-day ranch decisions?
Most useful for big decisions: evaluating a new grazing system, choosing among mineral supplementation programs, or understanding how drought affects range recovery timelines. For day-to-day decisions, the market, weather, and news tools are more immediately practical.
Can these tools help with public lands grazing permits?
Yes. Deep Research can research BLM and USFS grazing permit renewal processes, current allotment status, and recent policy changes. It can also find news about specific allotments or grazing areas if they've been in the news due to policy changes or litigation.
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Works in Chat, Cowork and Code