April is finally here, and we’re busy at home on the ranch. We’re on the homestretch for completing the 2015 calving season, and we’ve been hustling to get the pastures fertilized before the growing season begins. We’re also prepping the planter in anticipation of heading to the fields in another month or so.

In March, we focused on cattle nutrition with a photo contest entitled, “Bellied up to the feedbunk.” (Keep reading to find out what we’ve got in store for April!) We received more than 70 entries in the contest, and from those, we narrowed the field to 15 finalists. Then we asked our readers to help select the champions by voting for your favorite.

In case you missed it, see the entire “Bellied up to the feedbunk” gallery here.

Plus, you can check out the 15 finalists here.

With more than 100 votes in, we’ve tallied up the scores, and it’s time to announce our winners. The photographers who received the top two votes will receive a Greeley Hat Works hat, valued at $300! Thank you to Greeley Hat Works for once again being our sponsor!

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Congratulations to our champion photographer Katrina Huffstutler with “Hard Times.”

Cheers to our reserve champion photographer Marty Sis with “Hot Feed On A Cold Day.”

Honorable mention goes to Jodi Weber with “Contentment.”

Thanks again to everyone who participated! If you love our photography contests, here’s a sneak peak at the upcoming themes:

May: Grilling

September: America’s cattleman

November: Fall colors

All three contests will be sponsored by Greeley Hat Works, so if you are in need of a new cowboy hat, grab your camera and start taking those potential winning photographs in anticipation of these contests.

Finally, today is April’s Fools Day, and I would be a fool if I didn’t listen to what BEEF Daily readers want to read in upcoming issues of the e-newsletter and blog. A recent survey showed that 39% of you would like to see a greater emphasis on production topics. Ask and you shall receive! This April, I will be writing a pasture grazing series, and I will release a new segment each Thursday. Check out tomorrow’s blog for the first installment, and be sure to tune in each week for the next blog post in this grazing series.

What other production topics would you like us to cover? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of Beefmagazine.com or the Penton Farm Progress Group.

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