Latest From News

Montana Man Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Develop Giant Hybrid Sheep for Captive Hunting
Montana Man Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Develop Giant Hybrid Sheep for Captive Hunting

In a near decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids in the U.S. with the goal of selling the trophy species to captive hunting ranches, the defendant violated federal wildlife trafficking regulations.

Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Improve; Beef Packer Losses Remain Triple Digits
Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Improve; Beef Packer Losses Remain Triple Digits

Cattle feeding margins improved as prices advanced. Beef packer margins improved but losses remain in triple digits as market-ready supplies remain tight. Pork producer margins gain on higher prices.

Replacing Thousands of Miles of Burned Fences in the Texas Panhandle
Replacing Thousands of Miles of Burned Fences in the Texas Panhandle

Ranchers in the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma region face the overwhelming task of rebuilding or repairing thousands of miles of fence.

Stocking Rates, Weed Management and Fire Break Recovery Following Wildfire
Stocking Rates, Weed Management and Fire Break Recovery Following Wildfire

Nebraska extension educators answer questions about stocking rates, pasture management following wildfire.

Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Dr. Doug Parrett Memorial Arena at Illinois
Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Dr. Doug Parrett Memorial Arena at Illinois

Over 300 people gathered March 8 to dedicate the “Dr. Doug Parrett Memorial Arena” in the historic Stock Pavilion at the University of Illinois honoring the 49-year career of beef production professor and judging coach.

A ‘Smart’ Examination to Improve Livestock Management Efficiency
A ‘Smart’ Examination to Improve Livestock Management Efficiency

Animal nutritionist studies precision livestock management technology to develop cost-effective and noninvasive methods of monitoring feeding behaviors that can make operations more efficient.

BT_Gardiner_Angus_Bulls
Measuring the Value (or Expense) of a Bull Purchase

This example evaluates five potential bull purchases and how a rancher can determine which one will provide the most potential return on investment.

Space Weather: Start Planning Today for Tomorrow’s GPS Outage
Space Weather: Start Planning Today for Tomorrow’s GPS Outage

Minor space weather events have temporarily knocked out corrections signals over Canada and The Dakotas in the past. Would your farm be ready for a more severe outage?

Anova Biosciences Unveils Revolutionary Promogen™ Diagnostic Test
Anova Biosciences Unveils Revolutionary Promogen™ Diagnostic Test

New diagnostic test enables the identification of cows with superior genetics that lead to enhanced feed efficiency, disease resistance and overall productivity.

Helping Hands from the AgriLife Extension Network
Helping Hands from the AgriLife Extension Network

Texas A&M AgriLife extension agents have been on the ground since the wildfires helping communities and ranchers recover from the devastation.

From Flames to Finances: Steps to Wildfire Recovery
From Flames to Finances: Steps to Wildfire Recovery

Multiple resources are available to aid rebuilding for ranchers who suffered losses to wildfires in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle area. Texas A&M AgriLife identifies the multiple resources available.

Ranchers Face Prison Time, Millions in Fines for Tampering with Rain Gauges
Ranchers Face Prison Time, Millions in Fines for Tampering with Rain Gauges

Two southeast Colorado ranchers agreed to pay more than $6.5 million in fines and will serve time in prison for tampering with NOAA rain gauges in a scheme to collect federal crop insurance.

Tyson Foods to Close Perry Pork Plant in Iowa
Tyson Foods to Close Perry Pork Plant in Iowa

Tyson Foods will permanently close a pork plant in Perry, Iowa, the meatpacker said on Monday, eliminating jobs for about 1,200 workers.

USDA Issues Meat Labeling Final Rule
USDA Issues Meat Labeling Final Rule

Ag Secretary Vilsack hails voluntary “Product of U.S.A.” label as a vital step towards consumer protection and builds on efforts to bolster trust and fairness in the marketplace.

BT_USDA_Beef_Meat_Packer_2
Slaughter Cow Market Soars Fueled by Lean Trimmings Rally

Lean beef trimmings, a key component of ground beef production, have rallied significantly, with the price of 90% lean trimmings quoted over $317 per cwt. the first week of March, an all-time record dating back to 1978.

Climate Center’s New Tool Provides Wind Data for Six-State Region
Climate Center’s New Tool Provides Wind Data for Six-State Region

The center will update the wind-data tool over time, with the long-term goal of covering seasons, multiple years and multiple months to enable comparisons.

Data Capture Adds Value
Data Capture Adds Value

Blockchain technology captures marketing leverage data on sale day.

Mackey: Packers Struggle to Preserve Margins
Mackey: Packers Struggle to Preserve Margins

Beef packers slow harvest lines and scramble for inventory as they attempt to keep a lid on cash prices.

BIF Seedstock & Commercial Applications Due March 15
BIF Seedstock & Commercial Applications Due March 15

Deadline for Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) award applications are this Friday, March 15.

Livestock Industry Mourns Loss of Dr. Angela Baysinger
Livestock Industry Mourns Loss of Dr. Angela Baysinger

Dr. Angela Baysinger, DVM, passed away on March 8. Baysinger was well known throughout the pork industry for her contributions to veterinary medicine and empowering those around her every day.

Markets: Cash Cattle Marching Higher
Markets: Cash Cattle Marching Higher

Negotiated cattle prices moved higher again as supplies continue tightening. Packers are caught in significant margin squeeze with marketing leverage continuing to favor cattle feeders.

USDA: $66 Million Investing in America Funds to National Forests and Grasslands
USDA: $66 Million Investing in America Funds to National Forests and Grasslands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday nearly $66 million to improve water quality, roads, trails, bridges and fish habitat on national forests and grasslands nationwide.

Exports: Pork Off to Rapid Start; Beef Trends Mixed
Exports: Pork Off to Rapid Start; Beef Trends Mixed

Pork exports begin the year on a torrid pace while beef export values jump 9%. Lamb exports put up highest value in more than four years.

How to Measure Pasture-Feed Intake for Cattle
How to Measure Pasture-Feed Intake for Cattle

Cows have a job, and that job description will vary from ranch to ranch. Have you taken time to write down what cows need to do to earn their keep?

11 Key Takeaways From Biden's State Of The Union Address
11 Key Takeaways From Biden's State Of The Union Address

President Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his SOTU speech Thursday. From the economy to his thoughts on infrastructure, the border and climate, there were several key takeaways for agriculture.

Boosting Calf Health Following Calving
Boosting Calf Health Following Calving

Ensuring cows are in an adequate nutritional status (body condition score of 5 or 6) and not overfed can help reduce concerns of dystocia and plays a role in determining the quality and quantity of colostrum.

NCBA Welcomes Landmark Habitat Conservation Bill
NCBA Welcomes Landmark Habitat Conservation Bill

NCBA urged members of Congress to support the recently introduced America's Wildlife Conservation Act, a bill that would provide regulatory certainty for landowners who participate in species conservation agreements.

TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund Opens Applications for Cattle Raisers Impacted by Wildfires
TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund Opens Applications for Cattle Raisers Impacted by Wildfires

Cattle raisers impacted by wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma can apply for financial aid through the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund.

Evaluating Cow Efficiency and Fit During Calving Season
Evaluating Cow Efficiency and Fit During Calving Season

A cowherd of optimum mature size and milk level relative to a given production environment creates the potential to increase revenue in the form of increased reproductive efficiency.

Pork Producers Adopt Enhanced Swine Traceability Resolution at National Pork Industry Forum
Pork Producers Adopt Enhanced Swine Traceability Resolution at National Pork Industry Forum

U.S. pork producers approved a resolution to enhance the country’s live swine traceability system during the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum on March 7. Here's what it means for the industry.

Texas Wildfires Impacting Panhandle Ranchers But Not Overall Cattle And Beef Prices
Texas Wildfires Impacting Panhandle Ranchers But Not Overall Cattle And Beef Prices

Wildfires in the Texas Panhandle caused significant cattle losses for individual ranchers, but should not impact beef cattle markets or consumers, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Chasing the Elusive Second Calf
Chasing the Elusive Second Calf

Growing, lactating cows have greater nutrient requirements and smaller rumens than mature cows making it difficult for them to meet their nutrient needs with the same diet as the cow.

NCBA Hails Limited SEC Rule as Win for Cattle Producers
NCBA Hails Limited SEC Rule as Win for Cattle Producers

The SEC released a limited greenhouse gas disclosure rule that omits the requirement for large publicly traded companies to release greenhouse gas emissions data from private companies in their supply chain.

Maintaining Cattle Immediately After a Wildfire
Maintaining Cattle Immediately After a Wildfire

Once hay is available, priority should be given to providing enough long-stemmed hay to keep the rumen healthy and provide a balanced diet to sustain the animals until adequate spring forage is available.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Near Breakeven, Packer Margins Remain Triple Digits
Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Near Breakeven, Packer Margins Remain Triple Digits

Cattle feeding margins inched lower last week with rising costs. Packer margins improved but remain in triple digits as market-ready supplies remain tight. Pork producers turn a profit for the first time in 14 months.

American Royal To Host New Spring Youth Livestock Show
American Royal To Host New Spring Youth Livestock Show

The new American Royal Spring Youth Livestock Show will take place March 27-30 at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Mo.

Images From the Smokehouse Creek Fire
Images From the Smokehouse Creek Fire

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension photographer Sam Craft was in the Texas Panhandle documenting the aftermath of the largest wildfire in Texas history, and the aid and support for fire victims.

Trade Groups Criticize USDA’s Final P&SA Rule
Trade Groups Criticize USDA’s Final P&SA Rule

Meat and poultry industry trade groups were quick to criticize USDA's announcement of changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act claiming the changes add unnecessary regulations and costs.

Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award to Marty Williams
Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award to Marty Williams

The Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award recipients are Marty and Crystal Williams from Noble County.

BSEs help Veterinarians Provide a $7 ROI for every $1 Cow-Calf Producers Invest, on Average
BSEs help Veterinarians Provide a $7 ROI for every $1 Cow-Calf Producers Invest, on Average

Bulls passing all four parts of a BSE are set up for reproductive excellence. The best achieve a 60% to 65% conception rate every 21 days on healthy, cycling cows, says Dr. Chance Armstrong. Subfertile bulls are costly.

USDA  Issues Final Rule to Clarify Standards Under P&SA
USDA Issues Final Rule to Clarify Standards Under P&SA

New final rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act promotes inclusive competition and prevents discrimination, retaliation and deception in contract farming.

U.S. Corn and Soy Key to Success of Red Meat Exports, Spronk Says
U.S. Corn and Soy Key to Success of Red Meat Exports, Spronk Says

The story of American corn and soybean production is a key tool in marketing U.S. red meat overseas. U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair Randy Spronk explained why at the Commodity Classic last week.

Beef Spokespeople Join Next Group of Trailblazers
Beef Spokespeople Join Next Group of Trailblazers

Trailblazers receive in-depth training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews and understand how to build confidence in beef-related practices when talking to consumers.

Wildfire Relief and Recovery Resources
Wildfire Relief and Recovery Resources

A list of resources and links for farmers and ranchers impacted by the wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma.

Understanding Beef By-Product Values
Understanding Beef By-Product Values

The set of products included in total by-product values is quite varied and includes edible offals, inedible offals, meat. bone and blood meal, edible and inedible tallow, hides, and pharmaceutical products.

Vytelle Opens 17th Global IVF Laboratory
Vytelle Opens 17th Global IVF Laboratory

Vytelle, the in vitro fertilization (IVF) company, announces the opening of its 8th US-based and 17th global laboratory, strategically located in the heart of Nebraska.

Wildfire Battles Continue Over Weekend for Texas, Oklahoma
Wildfire Battles Continue Over Weekend for Texas, Oklahoma

After burning for more than six days, the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma was only 15% contained Sunday morning. Drifting sand now poses a threat to rural roads.

Tips for Selection of Replacement Heifers
Tips for Selection of Replacement Heifers

Selecting heifers that will have the optimum mature size and milk level to fit our production system, breed quickly, wean a calf annually and have longevity is important for the success of your ranch.

Markets: Cattle, Wholesale Beef, Futures All Higher
Markets: Cattle, Wholesale Beef, Futures All Higher

All classes of cattle and futures prices moved higher for the week ending March 1. April live cattle closed at the highest level since early November.

Wildfire Burns 71,000 Acres in Central Nebraska
Wildfire Burns 71,000 Acres in Central Nebraska

Nebraska officials say a mower ignited a wildfire that burned roughly 110 square miles of central Nebraska grasslands.