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Mackey: COF Relieves Some Anxiety, But Packers Throttle Back Harvest
Mackey: COF Relieves Some Anxiety, But Packers Throttle Back Harvest

Friday’s COF placement numbers provided a friendly lean to a market that has suffered consecutive weeks of falling futures and lower cash bids. Sellers hope to leverage the short week ahead with higher asking prices.

The Value of Hay as Fertilizer
The Value of Hay as Fertilizer

This time of year, many producers are feeding cows hay. Have you ever stopped to think about what the dollar value of the nutrients in the hay are worth as fertilizer once they have been processed by the cow?

Rebuilding the Herd Begins at Pasture Level
Rebuilding the Herd Begins at Pasture Level

Despite recent market declines, many factors point towards an overall bullish cattle market in the months ahead. Jeff Clark of Corteva Agriscience, suggests producers start the rebuilding process in the pastures first.

Lost and Found: Bottle Hunter Digs Extraordinary Farmland Treasures
Lost and Found: Bottle Hunter Digs Extraordinary Farmland Treasures

Tom Askjem disappears under farmland, descends to depths of 13’-plus, and returns to the surface with treasure—bottles and glassware from agriculture’s past.

Cash Cattle Lower Again; COF Higher
Cash Cattle Lower Again; COF Higher

Prices for market-ready cattle have tumbled $7 to $8 per cwt. since the beginning of the month even as supplies remain relatively tight. Volatility continues in the futures market.

Thanksgiving Food Costs Reflect A Healed Supply Chain
Thanksgiving Food Costs Reflect A Healed Supply Chain

A traditional Thanksgiving feast reflects two current trends in food-at-home economics: increased retail food costs vary by category and the supply chain is back to pre-COVID patterns.

Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board
Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced new upcoming board leadership, along with several board seats have renewed through 2026, following its fall board meeting, held Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.

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Feed Grain Supply Boost Driven by Corn Yield, USDA Predicts

The U.S. feed grain supply is expected to grow by 3.4 million metric tons, propelled by a projected increase in corn yields for the 2023/24 corn production forecast, reports the USDA Economic Research Service.

USMEF Strategic Planning Conference Wraps Up with New Leadership and Logistics Insight
USMEF Strategic Planning Conference Wraps Up with New Leadership and Logistics Insight

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) successfully concluded its Strategic Planning Conference with the election of a new dynamic officer team, including Randy Spronk, Steve Hanson, Jay Theiler and David Bruntz.

Butler Community College Wins NAILE Junior Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest
Butler Community College Wins NAILE Junior Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest

The Butler Community College Livestock Judging team was named high team overall in a tight to the top of the junior collegiate contest at the 2023 North American International Livestock Exposition.

Noll’s Dairy Receives Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award
Noll’s Dairy Receives Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award

Noll’s Dairy Farm of Alma is the 2023 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award® recipient.

Cattle Producers Praise Farm Bill Extension
Cattle Producers Praise Farm Bill Extension

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) praised Congress for passing a government funding package that includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.

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Genomic Testing for Selecting Replacement Heifers

With a long window and investment to determine a heifer’s fate in the herd, producers should take advantage of genomic testing to get accurate information on maternal, performance, and carcass traits.

Bryan Whaley Named Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO
Bryan Whaley Named Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO

Bryan Whaley will begin his new duties at the Iowa Cattlemen's Association on December 4.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Tumble 60%
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Tumble 60%

Cash cattle traders were jolted by a steep price decline last week that erased much of the profit on cattle sent to market. Pork margins remain red.

Youth Win Big in National 4-H Livestock Contests in Louisville
Youth Win Big in National 4-H Livestock Contests in Louisville

A large crowd gathered for the 4-H Livestock Contests results at the North American International Livestock Exposition on Nov. 15 in Louisville, Ky. Here are the winners in livestock judging, skillathon and quiz bowl.

Livestock Judging: Think About This Before You Walk Into the Reasons Room
Livestock Judging: Think About This Before You Walk Into the Reasons Room

Livestock judging changed the direction of Dale Hummel and Ryan Rash's lives, opening up opportunities they never saw coming. They share 5 tips on how to score better in the reasons room.

Smith Named K-State Animal Sciences & Industry Distinguished Alumnus
Smith Named K-State Animal Sciences & Industry Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Bob Smith was recognized as the 2023 Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Distinguished Alumnus on Monday, November 13.   

Your Cattle Forage Analysis Results Are In: Now What?
Your Cattle Forage Analysis Results Are In: Now What?

These four measurements can help you determine what your herd needs are for additional nutrition.

Registration is Open for BIF's Genetic Prediction Workshop
Registration is Open for BIF's Genetic Prediction Workshop

The Beef Improvement Federation will host a Genetic Prediction Workshop next month in Kansas City.

Beyond Windbreaks: Proactive Winter Management Tips
Beyond Windbreaks: Proactive Winter Management Tips

Buddy Rowlett of Richmond, Kansas covers the basics of managing added snow pressure with fence design, working with frozen ground and offers a creative solution for electric fences during winter storms.

Hitting the Consumer Target
Hitting the Consumer Target

Speaking during the recent World Wagyu Conference, Midan Marketing cofounder Michael Uetz encouraged Wagyu breeders to better understand their consumer target.

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Cattlemen Object to Plans to Introduce Grizzly Bears in Pacific Northwest

This latest proposed rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service follows years of opposition from rural Washington communities, cattle ranchers, and sheep producers.

How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine
How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found less than 4% of veterinarians nationwide predominantly practice production animal medicine. Here's what Iowa State University is doing to help change that.

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JBS Facing Headwinds in the U.S., NY Listing Plans Pushed Back

JBS SA, the Brazil-based meat behemoth, is braced for tough times as low cattle availability squeezes beef margins in the U.S., its main market, and management works to return pork business margins to more stable levels.

NCBA Again Strongly Opposes Paraguayan Beef Imports
NCBA Again Strongly Opposes Paraguayan Beef Imports

NCBA has repeatedly raised concerns with USDA over Paraguay’s history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the outdated information used to justify Paraguay’s access to the U.S. market.

September Beef Exports Trend Lower
September Beef Exports Trend Lower

Beef exports continue to face significant headwinds in 2023, and September’s export volume was down 15% and the lowest of the year so far.

As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension
As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension

An extension of the current farm bill is now a reality. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders were able to extend the current legislation as a possible government shutdown looms.

Peel: Cattle Markets Now and Later
Peel: Cattle Markets Now and Later

Reported national feeder cattle volumes (auction, direct and video/internet) are up 5.6% year-over-year since Labor Day, with the majority in September which contributed to the large September feedlot placements.

Cash Sharply Lower Following Futures Correction
Cash Sharply Lower Following Futures Correction

Cash cattle prices decline 3% for the week as December Live Cattle futures hit a five-month low and nearby feeder futures post seven-month low.

High Fed Cattle Prices but Narrow Margins: Strategies To Consider
High Fed Cattle Prices but Narrow Margins: Strategies To Consider

Although U.S. cattle inventories declined, following widespread drought, cattle feeding margins are not as wide as in the previous period of low cattle inventories. Here's some management strategies to consider.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

Antibiotics 101: Tips for Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Cattle
Antibiotics 101: Tips for Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Cattle

While there are many factors that weigh into creating a treatment regimen, understanding the different classes of antibiotics and how they work is important to ensure your cattle are getting the best treatment response.

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband
New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

Biden EO Establishes Chief Competition Officer at AMS
Biden EO Establishes Chief Competition Officer at AMS

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announces progress to further competition in agriculture and level the playing field for farmers and ranchers under President Biden's executive order on competition.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Narrowing, Pork Improves
Profit Tracker: Cattle Margins Narrowing, Pork Improves

Cattle feeding margins decline even as fed steers trade steady to higher for the week. Packer margins erode on weaker wholesale beef prices. Pork producer margins improve but remain underwater.

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Benefits of Proper Hay Storage Practices

All forages packaged in large round bales benefit from protection and proper storage practices.

Feed Smarter, Not Harder: Strategies to Minimize Feed Waste and Increase Profitability
Feed Smarter, Not Harder: Strategies to Minimize Feed Waste and Increase Profitability

Here's some tips and strategies to help cattle producers stretch their dollars when it comes to winter feeding, shared by Aaron Berger, extension educator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

CAB Insider: Middle Meats and Supply Driving Fourth Quarter Spreads
CAB Insider: Middle Meats and Supply Driving Fourth Quarter Spreads

Cash fed cattle prices have increased 4.8% during the month of November in the past five years, yet carcass cutout values have begun the month in a bit of defensive pattern.

J. David Nichols, Nichols Farms, Anita, Iowa 1938 - 2023
J. David Nichols, Nichols Farms, Anita, Iowa 1938 - 2023

Industry mourns legendary seedstock breeder and tireless advocate for genetic advancement and profitability for commercial cattlemen.

Combat Illicit Xylazine: Proposed Legislation Aims To Protect Sedative Use
Combat Illicit Xylazine: Proposed Legislation Aims To Protect Sedative Use

AABP urges practitioners and producers to contact legislators to express support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The legislation would help protect the legitimate use of the product in livestock production.

Exotic Tick That Can Kill Cattle Spreads Across Ohio
Exotic Tick That Can Kill Cattle Spreads Across Ohio

Scientists have reported on Ohio’s first known established population of Asian longhorned ticks, and are now conducting research focused on monitoring and managing the pests.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids May Help Mitigate Early Embryonic Loss
Omega-6 Fatty Acids May Help Mitigate Early Embryonic Loss

A Texas A&M AgriLife project will feed omega-6 and omega 3 fatty acids to beef cattle to determine what role they may play in managing early embryonic loss.

Branstad and Westman To Be Recognized with 2023 USMEF Awards
Branstad and Westman To Be Recognized with 2023 USMEF Awards

In recognition of many years of service to the U.S. agricultural industry, the U.S. Meat Export Federation recently announced its 2023 award recipients.

Genetic Selection: No Better Than the Information Behind It
Genetic Selection: No Better Than the Information Behind It

For seedstock producers, reporting performance data is critical in EPD accuracy.

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Low Stress Weaning Strategies

Low stress weaning techniques can pay dividends to producers adding value through a preconditioning program.

Understanding Cattle Stress: Oklahoma State University Researchers Focus On Genetic Predisposition
Understanding Cattle Stress: Oklahoma State University Researchers Focus On Genetic Predisposition

Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, Oklahoma State University researchers have embarked on a groundbreaking project aimed at studying stress in cattle.

New Leadership Elected by the American Angus Association
New Leadership Elected by the American Angus Association

Association leadership selected for 2024 at the Annual Convention of Delegates in Orlando, Florida.

Noble Research Institute Conducts First Essentials of Regenerative Grazing Course
Noble Research Institute Conducts First Essentials of Regenerative Grazing Course

Newly launched course educates producers in ecosystem management for more sustainable and profitable ranching.

Mackey: Steady Leaves Many Cattle on Showlists
Mackey: Steady Leaves Many Cattle on Showlists

Last week saw several feedyards pass on steady bids from packers. Cattle feeders are counting on declining numbers of Choice carcasses to bring packers back with higher bids.