Latest News From BEEF

Sorting Through the Noise: Create Extra Revenue with the Resources You Already Have
Sorting Through the Noise: Create Extra Revenue with the Resources You Already Have

What do you use your land for? It’s easy to say that pastures are for grazing and cropland is for farming, but the list is much larger than that.

Winter Storm Survival: A Nightmare for Livestock Producers in Western Illinois
Winter Storm Survival: A Nightmare for Livestock Producers in Western Illinois

Despite nearly 24 inches of snow, below-zero temperatures and raging winds that some people are affectionately calling “Death Storm #2,” Illinois livestock producers are finding ways to overcome the horrific conditions.

Nevil Speer
Speer: Don’t Blame Trade – Blame Protectionism

Critics of U.S. beef's trade activity claim imports distort domestic cattle prices. But actual data tells a much different story.

Mackey: Weather Produces a Disappointing Harvest
Mackey: Weather Produces a Disappointing Harvest

Severe winter weather across cattle feeding country reduced weekly harvest and damaged feeding performance. Cattle feeders will seek higher prices this week.

Winter Hay Supplies Higher
Winter Hay Supplies Higher

U.S. hay production in 2023 was 6.3% higher than the drought year of 2022, but remains 7.8% lower than the 10-year average. Hay stocks were higher in eight of the ten states, with decreases only in Kansas and Kentucky.

Profit Tracker: Margins Improve as Weather Tanks
Profit Tracker: Margins Improve as Weather Tanks

Winter weather dominated livestock markets the second full week of the year with slowing harvest and transportation. Cattle and hog prices were steady and margins improved modestly, yet losses remain significant.

How to Increase the Marketability of Beef-on-Dairy Calves
How to Increase the Marketability of Beef-on-Dairy Calves

No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.

Markets: Cattle Steady to Softer in Weather Trade
Markets: Cattle Steady to Softer in Weather Trade

Brutal winter weather disrupted cattle markets and significantly curtailed cattle harvest in western Kansas. Cash cattle trades were steady to lower while wholesale beef prices posted a significant rally.

How Will Winter Storms Impact the Pork and Beef Supply Chain?
How Will Winter Storms Impact the Pork and Beef Supply Chain?

Winter storms across the country have resulted in significant pork and beef supply disruptions in terms of livestock moving to processing plants as well as beef and pork moving to population centers. 

Beat the Calving Season Scramble by Preparing Now
Beat the Calving Season Scramble by Preparing Now

Whether it is a bull sale, bull shopping, calving or anything else; what can you do this week to prepare/make the next season go smoother?

Nevil Speer
Speer: LRP Sense and Nonsense

There remains a lot of noise around the issue of LRPs in the cattle markets. That was best described by one of my readers last week: “[most of the critics] don’t even understand the facts, let alone the myths.”

Answering the Cattle Nutrition Protein Question
Answering the Cattle Nutrition Protein Question

New equations will better estimate protein utilization by beef cattle, benefit producers.

Wagyu President Says Breed’s Future is Bright
Wagyu President Says Breed’s Future is Bright

As the fastest growing breed in America, the American Wagyu Association is actively working to keep the momentum going with additional staff and new programs.

Nalivka: The Economics of Carcass Weights
Nalivka: The Economics of Carcass Weights

Economics and the impact on weights – both longer-term and decisions based on short term factors will play an important part in determining beef production in 2024.

Are You Ready For the Polar Plunge? Some Areas Could See Temperatures Plummet to Negative 40 Degrees
Are You Ready For the Polar Plunge? Some Areas Could See Temperatures Plummet to Negative 40 Degrees

From 40 degrees above zero earlier this week in parts of the Great Plains to now forecasts for temps to fall 40 degrees below zero, ag meteorologist Drew Lerner says the frigid conditions will be dangerous for livestock.

Prepare for Winter Calving in 2024
Prepare for Winter Calving in 2024

What can we do to make calving in the late winter months as problem-free as possible? GET PREPARED!

Cull Cow and Beef Prices Bounce Higher
Cull Cow and Beef Prices Bounce Higher

After reaching a peak price in August, cull cow and bull prices moved higher to end the year on a positive note.

USDA Announces Appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board
USDA Announces Appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 26 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

November Pork Export Value Highest in 30 Months; Asia Headwinds Persist for Beef
November Pork Export Value Highest in 30 Months; Asia Headwinds Persist for Beef

November exports of U.S. pork reached the highest value since mid-2021 while U.S. beef exports slowed in November, recording the third lowest value of 2023.

Three Tips for Better Cow Nutrition
Three Tips for Better Cow Nutrition

Obtaining a basic understanding of nutrition and making data driven decisions can give every cattleman an advantage in creating a nutrition program best suited to their operation.

Jennifer Shike
Encourage the Next Generation to Chase Big Dreams

Methodical grind. There’s no question talent makes a difference, but what makes the biggest difference is commitment -- the daily decision to choose to work hard and show up. 

Profit Tracker: Packers, Feeders Drowning in Red Ink
Profit Tracker: Packers, Feeders Drowning in Red Ink

The first week of the New Year provided little cheer for either cattle feeders or beef packers as both saw increasing per head losses. Ditto for pork producers.

Next-Gen Spotlight: Matt Adams Created His Niche By Doing Things No One Else Wanted To Do
Next-Gen Spotlight: Matt Adams Created His Niche By Doing Things No One Else Wanted To Do

After years of letting negativity and discouragement hold him back from full-time farming, the first-generation Kentucky farmer decided to take a leap of faith.

Nevil Speer
Speer: Some More Most Important Things

Following up on a recent column, Nevil Speer reports on the advice from a seasoned grain analyst: Three things that you should do for success in 2024, plus, four things NOT to do. Remember, it's "you versus you."

CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey Released
CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey Released

CattleFax invites producers to participate in its annual Cow-Calf Survey, which provides participants and the rest of the industry with valuable data regarding industry benchmarks and trends.

What Do Mexico's Duty Exemptions Mean for Imported Pork, Beef and Poultry?
What Do Mexico's Duty Exemptions Mean for Imported Pork, Beef and Poultry?

Mexico recently issued a decree extending zero-duty treatment of certain food imports – including pork, beef and poultry – from all eligible suppliers through the end of 2024. What does this mean for the U.S.?

Myers Family Farm Receives Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award
Myers Family Farm Receives Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award

What farm visitors see is how a no-till system coupled with extensive use of cover crops and sound crop rotations can greatly reduce soil losses, even on slopes up to 10 percent.

Plan for a Successful 2024
Plan for a Successful 2024

Producers are encouraged to implement plans to help make the year on your ranch more successful.

Firefighters from across Kansas and Oklahoma battle a wildfire near Protection, Kan., Monday, March 6, 2017.
Acting Secretary of Interior Announces $138 Million for Wildland Fire Mitigation and Resilience

Historic funding will support wildland firefighters, reduce the risk of future wildfires, and advance fire recovery.

Judge Orders Wind Turbines Removed From Osage Nation
Judge Orders Wind Turbines Removed From Osage Nation

Removal of the 84 turbines erected beginning 10 years ago without a mining permit from the Osage Nation ends a long legal battle and will cost the developers $300 million.

Focus on Sanitation and Awareness to Prevent Johne’s Disease
Focus on Sanitation and Awareness to Prevent Johne’s Disease

Johne’s disease is usually spread to young calves through contact with infected manure or milk but infected cattle don’t show signs of the disease until several years later.

‘Let me be clear, the Stockyards intends to thrive’
‘Let me be clear, the Stockyards intends to thrive’

Oklahoma National Stockyards' owners and nearby businesses fear their livelihood could be infringed if Oklahoma County commissioners seek to use imminent domain to acquire land for the county's new jail site.

8 Reasons Why Beef-on-Dairy Makes the Perfect Cross
8 Reasons Why Beef-on-Dairy Makes the Perfect Cross

As milk prices continue to sink lower, more and more dairy producers are turning their attention to creating a healthy beef cross calf to generate additional income for their farms.

Cow-Calf Producers: Are You on Offense or Defense in 2024?
Cow-Calf Producers: Are You on Offense or Defense in 2024?

Cattle markets are encouraging more aggressive production. Individually, cattle producers may be able to respond immediately or may be forced to remain on the defensive due to physical or financial reasons. 

Mackey: Weather Provides Motivation to Settle for Steady
Mackey: Weather Provides Motivation to Settle for Steady

A year ago feeders were concerned about weathered cattle and tough pen conditions and how at times it would be the motivation for sellers to take the market.  It’s eerie how not much has changed in that sense.

USDA Awards Funds to Help Expand Export Markets for U.S. Food and Ag Products
USDA Awards Funds to Help Expand Export Markets for U.S. Food and Ag Products

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service announces more than $203 million to nearly 70 agricultural organizations to help expand export markets via the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program. 

NDSU Extension and SDSU Extension to Host Alternative Beef Cow Systems Symposium
NDSU Extension and SDSU Extension to Host Alternative Beef Cow Systems Symposium

Producers interested in expanding their herd or considering alternative production practices due to limited perennial pastures and rangeland are the target audience for the Dakota Alternative Beef Cow Systems Symposium.

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Markets: Cattle Higher for Third Consecutive Week

Cash fed cattle prices traded at higher prices the first week of the New Year despite a significant decline for wholesale beef prices.

From Survey to Solutions: ChopLocal Says Growth is Shaped by Industry Insights
From Survey to Solutions: ChopLocal Says Growth is Shaped by Industry Insights

The direct-to-consumer meat industry is making strides, according to findings from a recent survey by ChopLocal.

Winter Cattle Yard Preparation Checklist
Winter Cattle Yard Preparation Checklist

University of Nebraska extension provides a checklist to prepare your feedyard for winter weather.

Texas Rancher’s Property Rights Case to be Heard by U.S. Supreme Court
Texas Rancher’s Property Rights Case to be Heard by U.S. Supreme Court

After Texas renovated a highway, Richie DeVillier’s ranch experienced catastrophic flooding that destroyed his crops and killed his cattle. A seven-year legal battle ensued, which now heads to the Supreme Court.

Arizona Rancher Rejects Plea Deal in Death of Migrant
Arizona Rancher Rejects Plea Deal in Death of Migrant

A trial date has been set for Arizona rancher George Kelly who is charged with murder following the shooting death of a Mexican migrant in January of last year.

UNL Receives $5M Grant to Reduce Cattle Methane Emissions
UNL Receives $5M Grant to Reduce Cattle Methane Emissions

A Husker research team has received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research more sustainable dairy and beef production.

stockers
More Cattle Grazing Winter Wheat in Oklahoma

Although it appears producers took advantage of strong prices to market both steer and heifer calves last fall, it is possible decisions about whether heifers on wheat will be feeders or replacements have not been made.

CAB Insider: Carcass Quality Set to Climb Seasonally
CAB Insider: Carcass Quality Set to Climb Seasonally

The beef market is set to rapidly adjust to changes in consumer buying habits. This removes demand pressure from ribs and tenderloins, realigning the contribution of those cuts to a smaller percentage of carcass value.

Sorting Through the Noise: My Favorite Places for Beef Industry News
Sorting Through the Noise: My Favorite Places for Beef Industry News

Where do you go for your cattle and beef industry news? Here are a few of Shaye's go-to resources during my busy and slow seasons to keep me up to date.

The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?
The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?

From the intense heat in the South to drought blanketing much of the U.S., weather stole headlines again in 2023. What caused such extreme conditions? One meteorologist explains the culprits of the heat and drought.

Developing a Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine
Developing a Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine

Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine will to create a Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine to address challenges in rural communities including impacts to veterinary medicine and animal agriculture.

Differences Between High-, Medium-, and Low-Profit Cow-Calf Producers
Differences Between High-, Medium-, and Low-Profit Cow-Calf Producers

Cow-calf costs and returns data from the Kansas Farm Management Association Enterprise Analysis for individual producers finds annual returns over variable costs averaged $71.02 per cow over a 46-year period.

Mackey: A Good Week for Competition
Mackey: A Good Week for Competition

The final week of 2023 found at least three bidders in the market in multiple regions.