Latest News From Cattle

More than 61% of the contiguous US is in some classification of drought. That’s the largest percentage of drought classification since 2012, the year the continental US saw an all-time record of 65% during September.

Self-interests of large packers has led to exploitation of independent cattlemen on one side of the supply chain and consumers on the other, says Bill Bullard. He believes Senate Bill 949 is the "packers' kryptonite."

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor two of the region’s leading agricultural figures on May 18 with the Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence.

Calves need to have a sound, balanced nutritional program and be free from internal parasites in order to have an immune system fit to withstand the marketing and transportation channels of our beef production system.

With its witty humor and larger than life storyline, the “Yellowstone” TV series is undoubtedly entertaining. But could this western-themed story make or break the rancher’s way of life?

Veterinarians say there are steps producers can take to lessen disease risks before bringing new animals into your operation.

Speculators in the futures markets have a negative portrayal. But opposite sides of the market work in lock-step with one another - producers can’t hedge price risk without speculators on the other side. 

A U.S. Department of Agriculture employee was paid to allow tick infested and diseased cattle to enter the country, according to an indictment filed in a Laredo federal court last week.

Angus Genetics Program Director explains how ultrasound and genomic data will increase accuracy of expected progeny differences.

Tyson “Demo Day” will be held virtually on July 11, 2022, with participants invited to demonstrate how their solutions could help create a more sustainable food system.

The tools for selecting your next herd bull have expanded significantly over the past several years. The following defines how genetic values are determined with examples of each and how to use them.

Higher grain prices raise the question of how cattle should be finished. A recent grass vs. grain discussion included the performance and economic perspectives but added an environmental evaluation.

While we were busy exploring whether the government should make laws mandating how cattle are marketed, The New York Times has been writing beef's eulogy. Indeed, "beef is the Kiev of foods, besieged on all fronts."

The ongoing drought in south Texas has lowered the water level at the Rio Grande River making it easier for wildlife carrying cattle fever ticks to enter the U.S.

Beef demand has been strong up to this point but clearly there are more concerns about demand and input prices going forward. There is little choice but to stay tuned and try to remain as flexible as possible.

Cash fed cattle prices came under pressure last week as packer needs were lighter than in recent weeks. Wholesale beef prices have declined resulting in lower margins for processors.

Wheat and corn prices continued to find fuel this week from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but cattle markets were in retreat. The Russia/Ukraine conflict will continue to play a role in markets moving forward.

Are speculators in CME Live cattle futures markets dominating price movement, adding to volatility and uncertainty? Nevil Speer examines the data to provide perspective.

This is a broad-spectrum, prescription antibiotic that treats the major organisms associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), foot rot and pinkeye.

In the fifth installment of a series exploring cattle market reforms, Steve Cornett conducts a Q&A with Brad Kooima, a commodity broker and independent cattle feeder in Sioux Center, Iowa.

Based on the National Weather Service North Central River Forecast Center’s latest forecast, there is a 90% chance that the Red River will exceed the major flood stage this spring.

Brendan and Elaine Martin, owners of Martin Angus and Blue Cedar Beef, Mt. Solon, Virginia, were recognized with the 2022 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award.

The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef launches additional sustainability modules for the retail and food service sector, which completes the module series for the entire U.S. beef value chain.

Vytelle is progressing on a five-year plan to provide accessible hormone-free bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) to producers. Three new laboratories will soon be operational and accessible to cattle producers.

Nobody alive today has seen weather this dry in Northern California during January and February, normally the two wettest months of the year. That’s a dramatic turnaround from record snowfall in December.

With the low amount of moisture that ranchers have received over the winter, the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said now is the time to think about management strategies for a drought.

Highlighting sustainability in the beef industry and how it can be demonstrated and proven through existing current practices and a focus on record keeping.

Quality grades set record highs for combined Choice and Prime carcasses during the first five weeks of 2022, slightly higher than last year. Prime grades are down marginally from year-ago at 10% vs. 10.8% last year.

Even in regions showing gains in beef cow inventories, price increases have been slow to develop this year. Overall, ranchers continue culling the breeding herd at a significant rate through the first quarter of 2022.

First it was just drought, now we have war in eastern Europe. On Feb. 24 Feeder Cattle futures were down over $4, Live Cattle were down over $2. The futures market jitters have given a lot of us more to worry about.

You should provide assistance immediately if you notice an abnormal presentation of the calf (AKA back feet, only one leg, etc.) or when there is no progress after 30 minutes for a cow or 60 minutes for a heifer.

Friday's Cattle on Feed was not expected to create any additional near-term market volatility. Yet, a closer analysis finds heavy front-end numbers along with signals the feeder cattle supply is tightening.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) has released its official 2021 Annual Report including information about projects and results within each of the organization’s program areas.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict produced another set-back for fed cattle last week. The industry is hoping this week will bring less volatility in the markets.

With revenues and costs rising, cattle producers must adjust cattle production and marketing to maximize profits. 

Cash cattle saw average prices move slightly higher for the week while CME futures tumbled lower. USDA’s reported cattle on feed February 1 inventory was the highest for that month in the series going back to 1996.

Researchers have adapted a crop model to use in the High Plains to simulate crop water use and corn yield that can help producers adjust center-pivot irrigation strategies and maximize profitability with limited water.

Taking a detour into how stewardship and sustainability play a role in the future of cattle marketing, Steve Cornett offers the fourth installment of a who-knows-how-many series on proposals to reform cattle markets.

USDA announced the availability of up to $215 million in grants and resources as part of a continued effort to strengthen the meat and poultry processing sector and create a more resilient food supply chain.

Bos indicus cattle lag in their reproductive efficiency, something researchers at Texas A&M are trying to help fix with a recent medical breakthrough.

Cattle markets were hit hard Thursday on news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Higher grain prices drove feeder cattle prices as much as $5 lower on CME feeder cattle futures and more than $2 lower for CME Live cattle.

The strong volumes of fed slaughter suggest the large number of long-fed cattle are being worked through. Tightening supplies are being revealed and demand in the beef market is nothing short of incredible.

The increased use of alternative marketing arrangements has allowed feedlots to spend less effort and energy on guessing the market – and more work dedicated to consistent throughput, Nevil Speer says.

Help make your calving season as successful as possible by ensuring adequate colostrum, preventing cold stress and having a calving kit at the ready.

Cattle feeders saw active participation from all packers last week which helped push prices higher for a fourth consecutive week. Prices in the North remain at a premium.

If drought is not a limitation in 2022, will cattle producers continue herd liquidation? The answer will be determined by what cattle producers want to do and can do relative to cow culling and heifer retention.

Cash fed cattle prices traded higher for a fourth-consecutive week, reaching the highest average price since August of 2015.

Cattle prices are improving in all regions as cattle numbers have declined. Expansion and continuation of the current drought could cut cattle numbers even further and produce higher cattle prices.

The new Trailblazers program takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths.

The world’s largest cattle feeder, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding recognizes the importance of being a leader and an advocate for the beef industry – Kuner Feedlot wins 2022 BQA Feedyard Award.