cattle

Thanks to a perfect storm, the U.S. cattle industry is struggling right now, between drought across much of the west and heartland, low commodity prices and high input costs.  In other locations of the U.S., ranchers and some operations have liquidated or consolidated in response the economic challenges.   ...

Senators John Thune and Ben Ray Luján recently introduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act.  The bipartisan legislation by the South Dakota Republican and New Mexico Democrat would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of multiple Department of Agriculture programs that assist farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of adverse weather events.  The legislatio...

Cattle ranchers in West Texas are strapping fit-bits on their cows.  The fitness trackers keep track of the herd's movements at a time when the industry is facing a labor shortage.  Instead of wrapping them around their hooves, they're worn as ear tags and collars.    The...

Cattlemen know about general cattle nutrition, but beyond the basics, there are a lot of details that can trip you up.  Dusty Abney, cow-calf nutritionist with Cargill Animal Nutrition, said dry matter is one those foundational pieces.  If it’s...

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service published a Notice to Trade related to the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the Library is designed to be a tool for cattle producers, making information available that may allow them to capture unrealized value for their livestock.   “We are plea...

The USDA extended the application deadline for Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Cooperative Agreements to October 6th.  USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.  Pr...

The beef industry says agriculture emissions are not regulated by the Clean Air Act and the bipartisan Livestock Regulatory Protection Act would keep it that way.  National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Mary Thomas Hart concedes farms and ranches emit methane, ammonia and other pollutants, but at a level below what the Clean Air Act regulates.   “But we know...

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association invites everyone in the industry to its 15th Annual Meeting and Cattle Producer’s Forum in Nashville, Tennessee, December 8-10.   On Friday, December 9th, policy committees and members will review the past year’s successes and determine policy goals for the upcoming year. With significant prog...

The USDA said last week all cattle and calves between the United States and Canada combined to total 111 million head on July 1st, a 2% drop from the 113 million head on July 1 of last year.  All cows and heifers that have calved, at 44.5 million...

The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show is headed to New Orleans next year, and funding is available to offset some costs for producers.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association offers a variety of scholarships and grants to help producers attend CattleCon23, February 1-3.   N...