livestock

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced the release of its updated Beef Quality Assurance National Manual, which serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information and is free to all.   “BQA empowers beef producers to maximize their potential to make the most efficient and responsible use of natural resources for effectively producing the world’s most nutritious and

USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell said there are top factors influencing the beef market right now.   “Strong beef demand and good, good prices for calves and feeder cattle," he noted.  McConnell says the price and demand signals in the marketplace are keeping the beef market in a contraction mode.  Friday's USDA Catt...

According to a new economics report from the University of Idaho, 2024 was a record year for the state's Ag industry.  Earnings set an all-time high this year, but school officials were quick to note that the gains weren’t enjoyed by most food producers who raise crops.   The st...

The Farm Credit Administration’s board received an update on economic issues affecting agriculture.  The U.S. economy continued to show modest growth throughout 2024, as gains in productivity support real wage growth and boost consumer spending.  But, for agri...

With cases of bird flu in cattle reported across the western U.S., as well as cases in pigs and humans here in the Northwest, health officials are watching the H5N1 strain very closely.  But, why is this strain so devastating for domestic birds?   ...

Bovine Respiratory Disease and Swine Respiratory Disease continue to be year-round production challenges for the livestock industry.  When looking for the right antibiotic, producers and veterinarians consider several factors, including dose volume, absorption rates, duration of activity and even the packaging.  Dr...

Congratulations to Washington’s Aubree Triplett; she was recently named the winner of the 2024 Simplot Western Stockman's Scholarship.  The Menlo, WA-native is currently pursuing a degree in Agriculture and Food Business Economics at Washington State University.  From helping ...

Steve Hanson, a rancher from Elsie, NE, was elected chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation at the organization's Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, AZ on Friday.  Hanson said a priority for him will be the partnerships with the various checkoffs that support the work of USMEF around the globe.   “...

North Dakota rancher organizations are collecting donations, supplies, and labor to assist ranchers in the northwest part of the state who were devastated by wildfires in October.  An estimated 120,000 acres were burned up by wildfires last month, with high winds of up to 78 miles per hour helping the fires to tear through the region.  Th...

The fifth and final rulemaking to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act was recently released by USDA.   “One of the real problems that we have as producers is the lack of transparency in the market. In cattle production, what we see is that as little as 12% or so of cattle are negotiated cash price, and that's what's reported," noted Joe Maxwell, chief strategy officer and co-founder of