livestock

Between drought and input costs, the beef industry nationwide is facing a variety of challenges.  The University of Idaho’s Phil Bass noted following the slowdowns from the pandemic, larger packing facilities are running at or near capacity which is good news moving product out to customers.  But when it c...

The past couple of years have been challenging for the cattle industry across the Pacific Northwest and across the nation.  But one economist says he expects better days ahead.  Lance Zimmermann, beef industry research analyst with Rabobank, says going through the pandemic period of 2020, 2021 and even early 2022 the consumer, much like the cattle producer, was a victim of the supply chain.   “Tod

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...

U.S. export numbers of eggs, turkey, and pork in the first half of 2022 were all down compared to the first half of last year, but exports of broiler meat and beef were higher.   Egg and turkey exports, down 38% and 20%, respectively, were hurt by the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.  Eg...

On Tuesday, August 2nd, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife crews were called to the Kamela area of Umatilla County, after a six-month old, 425 pound calf had been discovered with a host of injuries and bite marks.  The producer said the calf was discovered in a 7,500-acre private-land forested pasture. Investigat...

There was only a slight improvement in the poor to very poor ratings of pasture and rangeland conditions nationwide in the most recent USDA numbers. "49% very poor to poor, that is down a point from the previous week and there is no change in rangeland and pastures rated good to excellent," said USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "S...

A nearly $100 thousand federal grant aimed at helping farmers and ranchers find new ways to stop wolves from killing their livestock is coming to Oregon.  Elli Gage, with Western Landowners Alliance, said preventing depredations is difficult because wolves are very intelligent. “...

Late last week, USDA released its latest Ag Prices Report, and to no one’s surprise, there were two key topics of discussion.  The rising commodity prices received by farmers in June, and the rising cost of inputs.  Gary Crawford breaks down the details.   If you...

On Wednesday, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the designation of a new Area Of Known Wolf Activity in the central part of the state.  The new AKWA includes the Upper Deschutes wildlife management unit in Klamath and Deschutes Counties. ...

Last week, House Agriculture Chairman David Scott announced the intention to introduce a bill to help small family farmers and ranchers and address the national crisis in our nation’s beef supply chain. Scott said, “What has been missing from the conversation is help for the very beginning of our food supply chain, which is our nation’s small family farmers and ranchers.” The bill Sco...