Seven beef farms and ranches, representing a wide range of sizes and types of businesses, were selected as regional winners of the 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award. For almost two decades, the beef industry has recognized outstanding commitment and leadership in conservation.

With winter wheat harvest still in progress and rains continuing, producers may benefit from a forage crop to follow the wheat, said a University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) specialist.

After the removal of the gray wolf from the federal Endangered Species List last spring, wolf management has shifted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to the various states where wolves have been delisted.

Wyoming beef producers Spencer Ellis, Lovell, WY, and Judy West, Chugwater, WY, were named to leadership positions at the June 5, 2009, Wyoming Beef Council (WBC) meeting in Gillette, WY. The volunteer leaders will help shape the direction and outline priorities for the investment of Wyomings beef checkoff in fiscal year 2010.

Last week, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), Montana Public Lands Council, Montana Association of Grazing Districts, and the national Public Lands Council denounced an effort by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to buy out ranchers grazing leases on the Charles M.

U.S. beef and pork exports got a boost last week from Costa Rica and St. Lucia, according to USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service. Costa Rica last Monday expanded its import protocol to accept bone-in U.S. beef along with boneless beef, further processed product, and offal such as beef tongues, kidneys, livers and hearts.

Managing animals time on pasture can increase the stocking rate while providing palatable nutrition to the animals, said Doug Anderson, University of NebraskaLincoln Extension educator in Keith, Arthur and Perkins counties.

Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Merial have entered into an exclusive agreement to provide American Angus Association breeders with genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (EPDs) powered by IGENITY. This will be the first time beef producers have access to genomic-enhanced EPDs for multiple traits at onceand from an Angus-specific DNA profile.

Nebraskas two U.S. senators and three representatives sent a letter to USDA requesting funds to compensate a Rock County, NE, rancher for culling his herd after several cattle in the herd contracted bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Investments in water development, food programs and education will stimulate rural economies and help revive hard-hit communities, according to the leader of the states largest farm organization.