Once again, cattle feeders are in an extended period of economic challenges and need to take advantage of every opportunity to survive in these tough economic times, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) beef cattle specialist said.

In the arid farming country of eastern Washington, crop choices are often said to be limited to wheat, more wheat, or CRP. But Washington State University (WSU) researchers and cooperators are seeking USDA funding to continue a study that may provide area farmers with more options.

Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) has scheduled a symposium in Waco, TX, for Aug. 14-15, 2009. The schedule of events includes discussion forums on providing quality purebred animals and managing performance with todays technology, marketing...

The 2009 Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) Annual Fed Beef Challenge brought 150 cattle feeders from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico to Amarillo, TX, for the opportunity to show off their best cattle and try to win prizes. A total of 117 finished steers and heifers were shown.

The Colorado Cattlemens Association (CCA) applauded two bills signed by Gov. Bill Ritter last week. There were five bills signed to help protect and conserve Colorados water and land. SB 158 was a bill that CCA worked very hard to see become law in Colorado.

Talks are starting among cattle and meatpacker groups over possible changes to the beef checkoff. The American Farm Bureau Federation hosted a meeting last Tuesday in Washington for several groups to explain their individual policies and review recommendations laid out in January to the U.

The detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) at several central California dairies last year led to a downgrade in the states TB status, however, its not just dairymen who are paying the price.

In his first address to an agricultural trade association as a member of President Obamas Cabinet, U.S. Trade Representative (US- TR) Ron Kirk told members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) that he is committed to making U.S. exports a cornerstone of the nations economic recovery.

Total red meat supplies in freezers April 30 were up 1 percent from March but down 5 percent from a year ago, according to USDAs monthly Cold Storage report. Frozen pork supplies were up 3 percent from the pre vious month but down 7 percent from last year.

I fully expect that were going to see more formal water markets emerge throughout the state as our water issues and scarcity become more pressing con- cerns, said Karina Schoengold, University of Nebras- kaLincoln assistant profes- sor of natural resources and environmental economics.