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.

The Beef Promotion Operating Committee has recommended a $41.5 million Cattlemens Beef Board (CBB) budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 reflecting a slight decrease from the FY 2009 budget, but down more than 15 percent from 2008.

USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last Monday conducted the second in a round of seven listening sessions scheduled to take place around the country in an effort to seek inputs on the federal National Animal ID System (NAIS).

Fed cattle trade started at steady money last week in most areas with initial trade at $84-85 live basis in Texas, Colorado and Nebraska. Early live sales in Nebraska were in the $135-136 range. Market analysts predicted trade would come in steady with the prior week at mostly $84-85 live and $135-138 when fully developed last week.

Richard Earl (Dick) Mahon Sr. passed away at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, ID, on May 12, 2009. He was born on the Historic Mahon Ranch in Elk Grove, CA, on Jan. 12, 1926, to John William and Bertha Mae (Nelmes) Mahon. He graduated from Elk Grove Union High School and earned an athletic scholarship to Stanford University.

In a conference call reviewing earnings for JBS USA, CEO Wesley Batista said in order to improve his companys financial performance, his company will try to cut costs and expand its export business, of which Japan plays a crucial part. Batista expressed confidence that Japans age limit, which currently limits imports of U.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Extension Beef Team is pleased to announce the 2009 beef producer field day taking place on Friday, June 19. This years program will be held at the feedlot of Teague Diversified in Fort Morgan, CO, and will showcase a variety of topics pertinent to todays beef industry.

The economy is upsidedown, and so are determinants of carcass value. Whether these are shortlived aberrations or signs that long-held paradigms are shifting, the current landscape provides fodder for debate.

The Wisconsin-based conservation organization Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the Colorado Cattlemens Association, the Colorado Cattlemens Agricultural Land Trust, and EnCana Oil Gas (USA) Inc., is proud to name John and Carolyn Dohertys Mesa de Maya Ranch as the winner of the 2009 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado.

A chairmans draft of legislation on climate change released by the House Energy and Commerce Committee spells out no clear role for agriculture in providing carbon offsets for industry.