ANCW region meetings to include cost-saving tips for health insurance The American National Cattle- Women, Inc. (ANCW) are hosting two region meetings that include half-day seminars on managing health insurance and health crisis planning for ranch and farm families. The seminar...

On April 3, 2009, a coalition of associations and entities which are directly affected from the impact of introduction of non-native Canadian gray wolves into Wyoming filed a formal 60day notice of intent to sue the federal government over its refusal to delist wolves in the state.

U.S. beef exports continue to gain ground in South Korea, with beef short ribs being one of the most favored cuts for Korean cuisine. The market is fiercely competitive, however, and Korean consumers are in search of high-quality items that deliver excellent value.

The Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NC- BA) met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Chief of Staff Carole Jett last week. The meeting focused on priority issues for the beef industry and livestock ranchers on federal lands, including trade, animal identification, and conservation.

Barring any unforeseen weather factors, the coming growing season should be favorable for alfalfa, according to Dr. Bruce Anderson, professor of agronomy at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Conditions are good for a pretty favorable growing season so far, Anderson said.

The Ranch Hand Rodeo weekend certainly lived up to its reputation as Winnemucca's biggest event. Four very competitive events joined with the already hot Ranch Hand Rodeo from Feb.

The Japanese government said March 27 it would once again allow beef shipments from a plant owned by JBS/Swift &Co. in Grand Island, NE. The plant has been banned since October 2008 after it shipped nine boxes of variety meats to Japan without the proper documentation to prove that the product originated from cattle 20 months of age or younger.

Russia imported 39,000 metric tons of beef in January and February, down 40 percent on the year, the Russian National Meat Association said recently. Pork imports during the period fell by 31 percent on the year to 53,000 metric tons, and poultry imports fell by 18 percent to 92,000 metric tons.

The Senate Budget Committee chairman said last Tuesday he will not propose cuts in U.S. crop subsidies for fiscal 2010 despite White House proposals to pare down payments to big farmers.

With key global markets experiencing sluggish consumer spending, volatile currencies and persistent economic uncertainty, many analysts have been predicting a downturn for U.S. beef and pork exports. The January export results, however, defied those expectations as beef muscle cut exports jumped 13 percent in volume (43,949 metric tons or 96.