Many cow/calf producers in Nebraska are in the midst of calving season or will soon be starting. While calving is the primary production activity on the minds of most producers, now is the time to begin planning for the use of estrus synchronization for heifers and cows this spring.

Anyone can nominate their favorite farm mom by visiting AmericasFarmers. com before April 23 and submitting a brief essay explaining how she contributes to her family, farm, community and agriculture. One regional winner will be selected by a panel of judges from American Agri-Women and Monsanto for each of the contest’s five regions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a series of five meetings to provide the public with opportunities to discuss and provide critical feedback on the challenges faced by livestock producers and veterinarians as FDA phases in veterinary oversight of the therapeutic use of certain medically important antimicrobials.

Cash fed cattle trade developed sporadically throughout the week, starting on Monday with a few loads sold in Texas at $128 live. This was called too small to set the market and perhaps was cleanup trade from the prior week. Offers started the week at $130 live and $206-207 dressed.

“At first glance, the projected prices per bushel look good at $5.65 for corn, $12.87 for soybeans and $8.44 for spring wheat,” says Andy Swenson, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm management specialist. “These prices are the third highest ever and should provide stout risk protection.

The Montana Red Angus Association (RAA) is extending a special invitation to attend the 60th Annual Red Angus Convention. Save the dates of Sept. 11-14, 2013, in Lewistown, MT, the heart of cattle country in the Big Sky.

UC ANR scientists are working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to develop a curriculum and certification program to protect water quality, as recommended by the State Water Resources Control Board. The classes will begin in January 2014.

The first to move was Russia, which notified the U.S. and other countries in December that they were required to certify that their pork and beef exports were free of ractopamine residues. When the U.S. government did not implement a program for certifying exports, Russia closed its market to imports of beef and pork from the U.

Ardent Mills will bring together two of the nation’s leading and most respected flour milling companies: ConAgra Mills and Horizon Milling, a Cargill-CHS joint venture formed in 2002.