One thing that opponents of the bills perhaps don't understand is that all three of those countries already trade with the U.S. on a mostly tariff free basis. While we've been waiting for Obama to get his political house in order, many of our competitors have been hatching their own free trade agreements with these countries.

Looking through the very first issue, I noticed an interesting comment on the first page. Jon Knorpp, president of Southwest State Bank, said, "Meat has long been one of our most substantial food products, yet until recent years, little concerted...

Congress typically pays little attention to agriculture but appears to all of a sudden be concerned over agriculture production after they reviewed USDA's World Agriculture Supply Demand Estimates (WASDE). The House Ag Sub-committee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry held a hearing to discuss CROW.

Labor Day also signals the end of the summer and is the last big back yard grilling weekend. Reports suggest that beef sales over the holiday weekend were lighter than many market analysts had hoped. However, post Labor Day cattle markets appear to be stronger.

It's time somebody gets a handle on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and reins in this outfit. This is one of those government agencies that started with good intentions and has done a good service for the most part. However, over the past few years, CROW.

Many cattlemen in the southern Plains and south have been forced to sell deep into their cow herds, knowing that restocking in the future will come at a much higher price level. Many have scoured the country for pasture, trying to keep their valuable cow herds intact regardless of trucking costs.

Any proposed National Animal Identification System has been a contentious issue in the past. Now it looks as if it is going to be a condition of trade soon. Last week, USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service kicked out its proposed rule for Animal Disease Traceability, or what some might call mandatory animal identification. This time the

With the former CBB leadership gone, it appears that all the drama is gone with them, which has changed the complexion of the entire episode. However, I would be certain that some activist cattlemen’s groups will continue to fan the flame in an effort to harm NCBA’s policy efforts.

It has been a mixed bag in the cattle markets this past week. Superior Livestock Auction’s big Video Royale Sale in Winnemucca, NV, produced some excellent prices for all classes of cattle. Five- to six-weight calves for fall delivery were trading well into the $150-plus range and yearlings for immediate

When it comes to foreign trade, agriculture is the bright spot, and the only business segment that has positive trade balance is agriculture. There is no question that there is a hungry world out there and they are becoming wealthier and eating better. Last year, agriculture had a