Opinion
Association News: Proposals accepted for federal lands ranching projects
The Public Lands Council has issued a request for proposals for federal lands grazing…
Apr 22, 2019 · By WLJ
Advertisement
News Archive
Latest News From Western Livestock Journal
A streamlined archive of the most recent reporting and updates from across the site.
Opinion
Association News: Angus election under way
Members of the American Angus Association have until June 7 to send in nominations…
Apr 22, 2019 · By WLJ
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Get over it
Pete doesn’t pull his punches when it comes to the importance of the Beef…
Apr 19, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
News
Small farm-to-fork packer rebuilds after fire
After a devastating fire destroyed a farm-to-fork meat processing plant, plans to rebuild and…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Policy
Trump Admin planning rural fund to boost high-frequency broadband
FCC officials announced efforts to bring 5G to rural communities, saying it is necessary…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Livestock
The challenge of summer pneumonia in calves
When it comes to calf diseases, nothing is more annoying that the disease that…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Preventing, dealing with summer pneumonia
Vaccinating calves against pneumonia can be helpful, but there are a lot of factors…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
Markets rally ahead of Easter
Things were up last week just ahead of the holiday weekend. Expectations for post-Easter…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Health/Nutrition
New study links red meat to cancer
A new large-scale study out of the UK again links consumption of red and…
Apr 18, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Farm share of U.S. food dollar declined slightly in 2017
The portion of the consumer food dollar that goes to producers shrank again in…
Apr 18, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Livestock
Trade talks, trouble all around
So many trade topics surfaced last week. From China and Japan trade talks, to…
Apr 18, 2019 · By WLJ
Opinion
Black Ink: Quality pays, but what does it cost?
Research shows performance is not sacrificed for premiums, though marbling does seem to be…
Apr 17, 2019 · By Katrina Huffstutler for Certified Angus Beef
Opinion
Black Ink: Really that good
You might believe you have good cattle, but do you KNOW it? There are…
Apr 17, 2019 · By Miranda Reiman, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Husker researchers develop livestock-monitoring technology
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kansas State University are working on a project to…
Apr 16, 2019 · By Alyssa Amen, of NUtech Ventures, writing for UNL Extension
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Assessing pastures and hay ground for winterkill
A tough winter means alfalfa, clover, and grass are at risk for winterkill. Check…
Apr 16, 2019 · By Don Baune, co-founder, Grassland Oregon
Livestock
Consider alternatives to early grazing
Winter conditions, not to mention weather, have left some short on forage. Delayed green-up…
Apr 16, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Markets
U.S. cattle inventory continues to build
AgriLife experts were part of the TSCRA Convention education programming. Randy Blach of CattleFax…
Apr 16, 2019 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Markets
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would have helped farms earlier
Had it been in effect in 2016 and 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs…
Apr 16, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
News
Canada readying a new tariff list against U.S.
Canada is readying additional retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. over the continued U.S. steel…
Apr 15, 2019 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
News
New ag census shows more women producers, fewer middle-sized farms in America
The 2017 Census of Agriculture came out Thursday, April 11. It showed an aging…
Apr 15, 2019 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
News
Poverty rates vary across rural, urban areas
There’s higher rates of poverty in rural counties compared to urban counties. The rates…
Apr 15, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
News
Vaccinations for ranch horses
Ranch horses need vaccines just like cattle to stay healthy. There are some things…
Apr 12, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Opinion
Kerry’s Comments: Dealing with honest ignorance
When it comes to the threats facing the industry, Kerry sees benefits in assuming…
Apr 12, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Environment
Legal fight on 2015 WOTUS Rule continues as proposed rule remains in progress
There are only a few days left before the public comment period closes on…
Apr 12, 2019 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
News
Wet conditions can cause ergot poisoning
With extremely damp weather conditions caused by heavy rains and flooding, ergot infection incidence…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Livestock
Spring hoof care needed for ranch horses
As you're making the checklist of equipment that needs attention after sitting idle all…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Shoe the horse for the job
What shoe does your ranch horse need? That depends on what you need your…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
California Cattle Council passes
The California Cattle Council passed with 68 percent of the vote. The plans for…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Livestock
Central Valley Meats to acquire Harris Ranch Beef Holding
Central Valley Meats announced it will acquire Harris Ranch Beef Holding, involving the Harris…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Beef production starts to build despite storm markets
That best beef demand period of the year is coming but still clouded by…
Apr 11, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Opinion
What a Chef Wants: Chef Wheeler takes care of business
When it comes to keeping customers happy, Chef Glenn Wheeler turns to steak. And…
Apr 9, 2019 · By Bryan Schaaf, Certified Angus Beef
Livestock
Utilize fecal egg count to determine deworming decisions
Routine and continued use of anthelmintics have created resistance in some populations of internal…
Apr 9, 2019 · By Frank Wardynski, Michigan State University Extension
Livestock
Know risks to livestock before planting cover crops
Cover crops are very useful for certain purposes, but some can be dangerous to…
Apr 9, 2019 · By Pat Melgares, K?State Research and Extension
News
Michigan hay sellers list helps buyers locate scarce hay
Whether buying or selling hay, the Michigan hay sellers list makes the task easier.
Apr 9, 2019 · By Philip Kaatz, Michigan State University Extension, Updated from an original article written by Jerry Lindquist.
Livestock
First step in recovering flooded pastures and hay ground
The water has receded, but that means the cleanup is beginning. Debris and flood…
Apr 8, 2019 · By Iowa State University Extension
Livestock
Nebraska cow-calf producers see losses from the floods
With the “bomb cyclone” striking in the middle of calving season for most of…
Apr 8, 2019 · By Russ Quinn, DTN staff reporter
News
Ag lenders are doing what they can to help farmers affected by disasters
Ag lenders talked to the House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee last week to discuss the…
Apr 8, 2019 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Livestock
What to know about the Livestock Indemnity Program
With producers starting to document their losses to the recent blizzards and floods, there…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Amy Timmerman and Jim Jansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educators
Beef
SuKarne: the Mexican processing powerhouse
SuKarne is a leader in the world’s food protein industry, supplying a huge chunk…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Livestock
Preventing coccidiosis in calves
Coccidia—the cause of coccidiosis in cattle—is endemic. But if calves are not well managed,…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Beef
Dealing with stomach ulcers, bloat in young calves
Even though calves are ruminants, they start life behaving like monogastrics. This includes getting…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
News
Dealing with dirt-eating calves
Calves—like most young animals—will eat dirt from time to time. That’s normal. But if…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
News out of China turns futures around
Rumors of trade with China kicked the cattle futures out of their losses last…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Policy
What happens to beef if the Mexican border closes?
The president has threatened to close the border with Mexico. Though he seems to…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Consolidation and Brazil
Pete reflects on the potential acquisition of Iowa Premium Beef by National Beef Packers.…
Apr 4, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
Antitrust concerns over acquisition
When is the marketplace too thin? And who should be the rightful owners of…
Apr 4, 2019 · By WLJ
Opinion
Kay’s Korner: Demand helps margins and cattle prices
Packer margins have been on the rise these past two years for four main…
Apr 3, 2019 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
News
U.S. competitors are capturing the growth in global corn trade
The U.S. is the world’s top exporter of corn, but competitors are nipping at…
Apr 3, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Beef
Red meat export volume fairly steady in January
Beef exports in the first month of 2019 were not as red-hot as in…
Apr 3, 2019 · By USMEF
Opinion
Resource Science: Grizzly bears, polar bears, and the ESA
Grizzly bears inspire national pride and polar bears have become the mascot of climate…
Apr 2, 2019 · By Dr. Matthew Cronin, WLJ columnist
Environment
Newsom makes pre-wildfire season emergency proclamation
California’s Governor Newsom has taken steps to prepare the state for fire, but the…
Apr 2, 2019 · By Theodora Johnson, WLJ correspondent
News
Recreation, retirement spots drew people to rural regions
Rural recreational and retirement destinations tended to attract migration more so than rural areas…
Apr 2, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Markets
The highs may have been hit
It looks like the market decline has started. It has been an admirable run…
Mar 29, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Livestock
Fresh Brazilian beef might be coming back to the U.S.
Shortly after President Trump and Brazil’s president announced a joint effort to renew Brazilian…
Mar 29, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: A world of meat
Pete overviews the market happenings and what he expects is coming. Short version: Don’t…
Mar 29, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
Legal Ledger Brief: Livestock groups on user fees
Both the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the American Sheep Industry Association request Congress…
Mar 29, 2019 · By WLJ
Livestock
Legal Ledger Brief: OR votes down M-44 devices
The Oregon Senate voted to ban the use of M-44 cyanide devices, which are…
Mar 29, 2019 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Legal Ledger Brief: Scrapie regulation changes
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a final rule to amend…
Mar 29, 2019 · By WLJ
Livestock
Keep grass tetany away this spring
Grass tetany is caused by a deficiency in magnesium. Be on the lookout for…
Mar 28, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Opinion
Guest Opinion: When an oil and gas company wants to buy or lease your minerals
There’s a lot to think about if you are considering selling or leasing your…
Mar 28, 2019 · By Bethany A. Gross, The Falen Law Offices, LLC
Policy
Flood damages multiple years of income as Congress pushes disaster aid
Flooding in croplands is compounding market-related problems. Even though local areas are devastated in…
Mar 28, 2019 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Livestock
Underfeeding beef cows has consequences
Underfeeding beef cows that are either close up or lactating will have bad results…
Mar 28, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Environment
Adoption of drought-tolerant corn similar to GE corn
Researchers have found that the adoption rates of drought-tolerant corn varieties closely mirrors those…
Mar 28, 2019 · By USDA Economic Research Service
News
Legal Ledger Briefs: Grouse plan amendments in court
The Western Watersheds Project, together with the Center for Biological Diversity, WildEarth Guardians, and…
Mar 28, 2019 · By WLJ
News
The importance of good husbandry with scours
Scours in calves is caused by some “bug” or other, but usually scours points…
Mar 27, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Dealing with crypto infections in calves
It’s calving season, which means it is calf disease season. Crypto can strike young…
Mar 27, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
News
Prevent dehydration when treating diarrhea in calves
Scours is known as a calf killer, but it is really the dehydration that…
Mar 27, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Be careful when handling sick calves
It’s calving season, which means it is calf disease season. Crypto can strike young…
Mar 27, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
News
Emergency IV fluids for scouring calves
If a calf is too dehydrated to take oral liquids, you may have to…
Mar 27, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Environment
Submit comments by May 14 on wolf delisting
The USFWS is seeking public comment on its proposal to delist wolves. The agency…
Mar 26, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Livestock
Gov. Ricketts: Flood, blizzard destruction far exceeds federal threshold for aid
The policy side of dealing with the flooding in Nebraska and elsewhere will be…
Mar 26, 2019 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Policy
Backdoor EAJA reform from White House
A helpful bit of reform was buried in a massive land use bill signed…
Mar 26, 2019 · By WLJ
News
Flooding impacts farmers as well as ranchers
The floods in the Central Plains aren’t only wreaking havoc on ranchers. Area farmers…
Mar 22, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Persistent lice in cattle a problem with few solutions
Do you have louse-y cattle? Lice love the cold and they can take a…
Mar 22, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Livestock
Diet changes help beef cattle cope with winter weather
Feeding cattle is an art, especially in the face of brutal blizzards and extended…
Mar 22, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Markets
Mexico is big player in U.S. beef market
Mexico is a big player in the U.S. cattle and beef market, but it…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
Midwest flooding creates hardship for ranchers, farmers
Things have been hard for ranchers in the Central Plains, where flooding followed blizzard…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
Trade Challenges for the U.S. and the UK
We have a trade fight cut out for us in the UK and Europe.…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
The U.S. needs more ground work on trade relationships
The U.S. lost a lot of ground when it comes to trade with the…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Resources to help farmers, ranchers hit by floods
There are a lot of resources available for people hit by the current flooding…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
Weather, disease propel beef, cattle markets higher
Bad news makes for good markets. Such was the case last week when bad…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Environment
Sage-grouse saga finally ends
The amendments to the 2015 sage-grouse plans have been finalized. The amended plans aim…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: A winter to remember
Pete reflects on the weird winter weather we got. It's technically spring now, but…
Mar 21, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Beef
AI protocols guided by Beef Reproductive Task Force
AI protocols have improved over the years in ways that have improved outcomes. AIing…
Mar 20, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
History of sexed semen in AI
The dairy industry has been making a lot of use of sexed semen since…
Mar 20, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Beef
Protect bulls from winter weather
While the cold can be a threat to life and limb now, it can…
Mar 20, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Policy
Europe’s, UK’s ag history key to understanding current trade challenges
European and UKs protectionism is the result of a long-running cultural scar. To understand…
Mar 19, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
Of beef and Brexit
There could be some direct impacts of Brexit on U.S. beef, like opening up…
Mar 19, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Markets
How might “Brexit” affect the U.S. beef industry?
The impending Brexit decision could have some wide-ranging impacts on international trade, including beef…
Mar 19, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Removing the Klamath dams
A major stakeholder in the Klamath Dam situation weighs in on what dam removal…
Mar 18, 2019 · By by Siskiyou County Natural Resources Department
Beef
Short calving seasons pay dividends
Tightening up that calving window can have profitable ripple effects throughout your operation. From…
Mar 18, 2019 · By Dr. Bob Hough, WLJ correspondent
Environment
Effects of wolf delisting will vary across states
Delisting the gray wolf federally will have different impacts on wolves and ranchers in…
Mar 18, 2019 · By Jason Campbell, WLJ correspondent
Livestock
Winter calving requires diligence to save lives
This year’s winter has been a killer, in some cases, literally. Winter and early-spring…
Mar 18, 2019 · By NDSU Extension
Environment
Artificial insemination of cattle has come a long way
Artificial Insemination has allowed cattle producers to improve the genetic quality of their herds…
Mar 15, 2019 · By Heather Smith Thomas, WLJ correspondent
Environment
Feds propose delisting the gray wolf… again
The feds are trying again to delist the gray wolf in the U.S., calling…
Mar 15, 2019 · By Jason Campbell, WLJ correspondent
Policy
Forget Livestock’s Long Shadow: Cattle emissions are only 3.3%
Despite popular "wisdom," cattle only produce a tiny fraction of total greenhouse gasses in…
Mar 15, 2019 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Packers pull back from big winter storm market
Massive winter storms approaching blizzard conditions swept through cattle country and things were a…
Mar 15, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: More of the same
Things (and agendas) change radically in the House Natural Resources Committee when politics change.…
Mar 15, 2019 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Health/Nutrition
Fetal programming leads to long-term impacts
Fetal programming is a budding concept that may offer producers the ability to help…
Mar 14, 2019 · By Anna Miller Fortozo