Opinion
On Target: Quality in the cow herd
Market cows cannot qualify for Prime due to advanced maturity, but today’s overall genetics…
Nov 7, 2018 · By Justin Sexten, WLJ Contributing Columnist
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News Archive
Latest News From Western Livestock Journal
A streamlined archive of the most recent reporting and updates from across the site.
Opinion
Guest Opinion: ’Tis the season for W-2s and 1099s
I’ll be sending out the W-2 and 1099s forms to my clients in the…
Nov 7, 2018 · By Rod Mauszycki, DTN tax columnist
Livestock
Crop Residue Exchange connects cattle producer with available forage
A program through the University of Nebraska connects farmers with cattle producers to make…
Nov 7, 2018 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Opinion
Guest opinion: Fifteen million reasons (and counting) the National Western Center’s future is bright
Pete Coors expounds on the great milestone of $15 million for the “Honoring the…
Nov 6, 2018 · By Pete Coors, National Western’s “Honoring the Legacy” campaign chairman
News
Lower prices likely blunted the effect of Mexican pork tariffs
The majority of U.S. pork exported to Mexico is fresh and frozen ham and…
Nov 6, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Beef
Beef exports remain solid for September
September saw beef exports set new value records. From January-September, export value soared to…
Nov 6, 2018 · By USMEF
Opinion
BeefTalk: The next chapter: some happy, some sad
Life brings changes and challenges. Kris Ringwall talks about leaving North Dakota to take…
Nov 5, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Simmental sires recognized by Integrity Beef Alliance
Simmental bulls are now recognized by Integrity Beef Alliance (IBA) as part of its…
Nov 2, 2018 · By American Simmental Association
News
What is reactive N and why should I care?
Nitrogen is an important component in plant and animal growth, but excess nitrogen is…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Drs. Gerald May and Natalie Rector, Michigan State University Extension
Environment
Things to keep in mind when applying fall fertilizer and nutrients
Many producers apply fertilizer after the fall harvest to help replenish the soil. Care…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Emily Unglesbee, DTN staff reporter
Environment
Beef delivers priceless ecosystem services
To borrow (and tweak) some words of wisdom; Ask not what your ecosystem can…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Environment
Sustainability: Not just a fad
Consumers care about sustainability and their definitions are expanding. The ranching industry needs to…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Cutouts impress while the rest of the market chops
The futures were content to chop last week, but the cutouts had their own…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Policy
OSU helps establish roadmap for filling the gaps in forest pollinator research
Researchers are studying how actively managed conifer forests may provide important habitat for pollinators…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Dysfunctional democracy
The clock is ticking to turn in your ballot. Regardless what happens on Nov.…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Environment
Insurance against drought
Farmers and ranchers are running out of time to sign up for USDA’s Pasture…
Nov 2, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Markets
Resources and considerations when marketing cull cows
You can get a good income from marketing cull cows, but not all are…
Nov 2, 2018 · By SDSU iGrow Extension
Livestock
Help lambs beat the winter chill
Despite the lamb’s built-in wool blanket, winter can be stressful for young sheep. Extra…
Nov 2, 2018 · By WLJ
News
National FFA officers elected at convention
Delegates to the National FFA Convention, Oct. 24-27 in Indianapolis, IN, elected the 2018-19…
Nov 1, 2018 · By Future Farmers of America
Environment
Wolf depredations continue in WA and OR
Livestock producers in Washington and Oregon are continuing to lose livestock to wolf attacks.
Nov 1, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Opinion
Kay’s Korner: Ribeye is king of cuts
Columnist Steve Kay reflects on cut-specific demand. Especially as we head into the holidays,…
Nov 1, 2018 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
Livestock
Youth fellowship opportunity in Colorado
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association is offering a one-year, funded, post-bachelor fellowship for a recent…
Nov 1, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Mild weather predicted for much of U.S.
This winter looks like a mild one for most of the country, with a…
Nov 1, 2018 · By WLJ
Livestock
Renewable fuel credits sparking growth in livestock digesters
The use of methane digesters is growing as livestock operations find ways to manage…
Oct 31, 2018 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Livestock
Water troughs are key to toxic E. coli spread in cattle
A major study led by Cornell University researchers reveals for the first time that…
Oct 31, 2018 · By Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Livestock
After harvest, review liability coverage
Have you ever considered what your liability might be with normal farming activities? You…
Oct 31, 2018 · By Linda Geist, University of Missouri Extension
Policy
High biomass sorghums competitive in water-stressed settings
An ongoing study at Texas A&M University is finding that sorghum can be a…
Oct 31, 2018 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Livestock
Pasture, rangeland shifted to smaller farms over time
Unlike cropland in the U.S., pasture and rangeland holdings have been shifting away from…
Oct 31, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Environment
Grizzlies captured, euthanized in Wyoming
Three grizzly bears—a sow and two cubs—were recently euthanized in Wyoming. The sow was…
Oct 31, 2018 · By WLJ
Livestock
Maximizing cover crops for livestock grazing
Cover crops play an important role in agriculture.
Oct 30, 2018 · By Amy Calabretta, UI, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Health/Nutrition
Female leaders in agriculture encourage, empower the next generation of women
Female agricultural leaders were discussed at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. The…
Oct 30, 2018 · By Dene Drydenm
Livestock
Timing is everything when vaccinating calves
Vaccinations help but they aren’t silver bullets. Timing for weaning and backgrounding plays a…
Oct 30, 2018 · By Sarah Moyer, CAB
Policy
Perdue hears concerns over E15 timeline during South Dakota visit
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue heard comments from farmers regarding E15 regulations during a visit…
Oct 29, 2018 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Livestock
ISU comprehensive pasture management guide revised
The University of Iowa has updated a pasture management guide for livestock producers who…
Oct 29, 2018 · By Iowa State University Extension
Opinion
BeefTalk: Say “I can,” not “I can’t”
A positive “I can” attitude, along with a sound business model, can pay dividends.
Oct 29, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Health/Nutrition
Mental health should be in the discussion about farm safety, specialist says
Farming and ranching ranks in the top 10 of the most stressful occupations. It…
Oct 29, 2018 · By K-State Research and Extension
Livestock
First-generation ranchers help preserve California rangelands
Beginning ranchers bring diverse demographics to the profession but, but many aren’t connected to…
Oct 29, 2018 · By UC Davis
Beef
Pollak to lead Nebraska Integrated Beef Systems Initiative
John Pollak has been named to lead the Nebraska Integrated Beef Systems Initiative at…
Oct 29, 2018 · By UNL-Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Beef
Beef Bits Brief: Creekstone announces expansion
Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC is breaking ground for a new $35 million, 41,334-square…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Beef Bits Brief: BSE confirmed in Scotland
A five-year-old Scottish cow died of BSE—mad cow disease—according to the OIE. Though investigations…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Legal Ledger Brief: Wheeler may lead EPA
President Trump indicated he may nominate current acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Legal Ledger Brief: Comments sought on snake habitat
Proposed critical habitat for the black pine snake was increased in Mississippi and Alabama.…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Livestock
Legal Ledger Brief: CA fire victim comments needed
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) has a survey for California ranchers who…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Legal Ledger Brief: Skipwith tapped to head USFWS
Aurelia Skipwith has been tapped by President Trump to head the U.S. Fish and…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
News
Legal Ledger Brief: Judge alters Monsanto cancer award
The recent payout of $289 million in a cancer case against Monsanto was reduced…
Oct 29, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Trump signatures could reshape Western water
With little fanfare, President Trump signed a pair of water actions last week that…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Choice makes gains as cattle supplies get more current
The Choice beef cutout has been impressive these past weeks, doggedly making gains despite…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Managing fake meat
Pete speculates about the future of fake meat and who will manage it. He…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Livestock
Guidelines aimed at safety for troopers, truckers and livestock unveiled in Nebraska
A new program in Nebraska provides guidelines for state troopers and livestock haulers in…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Policy
Cell-cultured meat topic of hearing
The USDA and Federal Drug Administration held a two-day meeting to hear comments on…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Outcome-based grazing offers flexibility
Grazing plans developed in coordination with Bureau of Land Management officials can provided flexibility…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Prescribed fire is essential to the land
Prescribed fire is a process and should be well-planned to safely accomplish desired goals.…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Russell Stevens, strategic consultation manager, Noble Research Institute
Environment
Soil microorganisms are among the most successful creatures on the planet
Fire is a powerful regenerating force. This is why prescribed burns are useful management…
Oct 26, 2018 · By Steven Shafer, Ph.D., Soil Health Institute interim chief scientific officer and retired soil microbiologist for the Noble Research Institute
Environment
Penetrating the soil’s surface with radar
Radar isn’t just for the military. A college student has been putting ground-penetrating radar…
Oct 25, 2018 · By American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America
Markets
Putting alternative proteins in perspective
Don’t let headlines of huge market gains made by fake meat scare you. Beef…
Oct 25, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Reviewing the October 2018 Cattle on Feed report
The most recent Cattle on Feed report is good or bad depending on the…
Oct 24, 2018 · By Colorado State University Extension
Policy
USDA, EPA, FDA join efforts to reduce food waste
The U.S. government estimates food waste at 30-40 percent of the food supply. Heads…
Oct 24, 2018 · By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent
Opinion
Guest opinion: The founder’s paradox
What would you rather have? The ranch business intact or the ranch family intact?…
Oct 24, 2018 · By Lance Woodbury, DTN farm business adviser
Livestock
Rural education levels are increasing
Since 2000, rural adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher education increased. However, there are…
Oct 23, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Policy
Government payments highest to commercial farms
Government payment volume and farm size seem to go hand in hand; larger farms…
Oct 23, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Livestock
Robotic cattle driver to improve animal welfare and employee safety
An industry-first robotic cattle driver, developed by Cargill, aims to improving animal welfare and…
Oct 23, 2018 · By WLJ
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Big data, analytics and corn have much in common
How is big data and cloud computing like commodities? An ag economist explains how…
Oct 22, 2018 · By David Bullock, research associate professor at North Dakota State University Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Lower heifer costs, not fertility
Attendees to the Feeding Quality Forum heard about some strategies of feeding and breeding…
Oct 22, 2018 · By Katrina Huffstutler, founder of Cactus Flower Communications, for the Feeding Quality Forum, hosted by Certified Angus Beef
Opinion
BeefTalk: Data are the foundation for developing cattle goals
Collecting data, then using the information is vital to a successful cow herd. The…
Oct 22, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
News
CoBank partners with National FFA Foundation to support Living to Serve platform
CoBank recently announced a multi-year sponsorship of the National FFA Organization.
Oct 19, 2018 · By CoBank
Livestock
Brucellosis vaccine rule changed in MT
The brucellosis designated surveillance area has expanded and the Montana Department of Livestock has…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Futures churn while cash cattle, beef make gains
Cash cattle and beef stole the show as the cattle futures did little but…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
News
Looking at the details of USMCA
NAFTA 2.0—properly known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA—is a massive agreement with numerous…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Logan’s Comments: Sale season in full swing
The fall bull and heifer sale season is well underway as producers look to…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Logan Ipsen
News
Horse management options considered
The Bureau of Land Management’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board met recently…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Be careful grazing the green this fall
Timing your fall grazing to the growth periods of cool season grasses can do…
Oct 19, 2018 · By SDSU iGrow Extension
Environment
E15 Rule, WOTUS expected in 2019
The country might finally get some closure on some big deal issues from the…
Oct 19, 2018 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Livestock
Legal Ledger Brief: Ag groups want flexibility from DOT
Ag groups petition for a bit of flexibility when it comes to Hours of…
Oct 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Legal Ledger Brief: USDA offers $9.4M for veteran ranchers
USDA announced $9.4 million in grants for services geared towards helping veterans and underserved…
Oct 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Legal Ledger Brief: Comments open on MT lion plan
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released a draft management plan for the state's…
Oct 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Legal Ledger Brief: Kane Beef in receivership
Kane Beef is now in receivership to potentially pay off its debtors without going…
Oct 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Livestock
Oregon wolf management plan discussed recommendations heard, no action taken
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and industry stakeholders are reviewing the…
Oct 18, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Environment
Beef Bits Brief: Grizzly kills calf in MT
Grizzly bears dispersing from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are causing increasing problems for ranching…
Oct 18, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef Bits Brief: Beef featured at Chicago event
Cityfolk in downtown Chicago got a good helping of the "Beef. It's What's For…
Oct 18, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef Bits Brief: Colorado wrestlers beef up bank account with raffle
Colorado State University-Pueblo wresting team is holding an unusual fundraiser; selling raffle tickets for…
Oct 18, 2018 · By WLJ
News
Beef Bits Brief: Butcher services from Omaha Steaks
Expanding its gourmet reach to busy consumers, Omaha Steaks recently introduced Butcher Services to…
Oct 18, 2018 · By WLJ
Opinion
BeefTalk: Cowsonality important to a productive cow herd
Kris Ringwall plays out what a mother cow might advise her daughter when it…
Oct 17, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Killing freeze affects grazing in Northern Plains
*Summary: Certain forages can be dangerous immediately after suffering a killing frost. Alfalfa can…
Oct 17, 2018 · By NDSU Extension
Livestock
Southern Plains moisture improves winter wheat grazing prospects
Increased moisture in the Southern Plains is making winter wheat grazing more likely and…
Oct 17, 2018 · By Russ Quinn, DTN staff reporter
Livestock
Adding value to soybeans through cattle
Under some market conditions, it might make sense to feed whole soybeans to cattle.…
Oct 17, 2018 · By SDSU iGrow Extension
Environment
WOTUS update: Merits argued in Georgia court
The story of WOTUS’ legal woes is more than a bit confusing. Here’s a…
Oct 17, 2018 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Beef
U.S. food spending fell during the Great Recession
Americans spent less money on food during the Great Recession. However, spending recovery did…
Oct 17, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Markets
U.S. and global beef trade update
Not only were August export numbers strong, a new USDA report forecasts beef trade…
Oct 16, 2018 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Markets
The impact of dressing percent on cull cow marketing
There’s more to a cull cow than might meet the eye. There are four…
Oct 16, 2018 · By Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University emeritus extension animal scientist
Markets
Spot, futures, and forward markets
Seasonality is often discussed in terms of a consistent pattern in cash prices. In…
Oct 16, 2018 · By Dr. Matthew Diersen, professor and extension specialist in economics, South Dakota State University
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Is it time to step away?
It’s fall and that annual consideration of “should I retire?” is coming up again.…
Oct 16, 2018 · By DTN
Beef
Advice for picking the best heifers
Cattle producers consider selecting and developing replacement heifers as the foundation for building an…
Oct 16, 2018 · By NDSU Extension
Beef
Angus Association looks to drive more profit
The American Angus Association recently unveiled Angus Link. Using different performance scores, the program…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Dr. Bob Hough, WLJ correspondent
Markets
Cattle, beef markets quiet as stock market takes focus
The cattle and beef markets continued mostly sideways for the week of Oct. 8.…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
BeefTalk: Add value to market cows and bulls
Cattle producers should always keep the end product—beef—in mind. Preparing cull bulls and cows…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Markets
Market offering flexibility for calf marketing
Cattle prices in Iowa are providing producers with some marketing flexibility. Producers selling on…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Lee Schulz, Iowa State University Extension
Environment
Idaho farmers working to reduce water pollution
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is working with farmers and ranchers to take…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Mark Mendiola, WLJ correspondent
Environment
Envirothon brings together youth with conservation interests
Students participating in the 2018 Envirothon focused on finding the balance of natural resource,…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Mark Mendiola, WLJ correspondent
Opinion
Black Ink: Changing with the environment
When consumers demand more premium quality beef and producers adapt to provide it, those…
Oct 15, 2018 · By Nicole Lane Erceg, WLJ Contributing Columnist