Opinion
Pete’s Comments: The gate swings
JBS USA sold their 11 feedlots to a single buyer; Pinnacle Investment Group. The…
Jan 19, 2018 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
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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.
Policy
Legislation to delist Mexican gray wolf introduced
The Mexican gray wolf has reached population numbers established in its initial listing under…
Jan 19, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Feds to regulate your cow manure
Congress needs to act to exempt livestock producers from reporting emissions from manure on…
Jan 19, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Environment
Environmental group suing U.S. Forest Service on behalf of Spalding’s catchfly
The environmentalist group, the Greater Hells Canyon Council, issued a lawsuit on Jan. 10…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Cargill invests in pea protein
With the rapid rise in consumer demand for plant-based protein, PURIS, the largest North…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef Night on the Ice
The Idaho Beef Council teamed up with the Idaho Steelheads, the Idaho Foodbank and…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef announces 2018 leadership
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) recently announced the election of Nicole Johnson-Hoffman…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Environmental group suing U.S. Forest Service over Spalding’s catchfly
The environmentalist group, the Greater Hells Canyon Council, issued a lawsuit on Jan. 10…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Environmental groups suing Tulare County, CA over dairy air
Environmental litigation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, are suing Tulare County, CA,…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Rogue pack kills three calves
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has confirmed three calf losses due…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
Cold and wet in the north; dangerously dry on the plains
What is in store for winter weather? In the West, it’s going to be…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
FDA working on “Modernizing” food claims, ag water
In its recently released “Summary of Strategic Policy Areas,” the Food and Drug Administration…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Ag Census due by Feb. 5
The 2017 Census of Agriculture is underway and responses are required by law. It…
Jan 19, 2018 · By WLJ
Opinion
Legally Speaking: How does the new tax law affect the livestock industry?
The new tax law has changed a number of things relevant to horse and…
Jan 18, 2018 · By John Alan Cohan
Beef
TPP would benefit Canada beef
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) said in a press release Jan. 16 that…
Jan 18, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
California’s rural counties declare independence
“New California” declared independence from the Golden State on Jan. 15. The group of…
Jan 18, 2018 · By WLJ
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Environmental stewardship creates future for the next generation
The #RethinkTheRanch campaign is striving to show consumers exactly how sustainable ranching is, and…
Jan 17, 2018 · By Cattlemen's Beef Board
Policy
Extreme cold affects livestock
Cold temperatures are coming, and cattle need extra help to keep warm, dry, and…
Jan 17, 2018 · By DTN
News
Weak future outlook drives producer sentiment lower
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer released Jan. 9 shows agricultural producers have…
Jan 17, 2018 · By Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture
Environment
Biochar could benefit anaerobic digestion of manure
Texas researchers have found that adding biochar to dairy manure increases biogas expression—useful if…
Jan 17, 2018 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Beef
November beef exports strong
The newest export data suggests beef might have set an export value record in…
Jan 17, 2018 · By USMEF
Beef
China not a factor in U.S. beef exports … yet
Exports of U.S. beef to China grew in November, but it is still a…
Jan 16, 2018 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Beef
Minimizing the Neospora threat: Blood testing and replacement heifer selection
Neospora caninum is one of the lesser-known causes of infectious reproductive failure in U.S.…
Jan 16, 2018 · By South Dakota State University Extension
Policy
Lawmakers target bankruptcy law
Current bankruptcy law can cause farmers logistical headaches. A proposed piece of legislation would…
Jan 16, 2018 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Environment
Ag industry challenged to tell real the story of food production
According to Donnie Smith, former CEO of Tyson Foods, it’s time for the agricultural…
Jan 16, 2018 · By UNL-Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
News
Innovation rates similar in rural, urban businesses
Rates of innovation—the introduction of new products or ways of doing business that consumers…
Jan 16, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Policy
Poorest Americans spend a third of their income on food
America is the land of inexpensive food, but for the poorest Americans, a third…
Jan 16, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Livestock
Composting an option for beef mortalities
Composting of catastrophic cattle losses, large numbers of animals at one time, has special…
Jan 15, 2018 · By Iowa State University Extension
Livestock
BeefTalk: Shop around; cattle eat more than hay
Managing feed resources can be a challenge when winter weather changes daily, and so…
Jan 15, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Policy
New tax law could give cooperatives advantage over private grain companies
Language added to the tax law in December to help boost farmer cooperatives could…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Environment
Are water models being misapplied?
A pair of Oregon ranch families believe the Oregon Water Resources Department is misusing…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Bearish markets on the horizon
The cash cattle and beef markets appear to have topped early in the season,…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Answers sought in regional “market failure”
R-CALF is requesting a Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into a “market failure” in Pennsylvania…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Pete’s Comments: Market forces at work
Even though things are turning bearish and cold, the cattle and beef markets are…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
Trump talks to farmers
President Donald Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention on Jan. 8.…
Jan 12, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Environment
USDA investing in wildfire mitigation and water quality projects
The USDA will invest nearly $32 million this year to mitigate wildfire risk, improve…
Jan 12, 2018 · By USDA
Policy
Judge rules Bundy case a mistrial “with prejudice”
Following oral arguments on Jan. 8, U.S. District Court Judge Gloria Navarro ruled the…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef Council employee sentenced
Melissa Day Morton, a former accountant for the Oklahoma Beef Council, was sentenced to…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Ag-gag law struck down in Idaho
Thursday, Jan. 4, U.S. Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown ruled that Idaho’s 2014 “ag gag”…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Colorado attempts COOL on state level
State House Rep. Kimmi Lewis and state Sen. Vicki Marble, both Republicans, have introduced…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
News
HSUS called out on ads
The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF)—a nonprofit which acts as a watchdog group against…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
Environment
EPA specialists, scientists leaving
According to a joint report by the New York Times and ProPublica, a non-profit…
Jan 12, 2018 · By WLJ
News
WA state considers water bill
Lawmakers in Washington state are considering legislation to reverse a 2016 state Supreme Court…
Jan 11, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Efficiency measures aid cow-calf production
Cow-calf producers use a variety of efficiency measures to help manage production systems. Technical…
Jan 10, 2018 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Policy
Iowa cattlemen support Ronald McDonald House
Representing Iowa’s beef farmers, staff of the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa…
Jan 10, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
University of Missouri to develop beef genomic center
The Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture,…
Jan 10, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
New cuts of meat top menu trends
The National Restaurant Association released its annual survey of 700 professional chefs to predict…
Jan 10, 2018 · By WLJ
Livestock
Montana beef genetics to Nicaragua
Beef genetics from Montana could be headed to Nicaragua according to a report from…
Jan 10, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Farm analyst encourages farmers to communicate with lenders
Kansas State University Economist Duane Hund suggests that farmers work on a financial statement…
Jan 9, 2018 · By K-State Research and Extension
Opinion
Black Ink: Excellence can cut costs
Miranda Reiman of Certified Angus Beef discusses how running a cattle business and restaurant…
Jan 9, 2018 · By Miranda Reiman, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Markets
NMSU’s ACES High pilot program produces calves for international market
Getting the best price possible at the sale barn is the goal of cattle…
Jan 9, 2018 · By New Mexico State University Extension
Livestock
What is the economic value of beef manure?
Manure from beef lots is a supplemental source of Potassium, organic-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, and micro-nutrients…
Jan 9, 2018 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Beef
Where is optimum in genetic selection?
Cow-calf producers have EPDs and index tools to make genetic selection decisions related to…
Jan 9, 2018 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Health/Nutrition
Mineral supplementation changes when feeding distillers grains
Most cattle producers are aware that distillers grains are a very economical, concentrated source…
Jan 9, 2018 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Opinion
BeefTalk: Keeping more heifers turned out well
Producers may have a hidden opportunity to consider keeping more heifers and exposing them…
Jan 8, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Policy
2018 tax income adjustments
The passage of the new tax bill has farmers and ranchers asking a lot…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Markets
A seller’s market in the Southwest
There is an unmet demand for working ranches for sale in the Southwest. This…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
First week of 2018 market sees beef values up
It was a subdued first week of the 2018 cattle market last week. While…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Fake food
Last year we lived through the fake news fiasco. Now it appears we’re going…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
Mexico proposes meat grades
Mexico is proposing the use of meat grading standards that use the same quality…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Lice in cattle herds can bite producer profits
Cattle lice can peak during colder temperatures when cattle grow a thicker coat. Producers…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
News
Barley is ideal for cool-season cattle grazing
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension have been looking into barley as a potential…
Jan 5, 2018 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Policy
Beef exports to China resume after 14-year absence
Exports of beef to China started in June 2017 after a 14-year hiatus. While…
Jan 5, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Environment
California farmers shifted to groundwater during drought
When prolonged drought struck California, producers who faced declining surface water supplies increased their…
Jan 5, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Livestock
ICA inducts new HOF members
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) announced Dec. 27 that Kevin and Terri Carstensen have…
Jan 5, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef Bowl serves prime rib
Every year since 1955, the prime rib fanatics at Lawry’s The Prime Rib have…
Jan 5, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Permanent ELD exemption proposed
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed an exemption for agricultural carriers from…
Jan 5, 2018 · By WLJ
Beef
McDonald’s testing more fresh beef
An Associated Press report on Jan. 2 said McDonald’s is testing the use of…
Jan 5, 2018 · By WLJ
Policy
Bovine TB found in Nebraska
According to a Dec. 22 press release from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA)…
Jan 5, 2018 · By WLJ
Opinion
On Target: Behind the static, 560-lb. weaning weights
Calf weaning weights have become static in the last 15 years which might suggest…
Jan 3, 2018 · By Justin Sexten, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Opinion
BeefTalk: Rolling out hay is rolling out dollars
Purchasing and feeding hay can drive production costs up. High-priced hay needs to be…
Jan 3, 2018 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Environment
What to watch and what to manage in 2018
Continued growth in beef production in 2018 is likely to pressure cattle and beef…
Jan 3, 2018 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
News
Prepare farm employees for winter conditions
Many immigrant ag workers are not used to the extreme cold that happens in…
Jan 3, 2018 · By South Dakota State University Extension
Policy
AgriLife leads ag research funding for fifth year
The National Science Foundation ranked Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension as top in…
Jan 3, 2018 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Health/Nutrition
Global food security up significantly since 1990
Food security around the world has been improving significantly. In 1990, one in four…
Jan 3, 2018 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Markets
Markets rally ahead of the New Year
In the last week before the New Year, the markets rallied. While cash cattle…
Dec 29, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Logan’s Comments: Happy New Year!
It’s been a crazy year in 2017, but 2018 holds some promise for the…
Dec 29, 2017 · By Logan Ipsen
Livestock
Respiratory issues are the biggest cattle killer
The USDA recently released a report detailing the losses of cattle and calves in…
Dec 29, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
Ag trade balance to improve
Agricultural trade projections are looking up for 2018. Cattle and beef trade especially is…
Dec 29, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
Cattle on Feed report not as Grinch-like as it appeared
With a whopping 13.5 percent higher placements reported in the most recent Cattle on…
Dec 28, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Policy
Exports in 2018 similar to 2017
According to the latest USDA trade forecast, the 2018 fiscal year will look similar…
Dec 28, 2017 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Policy
Bundy case declared a mistrial
The trial of Cliven Bundy and others involved in the 2014 armed standoff against…
Dec 28, 2017 · By WLJ
Opinion
BeefTalk: Will the hay inventory feed the cows?
North Dakota State University Extension beef specialist Kris Ringwall ponders, “How much hay should…
Dec 27, 2017 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
News
Calculator available for 2018 cash flow estimates
A calculator is available online from the North Dakota State University Extension to estimate…
Dec 27, 2017 · By NDSU Extension
News
Prepare before the winter storm
Winter storms can catch anyone unawares. When you’re out in the country, however, it…
Dec 27, 2017 · By South Dakota State University Extension
Opinion
Kay’s Korner: 2018 faces challenges and opportunities
There are plenty of challenges and opportunities to 2018, but the biggest of both…
Dec 27, 2017 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
Markets
Most ag exports go to five key markets
In 2016, 61 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports by value went to five…
Dec 27, 2017 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Policy
Disaster aid remains unsettled
Despite the passage of the continuing resolution to keep the government funded through January…
Dec 26, 2017 · By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent
Policy
EPA says glyphosate unlikely carcinogenic
The EPA has declared glyphosate—often called Roundup, after its original branded product—likely does not…
Dec 26, 2017 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Health/Nutrition
Vampire bats kill Peru Cattle
A study detailed in a Public Library of Science (PLOS) journal article “Neglected Tropical…
Dec 26, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
New rule would require RFID
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) filed a notice of intent on Dec.…
Dec 26, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
CBB names new CEO
The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB) announced Dec. 20 that Scott Stuart…
Dec 26, 2017 · By WLJ
News
Beyond Meat adds sausage
Beyond Meat, the maker of Beyond Burger, announced in December that it is launching…
Dec 26, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
Hereford’s genetic evaluation takes quantum leap forward
The American Hereford Association has stepped up its genetic analysis game. They now have…
Dec 22, 2017 · By Dr. Bob Hough, WLJ correspondent
Markets
A cash market Christmas present
The cattle markets for the week of Dec. 18-21 saw increased negotiated cash fed…
Dec 22, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Is that taxable?
The GOP tax bill passed, and it is just another thing for which people…
Dec 22, 2017 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
Tax legislation gets final nod
Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act the week of Dec. 18. While…
Dec 22, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Health/Nutrition
FMD awareness remains important
Preparing to respond to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in U.S.…
Dec 22, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Get ready for winter on the range
Winter range management after an extreme event like drought requires a special touch. South…
Dec 22, 2017 · By South Dakota State University Extension