Health/Nutrition
FDA proposes to revoke soy protein health claims
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientist has proposed the group revoke its health…
Nov 6, 2017 · By WLJ
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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.
Environment
MT grizzly bear euthanized
A story in the Great Falls Tribune and shared on the Montana Fish and…
Nov 6, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
Tariffs focus of Japan trade talks
As the U.S.’ #1 beef destination for both volume and value, Japan was a…
Nov 6, 2017 · By WLJ
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Change is coming
Things, they are a’chaging! The House Natural Resources Committee has introduced five new amendments…
Nov 4, 2017 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Markets
Export market is “pulling its weight”
The U.S. Meat Export Federation held its Strategic Planning Conference last week. The group…
Nov 3, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
BeefTalk: Commercial beef production benchmarks for 2017
Casual reviews of your operation are good, but a lot of important details can…
Nov 3, 2017 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Wolves kill heifer in California
The first confirmed wolf depredation of cattle has happened in California. A heifer was…
Nov 3, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Policy
California increases fuel tax
The golden state will be baking some major changes to trucking. Not only is…
Nov 3, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Policy
Rented farmland mostly in Central U.S.
Most of the U.S.’ rented farmland is found in the Corn Belt, Northern Plains,…
Nov 3, 2017 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Policy
USDA: R-CALF calls for investigation
Last Wednesday, in response to comments made by U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) CEO…
Nov 3, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
House: Forest fire act passes
Last Wednesday, the House passed the Resilient Federal Forests Act (H.R. 2936) on a…
Nov 3, 2017 · By WLJ
Opinion
Kay’s Korner: A wild but wonderful ride
The markets lately have been a wonderful ride. Demand has consistently amazed and is…
Nov 2, 2017 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
Beef
Dairy cattle’s impact on beef supplies
Dairy has had a big impact on the beef industry. Through cull dairy cows…
Nov 2, 2017 · By University of Wisconsin-River Falls Extension
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Beef checkoff shows consumers how you are raising beef
The Beef Checkoff Program has relaunched the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” campaign with…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Cattlemen's Beef Board
Policy
Agricultural guest-worker program bill advances
The “AG Act” that would scrap the current H-2A guest worker program barely made…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Environment
Guidance on reporting air emissions from animal waste released
The EPA released an air emissions guidance for farmers to instruct farmers on how…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Environmental Protection Agency
Livestock
Futures surge following report shock
The fallout from the Oct. 20 Cattle on Feed report was a surprising surge…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Beef
BeefTalk: Long-term cow-culling rate, replacement rate, and cow age
Cows are getting older as producers balance cow culling and heifer replacement rates in…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Health/Nutrition
K-State expands joint vet medicine program with China
K-State joins with China to help Chinese students become veterinarians.
Nov 1, 2017 · By K-State Research and Extension
Policy
NAMI releases MyMeatUp app version 2.0
NAMI has updated its popular MyEatUp app. New features include a function that allows…
Nov 1, 2017 · By North American Meat Institute
Beef
Feedlot inventory continues to swell
The recent Cattle on Feed report shows that demand for feeder cattle has stayed…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Plenty of beef
Despite more beef being on the market for higher prices, consumer demand remains spectacularly…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Livestock
Wild horse advisory board makes recommendations
The BLM’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board proposed the agency go back…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
Family of Idaho rancher shot by deputies files suit
The family of Jack Yantis, shot to death in 2015 by Idaho county sheriff’s…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Opinion
Black Ink: Driving progress
Steve Suther talks about what led him to where he is now and how…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Steve Suther, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Beef
Value of bull to commercial herd exceeds “relative” value
The casual rule of thumb is that a bull is worth the average of…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Beef
Stockpiled forages reduce need, cost of hay, supplemental feed
If you use your forage resources properly, you could reduce the need for supplementing…
Nov 1, 2017 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Environment
Drought typically largest driver of disaster assistance
Given the changes that have occurred to disaster-related agricultural aid since the 1930s, drought…
Nov 1, 2017 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Beef
Dressed weights are down in 2017
Dressed cattle weights have been steadily growing over the years. For 2017, dressed weights…
Nov 1, 2017 · By USDA Economic Research Service
Environment
Berkeley researchers talk climate change
Berkeley News recently premiered a series of short videos highlighting the work of 17…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
LOTW launches new program
Livestock of The World (LOTW), a suite of online marketplaces that help ranchers buy…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
House passes budget, stage set for tax reform
The House passed the budget bill for fiscal year 2018. This sets up the…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
Rancher to Congress: Sage-grouse policy should conform to state plans
The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on sage grouse management plans.…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
Smackout pack strikes again
In its Oct. 20 wolf activity report, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
PETA plans billboard in SD
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has announced it will place a…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
Meatless Mondays now in Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariсa and Brooklyn Borough President…
Nov 1, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
Senators propose ARC changes
A bipartisan bill seeking to change how Agricultural Risk Coverage payments are calculated was…
Oct 31, 2017 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Livestock
Sheep grazing suit makes questionable claims
Western Watershed Project and WildEarth Guardians launched a lawsuit claiming a long-used pair of…
Oct 31, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
News
Bills expand CA wilderness areas
The “Central Coast Heritage Protection Act” was submitted to both houses of Congress on…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
SALE Act to protect cash trade
Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS-01) introduced H.R. 4058—the “Securing All Livestock Equitably Act” or “SALE…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
No ag cuts in 2018 Farm Bill
A proposed amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution that would have prohibited cuts to…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
APHIS says plastic sheep tags not free
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Monday, Oct. 16 that it…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
News
Groups seeks checkoff block
Oklahoma members of the Organization for Competitive Markets and R-CALF have asked the Oklahoma…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
News
Comments on AWA licensing amendment close this week
Comments will close Thursday, Nov. 2, on a piece of proposed rulemaking related to…
Oct 31, 2017 · By WLJ
Opinion
Guest Opinion: What is the role of reason in economic decision making?
We all like to think we are rational people who make important economic decisions…
Oct 24, 2017 · By AgCenter
Opinion
Guest Opinion: Worker shortage threatens U.S. ag sustainability
One of the most basic requirements of agriculture is a stable workforce. House Judiciary…
Oct 24, 2017 · By American Farm Bureau Federation
Policy
The challenges of tying nutrition to food programs
Five former ag secretaries got together at the Iowa Hunger Summit to discuss the…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Policy
Fruit protections could sink NAFTA talks
U.S. agriculture insists that the NAFTA renegotiation “do no harm,” but efforts of seasonal…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent
News
Recent NAFTA talks end with “nonstarters”
The fourth round of NAFTA renegotiations has ended in the U.S. issuing “nonstarters” regarding…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent
News
State ag leaders talk NAFTA
Just as the most recent round of federal NAFTA talks ended on rocky terms,…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Markets
Market stalls ahead of report
Cash fed trade got started earlier in the week than usual, but it didn’t…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
BeefTalk: Age and source verification can work
A decade has passed since the Dickinson Research Extension Center summarized a calf-tagging program…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Baleage is different than all other forage making practices
Making baleage is different than making hay or making silage. Knowing the key differences…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Michigan State University Extension
News
Avoid soybean loss during harvesting, drying, storage
Soybean drying can be a balancing act. Too dry and you get shattered beans,…
Oct 24, 2017 · By NDSU Extension
Livestock
How to manage bulls in multi-sire pastures
Before the fall breeding season begins, a few simple management procedures involving the bulls…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Livestock
Growing cattle inventories means more stocker opportunities
Feeder cattle prices typically decline seasonally in the fall. Oklahoma stocker and feeder prices…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: Less regulation is good
USDA decided to give the controversial interim final rule (IFR) governing the Grain Inspection,…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Policy
GIPSA interim final rule is withdrawn
The USDA announced last week that it was withdrawing a controversial Grain Inspection, Packers…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
California wild horse territory reinstated
An almost 40-year old “administrative error” was upheld last week, adding tens of thousands…
Oct 24, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Beef
Follow these chute-side vaccine management tips
Your vaccine program is only as good as your vaccine handling procedures. If you…
Oct 24, 2017 · By SDSU Extension
News
Cargill HQ construction begins
The Opus Group (Opus), a commercial real estate development, construction and design company, announced…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef campaign relaunched
Twenty-five years after establishing one of the nation’s most iconic food brands, America’s beef…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
Beef from Paraguay possible
The U.S. Embassy in Paraguay announced Oct. 12 that representatives of the USDA Animal…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
National Park Service works on Point Reyes management plan
The National Park Service is beginning a new General Management Plan for the Point…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
EPA curbing “sue and settle”
Last Monday, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed an agency-wide directive aimed…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
South Dakota to enjoy Beef Crawl
Meat lovers in Sioux Falls, SD, will have a unique chance to try their…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
News
Brazilian court orders asset freeze on JBS
Reuters reported last Wednesday that a Brazilian court has ordered a $230 million asset…
Oct 24, 2017 · By WLJ
Beef
Proper cow culling is important to your business
Cull cows represent approximately 20 percent of the gross income of any commercial cow…
Oct 18, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Beef
Exports see gains every month in 2017
Beef exports have increased year-over-year every month in 2017 and August exports were up…
Oct 18, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Policy
U.S. House approves budget
The 2018 budget moved onto the Senate after the House passed it in a…
Oct 18, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
BLM eyes sage-grouse plan
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced on Oct. 5 that it is opening…
Oct 18, 2017 · By Rae Price, WLJ editor
Livestock
What is the impact of early weaning on replacement heifers?
Early weaning does not appear to have negative impacts on replacement heifers. Some research…
Oct 18, 2017 · By SDSU Extension
Livestock
Extending the grazing season can reduce feed costs
Feeding cows over the winter is one of the biggest carrying costs for cow-calf…
Oct 18, 2017 · By SDSU Extension
Livestock
Producers should treat for lice in fall to avoid winter outbreaks
Most parasite prevention does not control for external parasites like lice. Producers who do…
Oct 18, 2017 · By University of Nebraska Extension
News
Some forages can be hazardous after a freeze
Freezing can damage forage in ways that can harm cattle. Sorghum-related plants, like cane,…
Oct 18, 2017 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Livestock
California’s fires continue to burn
2017 is shaping up to be one of the most destructive fire seasons for…
Oct 17, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Beef
NBQA applauds dairy industry contribution
The most recent National Beef Quality Audits for fed cattle and cull animals shows…
Oct 17, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Livestock
Cash fed cattle trade earlier, higher
The seasonal low was set in Q3 and things are starting to pick up.…
Oct 17, 2017 · By Kerry Halladay, WLJ Managing Editor
Opinion
BeefTalk: The world is good, but sometimes saying that is hard
In the wake of disaster and loss, grief and uncertainty can take hold. But…
Oct 17, 2017 · By Kris Ringwall, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Opinion
Guest Opinion: WOTUS is not a done deal
What led us to this point with WOTUS? Where will we go from here?…
Oct 17, 2017 · By NDSU Extension
Beef
Oklahoma beef checkoff questioned
The Organization for Competitive Markets issued a complaint against the Oklahoma Beef Council for…
Oct 17, 2017 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Policy
RAAA completes relocation
After 50 years of calling Denton, TX, its home, the Red Angus Association of…
Oct 17, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
NWSS offers new bull events
Commercial cattlemen will have two new events to attend or participate in at the…
Oct 17, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
ODFW authorizes wolf takes
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced Oct. 6 that it has…
Oct 17, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
Meat plant to open in New Mexico
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced that 57 new jobs in Chaves County will…
Oct 17, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
CORRECTION: Oklahoma checkoff audits
In Pete Crow’s Comments column last week (“Friend or Foe” in the Oct. 9…
Oct 17, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
Congress defines farming in various ways
A conservation easement on your farm or ranch can produce a large charitable deduction.…
Oct 16, 2017 · By Andy Biebl, DTN tax columnist
Policy
Senate Finance considers ag trade negotiator
The Senate Finance Committee recently held a hearing for Greg Doud, nominee for the…
Oct 16, 2017 · By Jerry Hagstrom, DTN political correspondent
Opinion
On Target: Add value by culling, feeding
Weaning and “preg checking” tell us how successful our last two breeding seasons were.…
Oct 16, 2017 · By Justin Sexten, WLJ Contributing Columnist
Livestock
Using wheat pasture as a winter supplement for cows
Assuming more fall rainfall comes to the Southern Plains, wheat pasture will again be…
Oct 16, 2017 · By Oklahoma State University Extension
Opinion
Pete’s Comments: A Left Coast reaction
A recent city ordinance out of San Francisco would require grocery stores to report…
Oct 16, 2017 · By Pete Crow, WLJ publisher emeritus
Beef
Beef exports strong again
August 2017 was the largest month for beef export to Japan since the 2003…
Oct 16, 2017 · By USMEF
Policy
Tax reform blueprint revealed
A tax reform plan was released on Sept. 27 that would cut taxes for…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
Livestock
Livestock traceability discussed at forum
In the event of an animal disease outbreak, being able to quickly and efficiently…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
European Commission audits Brazil’s food safety
A recent European Commission audit of Brazil’s meat infrastructure and food safety measures regarding…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
News
Defense requests delay in Bundy trial
On Friday, Oct. 6, a motion was filed to delay the trial of Cliven…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
News
CBD requests CAFO info
The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has submitted more Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
Environment
Supreme Court hears WOTUS-related cases
The Supreme Court heard one of the many Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule-related…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ
Policy
House passes monument reform bill
The House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 3990—the National Monument Creation and Protection Act—out…
Oct 16, 2017 · By WLJ