Environment
Snowpack hits record-low levels across Montana
As of early April, when snowpack-monitoring stations in Montana are typically peaking, one-third of…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Amanda Eggert, Montana Free Press
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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.
Beef
Impact of selection pressure applied to marbling
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of fed cattle in…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
Environment
Federal judge rejects settlement in OK poultry waste case
A decades-long environmental lawsuit over poultry litter pollution in eastern Oklahoma remains unresolved after…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Beef
University of Idaho dedicates new meat science laboratory
More than 300 supporters gathered April 10 to help dedicate a new University of…
Apr 17, 2026 · By U of I Extension
Health/Nutrition
Avoid grass tetany this spring
Fresh spring growth is a welcome sight for producers looking for animal forage.
Apr 17, 2026 · By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension educator
Beef
Environmental group sues CO over JBS air permit delays
An environmental advocacy group filed a lawsuit in Weld County District Court alleging Colorado…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Beef
New World screwworm case detected in northern Mexico
U.S. and Mexican authorities reported a new case of New World screwworm in a…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Beef
Global beef production and exports
The latest USDA report “Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade” shows global beef…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
News
Logan’s Comments: Teaching systemic lawfare
Cargill and JBS are in the midst of a storm of issues, and ironically,…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
News
Dittmer’s Take: Spring tempests
Politicians, consumers and Wall Street denizens are all focused on the economy for many…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Steve Dittmer, WLJ columnist
Health/Nutrition
Balancing cow size, carcass weights and total system efficiency
The beef industry is currently experiencing a tug-of-war between biological efficiency and market signals…
Apr 17, 2026 · By Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist
Beef
Guest Opinion: Fewer vegans, more meat eaters. What it means for beef
Beef demand is strong, even as prices remain high and supplies are tight. And…
Apr 17, 2026 · By WLJ
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, April 16
“Yesterday’s pull-back has developed into a full-scale technical correction in CME cattle futures today.”
Apr 16, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Weekly Drought Report: April 9-15
Much of the country continued to experience above-normal temperatures in April.
Apr 16, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, April 15
Cattle futures paused midweek, as traders are looking for fundamental support.
Apr 15, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, April 14
Cattle futures rallied, pushing live and feeder contracts higher on stronger equities as prices…
Apr 14, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, April 13
Cattle futures traded mixed on the board, while some cash trade took place this…
Apr 13, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, April 10
Cattle futures traded higher into the weekend while cash trade volume remained light.
Apr 10, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Health/Nutrition
USDA updates New World screwworm playbook
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service updated its New World Screwworm Response Playbook, a guide…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
News
USDA announces guidance portal, ag tech initiative
USDA announced the launch of a guidance portal that contains guidance documents issued by…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
JBS strike ends at CO beef plant
Workers at a Greeley, CO, JBS beef plant returned to work on April 7…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
News
BLM seeks input for Red Desert herd management
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on the scoping notice for updated wild horse herd…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
Environment
BLM launches web tool for grazing options
The Bureau of Land Management recently launched a new web-mased map tool intended to…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
Eastern Idaho beef packing plant ceases operations
The Idaho Falls, ID, beef processing plant American Farmers Network, formerly known as Intermountain…
Apr 10, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
February was another big month for beef variety meat
While beef exports trended lower, due in large part to continued lack of access…
Apr 10, 2026 · By USMEF
Markets
Cattle markets mixed in post-Easter trading
While the cattle market built some strength over the week from stronger cash trade…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
NM enacts sweeping statewide fire restrictions to prevent wildfires
New Mexico forestry officials announced sweeping statewide fire restrictions to prevent wildfires during the…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Danielle Prokop, Source New Mexico
Environment
Greens launch investigation of grazing programs
In early April, Western Watersheds Project filed a lawsuit against the USDA and U.S.…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
USFWS seeks input on Colorado wolf rule
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on how gray wolf…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Beef
The basics of cattle imports and exports in Mexico
Prior to the border closing in November 2024, U.S. imports of Mexican cattle had…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
News
Trump budget proposes USDA cuts, shifts rural programs
The White House’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget outlines a broad restructuring of federal…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Jared’s Comments: Blue corduroy jackets
Spend just a few hours around those students in blue corduroy jackets and you’ll…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Jared Patterson
News
Guest Opinion: Cash in on credits
Agricultural credits have become a hot topic, so I thought we would dive into…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Rod Mauszycki, DTN tax columnist
News
Kay’s Korner: Fire up the grill
The U.S. beef complex relies on the grilling season as May and June are…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
Environment
NE groundwater levels continue to decline amid drought
Groundwater levels throughout Nebraska continued to decline in 2025 following several years of persistent…
Apr 10, 2026 · By University of Nebraska Extension
News
Deere settles right-to-repair lawsuit for $99M
John Deere announced a $99 million settlement agreement to resolve numerous farmer-initiated lawsuits filed in 2022…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Health/Nutrition
Envu expands digital tools to strengthen rangeland ROI
For ranchers balancing forage production, herd performance and rising input costs, the challenge is…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
WA Fish and Wildlife commissioner accuses director of retaliation
A federal lawsuit accuses the leaders of the Washington State Department of Fish and…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
Beef
Beef carcass quality continues to increase
The percentages of USDA Select and Prime grade beef carcasses continue to shift in…
Apr 10, 2026 · By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, April 9
Despite trading mixed throughout the day, cattle futures rallied before the close.
Apr 9, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Weekly Drought Report: April 2-8
This U.S. Drought Monitor week saw degradations across the areas of the West, Southeast,…
Apr 9, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, April 8
Cattle futures closed higher after mixed trade, building on a strong rally supported by equities.
Apr 8, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, April 7
Cattle futures closed mostly lower on caution tied to Strait of Hormuz uncertainty and…
Apr 7, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, April 6
There was optimism in the cattle markets coming back from the Easter holiday.
Apr 6, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, April 3
The CME futures markets were closed today in observance of Good Friday.
Apr 3, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Markets
Strong gains lift futures ahead of Easter weekend
Cattle futures posted strong gains over the week before heading into the Easter holiday…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
TX Appeals Court affirms easement in Luckenbach Ranch case
A Texas Hill Country easement dispute reached a Texas appellate court, where judges upheld…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Court rejects Trump ESA revisions
A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Fertilizer industry hit with price-fixing lawsuit
Law firm DiCello Levitt filed an antitrust class action lawsuit against the country’s largest fertilizer producers,…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
Agencies move forward on rangeland grazing plan
As the White House celebrated National Agriculture Day last month, the Department of Interior…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Beef
Saudi Arabia eases rules for US halal beef exports
Saudi Arabia notified the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service earlier in March that the Saudi Food & Drug…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
Community
The Viewpoint with Gene Copenhaver
For National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Gene Copenhaver, the cattle industry is more than…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Health/Nutrition
TX launches Agricultural Defense Program
On March 18, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the launch of the Agricultural Defense Program.
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
News
Logan’s Comments: Navigating turbulence
In what is shaping up to be one of the most interesting springs in…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
News
ASI names Michener as executive director
The American Sheep Industry Association announced the appointment of Mike Michener as its new executive…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
News
Guest Opinion: MT agriculture needs workforce solutions, now
Montana agriculture depends on a reliable workforce to remain productive, competitive and sustainable. Yet,…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Lesley Robinson
News
Guest Opinion: Is another interest rate cut possible?
It’s still possible the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates again this year—but don’t…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Urban Lehner, DTN editor emeritus
Environment
Western Justice expands WOLF coalition
The Western advocacy group Western Justice announced the expansion of its multi-state Wildlife Oversight & Land Use…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
News
Livestock Consolidation Research Act introduced
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) on March 24 introduced legislation to research the…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
News
US Forest Service HQ to be relocated to Salt Lake City
USDA announced March 31 that it would be relocating the U.S. Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt…
Apr 3, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
Weight loss medications reshape conversations around beef
As people’s use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications continues to rise, Kansas State University experts say the…
Apr 3, 2026 · By K-State Research and Extension
Environment
Parasite season ramps up for sheep and goats
With the beginning of spring, Kansas State University Extension small ruminant specialist Kelsey Bentley warns…
Apr 3, 2026 · By K-State Research and Extension
Environment
EPA finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard volumes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized 2026-2027 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes on March 27, setting biofuel volumes higher…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
News
MAHA groups push USDA to overhaul school lunches
Leaders who associate themselves with the Make America Healthy Again movement want USDA to…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Health/Nutrition
Influence of backgrounding on finishing performance and carcass traits
The segmented nature of the beef industry naturally leads to production and economic inefficiencies.
Apr 3, 2026 · By Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist
Environment
EPA changes DEF rules for tractors
Farmers frustrated with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) shutdowns may see fewer breakdowns under new Environmental…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Environment
Greens plan to sue over grazing in AZ conservation area
The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Bird Alliance announced in late March that they intended to sue the Bureau…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Health/Nutrition
Do you have adequate bull power?
It is time for bull turnout for herds that calve in January.
Apr 3, 2026 · By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
Beef
Taking a look at beef imports
Total beef imports have increased sharply due to declining U.S. beef production and high prices as…
Apr 3, 2026 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Beef
US beef returns to Australia after 23-year absence
For more than two decades, following the first detected case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in…
Apr 3, 2026 · By USMEF
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, April 2
Cattle futures closed with continued buyer support, with traders remaining optimistic but less aggressive heading into…
Apr 2, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Weekly Drought Report: Mar. 26 – April 1
This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor showed widespread deterioration across the West, Plains and South,…
Apr 2, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, April 1
It’s no April Fools’ joke—cattle futures have now strung together four consecutive days of higher…
Apr 1, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, Mar. 31
Cattle futures surged triple digits, extending yesterday’s rally.
Mar 31, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, March 30
The market opened up the week on a higher note, encouraged by support on both the…
Mar 30, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, March 27
“The livestock complex is trading higher into Friday's noon hour as the market finally…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Markets
Boxed beef prices see sharp decline
Boxed beef prices dropped sharply over the week, just two weeks away from Easter.
Mar 27, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Beef
USDA promotes voluntary ‘Product of USA’ labeling
On National Agriculture Day, USDA announced it was promoting a public awareness campaign about…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
Farmer dollar share shrinks as ag powers the economy
Even as the sector accounts for roughly 20% of all economic activity, the share…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Lawmakers discuss ESA reforms, recovery goals
The Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife recently discussed…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
USDA delays poultry industry rule
USDA is delaying implementation of the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
Community
NE Athletics to donate game proceeds to wildfire relief
Nebraska Athletics announced in mid-March that it planned to donate all ticket proceeds from University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Spring Football Game to…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
News
CO ag, hunting groups form coalition
A coalition of Colorado’s wildlife conservation, hunting, agricultural and county organizations is uniting to…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
Meat processing workers to receive settlement funds
Settlements have been reached in a lawsuit that claims some beef and pork companies…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Veterinary program promotes early steps on career path
Rural communities across the U.S. face a growing shortage of veterinary professionals, creating challenges…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
News
BLM to delay WY checkerboard horse gather
The Bureau of Land Management is delaying the gather of more than 3,000 feral…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
Beef
Court upholds FL’s lab-grown meat ban
A federal appeals court ruled on March 23 that Florida’s ban on lab-grown meat…
Mar 27, 2026 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Selection pressure is a precious commodity
Selection and mating decisions in cow-calf herds need to be made with a clear objective in mind.
Mar 27, 2026 · By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
News
Logan’s Comments: Labeling concerns
This label puts me more on the fence than before when it comes to…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
Health/Nutrition
A new NE brand bill gets heard, faces sharp opposition
While Nebraska state lawmakers are trying to balance the budget, Niobrara State Sen. Barry…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Juan Salinas II, Nebraska Examiner
News
United We Stand with Fadra Glaser
It is not uncommon for a transporter to drive hundreds or even thousands of…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Fadra Glaser
Beef
Growing US red meat’s presence in Japan
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) efforts to increase consumer awareness and grow U.S. beef…
Mar 27, 2026 · By USMEF
News
Guest Opinion: More than resilience is needed
Even the best preparation can’t always help when dealing with bad weather or other…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Jennifer Carrico, DTN senior livestock editor
News
Idaho’s ag economic impact hits record $44.5B
Agriculture has an enormous impact on Idaho’s economy, responsible for a record $44.5 billion in annual…
Mar 27, 2026 · By U of I Extension
Community
The Viewpoint with Shelby Shaw
Shelby Shaw’s connection to the NILE began long before her current role as the…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Beef
The cow herd management’s role in driving carcass weight
Observations on the increase in cow mature body weight and in relation to increasing…
Mar 27, 2026 · By Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist
Environment
An outlook for the 2026 grazing, haying season in ND
As winter slowly turns to spring, many ranchers are looking ahead to the grazing…
Mar 27, 2026 · By NDSU Extension
Beef
US beef delights top restaurateurs, chefs in Ghana
The U.S. Meat Export Federation hosted two U.S. beef tastings at the well-regarded Nguni…
Mar 27, 2026 · By USMEF
Health/Nutrition
NDSU, NDAA Feed-out to begin in May
Cattle producers will have an opportunity to see how Angus‐sired cattle from their operation…
Mar 27, 2026 · By NDSU Extension