News
Weekly Drought Report: June 4-10
Temperatures were above normal across much of the West and Northern Plains, with departures…
Jun 11, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
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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.
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, June 10
Cattle futures extended their rally into Wednesday, with live cattle futures closing triple digits higher.
Jun 10, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, June 9
Cattle futures shrugged off early weakness, closing higher.
Jun 9, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Community
Colyer Herefords and Angus named BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year
The Beef Improvement Federation recognized Colyer Herefords and Angus, Bruneau, ID, as the 2026…
Jun 8, 2026 · By BIF
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, June 8
Following reports of several new confirmed cases of New World screwworm in the U.S.,…
Jun 8, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, June 5
The markets found some support on the board with higher cash trade today.
Jun 5, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Health/Nutrition
Selection for teat size and udder suspension
Conformation of the teats and udder of beef cows are economically important traits in…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist
Beef
USDA appoints beef board members
In late May, USDA announced the appointment of 42 members to serve on the…
Jun 5, 2026 · By WLJ
Environment
SCOTUS approves settlement to end Rio Grande water dispute
In a single-paragraph assent, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) accepted a deal between Texas…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Danielle Prokop, Source New Mexico
Environment
Livestock Insects Research Laboratory opens in Texas
On May 27, USDA opened the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville,…
Jun 5, 2026 · By WLJ
News
USDA meat, poultry processing program grants open
USDA opened the fourth phase of its Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, which…
Jun 5, 2026 · By WLJ
Environment
Drought prompts federal agency to offer emergency loans to NM farmers
The USDA on May 26 declared a drought disaster in all 33 New Mexico…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Patrick Lohmann, Source New Mexico
Health/Nutrition
Canada pauses cattle traceability updates
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is moving forward with its new movement reporting requirements…
Jun 5, 2026 · By WLJ
Environment
BLM seeks input on wild horse management tools
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on an environmental review that…
Jun 5, 2026 · By WLJ
Community
The Viewpoint with Mark Gardiner
The recent world-record sale of the bull G A R Market Maker may have…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Omaha Summit expands Common Ground Coalition recommendations
The Common Ground Coalition held its Midwest Regional Summit in late May in Omaha,…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Common Ground Coalition
Markets
Screwworm news pressures cattle markets
Rumors and news of a New World screwworm detection near the southern border sent…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
CA wolf population grew by 10% in 2025
California’s gray wolf population continued its gradual recovery in 2025, growing by 10% to…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Health/Nutrition
Students selected for Nebraska Elite 11 veterinarian program cohort
Twenty-one students from across the Cornhusker State have been selected for the newest cohort…
Jun 5, 2026 · By University of Nebraska Extension
Environment
Supreme Court declines review of WOTUS dispute
The Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear an appeal from Connecticut…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Livestock
Oregon IP 28 moves closer to November ballot
In late May, petitioners hoping to ban fishing and hunting in Oregon reached a…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle
Environment
Greens sue over grizzly habitat redefinition in MT
Environmental groups filed suit against the federal government in early June, challenging the redefinition…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
Logan’s Comments: The long game
The state of Oregon has gained a lot of attention lately as Initiative Petition…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
Health/Nutrition
Producers should be proactive in herd management during drought
Much of the High Plains is experiencing varying intensities of drought, and North Dakota…
Jun 5, 2026 · By NDSU Extension
News
Kay’s Korner: Grilling season reveals beef’s challenge
The start of the grilling season at the beginning of May had shown that…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Steve Kay, WLJ columnist
News
Guest Opinion: Idaho just restored the property line
To prevent ongoing abuse of property rights, Idaho passed the Property Rights Protection Act…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
News
Guest Opinion: Montana is at a crossroads
We have reached a point where we need to choose between protecting senior water…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Montana Farm Bureau
News
H-2A rule change puts spotlight on work visa program
After years of rising labor costs, some farmers have seen relief during the past…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Caleb Hampton, Ag Alert editor, California Farm Bureau
News
Guest Opinion: Succession’s secret sauce
Management succession in a family business is easy to define but hard to do.
Jun 5, 2026 · By Lance Woodbury, DTN farm business adviser
Environment
FTC announces fertilizer antitrust investigation amid farmer complaints
The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) told a group of farmers May…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Chris Clayton, DTN ag policy editor
Environment
Farmers, ranchers, irrigators bearing the costs of exempt well statute
Farmers, ranchers and other senior water rights holders have been expressing strong concern regarding…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Montana Farm Bureau Federation
News
Corteva agrees to settle crop loyalty case
Corteva Inc. has agreed to a settlement in an ongoing crop loyalty programs class…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Todd Neeley, DTN environmental editor
Livestock
Cattle cycle expansions: Lessons from history
The U.S. cattle industry has been characterized by cycles of inventory and prices since…
Jun 5, 2026 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Beef
Autauga Farming Company named BIF Commercial Producer of the Year
The Beef Improvement Federation presented Autauga Farming Company Inc. the 2026 BIF Commercial Producer…
Jun 5, 2026 · By BIF
News
Farmer sentiment slips again as high input costs remain top concern
Farmer sentiment dropped again in May as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer…
Jun 5, 2026 · By CME Group, Purdue University
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, June 4
Markets reacted strongly to news of the first confirmed U.S. case of New World…
Jun 4, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
News
Weekly Drought Report: May 28 – June 3
Rainfall provided a welcome boost to drought-stricken areas of Texas, Kansas and Nebraska this…
Jun 4, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Health/Nutrition
New World screwworm case detected in Texas
On June 3, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the detection of…
Jun 4, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, June 3
Concerns over New World screwworm continue to negatively impact cattle futures.
Jun 3, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, June 2
Cattle futures closed lower amid rumors of the New World screwworm moving closer to…
Jun 2, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, June 1
The CME Group’s annual price limit reset for live cattle and feeder cattle contracts…
Jun 1, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, May 29
“The livestock complex is trading lower into Friday's noon hour as the market simply…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
Southwest Kansas wildfires char 120K acres
Wildfires started by dry lightning and fueled by drought conditions in Meade and Clark…
May 29, 2026 · By Jennifer Carrico, DTN senior livestock editor
Community
Wexford Ranches to receive Texas Leopold Conservation Award
The Wexford Ranches of South and West Texas are the recipient of the 2026…
May 29, 2026 · By Sand County Foundation
Environment
Final plans approved for KID Infrastructure Modernization Project
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has issued a Finding of No…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Health/Nutrition
Dry, dusty conditions can increase pneumonia risk in cattle
Recent rains have provided some needed relief from dusty conditions across much of North…
May 29, 2026 · By NDSU Extension
Environment
Forest fuel treatments reduce wildfire spread, prevent $2.8B in damage
Every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages, according…
May 29, 2026 · By UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Environment
Public land groups sue Montana FWP over corner-crossing position
Two public land access groups filed a lawsuit May 14 challenging Montana Fish, Wildlife…
May 29, 2026 · By Amanda Eggert, Montana Free Press
Health/Nutrition
Finding the right cow size for your herd
On a recent episode of the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute “Cattle Chat”…
May 29, 2026 · By K-State Research and Extension
Environment
Greens sue USFWS over protections for pygmy rabbit
Western Watersheds Project and WildEarth Guardians sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
WY releases new tool to analyze sage grouse
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is rolling out a new tool designed to…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Livestock
CME cattle futures price limits to increase in June
The CME Group is resetting price limits for live cattle and feeder cattle contracts…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
Risk management strategies to consider for your herd
Record-high cattle prices may be creating optimism across the beef industry, but Kansas State…
May 29, 2026 · By K-State Research and Extension
Beef
USMEF conference concludes with focus on factors impacting US red meat supply
The U.S. Meat Export Federation wrapped up its Spring Conference in Oklahoma City, OK,…
May 29, 2026 · By USMEF
Environment
Committee meets to advise DWR on CA water plan
An advisory committee to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) held its first…
May 29, 2026 · By California Farm Bureau Federation
Environment
Drought remains in much of Texas’ rangelands
Most of Texas’ rangelands remain under drought conditions, but timely spring rains in some…
May 29, 2026 · By Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Beef
Beef variety meat value reaches new high in March
While March beef exports were below last year—largely due to the lockout by China—the…
May 29, 2026 · By USMEF
Health/Nutrition
Bull selection, growth, feed efficiency and carcass outcomes
Bull selection is one of the most important long-term decisions in a cow-calf operation.
May 29, 2026 · By Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist
News
Logan’s Comments: Grilling season attention
Over the last year, the meat industries have seen more and more headlines surrounding…
May 29, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
News
Guest Opinion: How food and agriculture power the US economy
Every year, the Feeding the Economy report offers one of the most complete pictures…
May 29, 2026 · By AFBF
Markets
Futures drift sideways, lower as cash trade stays quiet
During the Memorial Day-shortened trading week, futures traded mostly sideways and cash trade sales…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
ND feedlot owner responds to carcass disposal controversy
Nathan Smith, owner of a cattle feedlot near Surrey, ND, says allegations surrounding improper…
May 29, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Wyoming wolf population remains above recovery goals
Wyoming’s gray wolf population remained above federal recovery goals in 2025, marking the 24th…
May 29, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Beef
DOJ reaches settlement in Agri Stats antitrust case
In early May, the Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement to resolve the…
May 29, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Environment
WA authorizes killing of one wolf after suspected cattle attacks
Washington will permit the killing of a single gray wolf in the state’s northeastern…
May 28, 2026 · By Aspen Ford, Washington State Standard
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, May 28
Cattle futures closed lower as traders look for direction from the cash trade and…
May 28, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Community
Cargill beef plant lockout continues into second week
On May 20, more than 1,700 workers at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan,…
May 28, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Community
Beef Checkoff calls for program funding requests
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board invites all eligible beef industry organizations to submit funding requests…
May 28, 2026 · By CBB
News
Weekly Drought Report: May 21-27
Mostly dry weather and above-normal temperatures dominated the Western Region during the week, sparking…
May 28, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, May 27
Cattle futures closed sharply higher on limited cash trade.
May 27, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, May 26
Cattle futures closed mixed, reacting to a bearish Cattle on Feed report.
May 26, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, May 22
The market closed mostly lower heading into the Memorial Day weekend.
May 22, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
Health/Nutrition
North Dakota ranchers face a potential forage shortage
Spring conditions are creating challenges for ranchers in the 2026 grazing season.
May 22, 2026 · By NDSU Extension
Livestock
The importance of China in global and US beef markets
The role of China in global beef markets has changed rapidly in the past…
May 22, 2026 · By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Livestock
USDA updates livestock insurance programs for 2027
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a series of updates to the Livestock…
May 22, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Markets
Cattle futures fall amid placement, processing concerns
Cattle futures closed lower as uncertainty ahead of USDA’s Cattle on Feed report weighed…
May 22, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Genetic considerations and breed differences when restocking the cow herd
When considering the proper genetics needed to rebuild the cow herd, it is important…
May 22, 2026 · By Dr. Bob Hough, WLJ correspondent
News
Trump-Xi summit signals new momentum for US agriculture
President Donald Trump’s recent trip to China and meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping…
May 22, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Lawsuit challenges McDermitt Caldera lithium exploration
After the Bureau of Land Management approved the expansion of lithium exploration on public…
May 22, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
Logan’s Comments: The devil’s in the details
Over the past few months, the White House has made several “major” announcements, all…
May 22, 2026 · By Logan Ipsen
News
United We Stand with Doris Mold
As the world recognizes the International Year of the Woman Farmer, it is an…
May 22, 2026 · By Doris Mold, CEO of Annie’s Project, St. Paul, MN
News
Guest Opinion: Water is the lifeblood of ranching
In recent months, a case was brought challenging the constitutionality of Montana’s exempt groundwater…
May 22, 2026 · By Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA executive vice president
News
Guest Opinion: A step forward on the farm bill
After years of economic pressure, farm families need the stability and certainty that comes…
May 22, 2026 · By Zippy Duvall, AFBF president
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Thursday, May 21
“Today’s sell-off has been very dramatic, especially considering there have been no ‘headlines.'”
May 21, 2026 · By Anna Miller Fortozo
News
Weekly Drought Report: May 14-20
Temperatures across the West ranged from the mid-30s in northern and high-elevation areas to…
May 21, 2026 · By UNL Drought Monitor
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Wednesday, May 20
Cattle futures were mixed as traders worried over a variety of topics.
May 20, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Tuesday, May 19
Cattle futures closed higher Tuesday, with deferred feeder cattle contracts gaining more than $4…
May 19, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Monday, May 18
The livestock complex closed mostly lower as traders looked for stronger fundamental support.
May 18, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Daily Market Wrap Up
Market Wrap-Up: Friday, May 15
Cattle futures reacted to favorable cash trade, closing higher, but remained lower on the…
May 15, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Health/Nutrition
Infrastructure considerations when restocking the cow herd
The beef industry is currently receiving record prices when marketing livestock, and current market…
May 15, 2026 · By Bob Hough, WLJ correspondent
Environment
BLM rescinds Biden-era public lands rule
The Bureau of Land Management has issued a final rule fully rescinding the Biden…
May 15, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits
The Bureau of Land Management on May 8 revoked grazing permits held by American…
May 15, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Markets
Volatile week ends with lower cattle futures
It was a volatile week for cattle markets as reports that beef import tariffs…
May 15, 2026 · By Charles Wallace
Environment
Kevin’s Comments: A victory for Montana ranchers
May is always my favorite time of year living in Montana.
May 14, 2026 · By Kevin Murnin
Beef
Deadline extended in wage-fixing settlement case
Workers involved in a wage-fixing class-action lawsuit against major red meat processors now have…
May 14, 2026 · By WLJ
Community
AFBF farm dog contest open
The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting nominations for the 2027 Farm Bureau Farm…
May 14, 2026 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Halter expands virtual fencing with satellite
Halter has launched direct-to-satellite connectivity for its smart cattle collars, removing the need for…
May 14, 2026 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
ASA research targets heart failure risk
The American Shorthorn Association is working with Simplot Land and Livestock to study bovine…
May 14, 2026 · By WLJ
Health/Nutrition
Whitepaper highlights screwworm threat, preparedness
A new whitepaper released by the United States Animal Health Association in partnership with…
May 14, 2026 · By WLJ