Cash cattle trade looked to be a repeat of the last several weeks with packers grudgingly upping bids. It was not a huge increase, but it is a sign that the number of front-end cattle available is becoming shorter.

Cash cattle prices were steady to slightly higher as supplies of market-ready cattle continue to decline. Analysts believe the fall low is in and stronger prices will prevail the balance of the year.

CNH Industrial announced this week its temporarily shutting down several of its European manufacturing plants that produce agricultural equipment. CNH says it plans to shut down the facilities for eight days this month.

The American-International Charolais Association has selected Clint Rusk, current Department Head of the Animal and Food Sciences Department at Oklahoma State University, as its new Executive Vice President.

A five-year, $8.5 million project will impact 100,000 acres of row crops and feed production in a key beef producing region to build on farmers’ ongoing efforts to mitigate and adapt to impacts of climate change.

Because of year-to-year variation in forage quality and weather stress, cow body weight and condition can have important year-to-year variation even when fed what appears to be the same diet.