The estimated weekly slaughter total last week was 623,000 head, a significant reduction from the prior week, thanks, in part, to the three-day weekend.

General session speakers to provide insights into ranch industry future.

The Checkoff-funded MBA program was developed in 2009 to bridge the widening chasm between producers and consumers and to help farmers and ranchers share their stories and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry.

Utilizing drought-affected crops for livestock feed is a common practice; however, producers must consider the potential risks. One factor that needs to be considered is the risk of nitrate toxicity.

Livestock from the U.S. move through Texas in route to Mexico every day. Animals rejected for export could be moved somewhere in Texas without proper testing and treatment, creating vulnerability for Texas ranchers.

Beef cow slaughter through mid-June was 10% higher than a year ago and on a weekly basis above the levels realized during the 2011-2013 drought.