The past year has been no walk in the park for producers. As we prepare to close out another year on the calendar, here’s a look back at the top production stories that cow-calf operations found helpful this year.

Drought pushed more cattle into feedlots earlier this year and kept feedlot totals higher for longer, but the latest on feed data shows numbers declining.

Longtime Iowa livestock extension economist Dr. John Lawrence was inducted into the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame.

Broadview Ranch, Centreville, Mississippi, operated by the Henry Darden family, was named American Gelbvieh Association Commercial Producer of the Year.

Export tariffs on aluminum and aluminum alloys will be raised. The current import tariff will stay on seven types of coal until March 31, with tariffs adopted for most favored nations from April 1.

Wholesale beef prices are running $20 per cwt. higher than the same week a year ago, with last week’s blizzard one factor in the rally. But retail demand for a shrinking supply will support prices into the New Year.