Latest News From Wyatt Bechtel

A recall has been announced by JBS and USDA after more than 43,000 lb. of ground beef was found to be possibly contaminated by extraneous materials, specifically, pieces of hard plastic.

Aaron Ogren, 30, of Exeter, Nebraska, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after more than 200 cattle died on a feedlot.

In addition to 200 cattle dying because of alleged livestock neglect and another 200 cattle that were still alive have been removed from the property.

No official cattle death loss projections have been released from the recent winter storm and flooding in Nebraska, but the death toll could be significant according to monetary estimates.

No official cattle death loss projections have been released from the recent winter storm and flooding in Nebraska, but the death toll could be significant according to monetary estimates.

The company behind a “bleeding” plant-based burger has issued its first voluntary recall after plastic was found in some of its bulk product.

For the second time in less than a year, a couple in Louisiana has been arrested for fraudulent sales of cattle.

The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act of 2019 has the support of presidential candidates and could reshape how agricultural checkoffs operate, something animal rights groups see as a win.

A traceability program is being started by Tyson Foods, Inc. that will use DNA to trace beef pack to the individual animal while proving its genetics.

A traceability program is being started by Tyson Foods, Inc. that will use DNA to trace beef pack to the individual animal while proving its genetics.

Performing a yearly breeding soundness exam on bulls is an insurance policy for fertility.

Performing a yearly breeding soundness exam on bulls is an insurance policy for fertility.

Beef and lamb producers from New Zealand are planning to spend several million dollars on a campaign to promote their products in the U.S. to help strengthen their import position.

Beef and lamb producers from New Zealand are planning to spend several million dollars on a campaign to promote their products in the U.S. to help strengthen their import position.

Cattle markets have been keeping pace in early 2019 compared to the same first quarter period in 2017 and 2018.

Cattle markets have been keeping pace in early 2019 compared to the same first quarter period in 2017 and 2018.

The nation’s fourth largest beef packer is growing and consumers are surveyed on the use of vegetarian products bearing meat labeling.

Two efforts call for change for the sake of human and environmental health

CattleFax projects the rate of expansion to slow from 510,000 beef cows added in 2018 to 180,000 cows in 2019 and another 100,000 cows in 2020.

The nation’s fourth largest beef packer is growing and consumers are surveyed on the use of vegetarian products bearing meat labeling.

Worms, flies, ticks and lice are all costly to beef producers.

Worms, flies, ticks and lice are all costly to beef producers.

Jessie Ramirez, head of maintenance and equipment operator at Brookover Feed Yard outside Garden City, Kan., has been the model example of what feedlots are looking for from their workforce.

The move by National Beef – the fourth largest beef packer in the U.S. – to purchase Iowa Premium adds additional 1,100 head per day of packing capacity to the company.

A rancher in Montana came to the rescue in a tractor to save a neighboring rancher who had been injured while working cattle and was stranded from the main road by snow drifts.

The move by National Beef – the fourth largest beef packer in the U.S. – to purchase Iowa Premium adds additional 1,100 head per day of packing capacity to the company.

A Nevada ranch previously owned by Bing Crosby has been listed to sell for $7.3 million at a rate of $2,457 per acre.

A Missouri man will spend eight years in prison without parole after leading $4.7 million investment fraud that involved the resale of cattle that were never actually purchased.

The USDA Cattle report was released last week and it showed an estimated 0.5 percent growth in all cattle and calves for a total of 94.8 million head in the U.S. on January 1, 2019.

Canceling or renegotiating leases that are unprofitable is one way to help stretch your cash flow.

The January 1, 2019 inventory of all cattle and calves in the U.S. grew to 94.76 million, head, up 0.5 percent from one year ago.

Agriculture groups view the removal of Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves as a “conservation success story” and conservationists call it another “relentless assault on wildlife protections.”

Heavy winter precipitation has continued at intervals spanning December through early March while brutally cold temperatures add often devastating effects, and sub-zero readings continued this week in many areas.

A recall of more than 30,000 lb. of ground beef has been implemented after the discovery of plastic and metal in beef from a Washington processing plant.

A recall of more than 30,000 lb. of ground beef has been implemented after the discovery of plastic and metal in beef from a Washington processing plant.

In cold and windy situations, protection for livestock will reduce cold stress and aid in calving success and energy requirements.

The survey of cattle producers indicates all cattle and calves as of January 1 totaled 94.76 million head which is a 0.5 percent increase from one year ago.

March could be the hardest month of the year on beef cattle according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension.

Beef producing countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico are gaining greater access into Japan thanks to lowered tariffs, giving those exporters a significant advantage over U.S. beef producers.

Carcass weights are expected to be lighter for cattle hanging on the rail this year because of continued poor weather across many cattle feeding regions in the U.S.

The latest USDA Cattle on Feed report issued on February 22 was delayed a month because of the federal government shutdown.

USDA continues to catch up on reports stalled by the shutdown and as part of catching up released the January Cattle on Feed report on February 22, and the Cattle Inventory report will be released February 28. 

Even with nighttime feeding, a few calves still will be born in the coldest nighttime hours. These wet newborns may become hypothermic or cold stressed.

Four considerations to help you choose the right sires for your herd

The abundant moisture that is keeping producers from marketing cattle is also setting cattle country up for favorable grazing conditions this spring and is also positively influencing summer grazing pastures.

Four considerations to help you choose the right sires for your herd

For those that calve in January and February, the rapid changes in temperature may have played a role in calf sickness and growth. 

The excess rain during fall, coupled with having fed hay for the last several months has caused areas in many pastures to be destroyed, with very little grass left. 

Common sense and good observation often are your best decision aids when feeding moldy hay.

It is an understatement to say the stocker cattle business is not for everyone.