Latest News From Ag Policy

Cattle on Feed reaches nearly 11.1 million head, the highest mark reached for August since USDA began the series in 1996.

Red meat exports in the first half of 2018 were a cause of celebration for U.S. livestock producers—and kept prices afloat during expansion.

The impact of U.S. beef exports on calf prices continues to rise as experts advise ranchers to stay abreast of trade developments globally.

Uncertainty with trade deals, global competition and an ongoing trade war have the potential to alter U.S. beef’s standing in the export market.

Total beef consumption in China in 2018 is estimated at 8.5 million metric tons, second only to the U.S., according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Two cattlemen’s organizations are debating what to call lab-grown “meat,” and within that debate is who should regulate the emerging product and possible competitor to beef.

Research from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture indicates that a trade agreement with Japan is crucial for the U.S. beef industry.

One unknown hanging over all meat markets is the impact of rising tariffs on meat exports.

How cattlemen interact with threatened species like the greater sage-grouse could change with modifications to the Endangered Species Act.

China has an estimated total cattle herd of 96.85 million head in 2018, slightly larger than the current U.S. herd of 94.4 million head.

Sam Kane Beef Processors LLC agreed to promptly repay nearly $38 million in payments owed to livestock sellers, as two complaints were filed saying the company violated the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Policy news grabbed the headlines yesterday, as USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $12 billion relief package for farmers impacted by tariffs. Beef leaders say they look forward to reviewing the details.

Steven Hammond (second from left) and Dwight Hammond (fourth from left) have been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Cattle importer focuses on finding healthy, quality cattle for finishing in the United States.

U.S. beef exports set a new value record in May while also increasing significantly year-over-year in volume, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Much of the uncertainty surrounding the issue of trade has created a level of anxiety within several U.S. industries.

An amendment to limit and reform checkoffs that had the support of the Humane Society of the United States failed to make its way into the farm bill.

Beef producers need to think globally.

Additional cattle are continuing to come to feedyards, but fortunately there’s been several market factors at play to help offset beef supplies, at least for now, said Craig VanDyke, Top Third Ag Marketing.

Lab-grown meat startups that rely on animal cells to produce beef, poultry and seafood products have caught the eye of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has begun the process of regulating the industry.

Foreign markets for beef industry products continue to grow, especially in Asia.

Follow along as Drovers Associate Editor Wyatt Bechtel participates in the Young Cattlemen’s Conference with 60 other producers from across the country.

“We have no idea what it is," Bruce Auchly, information manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. “And we won’t until we get the DNA tests back.”

The USDA's quarterly outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade has been released.

Missouri might be the first state to enact legislation that requires labeling of plant-based and lab-grown meat to be clear when compared to meat from livestock. But why and how did this legislative effort begin?

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report, released at 11:00 a.m. CST May 25, fell mostly in line with trade expectations.

Making sure that beef is has a seat at trade negotiations tables has been a focus of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), along with labeling of “fake meat.”

AgriTalk Host Chip Flory talks beef with NCBA President Kevin Kester, the RFS with former Sen. Bryan Dorgan, and special farm aid dogs with PharmDog founder Jackie Allenbrand

So far in 2018, the U.S. has exported beef to 100 different countries. However, 85 of those countries only account for 5.9 percent of year to date beef exports.

May is Beef Month! Cattle farmers and ranchers are taking to Twitter to share stories from the farm and help educate others about the power of protein.

March beef export value was $693.1 million, up 18 percent year-over-year

Wildfires are becoming more prevalent. One thing that could help manage these higher fuel loads? Livestock grazing.

The European Union might be willing to accept more imports of U.S. beef to help ease trade tension with President Trump.

The Cattle on Feed report has been on a continual increasing trend since December 2016 and the current April inventory is the highest for the month in 12 years.

House Ag Committee passed the 2018 Farm Bill will an amendment that would deliver aid more efficiently to wildfire victims in rural America.

Green Monday is an Asian start-up gaining notoriety for its anti-livestock message “to tackle climate change and global food insecurity by making low-carbon and sustainable living simple, viral and actionable.”

A checkoff war has farmers and livestock producers caught in the crossfire, and the ramifications could significantly impact the foundation of the beef and soybean checkoff system.

Ireland will become the first European Union country to gain access to China’s fast-growing beef market after its agriculture minister said on Monday that Beijing had approved imports from three Irish processors.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he thinks a conversation he had with China’s President Xi Jinping has had an impact on U.S. beef exports to China, where American exporters are now selling “a lot” of beef.

Cowboy boots trekked across Capitol Hill this week, as members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) visited legislative officials to share how harmful “fake meat” could be to the beef industry.

As the political discussions continue, it’s important to not lose sight of the basic economic principles that are the foundation for all trade.

Several factors influence U.S. beef trade with international supply and demand being the leaders.

Possibly more important than products on the tariff lists, are what’s left off of them.

NCBA encourages USDA to look beyond modifying “standards of identity” in order to provide adequate protection for beef producers and consumers.

What originally began as a criminal raid, turned into an immigration operation at a Tennessee packing plant.

Grains and pork aren't the only products being targeted by China.

Just when U.S. beef gets the steaks rolling to China, trade wars and threats of tariffs begin.

Expect shifting slaughter patterns.

Japan is set to restore tariffs on frozen beef from the United States and other countries to usual levels from April 1, ending a hike put in place eight months earlier to protect domestic producers as an emergency.

Two Arizona ranch families share their thoughts on securing the border.