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CEOs of Four Large U.S. Meatpackers to Testify in Congressional Hearing
CEOs of Four Large U.S. Meatpackers to Testify in Congressional Hearing

The chief executives of U.S. meatpackers Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS and National Beef Packing have agreed to testify at a Congressional hearing discussing cattle markets and price increases for consumers.

Counting Cows: Drought, Costs Will Drive Further Reductions
Counting Cows: Drought, Costs Will Drive Further Reductions

With spring upon us and drought persists, liquidation puts the industry on track to reduce the nation’s cowherd back near 2014 levels, which was the smallest beef cowherd since 1952.

Partnership Will Help Conserve Grasslands and Wildlife Species
Partnership Will Help Conserve Grasslands and Wildlife Species

Up to $5 million in funding will be provided to bring financial and technical resources to ranchers in the Southern Great Plains to improve grassland management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

More Than A Neighbor - Heather Donley
More Than A Neighbor - Heather Donley

Heather Donley’s relationships with some of the largest beef customers in the nation and extensive beef cattle knowledge made her uniquely qualified to serve on the KBC Executive Committee.

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JBS Faces Lawsuit for Contract Breach of Arkansas Pig Farm

Frequently appearing in antitrust allegations of price fixation, JBS faces lawsuit by Arkansas pig farmer for breaching pig production contract and failing to pay for animals.

Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Near Steady
Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Near Steady

Both cattle and hog finishing estimated margins were positive last week despite rising feed costs across both enterprises. Cattle slaughter totals increased while hog processing numbers were near steady.

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NEOGEN Launches Prozap® Protectus Pour-On Insecticide – IGR

Unique combination of active ingredients in Prozap Protectus provides beef producers a triple-action option for insect control.

4 Tips to Include Bovine In Vitro Fertilization into Breeding Season
4 Tips to Include Bovine In Vitro Fertilization into Breeding Season

The speed of genetic progress by quickly multiplying offspring from elite performing animals and shortening generation intervals through reproductive efficiency can be improved exponentially using four basic IVF tips.

John Phipps: The Truth Behind the Numbers in Calculating Agriculture's Trade Balance
John Phipps: The Truth Behind the Numbers in Calculating Agriculture's Trade Balance

John Phipps says positive or negative, any trade balance has dubious value, and only limited prediction power. Other than bragging rights, they mean little with no economic advantage for having a positive trade balance.

NCBA Renews Call for Suspension of Brazilian Beef Imports
NCBA Renews Call for Suspension of Brazilian Beef Imports

Renewing its call for the immediate suspension of fresh beef imports from Brazil, NCBA also asks for a thorough audit of Brazil’s animal health and food safety system, to ensure the safety of the U.S. cattle herd.

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Imported Meat Faces Lockdown Hurdles in China’s Largest City

What happens to meat imports when the largest city in China is under lockdown? USMEF’s Joel Haggard explains.

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North Dakota Rancher Braces For Crippling Blizzard That Could Be Catastrophic During Calving Season

Central North Dakota seems to be the bullseye for the blizzard, with forecasts showing that area could see more than two feet of snow, along with winds that could cause white-out conditions.

Nalivka: Tracking Beef Cow Slaughter
Nalivka: Tracking Beef Cow Slaughter

Through the week ending March 26th, beef cow slaughter year-to-date is 16% higher than a year earlier and the highest since 1986, and we're on pace to slaughter 12.3% of the cowherd.

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Global Beef Update: Exporters

Global beef production is projected to expand in 2022 with increased production in Brazil, China, India, Australia and Mexico offsetting decreased production in the U.S., Canada, the European Union (E.U.) and Argentina.

Probiotics May Pose Risks to Animal and Human Health
Probiotics May Pose Risks to Animal and Human Health

Probiotics may not be as beneficial for animal and human health as people think, according to recently published research at Kansas State University. Here's why.

House Ag Panel Invites Top Five Meat Processor CEOs to Late April Hearing
House Ag Panel Invites Top Five Meat Processor CEOs to Late April Hearing

The House Ag Committee has requested CEOs from the top five meat packers to testify on April 27. The panel will take “other measures” if the CEOs say they will not attend.

Hulett: The Struggle Continues
Hulett: The Struggle Continues

Cattle feeders in the South sold cattle throughout the week at steady money while feeders in the North pushed their market a little higher by week's end.

Walmart Will Now Pay Starting Truck Drivers $110,000, Could It Backfire and Make the Nationwide Trucker Shortage Even Worse?
Walmart Will Now Pay Starting Truck Drivers $110,000, Could It Backfire and Make the Nationwide Trucker Shortage Even Worse?

Increased regulation and the search for better work-life balance are two factors leading to a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. Walmart is now increasing the starting salary for drivers to try to attract new people.

Study Aims to Facilitate Traceability During Foodborne Outbreak Investigations
Study Aims to Facilitate Traceability During Foodborne Outbreak Investigations

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) aims to enhance tracing of E. coli O157:H7 back to its source during a foodborne outbreak by studying how the DNA of this bacterium gradually evolves within its natural environment. 

FSIS Asked to Recall Beef Over Failed Antibiotic Tests
FSIS Asked to Recall Beef Over Failed Antibiotic Tests

Groups are calling on USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to recall any antibioitic-positive beef that was destined for USDA-approved "raised without antibiotics" labeling programs.

Beef Fails Antibiotic-Free Test in New Study
Beef Fails Antibiotic-Free Test in New Study

A substantial portion of beef advertised as “raised without antibiotics” may, in fact, contain antibiotics, according to research by George Washington University published in Science Magazine.

NCBA Endorses Bipartisan A-PLUS Act
NCBA Endorses Bipartisan A-PLUS Act

If enacted, the bill would clarify regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act to allow livestock market owners to maintain an ownership interest in small meatpacking entities.

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Grassley Expects Hearing on Cattle Market Reform Bill

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he is “confident” the Senate Agriculture Committee will conduct a hearing on the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022 introduced last week.

Phosphorus Supplements May Not be Needed for Heifers
Phosphorus Supplements May Not be Needed for Heifers

Cattle grazing pastures with high soil-test phosphorus may be getting enough of the nutrient from the grass to eliminate the need for a phosphorus feed additive.

A Focus on Soil Health Boosts Bottom Line
A Focus on Soil Health Boosts Bottom Line

Land is the common ground on which all other resources thrive. That’s why monitoring, managing and maintaining soil health is key to productivity and, ultimately, profitability on the ranch.

Managing Replacement Heifers - Reproductive Tract Scoring
Managing Replacement Heifers - Reproductive Tract Scoring

Reproductive Tract Scoring (RTS) is a management tool cow-calf producers can use to help predict reproductive performance of yearling heifers.

Beef Export Demand Soars, Pork Exports Decline
Beef Export Demand Soars, Pork Exports Decline

Global demand for high-quality U.S. beef, pork and lamb has proven resilient, and USMEF sees opportunities for further growth in both established and emerging markets.

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European Union Considers Applying EU Standards On All Agricultural Imports

The European Union considers applying their health and environmental standards to all imported agricultural and food products. USMEF’s Cheyenne McEndaffer expresses her opposition of the idea.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Improve
Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Improve

Average cattle feeding margins improved the final week of March, while average farrow-to-finish hog margins declined modestly.

Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle

Feed is a major cost input for all segments of beef production. Feed efficiency is always a primary determinant of profitability, but when feed costs are high, it becomes even more important.

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Vilsack Says Only 1.8 Mil. of 4 Mil. Expiring CRP Acres Will Be Re-Enrolled

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided more details regarding the general CRP signup that ended March 11. He said only 1.8 million of the 4 million acres in expiring contracts will be re-enrolled in the program.

Updates from the Ultrasound Guidelines Council
Updates from the Ultrasound Guidelines Council

Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC) Executive Director Patrick Wall gave a UGC update during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium June 24, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa.

In the U.S., Manure is 'Hot Commodity' Amid Commercial Fertilizer Shortage
In the U.S., Manure is 'Hot Commodity' Amid Commercial Fertilizer Shortage

Livestock farmers, including those who previously paid to have animal waste removed, have found a fertile side business selling to grain farmers. Equipment firms that make manure spreading equipment are also benefiting.

Impact of Increased Use of Non-GM Feed on Animal Feed Industry
Impact of Increased Use of Non-GM Feed on Animal Feed Industry

Continued demand for non-GMO feed for livestock will increase greenhouse gas emissions on farms, and raise consumer prices for meat, milk and eggs, according to a study by Iowa State University.

Gardiner Angus Ranch Bulls Average $9,058
Gardiner Angus Ranch Bulls Average $9,058

Gardiner Angus Ranch’s 43rd production sale held Saturday, April 2, in Ashland, Kan., saw 874 head sell to 264 buyers from 30 states.

Over-The-Counter Access to Antibiotics is Going Away
Over-The-Counter Access to Antibiotics is Going Away

Access to livestock drugs through over-the-counter (OTC) channels was curbed considerably starting in 2017. Soon, OTC antibiotics may no longer be available through traditional channels at all.

Peel: Meat Production and Consumption Decreasing
Peel: Meat Production and Consumption Decreasing

Declining beef and pork production may offset increased broiler production and lead to a decrease in total meat production in 2022. This would be the first decrease in total meat production since 2014.

What You Need To Know About USDA Announcing Payments To Livestock Producers Hammered By Drought, Soaring Feed Costs
What You Need To Know About USDA Announcing Payments To Livestock Producers Hammered By Drought, Soaring Feed Costs

USDA says the launch of the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) will address increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021. Phase 1 of the payments is expected to total $577 million.

Sexten: Advancing Genetic Improvement
Sexten: Advancing Genetic Improvement

Adopting genetic improvement is one of the most consumer-friendly technologies to improve product quality and production efficiencies that we can use.

Hulett: Northern Feeders Find Extra Money
Hulett: Northern Feeders Find Extra Money

Prices on the South Plains remain locked in a price rut as packers appear to have plenty of inventory. Corn Belt prices remain premium to other regions.

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R-CALF Says New Studies ‘Validate’ Calls For Market Reform

Two new economic analyses of the U.S. cattle markets suggest Congress “must do more” to implement reforms, says R-CALF USA. University economists note neither study has passed peer-review.

You Desperately Need A Game Plan For Locking In Feed Prices This Year; Here's Why
You Desperately Need A Game Plan For Locking In Feed Prices This Year; Here's Why

Commodity prices won't grow less volatile over the next several months. So, what's a potential game plan for locking in feed prices? Friday's market action may be one example of what producers can do to manage risk.

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Implanted Stocker Cattle Could Improve Average Daily Gain by 20%

Administering implants can be economically justifiable to help stocker cattle be more efficient on grass. Choosing the right implant is key.

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Spring 2022 Replacement Heifer Management Considerations

When choosing replacement heifers for the cowherd, there are several considerations to keep in mind. OSU's Mark Johnson describes some important qualities to help with selection.

Missing the Mark Leaves Money on the Table
Missing the Mark Leaves Money on the Table

Raising cattle to qualify for the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand requires a black hided animal and meeting 10 carcass specifications.

Zoetis Adds New Digital Solutions to Enhance Cattle Data Management
Zoetis Adds New Digital Solutions to Enhance Cattle Data Management

Zoetis has introduced an expanded precision animal health portfolio, including Performance Ranch™, new cow-calf management software, and BLOCKYARD™, innovative blockchain technology.

Factors That Will Shape the 2023 Farm Bill
Factors That Will Shape the 2023 Farm Bill

With Ukraine and Russia at war in the midst of a world moving away from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot to consider in the 2023 Farm Bill. Industry experts weighed-in to share their predictions.

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PLC and NCBA Oppose Bison Grazing on APR in Montana

The Public Lands Council and NCBA denounced the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed decision on the American Prairie Reserve’s (APR) request to graze bison on seven grazing allotments in Montana.

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Breeding Protocol Considerations

When choosing a breeding protocol, it’s important to consider time, labor, skill, cow condition and cost. Dr. Steven Hughes shares considerations and tips to have the most success in your breeding season.

Meat Institute: Grassley-Fischer Remains ‘Onerous’
Meat Institute: Grassley-Fischer Remains ‘Onerous’

The North American Meat Institute said the latest version of the Grassley-Fischer government mandate bill is now more onerous and more irrelevant as market driven prices for cattle have risen to seven-year highs.