Top 10 Drovers Articles of 2019
We've rounded up the top 10 stories of the year as decided by you, our readers. Take a look back at these memorable stories on Drovers.com in 2019.
10. Boone Pickens’ Ranch Listed For $250 Million
Legendary oilman T. Boone Pickens died Wednesday at age 91, which brought renewed interest in his Mesa Vista Ranch first listed for sale in 2017.
The 65,000-acre ranch near Pampa, Tex., has an asking price of $250 million. Read more about it here.
9. Tyson Set To Resume Harvest In Finney County
Tyson Fresh Meats said early Monday the construction and repairs to its Finney County beef complex are nearing completion. Tyson said in a statement it expects to resume harvest operations at the plant the first week in December, with intentions to be fully operational the first week in January. Read more.
8. Arizona Ranchers Share Experience with Border Security
The U.S. border with Mexico spans 1,954 miles, and ranchers are on the front lines for most of it.
For the past few decades, border enforcement and security has increased to halt illegal immigration and drug smuggling. In 1989, construction on the first major border fence began in San Diego, stretching 46 miles east. Read more here.
7. R-CALF Sues Tyson, Cargill, JBS and National
Seeking to “prevent the big four packers from capturing the U.S. cattle market from independent U.S. cattle producers,” a class action lawsuit was filed in Chicago on behalf of R-CALF USA and four cattle-feeding ranchers against America’s four largest packing companies. The suit alleges violations of U.S. antitrust laws, the Packers and Stockyards Act, and the Commodity Exchange Act by unlawfully depressing the prices paid to American ranchers.
The suit, filed Tuesday, April 23, 2019, was filed against Tyson Foods, Inc., JBS S.A., Cargill, Inc., and National Beef Packing Company, LLC, and certain of their affiliates, who collectively purchase and process over 80% of the U.S.’s fed cattle annually. Read more.
6. 31,000 Cattle Involved in South Dakota Foreclosure
A multi-million dollar foreclosure case is unfolding in South Dakota and a court-appointed investigator is working to ensure the care and determine the ownership of as many as 31,000 cattle.
The foreclosure was filed by First Dakota National Bank against Robert and Becky Blom, Corsica, SD, on Feb. 8. The complaint alleges the Bloms had overdrawn their account by more than $1 million, and that due to Robert Blom’s recent vehicle accident and subsequent incapacitation, the bank considered itself insecure. Read more about it here.
5. Updated: Fire Shutters Tyson Plant Near Garden City
A “large fire” Friday night (Aug. 9, 2019) closed the Tyson Foods beef harvest facility near Garden City, Kansas.
A 911 call was received about 8:35 p.m. Friday by the Finney County Communications Center from the operations manager at the Tyson plant in Holcomb, reporting a fire in the building’s west end near the slaughter operations. Read more.
4. Flint Hills Ranch Listed for $8.58 Million
The Crocker Springs Ranch, located in Chase County, Kan., 70 miles northeast of Wichita, has been offered for sale for $8.58 million, according to listing agent Hall and Hall. The 3,300-acre ranch is located in the heart of Kansas’s Flint Hills where cattle ranching is the community’s dominant economic driver.
The property is offered by owner Bill Haw, who served as president and Chief Executive Officer of National Farms, Inc., from 1974 to 2002. Read more.
3. How Much Hay Will A Cow Consume?
Estimating forage usage by cows is an important part of the task of calculating winter feed needs. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated in order to make the calculations. Forage quality will be a determining factor in the amount of forage consumed. Higher quality forages contain larger concentrations of important nutrients so animals consuming these forages should be more likely to meet their nutrient needs from the forages. Also cows can consume a larger quantity of higher quality forages. Read more.
2. Arrest Made After 200 Cattle Found Dead at Nebraska Feedlot
Authorities in Nebraska have arrested and charged a man with multiple crimes after more than 200 cattle were found dead at a feedlot.
According to a news release from the Nebraska State Patrol, Aaron Ogren, 30, of Exeter, was arrested by Fillmore County Sheriff’s Deputies on April 9 without an incident. Read more.
1. Sale Barn Owners in Kansas Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
The owners of a sale barn in Kansas have been charged with carrying out a check kiting scheme by federal authorities after the fraud resulted in banks losing millions of dollars. Another case involving the livestock market has also tied up sale proceeds for local cattle producers. Read more.
