Latest News From BEEF

Calves born in extreme cold quickly utilize all body fat reserves and exposure to wind can exacerbate temperatures. Preparing in advance of inclement weather can lead to improved calf survival.

A little cowboy math to help you determine what that next herd bull is worth in your cow herd.

The first system to make feeding recommendations via artificial intelligence (AI) and machine vision has been announced by Precision Livestock Technologies.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention that new investments will generate income, create jobs and strengthen competition for farmers and ranchers.

Producers who intend to be profitable must consider closely the relationship of current and future costs, to current and future revenues, and cow longevity and productivity. 

NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, have announced the chosen five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2024.

January often provides challenging cattle marketing prospects and this year offered multiple winter storms disrupting feeder and fed cattle markets, as well as boxed beef markets.

Negotiated cash trade finished the week in a standoff with few sales and little price movement. Feeders and packers both look to benefit from improving winter weather and pen conditions this week.

A mid-January deep-freeze failed to deliver any bounce to cattle markets as packers appear flush with formula and contracted inventories. Friday's Cattle on Feed report fell within expectations.

Without selecting to increase weaning weight, increasing the number of calves born the first 21 days of the calving season positively impacts total pounds of weaned calf and pounds of weaned calf harvested per acre.

While most cows are in larger groups, bulls tend to be in small groups, resulting in more exposure to the elements. Keeping them protected from the elements is crucial.

Greater Omaha Packing Inc. announces the successful acquisition of Heartland Protein, solidifying its commitment to meeting the increasing demand for bovine-originated products.

Technology and robust data management will allow more cattlemen and smaller processors access to USDA graders to remotely assign official quality grades for beef carcasses, providing an opportunity to increase value.

For each 1-degree Fahrenheit the average daily temperature is below 30 degrees a cow in moderate BCS will need an additional one percent in daily energy requirement.

Current Death Tax relief is set to expire at the end of 2025, and it is vital that Congress acts soon and provide permanent relief for family operations.

If you are risk averse—the cattle business may not be for you. It’s a business full of environmental, production and marketing challenges.

Breeding efficient cows is usually measured by a cows’ ability to calve each year and maintain a yearly calving interval. 

The single most important factor in keeping a cow at zero non-productive days is body condition, which has a direct impact on calving interval, conception rate and percentage of open cows.

Understanding the risk factors for hypothermia will aid in developing a strategy to prevent loss. Managing dystocia and knowing when and how to assist chilled calves is an essential part of your calving plan.

The onset of severe cold temperatures and snow in a broad spectrum of cattle feeding regions will pull fed cattle production down. Beyond the reduced weekly slaughter head counts, carcass weights are set to plunge.

What do you use your land for? It’s easy to say that pastures are for grazing and cropland is for farming, but the list is much larger than that.

Despite nearly 24 inches of snow, below-zero temperatures and raging winds that some people are affectionately calling “Death Storm #2,” Illinois livestock producers are finding ways to overcome the horrific conditions.

Critics of U.S. beef's trade activity claim imports distort domestic cattle prices. But actual data tells a much different story.

Severe winter weather across cattle feeding country reduced weekly harvest and damaged feeding performance. Cattle feeders will seek higher prices this week.

U.S. hay production in 2023 was 6.3% higher than the drought year of 2022, but remains 7.8% lower than the 10-year average. Hay stocks were higher in eight of the ten states, with decreases only in Kansas and Kentucky.

Winter weather dominated livestock markets the second full week of the year with slowing harvest and transportation. Cattle and hog prices were steady and margins improved modestly, yet losses remain significant.

No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.

Brutal winter weather disrupted cattle markets and significantly curtailed cattle harvest in western Kansas. Cash cattle trades were steady to lower while wholesale beef prices posted a significant rally.

Winter storms across the country have resulted in significant pork and beef supply disruptions in terms of livestock moving to processing plants as well as beef and pork moving to population centers. 

Whether it is a bull sale, bull shopping, calving or anything else; what can you do this week to prepare/make the next season go smoother?

There remains a lot of noise around the issue of LRPs in the cattle markets. That was best described by one of my readers last week: “[most of the critics] don’t even understand the facts, let alone the myths.”

New equations will better estimate protein utilization by beef cattle, benefit producers.

As the fastest growing breed in America, the American Wagyu Association is actively working to keep the momentum going with additional staff and new programs.

Economics and the impact on weights – both longer-term and decisions based on short term factors will play an important part in determining beef production in 2024.

From 40 degrees above zero earlier this week in parts of the Great Plains to now forecasts for temps to fall 40 degrees below zero, ag meteorologist Drew Lerner says the frigid conditions will be dangerous for livestock.

What can we do to make calving in the late winter months as problem-free as possible? GET PREPARED!

After reaching a peak price in August, cull cow and bull prices moved higher to end the year on a positive note.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 26 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

November exports of U.S. pork reached the highest value since mid-2021 while U.S. beef exports slowed in November, recording the third lowest value of 2023.

Obtaining a basic understanding of nutrition and making data driven decisions can give every cattleman an advantage in creating a nutrition program best suited to their operation.

Methodical grind. There’s no question talent makes a difference, but what makes the biggest difference is commitment -- the daily decision to choose to work hard and show up. 

The first week of the New Year provided little cheer for either cattle feeders or beef packers as both saw increasing per head losses. Ditto for pork producers.

After years of letting negativity and discouragement hold him back from full-time farming, the first-generation Kentucky farmer decided to take a leap of faith.

Following up on a recent column, Nevil Speer reports on the advice from a seasoned grain analyst: Three things that you should do for success in 2024, plus, four things NOT to do. Remember, it's "you versus you."

CattleFax invites producers to participate in its annual Cow-Calf Survey, which provides participants and the rest of the industry with valuable data regarding industry benchmarks and trends.

Mexico recently issued a decree extending zero-duty treatment of certain food imports – including pork, beef and poultry – from all eligible suppliers through the end of 2024. What does this mean for the U.S.?

What farm visitors see is how a no-till system coupled with extensive use of cover crops and sound crop rotations can greatly reduce soil losses, even on slopes up to 10 percent.

Producers are encouraged to implement plans to help make the year on your ranch more successful.

Historic funding will support wildland firefighters, reduce the risk of future wildfires, and advance fire recovery.

Removal of the 84 turbines erected beginning 10 years ago without a mining permit from the Osage Nation ends a long legal battle and will cost the developers $300 million.