Industry News

Nightly Battles and Big Losses: Ranchers Demand Reform as Wolves Continue to Wreak Havoc

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:42:51 GMT

It’s hard to fathom: 92 confirmed or probable kills of cattle by three wolves during one season (April to October 2025) in the Sierra Valley. For ranchers, it’s more than economical loss — the emotional toll of dealing with wolves targeting their livestock and livelihoods is real.

Reintroduction and management of wolves in Sierra County, Calif., has led to significant challenges. The community, led by officials such as Paul Roen, has been actively pushing for updated management protocols, enhanced deterrence measures and better support from state and federal agencies to address the escalating wolf-livestock conflict.

Roen, a Sierra County supervisor (similar to a county commissioner) and rancher, explains it’s more than a livestock issue; it is a human safety issue.

“These wolves were not bothered by humans whatsoever. I mean, they were not acting like wild animals at all,” he says in reference to the wolves killing cattle earlier this year.

Rick Roberti, California Cattlemen’s Association president and a cattle rancher in Sierra Valley, adds: “For every confirmed kill you find, there’s probably four to six others. The wolves had gotten so used to eating cattle they didn’t hardly even look at a deer if they could find one.”

Roen and Roberti both stress the wolves have no fear of humans, with frequent sightings near homes and barns.

The severity of the attacks led Roen and other local officials to declare a state of emergency, drawing statewide and media attention. Despite the efforts of ranchers and local authorities — including constant night patrols, protective measures and deployment of technology like drones — wolf predation persisted. The community also engaged with state and federal resources, including a Strike Force sent by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to document the losses and explore possible intervention .

The program, designed to prevent livestock attacks on ranching properties in the heavily impacted Sierra Valley, deployed more than 18,000 staff hours across 114 days, engaging in 95 hazing events that helped to prevent an even greater loss in cattle deaths.

Eighteen Sierra Valley ranches enrolled in the program. CDFW staff also assisted ranches in evaluating the use of wolf-deterring fladry and ensuring livestock carcasses are correctly disposed to avoid attracting scavenging wolves. Additionally, the program helped facilitate depredation investigations, enabling ranchers to access compensation through CDFW’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program .

Following the unprecedented level of livestock attacks across the Sierra Valley, CDFW, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), took the step of lethally removing four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack.

“This action follows months of intensive non-lethal management efforts to reduce livestock loss and is grounded in the best available science and understanding of wolf biology,” according to the press release.

Roen says progress dealing with the wolf issue came with federal involvement and local law enforcement support. He says when the sheriff got involved , people woke up in Sacramento.

Read more about how sheriff departments from seven California counties united to oppose environmental polices they believe threaten ranchers and farmers.

Not Just California

The gray wolf is on the federal endangered species list except in the Northern Rocky Mountain region of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, the eastern one-third of Oregon, Washington and north-central Utah. In Minnesota, the gray wolf is considered threatened. Because of these protections, killing a wolf in the states where it’s protected is illegal, even if it’s seen killing livestock.

Luke Morgan, Lightning Bolt Cattle Company general manager, has been dealing with wolves since 2011 when they first came to Oregon. Morgan manages 2,500 mother cows on multiple locations in Oregon and Washington using both public and private lands.

A pack of wolves that live on one of the Lightning Bolt ranches in western Oregon have been causing havoc the past couple years. According to Morgan, the wolves killed more than 25 head of livestock from mid-October to mid-November.

He says the wolves prey the weak-minded: “Whatever can’t take the pressure … the ones that will break and run.”

(CDFW)

Cattle producer Amy Anderson Fitzpatrick says her family has also been dealing with wolves since 2011. They raise cattle in southern Oregon during the grazing season (May to December), then move the herd to winter in Northern California. The base ranch, called Rancheria Ranch, is in the mountains of Oregon and is a mix of owned land and permitted grazing. The operation includes commercial cow herd plus some yearlings.

Since 2019, Fitzpatrick says at least 24 cattle deaths have been attributed to wolves, though actual losses are likely higher due to unconfirmed cases in the rugged terrain.

“I have learned far more about wolves and their behavior than I could ever imagine. Wolves kill for food, yes, but they also kill to hone their skills, teach their young and for fun. We have witnessed wolves literally bumping livestock bedded down to get them up and running to chase them,” Fitzpatrick says. “We’ve been dealing with it for about 14 years. … The earlier pack, the Rogue Pack, would hit Fort Klamath hard in the summer months when there was an abundance of yearling cattle, then in the fall they’d come over the hill to Rancheria and hit us. Now we deal with what is known as this Grouse Ridge Pack, which seems to just like to hang out at the ranch and hit our permit country in the summertime.”

Fitzpatrick says they previously anticipated up to five losses per year from cattle turned out on the range as a cost of doing business. With the increase in wolf population, the ranch tallied between 35 and 40 mostly weaned calves during the 2024 season.

The Rogue Pack would kill livestock as sport and not consume the animals. However, the current, larger pack tends to consume more carcasses, further complicating verification.

In Wisconsin over the past 12 months, wolf attacks on livestock have increased. According to the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there have been 62 livestock depredation incidents in 2025 — 45 killed and 17 confirmed harassments — all of which are either livestock or pets. That’s nearly double the number of incidents reported just three years ago.

According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau : “Wisconsin’s wolf population has rebounded from extinction to an undeniable conservation success. But lately, it feels more like a horror story than a success story.”

Read more about how ranchers say they are willing to deal with wolves if they will return to their natural habitat:
Wolves Are Not Going Away: Ranchers Push for Practical Management Tools

(Paul Roen)

Financial Loss is Real

Herd-level effects beyond death loss include lower conception rates, 50 lb. to 75 lb. weaning weight declines and cow herd fear. Wolves have changed cattle behavior significantly.

Fitzpatrick says the presence of wolves has caused observable stress and aggression in the cattle, leading to behavioral changes, abortions and decreased weaning weights.

“Wolves actively harass resting cattle, preventing them from relaxing or thriving,” she says.

Morgan says herd experience more vulnerability during calving season. He points out calves and protective dams are high-risk with wolf attacks leading to increasing accidental calf deaths and stress-related herd disruptions.

Research by Tina Saitone, a University of California-Davis professor and cooperative Extension specialist in livestock and rangeland economics, found one wolf can cause up to $162,000 in annual financial loss .

Compensation is Available But Falls Short

Compensation frameworks exist but often lack speed and scope and require confirmations that are often unfeasible. Morgan says there’s not even close to enough funds in the pool to cover all the losses.

“There is money appropriated in California, but we’re just having a hard time getting it,” Roberti adds. “Most have been waiting since April.”

All four producers say depredations are significantly undercounted compared with real losses due to terrain, investigation lags and evidence requirements. A shared frustration is the fact if an animal is nearly completely consumed, the investigators can’t find the evidence it was a wolf attack and thus, it does not count as a wolf depredation.

Emotional Toll is Substantial

For cattle producers impacted by wolves, it’s more than the financial toll; it’s the human factor, the stress incurred.

“Financial-wise, it’s huge. It’s astronomical, if you really dig into it, but the mental capacity it takes from us and the people who work for us is huge,” Morgan says. “The emotional toll we have to go through just watching and observing cattle, and we spend every day we possibly can trying to keep these animals alive.

“There’s nothing pretty about the way [wolves] kill animals,” he continues. “For us to go out and find them or have to deal with that, it’s huge emotionally.”

Fitzpatrick explains the losses due to wolves have deeply affected her dad.

“My dad is 81 years old, and I have never seen him so depressed,” she explains. “He’s not the same; he’s lost the fight. It’s like we’ve lost. How do you put a price tag on that?”

Dealing with wolves it is a safety issue as well, Roberti adds. As producers stay up all night checking on and protecting their cattle. Fitzpatrick agrees, summarizing the stressful steps she takes to check cattle, noting she now avoids certain tasks due to the increased risks to herself and her dogs.

Documenting the events in Sierra County, Roen says he hopes their experiences can be used as a road map for others. He plans to share plans, forms and training materials with ranchers facing similar threats.

“We created different plans and trainings we will allow everybody to plagiarize,” he says.

Your Next Read:
Wolves Are Not Going Away: Ranchers Push for Practical Management Tools

The Cost of Coexistence With Wolves

As Grocery Prices Rise, Shoppers Change Their Habits

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 12:34:29 GMT

Consumers are changing how they shop as grocery prices continue to climb. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food-at-home prices rose 2.7% in 2025 compared to last year, with beef up nearly 14%, pork up about 1% and fresh produce increasing nearly 3% in late summer.

Amid that pressure, new data from Algolia’s consumer survey shows 73% of U.S. shoppers are stressed about grocery bills this year, and it’s influencing what lands in their carts. Nearly 40% have tried private-label products for the first time, seeking lower prices and better value.

“We’re seeing a huge lift in store brand customers,” says Nate Barad, vice president of product marketing for Algolia. “Customers may have been hesitant before, but both the quality of the store brands and the deals have come up. It’s become a win-win situation.”

Algolia’s survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, both in-store and online shoppers, found that 60% participate in grocery loyalty programs, and 70% enjoy using grocery app games or ‘adventures’ that offer discounts or new product trials. Nearly half (46%) said they want personalized deal recommendations based on their carts or past purchases.

Barad says these findings align with what Algolia sees from retailers using its AI-powered search and personalization tools.

How Fresh Fits Into the New Grocery Equation

While some analysts suggest shoppers are trading fresh for frozen, Barad says Algolia’s data shows something different: Consumers are rethinking how they plan meals and use ingredients, not necessarily abandoning fresh food.

“We haven’t seen a spike in frozen versus fresh,” he says. “What we’re seeing is how people come about it. They’re looking to use the same ingredients multiple times — like making chicken Parmesan pasta one day and a chicken Caesar salad the next. It’s about meal planning and stretching ingredients.”

This shift toward intentional meal planning means fresh produce remains a key component of shoppers’ baskets, but AI and search tools are changing how consumers discover what’s available and affordable.

“In produce, inventory is now part of the search,” Barad says. “Retailers are using product freshness, shelf life and inventory data to influence what shows up first when consumers search for items like tomatoes or romaine. The AI can prioritize produce that needs to move now, which helps reduce waste and improve margins while still meeting consumer demand.”

The ability to surface nearby, in-stock and discounted produce options also helps grocers manage tight margins while keeping “fresh” accessible to price-conscious customers, Barad says.

Tech-Driven Grocery Shopping

According to the Algolia survey, shoppers view AI as a means to assist them in their grocery hauls and inspire them to create healthy meals. Specifically, consumers are eager to leverage AI agents for the following use cases:

Real-time alerts about restocked items (58%).
Suggest foods/meals based on dietary needs (56%).
Organizing meal prep (51%).

Algolia’s AI-driven “virtual shelving” feature, which builds a personalized shelf view from a shopper’s list, has been especially popular, Barad says. Shoppers can upload a handwritten or voice-generated grocery list, and the AI populates comparable items by price, availability and brand.

“You can see all the romaine, all the pasta, all the chicken and all the cheeses,” Barad says. “From there, you decide if you want the organic chicken or the store-brand version. The AI helps you do more with less, finding the best cost on the products you actually want.”

He notes that while many consumers are cautious about AI (with 50% of survey respondents saying they don’t fully trust AI agents to shop for them), most see its potential for convenience and savings. Nearly 60% believe AI will make grocery shopping easier, and 56% are interested in AI tools that suggest foods or meals based on dietary needs.

Fresh Meat, Dairy and Repeat Buys

Although the survey didn’t break down results by protein or dairy category, Barad says Algolia’s retail data shows repeatable staples, such as milk, ground beef, lettuce and cheese, are key drivers of online cart growth.

According to the Algolia survey, nearly half of consumers (46%) want grocery retailers to offer deal recommendations tailored to their current cart or past purchases. This number rises to 51% for millennials and 52% for Gen X.

“When those essentials are automated, when shoppers don’t have to manually add things like hamburger or milk each week, we see up to a 50% lift in average order value,” Barad says.

He adds that for many retailers, securing those repeat fresh-item purchases is the key to building long-term loyalty.

Consumers’ growing comfort with AI-assisted shopping, combined with their stress over grocery bills, is accelerating a new kind of grocery economy: one where affordability, personalization and freshness converge.

Grocery / Fresh Price Trend Data, 2025

Overall groceries (food at home)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the food at home index (grocery store purchases) rose 2.7% over the 12 months ending August 2025.
More broadly, food (all food including home + away) increased ~3.2% year over year as of the same period.

Produce (fruits & vegetables / fresh produce)

The BLS index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.3% year over year in September 2025.
Earlier, for the 12 months ending August 2025, the fruits and vegetables index rose 1.9%.
On the retail side, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) reported that in the first six months of 2025, retail prices for fresh vegetables fell about 2% compared to a year earlier.

Meat (beef, overall meats and poultry)

For the broader category “meats, poultry, fish, and eggs,” the BLS reports a +5.2% year-over-year increase in September 2025.
Beef and veal retail prices rose 2.7% from July 2025 to August 2025, and were 13.9% higher in August 2025 than in August 2024.
Also, herd supply remains tight, which contributed to upward pressure on cattle/beef supply.

Dairy

The BLS reports dairy and related products’ prices at grocery stores were up 0.7% year over year in September 2025.
In August 2025, the dairy and related products index rose about 1.3% over the prior 12-month period.

USDA Announces Plan to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:39:11 GMT

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan that will expand the support available for rural veterinarians.

“Rural veterinarians are vital for the agricultural economy in the United States. Our farmers and ranchers rely on these critical services to prevent the transmission of animal disease, protect our food supply and support America’s rural economy,” said Rollins during a press conference at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “As the number of rural food animal veterinarians continues to decline, USDA is putting farmers first to ensure we build back our first line of defense in our animal food production system – the rural veterinarian.”

The plan aims to support veterinarians and protect livestock across rural communities by:

expanding grants and financial assistance
streamlining loan applications
investing in economic research to guide solutions
making federal service more attractive to veterinarians
recruiting more students from rural America into veterinary schools

Great to be in Starkville with @SenHydeSmith at @msstate’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rural food animal veterinarians are essential to livestock health, disease prevention, and the strength of our rural economy, but their numbers are declining.

That’s why I’m announcing… pic.twitter.com/LUHwqviSQt
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) August 28, 2025

Veterinarian Shortage

According to the AVMA , the number of companion animal veterinarians has increased by 22% over the past decade; however, the number of mixed animal and food animal veterinarians has decreased by 15%. Meanwhile, the national cattle inventory was only down 2.5 million head, or approximately 1%, in January 2025 compared with January 2015, as reported by the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service . USDA has designated at least one rural area in nearly every state as having unmet veterinary needs.

Recent efforts to increase the number of rural veterinarians have included state and federal repayment programs, as well as program development at veterinary colleges to attract students. While these programs have been generally successful, they were not intended to comprehensively address the lack of veterinarians in rural areas.

Plan Details

The Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan encompasses five actions to address the challenge of the growing veterinarian shortage.

Enhance and streamline veterinary grant programs. The USDA will be making changes to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program to streamline applications and increase funding.
Analyze rural veterinary shortages to better understand the need. For improved Federal and State policy decisions, data on the scope of the rural veterinary shortage will be collected and analyzed by the USDA Economic Research Service.
Recruit and retain USDA veterinarians. The USDA will explore special pay rates, increased tuition reimbursements, and recruitments bonuses for federal veterinarians. They hope to make Federal service more attractive and create a direct pipeline into public service for veterinarians.
Catalog federal resources available to veterinarians for starting a practice. As opening a veterinary clinic in a rural area can be cost prohibitive, the USDA will catalog relevant programs (including rural development programs) to better inform veterinary schools and graduates.
Work with and listen to stakeholders, including veterinary schools, to understand the barriers to entry and increase recruitment from rural areas. Very few veterinary students come from rural backgrounds or express interest in production animal practice. Next month, the USDA will hold listening sessions with stakeholders to determine what additional actions can be taken to stimulate interest in rural veterinary practice.

Through this action plan, USDA hopes to address the rural veterinarian shortage, thus strengthening the ability to deal with animal health threats, foodborne illnesses and complex trade barriers as well as protecting the safety of the U.S. food supply chain.

Heifer Economics: Calculating Replacement Costs in Today's Market

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:51:07 GMT

As beef producers consider expansion, key expenses to consider are the cost of buying versus the price of developing your own replacements.

Oklahoma State University’s Mark Z. Johnson says there is evidence of an increase in heifer retention with improved drought conditions across much of the Central Plains and summer video auctions reporting a smaller percentage of heifer calves.

“Retention does not appear to be aggressive,” says Johnson, Extension beef cattle specialist, in a recent Cow-Calf Corner newsletter. “With the calf market on pace for another year of record prices providing incentive, herd rebuilding remains sluggish compared to past cycles.”

Lingering drought continues to limit forage availability in key regions while high interest rates and the substantial capital required to develop or purchase bred females further suppresses expansion. Many producers also remain wary of a repeat of the post-2014 market correction, adding a layer of caution to long-term decision-making.

“Even with bred female values at record highs, relative to calf prices, breds may still be undervalued, a sign of producer hesitation rather than a lack of economic feasibility,” Johnson explains.

He says an excellent metric to consider when purchasing bred heifers is the number of calves it takes to pay for the purchase. CattleFax recently reported in 2025 that figure is projected to average just 2.75 calves, well below the long-term average of 4.5 and far beneath the 2015 peak of 9 calves.

“This ratio is likely to rise over time, driven by higher bred female prices, moderating calf values, or a combination of both,” he explains. “If feed resources allow, this dynamic suggests that adding females to the herd today may be the best time from a breakeven perspective to expand.”

(CattleFax)

Keeping Replacements vs. Buying Bred Heifers

Johnson stresses replacement heifers are expensive; not only with respect to dollars invested but also the expenditure of time and labor involved.

“Recent market reports indicate 550-lb. weaned heifer calves selling for well more than $2,000 per head. Those heifers calves are still two years away from weaning their first calf if all goes according to plan,” he explains. “Accordingly, operations looking to add inventory may find a better option of purchasing bred heifers in the current market.”

What Should Bred Heifers Be Worth?

Johnson says assuming weaned calves remain at a value of $2,000 to $2,500 per head over the next few years, your annual cost of running a cow will largely determine what you should invest in a bred heifer.

“The annual cost of maintaining a beef cow is highly variable and has increased tremendously over the past five years,” he explains. “Variable costs such as fuel, fertilizer and herbicides have been blamed as the primary culprits; however, fixed costs such as equipment, hired labor and land have increased as well.”

Total economic costs associated with U.S. cow-calf production for 2018 were estimated to range from $910 per cow for operations with 500 or more cows to $2,099 per cow for operations with 20 to 49 cows.

“These results show significant economies of scale, with costs per cow declining with increased herd size,” Johnson says.

Kansas Farm Management Association estimates the annual cost of running a cow to be approximately $1,551 according to data collected in 2024.

Johnson says it is noteworthy that pasture and feed only account for $684 of that total. Visit AgManager.info for a detailed breakdown of the other actual expenses.

Market fundamentals are strong for a continued robust cattle market until cow inventories start to climb.

“There is currently not much indication of that happening anytime soon,” Johnson summarizes. “That being said, what bred heifers are worth to your operation, and how many calves a female needs to raise in order recapture your initial purchase price, will depend on how much profit she nets each year per calf rather than on the gross value of each calf she produces.”

Emergency Use of Animal Drugs Approved to Combat New World Screwworm

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:08:11 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a declaration on Aug. 19 allowing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World screwworm (NWS).

This declaration applies only to drugs for animals. NWS infests warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans, causing severe tissue damage and sometimes death. The risk to human health in the U.S. remains very low, but the potential future threat to animal populations and the food supply chain requires proactive action.

Although eradicated from North America and Central America decades ago, NWS has progressed north since 2022 and is now approaching the U.S. border with Mexico. This parasite poses an emerging threat to livestock and food security, with potential impacts on both national security and animal health.

“Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nation’s food supply from this emerging threat,” says HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of New World Screwworm, and protect America’s livestock.”

Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for NWS in the U.S. The FDA through an EUA can authorize the flexible, faster use of certain animal drug products that may be approved for other purposes, or available in other countries, but not formally approved for NWS in the U.S. This ensures veterinarians, farmers, and animal health officials have timely access to the tools they need to protect pets, livestock and the nation’s food supply.

“Thank you to my friends and partners Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary who are answering the call and supporting our aggressive plan to push back and ultimately defeat this devastating pest. This emergency use authorization is another tool we can use in the fight against New World Screwworm,” says Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Our cattle ranchers and livestock producers are relying on the Trump Administration to defend their livelihoods. Stopping this pest is a national security priority and we are linking arms across President Trump’s cabinet to defend our borders and push back this threat.”

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., adds, “Our priority is to safeguard both animal health and the nation’s food supply. FDA is acting swiftly and responsibly to help ensure we have the necessary tools to prevent and control New World Screwworm, minimizing risks to agriculture and public health.”

FDA will provide future guidance to veterinarians and stakeholders on the appropriate use of any products authorized for emergency use and update the New World Screwworm: Information for Veterinarians page.

Eight Components of a Strong Preconditioning Program

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:13:31 GMT

Many spring-calving producers are thinking about weaning and marketing this year’s calf crop.

“In preparation for weaning and marketing, many producers do some level of preconditioning to add value and prepare calves for the next stages of life,” says Chris Clark, Iowa State University Extension and outreach beef specialist.

In a recent press release Clark describes preconditioning strategies and explains why it is valuable.

He says there is not a solid, consistent definition for preconditioning and the meaning of the term can differ person to person, regionally and among various programs.

Clark says this definition summarizes his perspective on the meaning and importance of preconditioning: “Preconditioning is a set of practices and procedures applied to prepare cattle for the next phase of production. Weaning and marketing involve many potential stressors that can negatively affect beef calves: separation from dam, new environment, diet change and new social dynamics, just to name a few. The idea of preconditioning is to prepare cattle, minimize those stressors, support health and performance, and ultimately, help cattle reach their genetic potential.”

He adds specific precondition practices often include castration, dehorning, vaccination, adaptation to new feeds and bunk breaking.

Although most preconditioning practices are associated with weaning, some of these things can actually be done well ahead of time, even in the neonatal period of a calf’s life.

“Well-preconditioned cattle are the culmination of a holistic management program that starts when calves are born and arguably even while they are in utero,” he says.

Clark shares these eight components of a strong preconditioning program:

Castration and dehorning procedures should be done as early as possible with appropriate anesthesia and analgesia to minimize pain and distress.
“Castration and dehorning surgeries should generally be performed within the first two to three months of life,” he says. “Dehorning should be done through genetic selection or through disbudding calves before the horns become well established.”
If these procedures have not yet been done, talk to your veterinarian about the best timing and technique. Open wounds can be a problem in the summer because of fly pressure, so it is worth some thought and discussion about how to best proceed at this time of year.
Vaccination to establish immunity prior to the stress of weaning and marketing.
Stress associated with weaning and marketing can cause immunosuppression, making animals more susceptible to respiratory disease and other infections. Preweaning vaccines help ensure protective antibodies are on board at weaning, which can help prevent and reduce the severity of disease.
“Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the products and vaccine schedules that make the most sense for your operation,” he says.
Deworming to reduce internal and external parasite load can help promote animal health and performance.
Cattle commonly consume infective nematode larvae while grazing, so strategic deworming as they are coming off of pasture into drylot or feedyard settings can make a lot of sense.
Implanting with growth-promoting hormone implants is very much an optional part of a preconditioning program.
Implants improve performance and feed efficiency and can improve profitability when cattle are retained long enough to take advantage of these improvements.
“In a strong cattle market where each pound of gain has great value, implanting may be worth considering,” he says. “Keep in mind the new FDA guidance and emphasis on not reimplanting within a phase of production unless the implant product is specifically labeled for reimplantation.”
He explains with this recent development, some buyers might prefer cattle that have not been implanted, so it may be worth thinking through the value of enhanced performance versus buyer preferences and demand at market.
Adapt cattle to feed like what will be fed after weaning.
“Creep feeding consistently increases weaning weight but may or may not be profitable depending on the cost versus value of gain,” Clark explains. “In the current market with significant value for every pound of gain, creep feeding may be worth considering.”
Even when not obviously profitable, creep feeding or some kind of supplementation can help calves adapt to new feeds and feeding systems. This should support a smoother transition throughout weaning.
Postweaning feeding programs should be well-balanced to support health and growth but modest enough to prevent foot and rumen issues and over-conditioning of animals.
“Buyers generally like cattle to be relatively ‘green,’ meaning they prefer to buy cattle that are not overly fat,” he adds.
Weaning is considered by some to be an integral part of the preconditioning process.
In fact, in some sponsored preconditioning programs, cattle are not truly preconditioned if not weaned for 45 to 60 days. Weaning allows producers to start cattle on feed, adapt them to the next phase of production, and treat any illnesses that might occur.
Consider low-stress weaning strategies such as two-step weaning, fence-line weaning, pasture weaning, etc., and think ahead about what might work for you. Weaned cattle should be past some of the most stressful and high-risk times and ready to enter the next phase of production.
Strive for excellence in the basics of animal husbandry.
Shelter, shade, bedding, water, feed and low-stress handling are all components of good animal care, and the most well-preconditioned animals are those that have been well taken care of from conception to marketing.
Daily care and record keeping are key components of preconditioning.
Create a plan for performing and keeping records of daily care, and develop a record-keeping system for treatment and feed records.
“Plan to check cattle daily throughout the weaning phase to look for signs of illness, develop a working relationship with a veterinarian and establish a treatment plan in case of illness,” Clark says.
Review recommended biosecurity protocols and implement as appropriate to protect the health of your calf crop. Prepare records that can be shared with buyers so they understand how cattle have been cared for, what products have been administered and what procedures have been done.

Clark summarizes preconditioning does several things. First, it enhances animal health, well-being and performance, and increases the odds that cattle will perform to their genetic potential. Additionally, preconditioning minimizes risk.

“In the current record-breaking cattle market, cattle are more valuable than ever, and with great value comes great risk,” he says. “Every illness, every mortality, every bout of weight loss and shrink hurts that much more than it would in a weaker market.”

Preconditioning can help manage that risk and improve the likelihood of success for producers in all phases of production. Consider preconditioning to optimize cattle health and performance and promote the success of buyers of your cattle.

Check out other calf weaning stories.

Tick Riders Join the Fight Against New World Screwworm Threat

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:53:22 GMT

With the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, the Tick Riders, a dedicated group of mounted patrol inspectors, will have a new job to tackle.

The Tick Riders have been patrolling the southern U.S. border for more than 100 years. Their mission has been protecting U.S. cattle from the cattle fever tick, a troublesome parasite that causes severe blood loss, weakness and can transmit deadly diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis.

The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP), established in 1906, uses modern tools like chemical treatments, anti-tick vaccines and injectable medications to manage the threat, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) explains in a release.

A Line of Defense
Because Mexico continues to report cases of babesiosis, the Permanent Quarantine Zone (PQZ)—stretching from Brownsville to Del Rio, Texas—remains a critical line of defense. Within this zone, Tick Riders monitor for stray livestock crossing the border that may carry these dangerous ticks.

Cattle fever ticks carry bovine babesiosis, which is severe and often fatal.

(USDA)

To help prevent NWS, CFTEP has launched a preventive treatment protocol for all cattle and horses apprehended along the PQZ. Under the new protocol, CFTEP staff will apply NWS-preventative treatments to captured animals.

“These treatments are safe for animals and the environment. They do not replace APHIS’ routine inspections for cattle fever ticks,” APHIS explains.

However, to defend the U.S. from mounting threats of NWS, APHIS is employing these additional measures.

Don’t Accept Unusual
The NWS fly lays eggs and larvae in open wounds of warm-blooded animals,” says Russ Daly, Extension veterinarian for South Dakota State University. “NWS’s function is similar (but different) to a maggot. Domestic blow flies lay their eggs on dead tissue. The resulting maggots feed on the dead tissue. The difference with NWS is it lays its eggs on living tissue and will feed on living tissue.”

(USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

NWS is endemic in parts of the Caribbean and South America and has recently spread as far north as southern Mexico.

“As Tick Riders take on this new challenge, they continue to exemplify APHIS’ commitment to protecting U.S. agriculture,” APHIS reports. “Their work helps ensure that farmers, ranchers and producers can keep feeding, fueling and clothing America.”

Daly challenges livestock producers to pay attention to unusual situations. If you have an animal that suddenly has a lot of necrotic tissue that fly larvae (maggots) are trying to clean up, Daly says that’s a sign producers need to take seriously.

“NWS does respond to some insecticides that we would use for show pigs or horses during the summer to keep the flies off,” Daly adds. “But in order to get that animal healed up, the larvae have to be flushed out and removed by a veterinarian. These infestations can lead to secondary infections to worry about. And, if the infestation has gone deep enough, there could be severe muscle damage or damage to other organs that are beyond help.”

Treatment products need to be considered, adds Lisa Becton, assistant director of SHIC. Because of this, wound care is key during NWS infestation.

“If you have animals that have sores, it’s very important to treat that wound,” Becton says. “You may or may not be able to use a sealant, whether that’s iodine or antibacterial. Wound care is very important to help get a wound healing fast, even if you also have to use antimicrobials for an animal to help prevent other infection.”

Learn more:
Protect Your Livestock: Signs of New World Screwworm

Taking Stock For Disasters: Developing A Large Animal Preparedness Plan

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:27:24 GMT

When a disaster is on the horizon, timely evacuation can become that much more challenging for owners whose horses and livestock can’t simply squeeze into the back seat. These animals often depend entirely on their owners to shield them from the elements within their pasture, so having a proper plan in place is vital for their safety.

Kyle Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, offers insight into disaster risks and preparedness methods for large animal owners.

The Threat Of Wind, Water And Wildfires

Natural disasters that can impact horses and livestock include seasonal concerns like extreme summer heat and winter ice as well as sudden events like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.

Any storm with strong winds brings the threat of flying debris.

“When airborne, this debris can cause traumatic injuries — such as lacerations and puncture wounds — to horses and livestock,” Johnson says. “These high winds can also cause barns, shelters, and other structures to collapse.”

Flooding brought on by a storm’s heavy rain is another major threat for large animals exposed to the elements.

“If an animal is forced to stand in floodwaters because it is confined to a stall or a flooded pasture, it can suffer from a variety of injuries, including severe dermatitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal or neurological disease — collectively known as submersion injury,” Johnson says. “Floodwater can also be heavily contaminated with a variety of substances, such as petroleum products, agricultural and industrial chemicals, pesticides and bacterial organisms like E. coli.”

Completing nature’s triple threat against horses and livestock is the potential harm brought by wildfires.

“When these animals inhale the smoke from wildfires, it can cause irritation of their eyes and lungs,” Johnson says. “Animals may cough, have increased respiratory rates and nasal discharge. Fires can also destroy or contaminate any available forage for grazing animals. In these cases, animals will either need to be moved or high-quality forage will need to be delivered to them.

“At times like these, proper animal identification is critical, as it makes returning these animals to their owners and pastures much easier after flood waters have receded and fires have been extinguished.”

Methods of large animal identification include:

Microchipping
Ear tags
Plastic neck bands
Branding
Tattoos

Thinking Ahead

Simply deciding to evacuate your horses or livestock isn’t enough. Having a safe place to go is also a vital part of your plan. Furthermore, knowing how to get there and having alternate routes can also be critical to an effective evacuation.

“A vital first step in any evacuation is the ability to quickly and safely load your horses into a horse trailer,” Johnson says. “Practice makes perfect so practicing loading your horse can be helpful so when you must leave. It’s also important to ensure that the trailer is regularly maintained.”

A plan is merely an idea unless it is written down. Copies should be made and stored both on-farm and in alternate, but known and accessible, locations. It should also be rehearsed, even if only briefly, and everyone should have a thorough understanding of the plan and know their role.

Emergency Kit Preparation

Companion animal owners are encouraged to plan ahead in the event that an evacuation might be needed by creating an emergency “go kit” of necessities for their pets; having the same kind of kit in the event that you need to evacuate large animals will make that process easier as well.

An emergency kit for large animals should contain enough supplies to last at least 72 hours, and possibly up to two weeks.

“Water is arguably the most important part of an emergency kit,” Johnson says. “An adult horse needs roughly six to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. As such, a kit should include at least three days’ worth of water per horse, with enough feed to last one to two weeks.”

Additional emergency kit materials include:

Registry paperwork
Copies of medical records
First-aid supplies
Identifying photographs
Feed and water buckets
Extra halters and lead ropes
Cleaning supplies
Medications

Pre- And Post-Disaster Resources

Before a disaster strikes, an owner’s best preparation resource is their regular veterinarian, who can provide copies of important documents and ensure that horses are properly vaccinated and in good health.

“It is important for horse owners to know their neighbors or, if the horse is kept in a boarding barn, the barn manager and other boarders at the facility,” Johnson says. “These relationships can promote mutual aid when disaster strikes.”

There are also a variety of resources available for members of the public to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about disasters that may impact their area, including automated emergency alert systems in the form of texts, emails or apps.

Knowing how weather may affect your property and having a plan in place are the best ways to protect your horses and your herds and to stay ahead of the chaos.

“As Dr. Deb Zoran, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, says, ‘hope is not a plan.’ Owners should plan for disaster, discuss their plan with others, prepare their emergency kits, and be ready to act,” Johnson says. “With disasters becoming more frequent and catastrophic, it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Theileria and the Asian Longhorned Tick: What Beef Producers Need to Know

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:05:50 GMT

The Asian longhorned tick (ALHT) poses a serious threat to cattle health. ALHTs carry Theileria, which is a protozoan parasite that infects red and white blood cells. It can lead to anemia and, in some cases, death.

In the U.S., ALHT was first detected in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, it has spread to more than 20 states. With the recent discovery of ALHT in southeast Iowa , the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association hosted a webinar lead by Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, who explained the tick and pathogen background, its potential impacts, best practices for prevention, as well as caring and treatment strategies.

“This was always a when, not an if,” Olds explains. “You did absolutely nothing wrong. If you have the tick or the pathogen, this was an inevitable thing.”

What We Know about ALHT and Theileria

Biologically, the ALHT is a three-host tick, meaning each life stage — larva, nymph and adult — feeds on a different host. Olds says unlike other tick species, it can reproduce asexually, with all adult ticks being females capable of laying eggs without mating. This characteristic allows for rapid population growth, as a single tick can potentially establish an entire population.

Once an animal is infected with Theileria, it becomes a chronic carrier for life, with the potential to relapse during high-stress periods. The pathogen replicates in red blood cells, causing anemia and a range of symptoms including loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and respiratory issues.

Olds says while the first year of exposure can be challenging, long-term production impacts are typically minimal. The key is to approach the situation with knowledge, preparedness and a calm, strategic mindset.

She stresses that just because a cow herd does not have the symptoms doesn’t mean it doesn’t have Theileria. It just means that if an animal was infected, it didn’t develop the disease.

She reports mortality rates due to Theileria range from 5% to 20%. With the highest mortality when pathogen is first introduced — the outbreak. An animal can have a relapse of disease, often during high stress or immune compromising events.

She explains the high-risk animals are young (under 6 months), pregnant animals, stressed animals and any naïve animal moving into an area with previous outbreaks.

Best Practices for Prevention

Olds notes the pathogen can spread through tick bites and through shared veterinary needles. She says her team is currently researching the role of biting flies in transmission.

She stresses the importance of maintaining animal health and reducing stress to prevent disease outbreaks.

“Keep animals happy and healthy. Stress does weird things to immune responses,” she adds.

According to Olds these strategies can help control AHLT:

Burning pastures
Keeping grass short
Careful use of insecticides
Pasture rotation
Ear tags and pour-ons

(Data: Oklahoma State University; Tick Photo: J.A. Cammack)

Real-World Experience

Veterinarians John Currin and Austin Williams share their firsthand experiences with ALHT and Theileria.

Currin serves as associate professor and production management medicine with the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He says in his area more than 90% of the herds are infected and many don’t know they’re infected.

“The tick epidemiology is — I’ll use a scientific term — weird,” he says.

He explains as the disease became endemic in Virginia, its clinical presentation changed. While it initially affected adult pregnant cows, it now more commonly impacts 2-month-old calves in spring calving herds.

“There is no in utero spread of this organism, so every calf starts naïve,” Currin says.

Approximately 80% of calves in infected herds become positive by 3 months of age, though most do not show severe clinical signs.

He adds contrary to initial concerns the Theileria appears to have minimal impact on cattle in a feedlot. Currin says research found no significant differences in weight gain between negative and positive cattle.

He stresses the primary concern is for cow-calf operations bringing naive animals into infected areas.

Currin shares these key points about Theileria:

99% of herds will experience minimal problems
Most infected animals show no significant clinical signs
The disease primarily causes anemia
There’s no direct treatment available
Positive tests are now almost meaningless in endemic areas

Williams serves producers in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri.

“I think it’s been here longer than we recognize and it’s more widespread than what we realize it too,” he says. “I would say some states have it that don’t know they have it.”

In Williams’ area he has seen the tick infestation become widespread. The key challenges he’s witnessed is the difficulty of managing the tick population and the potential for secondary health issues in infected cattle.

He recommends individual herd management strategies, including regular checks, treatment plans and potentially moving infected herds to different pastures.

Treatment Strategies

There are currently no labeled treatments for the disease or a definitive cure. Typically, treatment focuses on secondary issues and providing basic care.

Avoid mass injecting ivermectin, as it can cause resistance and harm beneficial insects like dung beetles.

“Please don’t just mass inject everybody with ivermectin because you’re worried about the Asian longhorned tick,” Olds says.

Vaccine Developed

Medgene has developed a tick vaccine that is designed to work on multiple tick species, including ALHT. Veterinarians can purchase directly from Medgene. The vaccine requires two initial doses, followed by yearly booster shots.

Williams says he’s had clients use the vaccine this year, and he’s hopeful about the vaccine’s potential and is waiting for more research from the University of Arkansas to provide concrete data on its effectiveness.

Gary Bosch, Medgene executive vice president, says animals should be vaccinated before they encounter ticks.

“In the Southern U.S. where ticks are a year-round problem, early vaccination is especially crucial because the Asian longhorned tick can overwhelm an animal very quickly,” he says.

Industry Impacts

Olds says the goal is to achieve “endemic stability” — when most animals are exposed early and develop lifelong immunity with minimal disease symptoms.

She emphasizes the need to remove the stigma associated with the tick or pathogen presence, noting that infection is an inevitable part of agricultural reality. Producers should focus on proactive testing, management and community support.

To prepare for and to deal with Theileria, Olds recommends producers:

Establish a good relationship with a veterinarian
Conduct regular herd testing
Maintain low-stress environments
Implement careful tick control measures
Share information and support each other as a community

Her final advice is to be vigilant but not panicked.

“Producers should view the Asian longhorned tick as a manageable challenge rather than a catastrophic threat,” she summarizes. “By working together, maintaining animal health and implementing smart management strategies, the agricultural community can effectively navigate this emerging issue.”

Your Next Read: Beef Producers Be Aware: Dangerous Asian Longhorned Tick Continues Migrating West

Could EPA Decision Signal The Beginning Of The End For DEF?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:25:52 GMT

Mike Berdo has strong words to describe his ongoing experiences using machinery requiring DEF ( Diesel Exhaust Fluid ) on his southeast Iowa farm.

“It has been an absolute nightmare, at least for us. Mechanics make trip after trip to do little stuff that’s very expensive to fix,” said Berdo, who produces grain and beef cattle near Washington. “We had planting delays last spring … little stuff that came from it and just seemed like [an issue to deal with] day after day.”

The ongoing mechanical issues and costs are why Berdo said he is “all for” EPA rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding. The Finding has enabled the agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act and, in recent years, and launch requirements such as the use of DEF systems in diesel-powered engines.

EPA Draws A Line In The Sand
On Tuesday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin released a proposal to rescind the 2009 Finding.

If finalized, the proposal would remove all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines, EPA said in a follow-up press release .

The move would start with EPA’s first greenhouse gas standard set in 2010 for light-duty vehicles and those set in 2011 for medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and engines.

EPA said the proposal is expected to “save Americans $54 billion in costs annually through the repeal of all greenhouse gas standards, including the Biden EPA’s electric vehicle mandate, under conservative economic forecasts.”

Zeldin made the announcement to rescind the Finding in Indiana, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and called it the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.

What The Decision Could Mean To Farmers
Specific to U.S. farmers, the proposal could potentially result in DEF systems no longer being included on new tractors and other heavy equipment using diesel-powered engines, said Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk, during a Farmer Forum discussion on Wednesday.

South Dakota farmer Ryan Wagner told Flory he has a wait-and-see perspective on how or whether the EPA proposal goes into effect. He anticipates that reversing the Finding will take considerable time and effort for EPA to implement.

“It took a long time with the interim engines and things to get into full DEF in the first place,” Wagner said. “I don’t know how long it would take to unwind all that and how quickly manufacturing will just take those systems right off, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.”

To Wagner’s point, here’s a brief look back at some timing showing when DEF rolled out in agriculture and nonroad equipment and became mandatory . The regulations were phased in over several years based on the type of equipment and engine size:

2008: DEF became required for all new diesel engines with engine sizes over 750 horsepower.

2011: the regulations expanded to include equipment with engine sizes between 175-750 horsepower.

By 2015, all new nonroad diesel engines were required to be Tier 4 compliant and utilize DEF, regardless of equipment type or engine size.

As Wagner considers DEF, he noted its use in diesel engines has provided him with one benefit: “On the plus side, I do like that they don’t make the walls of my shop black. That’s been nice,” he said. “You can run them inside for a short time and not not feel like you’re breathing in a bunch of soot and making everything black.”

Expect Legal Challenges To EPA Decision
A number of environmental groups have already blasted the move by EPA, saying it spells the end of the road for U.S. action against climate change, according to an online article by Reuters .

Legal challenges from various environmental groups, states and lawyers are likely ahead.

That fact wasn’t lost on Flory and the Farmer Forum participants during the AgriTalk discussion on Wednesday.

“If this proposal is finalized, it’s going to start a lot of conversations … and the dominoes are going to start to fall, something that we need to keep track of, no doubt,” Flory said. You can hear the complete Farmer Forum discussion on AgriTalk here:

EPA will initiate a public comment period to solicit input. Further information on the public comment process and instructions for participation will be published in the Federal Register and on the EPA website .

Your next read: Right To Repair Granted? John Deere Launches Digital Self-Repair Tool for $195 Per Tractor

What Americans Won’t Give Up in 2025: Spending Priorities Revealed

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:05:38 GMT

In the face of persistent inflation and tighter household budgets, Americans are making it clear where they refuse to cut corners.

According to a SensaPay study that analyzed spending behavior, inflation data and consumer sentiment, fresh produce emerged as the top-ranked category in consumer resilience. Meat and dairy tied for the second spot.

The study outlines what Americans are valuing most and why, and the findings reflect a cultural shift in what Americans now see as worth preserving, despite cost.

SensaPay shows that fresh produce tops its 2025 “spending-resilience” ranking with a score of 34.7. Households are purchasing fruit and vegetables roughly four times a month, and year-on-year inflation has cooled to just 0.9 percent. The big driver, though, is sentiment, says a SensaPay rep: “We see a net-intent reading of +15 points, meaning far more shoppers plan to maintain or raise produce spend than to cut it. As I note in the analysis, when inflation slipped under one percent, intent to keep, or even grow, production spending jumped 12 points almost overnight; price relief shows up first where freshness is most visible.”

Meat and dairy sit close behind with a resilience score of 27.6, the study shows. Consumers are still purchasing protein about four times a month, SensaPay says, but they’re navigating higher inflation roughly seven percent year-over-year by trading cuts and brands rather than trimming volume. Net intent remains a solid +13 points. “Protein inflation hasn’t eased as quickly, but omnichannel promotions let households stretch the category; price sensitivity shows up in switching cuts, not skipping,” the rep says.

Fresh Produce

Regardless of modest inflation at less than 1% year over year, fresh produce tops the list of categories U.S. consumers won’t give up. Its high resilience score is driven by strong purchase intent, frequency of shopping trips and its perceived essentiality in everyday meals, the study shows. As shoppers become more selective, they’re doubling down on foods that deliver both health benefits and value. Fruits and vegetables aren’t just nutritional staples, as they’re increasingly seen as foundational to personal wellness, family meals and cost-effective cooking.

“Produce wins the resilience race because it rides the strongest cultural current of all: America’s healthy-eating movement,” a rep from SensaPay says. “From school lunch norms to TikTok ‘fridge-restock’ videos, fresh fruit and veg have become status markers of well-being. Shoppers tell us, ‘If I’m going to spend more anywhere, it should be on what keeps my family healthy.’ That mind-set—plus sub-1 % inflation—makes produce the one category consumers refuse to trim.”

Retailers and growers alike can take heart: Produce is no longer just a side dish; it’s central to how consumers define health and quality of life in 2025. This prioritization opens the door for creative merchandising, meal-planning partnerships and continued investment in quality, freshness and storytelling around seasonal and local offerings. In a landscape of economic uncertainty, the produce aisle remains one place where shoppers continue to say “yes.”

1 of 4:

Data: SensaPay

2 of 4:

Data: SensaPay

3 of 4:

Data: SensaPay

4 of 4:

Data: SensaPay

Dairy

Despite higher grocery prices, many consumers are not willing to cut back on dairy. A growing nationwide protein craze has been a big push behind this. With more people focusing on health and wellness and embracing the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, dairy has been a natural fit behind this trend, with it being a tasty and convenient source of high-quality protein and nutrition.

In addition, dairy is a staple in many consumers’ favorite meals and recipes. From milk and cheese to yogurt and cottage cheese, its versatility makes it hard to replace in the kitchen. As a familiar ingredient found in everything from casseroles and soups to baked goods and family dishes, it remains a constant item on the shopping list.

Beef and Pork

According to the SensaPay study, consumers are not backing off on purchasing meat and dairy products. Despite inflation, the intent to purchase remains high with a necessity level at 1.

At a recent Idaho Cattle Association meeting, a panel of consumers not involved in the agriculture industry indicated that beef prices were not deterring them from buying beef. They noted the prices of all groceries and goods were up due to inflation.

The pork industry is trying to capitalize on the desire for protein in diets with its new campaign, “ Taste What Pork Can Do ,” which puts the flavor and diversity of using pork products on display.

“It’s really important to remember the U.S. public wants meat protein,” says Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University livestock economist. “There are a lot of signs. We are in a pro protein environment . I don’t think there are issues. I actually think there is a celebration about the taste and the eating experience and so forth for all the major proteins.”

According to a SensaPay study that analyzed spending behavior, inflation data and consumer sentiment, fresh produce emerged as the top-ranked category in consumer resilience, followed by meat and dairy. (Data courtesy of SensaPay)

3 Ways To Help Producers Be Ready If ICE Shows Up At The Farm

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 02:22:46 GMT

Many aspects of U.S. food production have the hands of immigrant labor involved in the process today. That fact is a key reason bovine veterinarians can benefit from considering how to help their beef and dairy clients be prepared if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials show up at farms and other facilities.

“Many of [the] employees are unfortunately undocumented, and farms have been the subject of ICE raids,” says Fred Gingerich, DVM, American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) executive director.

Gingerich addressed the topic and offered some practical recommendations during a recent AABP Have You Herd podcast with program guest Rick Naerebout, executive director of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. The association is a producer owned and governed organization in Idaho, representing dairy farm families throughout the state.

Here are three of the key takeaways from their discussion:

1. Encourage beef and dairy producers to proactively put legal counsel in place that is specific to immigration — has that as a specialty in their practice.

Do this first step as soon as possible, Gingerich and Naerebout encourage.

“…Make sure that you have legal counsel lined up and you have that phone number readily available for anybody that you anticipate that might be that first point of contact with ICE if they show up on the facility,” Naerebout says

2. Establish a chain of command (COC) on the farm that all employees are aware of and know how to articulate to ICE officials.

Coach employees on how to implement the COC.

“…Guys, have a strategy worked out in advance, so you’re not trying to make it up on the fly,” Naerebout advises. “Because everything that has been reported to us in terms of what the experiences have been with ICE coming onto facilities these last few months is that those are very intense situations, and you typically don’t have the luxury of time or convenience on your side.”

Within that strategy, Naerebout recommends coaching employees who are not authorized to speak for the facility to be able to tell ICE officials that and how to reach the owner or key manager.

3. Encourage clients to post signage that clearly delineates between private and public places within facilities and/or on the farm.

Naerebout says such signage can help guide where ICE officials can go, depending on the type of warrant they show up with. He explains there are two common warrants ICE officials might have in-hand when they arrive:

One is an administrative warrant. The other is a judicial warrant:

An administrative warrant is going to come from, typically, the Department of Homeland Security and is not signed by a judge.

“With an administrative warrant, they can only go into public places,” Naerebout says.

As a simple rule of thumb, tell producers to consider wherever a UPS or FedEx driver can go to deliver packages on the farm or facility as a public place. Post signage designating those areas, as such.

A judicial warrant is going to be signed by a state or a federal judge, and that will give ICE authorization to go into private places within your client’s farm or facilities.

Naerebout says understanding the difference between those two warrants, and the access they provide, is a key piece that you need to try and make sure your clients and their employees have a clear understanding of at the onset.

“Again, [if ICE shows up] this is going to happen very rapidly, very aggressively, from what we’ve been shared with, so you want to really coach employees and have a strategy in place beforehand, so it’s somewhat second nature if it does happen on one of your facilities,” he says.

Gingerich asked Naerebout about what are an employer’s and an employee’s rights if they’re questioned by an ICE agent.

“Sit down with your legal counsel and really talk through what those rights are for the employees and the employers to understand, what they can and cannot do, and don’t have to answer,” Naerebout emphasized.

“I will say that the different ICE raids that we’ve seen around the country, and what’s been reported back to us, is typically they are coming in and they’ve got arrest warrants for individuals, and they are arresting those individuals,” he adds.

“In those situations, you have all your same Miranda rights that any of us would have. But again, I would strongly encourage this, talk through these situations with your legal counsel and have a good understanding of who’s going to talk to ICE and what they have to say.”

For more insights that you and livestock producers can use to prepare for a visit from ICE, AABP provided links to the following organizations:

National Immigration Law Center
American Immigration Council
American Immigration Lawyers Association

Your next read: Rural America is Facing a Mounting Labor Crisis

Is It Time to Pull Bulls?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:28:12 GMT

The old rule of subtracting three months and adding seven days to the current date on the calendar is good to remember when deciding if it’s time to pull herd bulls from breeding pastures.

If we pulled bulls on July 14, we could expect calving to potentially last until April 21. Short breeding seasons equate to short calving seasons. Short calving seasons offer the benefit of a more uniform and accordingly more valuable calf crop at weaning.

Short breeding seasons are the goal; however, most breeding seasons fall into a range of 45 to 90 days. There are several factors to consider when making this management decision.

Bull management and proper care can be accomplished more effectively after bulls are removed from cows. Younger bulls that are still growing will benefit by going back into a dry lot management scenario where it is easier to provide supplemental feed and gain back body condition lost during breeding season. This is the equivalent of re-charging a battery to get them on track for the next breeding season. If using multiple bulls in a pasture, it is logical to leave an older bull (or bulls) on the job while pulling out the younger bulls.
When is the date of your latest calf born? Typically, cows need 60 to 75 days post-partum to be prepared to breed back. Two-year-old cows nursing their first calf are typically the greatest rebreeding challenge.
Pregnancy checking can be done sooner when bulls are pulled earlier. Identifying and culling open cows in a timely fashion saves forage and capitalizes on cull cow value now as opposed to lower values moving later into fall.
What is your plan for open cows at pregnancy check? Cull open cows are at record high prices. That being said, a bred cow has more value than an open cow. Do you have a fall calving herd to roll opens into?
If a high percentage of cows return to heat after 40 days of breeding, have bulls rechecked for fertility and cows and bulls examined for reproductive diseases by your veterinarian. Change bulls, if necessary, and re-evaluate the previous year’s nutrition program.

The Cost of Coexistence With Wolves

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:52:24 GMT

Wolves continue to cause ranchers havoc, including significant income loss. Recent research estimates the wolves are causing some impacted ranchers in the Southwest to lose 28% of their income potential.

“While the expansion of gray and Mexican gray wolf populations is often hailed as a conservation success, the consequences for ranching families can be gruesome, costly and complex,” says Daniel Munch, American Farm Bureau Federation economist. “They are threatening the safety of ranch families and their pets and livestock, as well as the long-term survival of multigenerational ranches and the rural economies they anchor.”

Munch summarized a recent University of Arizona study that focused on the Mexican gray wolf and analyzed both direct livestock depredation and indirect effects such as stress-induced weight loss and elevated management costs based on 2024 cattle prices. Findings are based on survey responses from impacted ranchers, modeling of herd-level financial outcome and county-level livestock performance trends.

“In areas with wolf presence, even a moderate level of impact, such as 2% calf loss, 3.5% weight reduction and average management costs, can reduce annual ranch revenue by 28%,” Munch says.

While the study focuses on Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest, the core challenges it identifies — livestock depredation, herd stress and weight loss, increased management costs and difficulties accessing timely compensation — are not unique to that region. Ranchers across the northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes states report similar experiences as wolf populations have expanded.

“Because these economic stressors stem from common predator-prey dynamics and livestock production systems, the study’s findings provide a credible framework for estimating broader impacts,” he says. “This Market Intel draws on that foundation to illustrate the tangible financial risks associated with predator recovery and highlight the need for responsive, producer-informed wildlife policy in all regions affected by wolf activity.”

Key statistics shared by Munch in his article, “ Wolves and the West: The Cost of Coexistence ,” include:

$1,336 average value loss per calf due to wolves. Whether the calf was a day old or nearly ready for market, the rancher loses its full market value, estimated at $1,336 in 2024 for a 525 lb. calf.
A 2% loss of calves could reduce a 367-head ranch’s net income by 4%, or about $5,195, for that year. At higher loss levels, such as 14% of calves, net income could fall by as much as 34%, or roughly $42,599, in that same year.

When a cow is killed, the financial hit extends over multiple years.

“The operation not only loses that year’s calf, but also future offspring, along with the revenue and herd stability that cow would have provided,” Munch explains. “Ranchers then have to retain or buy replacements. This means fewer animals are available for sale, working capital must be used to buy additional replacements and herd development is ultimately delayed. Excluding these long-term impacts, the revenue loss associated with the loss of a single cow was estimated at $2,673.”

(Data: American Farm Bureau Federation)

Figure 2 displays the calculated value of calves lost under this scenario, assuming each calf is valued at $1,336. This generates a loss of 13,514 calves out of an inventory of 1.87 million calves valued at $18 million in wolf-occupied counties. The states with the highest number of calf depredations under this scenario are Montana ($3 million; approximately 2,307 calves) and Idaho ($2.7 million; approximately 2,044 calves).

Keep in mind this method assumes static wolf presence at the county level. Wolves regularly traverse dozens of miles per day, crossing county and state borders, so county-level presence can vary widely year to year.

58% of those surveyed had stress- or depredation-related wolf impacts on their operation (compared to just 38% reporting depredation).
3.5% reduction in average calf weaning weight (18.4 lb.). According to Munch a figure supported by published field research — can significantly reduce revenues across an entire herd.

At the $2.54 per lb. value reference in the study ($1,336/525 lb. average), a ranch that markets 80 head would lose out on $3,738 in marketable weight value.

“Weight loss can be much higher in regions with elevated wolf activity,” Munch says. “If that same ranch experienced a 10% reduction in weaning weight, the loss would exceed $10,600 before even factoring in additional impacts like reduced conception rates.”

(Data: American Farm Bureau Federation)

Using these assumptions about ranch exposure to wolf presence and average weight loss, Figure 3 presents the estimated revenue loss by state. In total, more than $50 million in potential calf weight value was lost due to wolf presence, including $8.6 million in Montana and $7.6 million in Idaho alone.

Ranchers reported an average cost of $79 per cow for conflict avoidance measures and associated labor.

Wolf presence forces ranchers to change the way they manage their operations — often at a steep cost. In wolf-occupied areas, ranchers routinely implement additional strategies to deter predation, respond to attacks and monitor herds across expansive rangelands.

“These management efforts are both labor- and resource-intensive,” Munch says.

Even before accounting for any depredation or stress-related weight loss, these management expenses alone reduced net returns for the average ranch by 19%. Through interviews and surveys, producers indicated they spent anywhere from several thousand dollars to over $150,000 per year on these efforts.

“For our analysis, we convert the $79 per cow figure to $55.30 per calf based on their 70% calf crop assumption,” he explains. “We then apply this per-calf cost to estimate statewide wolf-management expenses, using the study’s finding that 58% of ranchers in wolf-occupied counties experience wolf-induced stressors. Based on these assumptions, ranchers nationwide spend over $60 million each year on efforts to mitigate the impacts of gray wolves.” (Figure 4)

(Data: American Farm Bureau Federation)

All combined, on a ranch experiencing a modest 2% calf depredation and 3.5% weight loss that also spends the average reported amount on conflict avoidance, annual ranch revenues are reduced by 28% ($34,642). These combined costs, reflecting $128 million in annual costs to U.S. ranchers, are displayed in Figure 5.

(Data: American Farm Bureau Federation)

45% drop in the ranch’s long-term earning potential. The study projected what repeated losses from wolves would do to a ranch’s profitability over 30 years. Even a moderate level of impact — losing 2% of calves and 3.5% lower weights — would reduce the ranch’s net present value by more than $191,000.

“In plain terms, that’s a 45% drop in the ranch’s long-term earning potential,” Munch says.

The study estimates that, without wolf impacts, the ranch would generate about $420,000 in long-term profits (in today’s dollars). With average wolf-related losses, that shrinks to $228,000.

“While a single year’s loss might seem manageable, the effects compound over time,” Munch says. “Smaller calf crops mean fewer replacements and fewer animals to sell, while lower weights reduce revenue year after year. These cumulative impacts ripple through herd management and finances, steadily eroding profitability and increasing the odds that the operation may not be financially sustainable in the long run.”

Munch summarizes if predator recovery efforts are to be economically sustainable, they must be accompanied by policies that recognize the people on the front lines: those whose livelihoods now depend not only on their animals but also on a system that values and supports the cost of coexistence.

“That’s the heart of the issue,” Munch explains. “For many ranching families, the return of wolves is not just a wildlife management question, it’s a daily reality shaped by decisions made in distant urban centers, often by voters and officials who will never have to look into the eyes of a mother cow searching for her calf. Ranchers are the ones bearing the real-world costs of policies shaped far from the range. And they’re doing so while continuing to care for livestock, steward the land and feed a growing world.”

Heat Stress in Cattle Costs Real Money

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:13:28 GMT

Cattle rid their bodies of heat in three ways — radiation, convection and evaporation.

“If your cattle can’t use all three methods, they’ll overheat fast,” says Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist.

Summer heat knocks weight off calves and pounds off milk, Bailey says. Losses come in the form of less gain, weaker fertility and other health issues.

“Heat stress costs real money,” he says.

Producers can reduce heat stress by providing adequate shade, proper fly control, access to water and the right choice of pasture grass.

Tall Fescue Pastures Turn Up the Heat

Cattle grazing on tall fescue grass when temperatures rise is a recipe for disaster.

Toxic endophytes in fescue can turn up the cattle’s body heat. Their efforts to keep cool can melt profits. But there are practical fixes that keep weight and profits steady, Bailey says.

Most fescue pastures in the Fescue Belt carry endophytes that make toxic ergot alkaloids, which mess with your cattle’s ability to stay cool, he says.

These toxins tighten blood vessels, cut blood flow to the skin and prevent heat from escaping. They make it hard for cattle to sweat and pant, essential tasks to rid their bodies of heat. Third, ergot alkaloids delay shedding by lowering prolactin. This leaves cattle with shaggy coats that trap summer heat.

Summer temperatures, especially heat waves, make cattle on fescue vulnerable to problems. Normally, cattle can tolerate temperatures of 31 C or 88 F. Cows likely consume enough ergovaline by Memorial Day to make heat stress worse during the summer.

Small Amounts Cause Big Losses

Even ingesting small amounts of ergot alkaloids can result in reduced weight gain and smaller calves, less milk, lower fertility and lighter wallets, says Bailey. He offers these suggestions on avoiding losses from heat stress:

Rotate toxic tall fescues with other grasses such as clover, or interseed pastures with nontoxic novel-endophyte fescue to dilute.
Consider investing in full pasture renovation on the worst fields. See the Alliance for Grassland Renewal website for information on renovating tall fescue pastures.
Provide supplemental feed in the range of 0.5% to 1.0% of bodyweight per day to dilute ergovaline in the diet.

Maintain Good Fly control

If you have cows on tall fescue, pay special attention to fly control .

“If your cattle are on toxic tall fescue and they are crowding together to dodge flies, the deck is stacked against them,” Bailey says.

Cattle tend to bunch up to avoid flies, especially stable flies that attack their legs. They congregate in the middle of the pasture and avoid the field edges where flies gather most.

Bunching traps heat, cuts radiation and convection in half, and raises humidity significantly. “In severe cases, cows quit radiating heat and actually begin to heat up even in the shade,” Bailey says.

Here’s the fix:

Drag pastures to break up manure, which is a breeding ground for flies.
Use fly tags, traps or parasitic wasps to cut fly numbers.
Finally, rotate pastures to break fly life cycles.

Give your herd shade

Bailey gives guidelines to discourage bunching and encourage cattle to space out in pastures:

Provide 20-30 square feet of shade per cow.
Provide portable shade structures that allow airflow.
Place water troughs 50-100 feet apart to encourage animals to spread out.

Finally, radiation and convection need cool surroundings and airflow to work, says Bailey.

“They fail when it’s hot and crowded. Evaporation is the last line of defense in a heat wave, but humidity and fescue toxins can cripple it,” he says.

For more information, see the MU Extension publication “Tall Fescue Toxicosis” (G4669) .

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Rural America is Facing a Mounting Labor Crisis

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:02:49 GMT

The American labor market is reaching a critical turning point that could tighten labor availability in rural industries and slow growth across the U.S. economy. A new quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange warns that demographic shifts and recent policy changes may start impacting businesses as soon as late 2025.

From livestock and crop operations to food processors and rural cooperatives, this labor shortage is becoming especially noticeable in the heart of America’s farmland. Many producers are already struggling to fill roles, and the challenge is expected to intensify in the coming months.

“Barring an unforeseen change in labor force participation rates or immigration policies, the pool of available workers is set to shrink sharply in the next few years,” says Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “The problem will be even more serious in states with slower population growth in the Upper Midwest, Corn Belt and Central Plains.”

Demographic Pressures Mount

Fox says the warning signs have been building for years. Labor force participation has steadily declined, birth rates have dropped and immigration policy has become more restrictive.

Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 9 million immigrants arrived in the U.S., driven by global humanitarian crises and relaxed federal rules. While that influx temporarily eased labor constraints, Fox says it only masked deeper, long-term trends.

U.S. fertility rates have fallen from 2.12 children per woman in 2007 to 1.62 in 2023, meaning fewer young people are entering the workforce just as the last of the baby boomers retire. In addition, labor force participation has slipped from a peak of 67% in 2000 to 62% today. Nearly 2.5 million working-age Americans have left the labor force in the past eight months alone.

“There is no single reason people are stepping away,” Fox explains. “It’s a combination of rising caregiving responsibilities, job skill mismatches, mental health challenges and higher disability rates. These are complex issues that won’t be resolved overnight.”

Shrinking Workforce Hits Agriculture Hard

The effects are already being felt across rural America. Farms, food processors, equipment dealers and cooperatives are struggling to find and keep the workers they need to maintain daily operations. Seasonal labor has become harder to find and full-time positions, especially those requiring specialized skills or long hours, are increasingly difficult to fill.

In regions with slower population growth, such as the upper Midwest and central Plains, the challenge is even more acute. These areas often lack the population inflows that help offset workforce losses elsewhere in the country.

While labor has been tight for several years, Fox warns that conditions are poised to deteriorate further.

“What we are facing is not just a cyclical labor issue; it’s a structural one,” he says.

Border encounters have dropped sharply since August 2024, signaling a steep decline in immigration. Combined with rising political pressure to increase deportations, the agricultural labor pool could shrink even more in the months ahead.

“Immigration has long been a key pillar supporting the rural workforce,” Fox notes. “Without a steady flow of new workers, farms and agribusinesses will have to get creative, either by increasing wages, automating tasks or changing how they manage production.”

Technology Offers a Path Forward

In response, more agricultural businesses are turning to technology to help offset the labor gap.

“The key to addressing labor scarcity always lies in innovation,” Fox says. “AI and robotics are no longer limited to the factory floor. They are increasingly being used in fields, dairies and food plants.”

A recent Gallup poll found that nearly one in five workers already uses artificial intelligence in some form each week. At the same time, the cost of robotics has dropped by nearly half in the past decade, making automation more accessible for a broader range of farms and agribusinesses.

CoBank’s report notes that many farm supply customers are using new tools to increase efficiency, improve decision-making and free up time for employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

Planning for What Comes Next

As producers look toward 2026, a combination of labor constraints, volatile input costs and shifting policy landscapes will continue to shape decision-making. Fox thinks adaptability will be essential.

“Technology will be critical to agriculture’s future,” he says. “AI and robotics can help farmers do more with fewer workers, boosting efficiency and margins. But investment decisions must be made carefully, especially in this uncertain economic environment.”

Until clearer policies emerge on trade, labor and energy, rural America will need to prepare for continued pressure.

“This is a pivotal moment,” Fox concludes. “Farms that plan ahead, embrace innovation and stay flexible will be best positioned to succeed.”

Breaking: Mexican Border Closed Again as New World Screwworm Comes Within 370 Miles of the U.S.

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 02:16:37 GMT

On July 8, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality reported a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, Mexico, which is approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid on the eastern side of the country and 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border.

This new northward detection comes approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border, which triggered the closure of our ports to Mexican cattle, bison and horses on May 11, 2025 .

While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025 , this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7 to Sept. 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and the U.S. food supply, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately.

“The United States has promised to be vigilant — and after detecting this new NWS case, we are pausing the planned port reopening’s to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico. We must see additional progress combatting NWS in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states in order to reopen livestock ports along the Southern border,” Rollins says. “Thanks to the aggressive monitoring by USDA staff in the U.S. and in Mexico, we have been able to take quick and decisive action to respond to the spread of this deadly pest.”

To ensure the protection of U.S. livestock herds, USDA is holding Mexico accountable by ensuring proactive measures are being taken to maintain a NWS free barrier. This is maintained with stringent animal movement controls, surveillance, trapping and following the proven science to push the NWS barrier south in phases as quickly as possible.

In June, Secretary Rollins launched a 5-point plan to combat NWS by protecting our border at all costs, increasing eradication efforts in Mexico, and increasing readiness. USDA also announced the groundbreaking of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This facility will provide a critical contingency capability to disperse sterile flies should a NWS detection be made in the Southern U.S.

Simultaneously, USDA is moving forward with the design process to build a domestic sterile fly production facility to ensure it has the resources to push NWS back to the Darien Gap. USDA is working on these efforts in lockstep with border states – Arizona, New Mexico and Texas – as it will take a coordinated approach with federal, state and local partners to keep this pest at bay and out of the U.S.

USDA will continue to have personnel perform site visits throughout Mexico to ensure the Mexican government has adequate protocols and surveillance in place to combat this pest effectively and efficiently.

Click to enlarge.

(USDA)

Your Next Read: Protect Your Livestock: Signs of New World Screwworm

Drovers Round Up: Internships, Scholarships and Cattle Marketing Program Updates

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:46:19 GMT

Learn more about opportunities for student internships and cattle marketing program updates.

MSGA Opens Internship Applications for 2025 Annual Convention

Student Internship applications for the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) Annual Convention and Trade Show are open. Applications are due Sept. 15 and the internship will take place Dec. 8-13, 2025, in Billings, Mont.

The MSGA Annual Convention Internship program allows students to gain practical experience in association event planning, policy development, and social media production. Multiple internship roles are available, offering exposure to each of these key areas.

The Annual Convention and Trade Show is one of two annual gatherings, bringing together members to shape organizational policy and educational programs. Highlights include an industry trade show, policy meetings, keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

Visit the MSGA website to learn more about eligibility and to apply or contact the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420.

Applications Open for 2026 CattleCon Contests, Internships and Scholarships

Students can get involved in CattleCon 2026, which is headed to Nashville Feb. 3-5.

The 13th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook, is accepting entries through Oct. 15. The winner will perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the event’s Opening General Session and will receive round trip airfare to Nashville, a hotel room for three nights, complimentary convention registration, plus a pair of boots, jeans and a shirt from Roper or Stetson.

Any member or family member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American National CattleWomen or Cattlemen’s Beef Board is eligible to participate in the contest. Previous NCBA National Anthem Contest winners are not eligible. The top four finalists will be chosen by Oct. 21, and videos will be posted to the CattleCon website. Voting will be open to the public Nov. 1-15 (one vote per person per day), and the winner will be announced Nov. 18.

College students selected as interns will be responsible for setting up the indoor arena, assisting at committee meetings and Cattlemen’s College, posting on social media and contributing in the NCBA booth. This opportunity offers college students the ability to network with industry stakeholders throughout the beef industry and gain valuable experience. Students also receive a one-year NCBA student membership.

Student interns must be able to work Feb. 1-6, 2026, provide their own transportation to Nashville, and be at least a junior-level college student at an accredited university at the time of the event. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, should be well-versed in all areas of social media, and preferably have a background in, or working knowledge of, the cattle and/or beef industry.

Interested students must complete an online Student Internship Application by Oct. 15 and submit college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume.

Young beef producers, students, farmers and ranchers interested in attending CattleCon 2026 can apply for a scholarship. Scholarship recipients receive a complimentary Education Package registration and discounted housing accommodation for three nights. This is a great way for youth, first-timers and others to expand their network at the largest event in the beef cattle business. The application deadline is Oct. 15.

Cattle producers attending CattleCon 2026 are also eligible to apply for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant .

CattleCon 2026 registration and housing open on Aug. 20. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org .

RAAA Rebrands FCCP as Angus Access to Increase Market Competitiveness

The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) has officially rebranded its Feeder Calf Certification Program (FCCP) as Angus Access. The original FCCP program was the first genetic, age and source verification program in the beef built to USDA-approved standards. FCCP was launched in 1995 to provide Red Angus sired calves great access to market premiums through a low-cost, data-driven verification model.

The new Angus Access name supports broader industry efforts to secure recognition of Red Angus cattle within Angus-branded beef programs, according to the RAAA.

“This program has always been about creating opportunity for commercial cattlemen. Angus Access builds on that legacy, giving Red Angus producers a clear path to premium markets and rewarding those who invest in quality and accountability,” said Kyley DeVoe, RAAA president.

More than 3.5 million calves have been enrolled through FCCP and its counterpart, Allied Access, launched in 2011 to extend source and age verification to crossbred calves.

To learn more about sourcing and identification requirements visit the RAAA website .

To enroll in RAAA’s value-added programs, email tags@redangus.org or call 940-477-4593.

Breaking News: Mexican Ports to Reopen in Phases for Cattle Trade Starting July 7

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:55:31 GMT

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced today a risk-based phased port re-openings for cattle, bison and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7.

The announcement is following the extensive collaboration between USDA–Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm (NWS) surveillance, detection and eradication efforts. The port reopening timeline is:

Douglas, Ariz. – July 7
Columbus, N.M. – July 14
Santa Teresa, N.M. – July 21
Del Rio, Texas – Aug. 18
Laredo, Texas – Sept. 15

After each reopening, USDA will evaluate to ensure no adverse effects arise.

Progress Being Made to Stop Progress of NWS

According to USDA, progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11 , including:

Resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that has allowed the team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days each week
Dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week
USDA sent five APHIS teams to visit, observe and gain a deeper understanding of Mexico’s NWS response. The APHIS teams were allowed the opportunity to share feedback.

USDA says there has not been a notable increase in reported NWS cases in Mexico, nor any northward movement of NWS over the past eight weeks.

“At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico. We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump Administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the Southern Border to livestock trade,” Rollins says. “We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says it supports the plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry.

“NCBA and our state affiliates have spent months working with USDA to safeguard the U.S. cattle industry from the threat of New World screwworm. We strongly support USDA’s five-pronged plan to fight the screwworm, which includes bolstering sterile fly production by renovating a facility in Metapa, Mexico, and by building a new fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas,” says NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Today’s announcement to reopen key ports of entry is a measured, thoughtful approach by Secretary Rollins to allow some trade while also ensuring the American cattle industry is protected from this pest.”

While the Douglas, Ariz., port presents the lowest risk based upon the geography of Sonora and a long history of effective collaboration between APHIS and Sonora on animal health issues, USDA intends to reopen additional ports in New Mexico, and if it is proven safe to do so, in Texas, over the coming weeks. Additional port openings will be based on APHIS’ continuous reevaluation of the number of cases and potential northward movement of NWS, Mexico’s continued efforts to curb illegal animal movements, and implementation of further rigorous inspection and treatment protocols.

“We trust Secretary Rollins made this decision with the latest information from USDA staff in Mexico, and we know she will continue holding her counterparts in the Mexican government accountable for eradicating screwworm,” Woodall adds. “NCBA and our state affiliate partners will continue working with USDA and key members of Congress to protect the United States from New World screwworm.”

Continuing Efforts

USDA is working with Mexico’s National Department of Health, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) on outreach, education and training efforts to raise awareness and put producers on high alert about NWS, along with utilizing their well-functioning central laboratory for diagnosing cases. While Mexico has made great progress on animal movement controls and surveillance, additional progress will help ensure the remaining U.S. ports reopen. Enhanced animal movement controls to stem illegal animal movements from the south, along with robust surveillance and NWS risk mitigations beyond check points will be critical in pushing back NWS. APHIS technical teams continue to engage with SENASICA to improve the overall NWS posture in Mexico and implement the rigorous steps needed to keep this pest away from our border.

Mexico will also begin renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa this week, with renovation expected to be completed by July 2026. Renovation of this facility will allow for production of between 60-100 million sterile NWS flies each week. This is a critical step towards reaching the goal of producing the estimated 400-500 million flies each week needed to re-establish the NWS barrier at the Darien Gap.

Only cattle and bison, born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua, or that are treated according to cattle and bison NWS protocol when entering these states, will be eligible for import. See Importing Live Cattle and Bison From Mexico to the United States for more information on cattle and bison import requirements.

In addition, reopening the Del Rio (Aug. 18) and Colombia Bridge (Sept.15) ports will be contingent on Coahuila and Nuevo Leon adopting the same NWS protocols for cattle and bison as those now required of Sonora and Chihuahua for cattle or bison entering those states.

Equine may import from anywhere in Mexico. They require a seven-day quarantine at the port of entry and must import in accordance with the equine NWS protocol and other requirements detailed on USDA APHIS | Import Horses from Mexico webpage . Approved equine facilities are available at the Santa Teresa, N.M., port and will be available for entry of horses when that port is reopened.

In May 2025, USDA suspended imports of live cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico into the U.S. due to the continued and rapid northward spread of NWS. During the weeks of June 2 and June 16, teams of APHIS experts conducted robust onsite assessments of Mexico’s NWS response efforts to fully reassess the risk of NWS incursions to the U.S. posed by importation of Mexican cattle across our southern border.

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Are Beef-on-Dairy Animals Really Worth the High Price Tag?

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:25:43 GMT

Beef-on-dairy calves are no longer just a trend; they’re a business strategy for producers aiming to squeeze more value out of every breeding decision. For dairy farmers, they offer a way to turn lower-producing cows into a new revenue stream. For feedlots, they promise improved feed efficiency and more desirable carcasses.

“Dairy producers are breeding lower milk production cows to beef sires to increase calf revenue,” says Melanie Concepcion, a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University, who recently presented on the economics of beef-on-dairy animals. “The idea is to add more value to existing Holstein calves by improving muscling, hide quality and market desirability.”

According to CattleFax, beef-on-dairy crosses started showing up in the fed slaughter mix around 2019. Today, they represent an estimated 2 million to 3 million head annually, contributing roughly 15% to 20% of total U.S. beef production and signaling a major shift in how dairy genetics can serve the beef supply chain.

“They’re here to stay,” Concepcion adds. “And the number of beef-on-dairy cattle is only expected to grow.”

Study 1: Feedlot Gains and Carcass Traits
To measure how these crossbreds stack up, Concepcion launched a study evaluating 75 Holstein and 75 beef-on-Holstein steers from Michigan calf raisers. Raised under identical conditions, the steers transitioned from starter to finishing diets and the performance differences were not surprising.

Beef-on-dairy steers:

Reached market weight 21 days faster
Converted feed more efficiently
Posted a 20% larger ribeye area
Scored lower yield grades, signaling better muscling

“They’re more feed efficient and have a greater ribeye area and fat thickness than the Holsteins,” Concepcion explains. “Their yield grade is also lower, which is a good thing because it means more yield and muscling.”

However, liver health raises red flags. Concepcion finds that 39% of the beef-on-Holstein steers develop liver abscesses, some severe enough to adhere the liver to the carcass.

“In those cases, you see trimming losses,” she says. “And that hurts overall carcass value.”

Premiums and Pitfalls: Are Crossbreds Priced Right?
Economically, the study shows that beef-on-dairy calves bring greater value but also come with a price tag that’s tough to justify.

“We pay $310 more per calf for the beef-on-Holsteins, but our data shows we should have only paid $273 more,” Concepcion says. “Yes, they should be worth more, but not as much as we paid.”

With some day-old beef on dairy crossbreds fetching upward of $1,000, Concepcion says the numbers simply don’t justify the premium in many cases.

“These calves clearly have more value than Holsteins, but not to the degree that some buyers are currently paying,” she says. “We’re still seeing inflated calf prices that don’t reflect actual feedlot performance or carcass returns.”

Study 2: Corn Silage and Liver Health
Looking to address liver concerns, Concepcion led a second study focusing on dietary fiber. The hypothesis: increasing corn silage in the finishing ration could help reduce liver abscess incidence by supporting better rumen health.

The study included 65 Holstein and 65 beef-on-Holstein steers. Each breed was fed a finishing diet with either 20% or 40% corn silage.

“We wanted to see if increasing fiber through higher corn silage inclusion reduces abscess rates,” she says.

The findings were clear:

Steers on the 40% corn silage diet had significantly fewer liver abscesses
The diet change did not affect feed efficiency or cost of gain
Beef-on-dairy steers continued to outperform Holsteins in carcass traits, regardless of diet

“Increasing corn silage inclusion effectively reduces the amount of liver abscesses in cattle, regardless of breed,” Concepcion says.

Carcass Performance Remains Strong
Even with the shift in diet, beef-on-Holstein steers continue to demonstrate a clear advantage in carcass traits and processing yield compared to purebred dairy steers. These crossbreds exhibit:

Higher hot carcass weights
Greater dressing percentages
Larger ribeye areas
Lower kidney, pelvic and heart (KPH) fat

“Adding beef genetics to Holsteins results in more muscling,” Concepcion notes. “And that leads to higher carcass value.”

Interestingly, marbling and quality grade remain similar between breeds and diets. Most cattle grade in the low to mid-choice range, offering acceptable quality without excessive feed costs. Additionally, the lower KPH fat and higher dressing percentages give processors more saleable product, further boosting the overall economic benefit.

“Even with differences in feed and frame size, beef-on-dairy cattle continue to show consistency in carcass composition,” she adds. “This predictability is valuable for both feeders and packers.”

Feedlot Advantages Might Not Justify Current Calf Prices
Despite the performance benefits, the pricing issue resurfaces. In the second trial, beef-on-Holstein calves cost Concepcion $353 more than Holsteins, but break-even data shows they should only cost $281 more.

“We overpaid again, just like last time,” Concepcion says. “These studies show us that beef-on-dairy calves should be priced at a premium, but not as high as the current market suggests.”

Feed costs were actually lower for beef-on-dairy steers, thanks to shorter days on feed. And while the 40% corn silage diet increased feed cost slightly, it didn’t impact the cost of gain, making it a viable strategy for improving liver health without compromising efficiency.

Looking Ahead
While beef-on-dairy calves offer clear advantages in feedlot performance and carcass quality, Concepcion notes the market still needs tools to match pricing with actual value.

She continues to explore what drives health, gain and grading in these crossbreds, and her latest work includes studies on gut and liver health as well as comparisons across breed types like Simmental-Angus, Holstein and beef steers.

“The more we understand how these cattle grow, grade and ultimately eat, the better we can manage and market them,” she adds.

Your Next Read: How to Keep Good Hay From Going Bad: Barn Storage Tips That Protect its Quality and Value

To watch Cocepcion’s full webinar, click here:

Consumer Trust: A Veterinarian’s Role

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:27:12 GMT

This article was written by David Friedlander, the Senior Director of Market Research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

With information so readily available at one’s fingertips, ensuring a trusted source of information from the cattle industry is critical. Animal caretakers may field questions on how animals are raised from many interested groups. Who better to provide unbiased information related to animals than the voice of a veterinarian?

Through the first three months of 2025, fresh meat sales reached an all-time high compared to year ago levels¹. Protein is top of mind as it relates to health and wellness and consumers are looking for help navigating the crowded informational marketplace.

By the end of 2025, over 325 million people are projected to have internet access in the United States² with the majority using a mobile device or smartphone to access it³. News and information are now at the consumers’ fingertips. For a host of reasons, consumer trust among mass media outlets is at an all-time low⁴.

From a veterinarian or farmer/rancher perspective, how does one share information related to production practices? Who is the trusted source of truth among consumers?

Referencing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Associations’ (NCBA) Consumer Beef Tracker, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, both a veterinarian and farmer/rancher rise to the top, above all other sources⁵. In fact, more than 60% of consumers note both a veterinarian and farmer/rancher as the source of truth followed by more than 50% consumers looking to government agencies, specifically, USDA, FDA and CDC.

(Consumer Beef Tracker, NCBA)

When asking respondents about perceptions specifically related to beef, 90% of respondents had a positive or neutral response. Taking this one step further, when asking respondents about the production perception of beef, 80% had a positive or neutral response⁵.

Although overall perceptions related to beef are positive, when asking respondents about their knowledge specifically related to how cattle are raised and grown for food, data show slightly more than 25% of respondents noted either “knowledgeable’ or “very knowledgeable”⁵about how cattle are raised and grown for food.

However, when consumers make purchases, 70% claim they have some level of consideration of how food was raised and grown for food. When narrowing down to concerns related to how cattle are raised for food, less than 35% of respondents have a specific concern, with animal welfare rising to the top⁵.

Given the challenging media landscape and lack of trust among consumers, NCBA looked to producers and a veterinarian to help raise overall perception related to how cattle are raised for food.

(Consumer Beef Tracker, NCBA)

Given the challenging media landscape and lack of trust among consumers, NCBA looked to producers and a veterinarian to help raise overall perception related to how cattle are raised for food. Capturing a day in the life of local producers and a veterinarian, NCBA shared the level of care, overall well-being and hard work that goes into raising cattle.

When surveying consumers, both before and after seeing the featured video, the positive response grew from just over 30% to nearly 75% among respondents. Perhaps even more encouraging, negative perception decreased from nearly 30% to just 5% after seeing the featured video ⁶.

Integrating industry education resources such as those in the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and associated programs is one way that veterinarians can continue to be this trusted voice. Elevating cattle care through that partnership with the producer impacts animal health, product quality, and consumer confidence . Considering the consumer aspect of raising cattle is one area where veterinarians may have not previously contributed, though it is apparent that their influence goes beyond animal health.

In a marketplace filled with competing messages and general mistrust among consumers, it is very encouraging to see high levels of trust by consumers, specifically, in those individuals that have one-to-one experience with the animals, namely the veterinarian and the farmer/rancher to help share out the broader message of animal care.

There is still work to be done from a consumer perspective but having a trusted leader to share the message is a great place to start. For more consumer insights and Beef Checkoff-funded research, visit https://www.beefresearch.org/ .

References
¹Circana
² Statista, 2025 projections based on actuals through 2023
³DataReportal: GWI; Meltwater; We Are Social
⁴Gallup 1927 - 2024
⁵NCBA Consumer Beef Tracker, January – December 2024
⁶NCBA: Raised and grown asset testing, October 2023

Two Key Tips to Stop Persistently Infected Calves Before They Start

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:32:59 GMT

At first glance, a persistently infected (PI) calf may look just like any other in the herd. But beneath the surface, these calves are silent spreaders, continuously shedding bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and exposing healthy herd mates to infection.

How PI calves risk herd health
PI calves are animals that become infected with BVDV during their time in utero. When the calf is infected before their immune system is able to recognize the virus as foreign, they can become a PI calf. This enables the virus to live and grow within that calf indefinitely.

“There are many consequences that can stem from a BVDV PI calf,” said Jen Roberts, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “The virus itself does a very good job of suppressing the immune system, and because of that, you may see an increase in the incidence of other diseases, like respiratory disease in calves or mastitis in a milking herd. There can also be significant reproductive repercussions like early embryonic losses, abortion and birth defects. While these concurrent diseases are not necessarily caused by BVDV, the immunosuppressive effects of the virus make animals more susceptible to other illnesses.”

PI cattle can shed BVDV through many avenues, including respiratory secretions that spread the virus through the air of confined spaces, and bodily fluids such as milk, saliva, mucus, urine and manure.

Biosecurity can stop PI cattle from entering the herd
While maintaining a closed herd is the best way to prevent BVDV from establishing itself on your operation, it’s not always realistic. Dairy consolidations, expansions, off-site heifer growing, and even taking animals to shows are all common events for many farms.

“Any time you have cattle leaving the farm and coming back, there’s a chance for them to be exposed to a PI animal and become acutely infected with BVDV,” explained Dr. Roberts. “Even those acutely infected animals can shed the virus for a couple of weeks, and if they come in contact with cows that are at the right point in gestation for the fetus to become infected, it can cause a PI calf to be born.”

Dr. Roberts shares that testing for PI animals, and quarantining any new or returning animals, are great ways to prevent BVDV from finding a long-term home within your herd.

“The acute infection period is very short, usually 10 to 14 days, so if it is possible to quarantine new herd additions, the recommended period of isolation is two weeks prior to commingling with the rest of the herd,” continued Dr. Roberts. “If you’re sending animals to a heifer grower, especially one raising heifers for multiple operations, I always recommend that the calves go to a heifer grower that requires PI testing.”

Prevent PI calves through vaccination
“The most common way BVDV spreads is through PI calves, so it’s also important to develop a targeted vaccination program that prevents BVDV PI calves from being born into your herd,” stressed Dr. Roberts.

Vaccinating cows with a modified-live virus vaccine labeled for BVDV like EXPRESS FPhelps protect their health and reproductive efficiency, and enables them to deliver healthy, PI-free calves. That same pre-breeding vaccine will also help cows produce antibody-rich colostrum to protect calves from BVDV and other respiratory disease threats right after birth.

When a calf is infected with BVDV in utero, it will be born persistently infected and will shed the virus for their lifetime.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

When building a herd with strong immunity, vaccination shouldn’t stop with the dam. While maternal antibodies offer initial defense against disease, that protection wanes over time, opening the door for a gap in calf immunity. Research has shown that when exposed to a PI calf, 70% to 100% of non-vaccinated or immune-suppressed cattle become infected.¹Fortunately, calves as young as 30 days of age can still generate a strong immune response in the face of maternal antibodies.

In a study, 30-day-old calves, with maternal antibodies present, were vaccinated with a uniquely adjuvanted five-way plus Mannheimia haemolytica modified-live virus (MLV) injectable-vaccine protocol, or an intranasal- and injectable-vaccine protocol. Five months later, both groups were challenged with BVDV Type 1b and M. haemolytica.

Results show that the five-way plus M. haemolytica MLV vaccine protocol provided a stronger immune response against BVDV Type 1b. It also decreased the level of BVDV shedding and kept rectal temperatures lower for several days, compared to the intranasal- and injectable-vaccine protocol.²

Not all respiratory vaccines are the same. Dr. Roberts suggests working with your herd veterinarian to solidify a vaccine protocol that best fits your operation’s needs.

BVDV Type 1b is the leading cause of PI calves
Thirty years ago, the majority of BVDV cases were caused by Type 1a. In more recent years, Type 1b has emerged as the most prevalent subspecies of BVDV in the United States, accounting for roughly 70% of reported cases.³

Viruses often mutate to escape detection by an animal’s immune system. Over time, viral mutations resulting from environmental pressures can lead to changes in the prevalence of viral strains, causing clinical disease.

“The most surprising thing to me about BVDV has been the divergence of the different subspecies over the past 20 to 30 years,” said Dr. Roberts. “We know there are differences in the breadth of BVD protection offered in the commercially available vaccines, and it’s important to reevaluate vaccination protocols periodically as patterns in clinical diseases shift.”

Due to the increasing risk of BVDV Type 1b, Dr. Roberts recommends working with a veterinarian to establish a sound vaccination protocol that includes adequate protection against this particular subspecies.

“It’s important to get at least two — if not three — doses of a modified-live virus vaccine that’s labeled to protect against BVDV 1b administered by the time that calf reaches breeding age,” she pointed out. “We want to make sure that each heifer on the farm has optimal protection prior to breeding, in order to reduce the likelihood that she gives birth to a PI calf.”

While BVDV presents serious challenges, producers have reliable tools like vaccination, testing and biosecurity to manage it. Staying proactive and aware of BVDV impact is the first step in keeping your dairy herd healthy and productive for the long run.

References:

¹Fulton RW, Briggs RE, Ridpath JF, et al. Transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b to susceptible and vaccinated calves by exposure to persistently infected calves. Can J Vet Res 2005;69(3):161–169.

²Perkins-Oines S, Dias N, Krafsur G, et al. The effect of neonatal vaccination for bovine respiratory disease in the face of a dual challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus and Mannheimia haemolytica. Vaccine 2023;41(19):3080–3091.

³ Fulton RW, Cook BJ, Payton ME, et al. Immune response to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccines detecting antibodies to BVDV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2c. Vaccine 2020;38(4)4032–4037.

The Best Time to Start Your Retirement Plan

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:25:09 GMT

Farmers historically have struggled to invest money in anything other than their farm operation. However, by investing in retirement plans including an IRA, a farmer can more easily save up for retirement and make the transfer to the next generation much easier.

The power of compounding is the financial seventh wonder of the world. Based on your annual investment return, you can determine how quickly your investment will double by dividing it into 72. For example, if you average 3% on your money, it will take 24 years to double. However, if you can earn 8%, then it only takes nine years.

The younger you start to invest, even small sums, the more money you will have at retirement. Let’s compare the results of placing $10,000 into a retirement account at either age 20 or 40.

The farmer who does this at age 40 and then pulls the money out at age 70 will have $100,627. However, the farmer who starts at age 20 will have $469,016, and if they can earn 10%, will have $1,173,909.

The cost of maintaining a solo 401k plan is very inexpensive and married couples can set aside at least $14,000 into an IRA each year. The fees on those accounts are minimal and you can make sure to invest in low-cost ETFs or mutual funds. High-cost funds could quickly reduce your returns substantially.

Most of the earnings will result in the last 10 years, so the sooner you get started, the more funds you will accumulate.

Risk Protection Benefits
There’s another big reason to make this investment. Funds in a retirement plan are fully exempt from bankruptcy, and we all know farming can be a very risky business. The full exemption does not apply to IRAs, but the amount that is exempt is fairly large.

This amount gets updated every three years. On April 1, 2025, the exemption amount was raised from $1,512,350 to $1,711.975 through March 31, 2028.

Most farmers have IRAs less than this amount, so it’s likely they will have a full exclusion if bankruptcy was to occur. Amounts rolled over from a 401k plan or other retirement account, including earnings associated on that account, are fully exempt.

In some states, IRAs are fully exempt or at least partially exempt.

The bottom line is to invest in an IRA or retirement plan. I hope you never need the protection, but it is a good insurance policy.

Exploring Next-Generation Phenotyping that Drives Commercial Profitability

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:43:19 GMT

Traditional genetic improvement programs have been built on collecting phenotypic data such as birth, weaning, yearling and carcass weights.

“Those phenotypes have driven the industry’s increase in productivity — productivity on the rail and in the feedyard,” says Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee assistant professor of beef cattle genomics. “Commercial data is going to be more and more important. The seedstock producer has traditionally been our main collector of phenotypic records. We understand we need to measure things like disease resistance and fertility in the environments that matter to the commercial producers. So, we’ve got to integrate those commercial records. And there’s new technologies coming online that are going to help us get there easier and in a more consistent and accurate way.”

Rowan recently authored a white paper that examines industry research and results from the Imagine: AGI’s Beef Genetics Forum , which took place Sept. 25-26, 2024. Hosted by Angus Genetics Inc. the event was attended by professionals from academic, research, allied industry and ranching backgrounds.

“The big question the Angus Association wanted to ask their producers and folks from across the industry is, ‘What are we missing?’ and ‘What are the technologies and approaches that are going to allow us to work toward increasing profitability,’” Rowan explains.

One of the major themes of the paper is the numerous technological developments poised to affect phenotype collection. Examples include computer-vision technology and wearable sensors.

“By using these technologies to measure traits on continuous scales rather than the categorical scales we currently use for traits like hair shedding or foot angle, we can increase precision of phenotype measurements and consequently improve the quality of EPDs (expected progeny differences) over time,” Rowan says.

He also discusses the types of data most important and economically viable for the industry to pursue. Advancing terminal and maternal traits, health and other challenging areas of production will require data integration and more advanced tools.

“We should work on developing genetic selection tools that capture all elements of commercial profitability, continuing to improve yield and the eating experience of our end product while also making our cow herd more efficient, adapted and productive,” Rowan summarizes.

In the paper, Rowan says the greatest opportunities moving forward rely on capturing and leveraging commercial data throughout the value chain.

“This will require radical collaboration and coordination between industry partners,” he writes. “While individual data points from a commercial herd or a processing plant may not be individually valuable, capturing multiple sources of data in the aggregate will enable genetic evaluations to fill important gaps in their systems with high-quality tools.”

He says the efforts that leverage new technologies and integrate new data sources will require five main considerations:

Phenotypes are, and will always be, the backbones of genetic evaluation: While much of our forward-looking focus is on new and novel phenotypes measured by increasingly complex technologies, we still have far from complete reporting for our core economically relevant traits (ERTs). No amount of genomic testing can make up for a lack of phenotypic reporting. In the immediate term, the continued adoption of whole-herd reporting will improve genetic predictions and open opportunities to extract new phenotypes.
Standardization of phenotype collection, both by producers and via algorithms, will be essential. “From the inception of genetic evaluations, we have worked to standardize trait definitions and best practices for recording,” Rowan says. “This motivated the creation of the Beef Improvement Federation, which continues to publish best practices. Next-generation phenotyping technologies will have many more variables that can impact raw phenotypes, making the standardization of recording, processing and cleaning even more important.”
Seedstock producers may not be able to shoulder the full financial burden of phenotypic collection. “Seedstock producers have traditionally borne the full cost of phenotyping with the understanding that records will help increase the accuracy of EPDs for their animals,” he explains. “However, as we seek to measure more expensive phenotypes, the economics of phenotyping will become more difficult.”
Genetic evaluations will have to balance the deluge of new technology with the resulting payoff in EPD quality and utility. “Not every phenotype is worth measuring,” Rowan says. “As new technologies come online, genetic evaluations will need to consider the costs and return on investment carefully.”
Data sharing will be essential to leveraging the impact of phenotypic collection across industry segments. Economically important phenotypes can be collected at every step of the beef supply chain. From cow-calf operations to feedlots to processors to consumer feedback, data is constantly being collected. When we can tie this data back to an individual animal and its genetics, the possibilities of improving efficiency, animal well-being and consumer experience are limitless.

To hear more discussion about the white paper, you can listen to “The Angus Conversation” podcast: Genetic Innovation Requires Leadership and Data — The Phenotype Paradox in the Beef Industry.

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Investing in the Future: Cargill Announces $90-Million Investment in Automation and Technology

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:18:31 GMT

Cargill plans to invest nearly $90 million in automation and technology at its Fort Morgan, Colo., beef plant over the next several years as part of its broader Factory of the Future initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency, yield and worker safety, the company announced Thursday.

“We’re at an extremely challenging point in the cattle cycle for packers with tight supplies and margins,” says Jarrod Gillig, senior vice president of Cargill’s North American beef business. “But now is the time we need to step up and make investments in our facilities to make sure they are working efficiently.”

The company has already put $24 million into technology upgrades at the plant since 2021. One of the newest tools to be deployed will be CarVe, Cargill’s proprietary, patent-pending computer vision system that measures red meat yield in real time. The technology gives managers instant feedback to help workers refine cutting techniques and reduce waste.

“I grew up on a farm/ranch and am blessed to still be active in our family’s cattle operation today, so I understand the importance of honoring the whole animal and doing right by the hard work of the ranchers and farmers who raise them. With tools like our new CarVe computer vision technology, we’re able to keep more high-quality protein in the food system, cut down on food waste, and make each animal count. That matters more than ever today.”

— Jarrod Gillig, senior vice president of Cargill’s North American beef business

“Before CarVe, yield data was always yesterday’s news,” Gillig says. “Now, we’re making decisions in the moment and saving product that would’ve been lost.”

Even a 1% improvement in yields could save hundreds of millions of pounds of beef annually, a meaningful gain at a time when U.S. cattle supplies are at their lowest levels in years.

“With CarVe, we are not replacing employees, it is empowering them to work more efficiently and effectively and helping us maximize the carcass,” Gillig summarizes.

The company has also invested in the Fort Morgan community, backing a $40 million workforce housing initiative that includes new townhomes and an 81-unit apartment complex scheduled to open this fall. Cargill has provided more than $500,000 in grants to local nonprofits for childcare access and housing-related support.

“Fort Morgan plays an important part in Cargill’s critical role as a food company to the nation and the world,” Gillig adds. “By partnering with local ranchers and farmers in Colorado and the region, we’re working hard to produce more food with less impact there so we can move it to store shelves and ultimately family dinner tables across the country.”

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Ionophores Explained: How They Enhance Livestock Gain

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:09:56 GMT

When I was growing up, my dad often told me to “work smarter, not harder.” There was always a lot to get done on the farm and I had the tendency to power through the work rather than think about an easier way.

Consequently, in my current job I like to discuss products or strategies to help a producer be more efficient. In livestock nutrition, a product that can help a producer be more efficient and “work smarter” is an ionophore.

What is an ionophore? Ionophores are feed additives that were developed to improve efficiency and prevent coccidiosis. The two most common ionophores utilized are monensin (Rumensin® and Monovet®) and lasalocid (Bovatec®). In addition to the improvement of efficiency (more gain/less feed), ionophores have a derived benefit of preventing and controlling digestive disorders such as acidosis and bloat.

How do ionophores work?

Ionophores improve feed efficiency simply by increasing the amount of energy available to the animal through selection of more efficient microorganisms in the gut. Ionophores are labeled for both grazing and feedlot cattle.

Oklahoma State Animal Science has historically led the charge in research around the use of ionophores for grazing cattle and there are benefits in a variety of grazing situations. For instance, cattle gain is improved 0.15 to 0.2 lb. by including an ionophore in a free-choice mineral.

An additional feeding strategy supported by a great deal of research recommends offering ionophores in small package supplements to grazing cattle to complement forage nutrients and ensure proper consumption. Performance varies depending on the forage base however the supplement plus ionophore lends an additional 0.2 to 0.4 lb. of daily gain. Note that cattle must have proper overall nutrition, adequate forage and have a healthy status to achieve optimum gains.

It should be emphasized that pure forms of ionophores are very potent and require extreme precision when added to blended feeds and supplements. When feeding ionophores in a pure form or within a supplement, label instructions should be strictly followed.

Monensin is toxic specifically to equine species and some monogastric animals. Ionophores can be toxic to any animal when overconsumed.

Increased gain across the board, less bloat and improved health for growing cattle of all stages — now that is what I call “working smarter.”

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Chinese Scientist Accused Of Smuggling ‘Potential Agroterrorism Weapon’ Into the U.S.

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 23:10:38 GMT

Two Chinese nationals have been charged with trying to smuggle a fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States.

Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., false statements and visa fraud.

The charges against the pair were unsealed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, on Tuesday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office references Fusarium graminearum online as a “dangerous biological pathogen … which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon.”

Fusarium graminearum causes significant diseases in a number of U.S.-grown food crops, including corn, wheat, barley, soybeans and rice.

Diseases caused include Fusarium head blight (scab) in wheat, and two corn diseases Gibberella ear rot and Gibberella stalk rot , which can lower yield and feed quality of silage corn, according to the Crop Protection Network, a partnership of land grant universities.

Toxins the fungus produces can cause vomiting, liver damage, reproductive defects and mycotoxin-induced immunosuppression in humans and livestock, including cattle, hogs, horses and poultry.

One Scientist Arrested, One Returned To China
The 25-page criminal complaint alleges Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DMA) in July 2024, so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, worked at the time.

Jian had been living in the U.S. and working at the university laboratory since 2022.

The roots of the case involving Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, stretch back to March 2024. That is when Liu applied for a B2 tourist visa to enter the U.S.

(The Detroit News and Sanilac County Jail)

According to the criminal complaint, Jian and Liu had both previously conducted work on the fungus in China.

Officials further allege Jian received funding from the Chinese government for her research on the pathogen in China. They also claim she is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Jian, who was arrested by the FBI, remains in federal custody. On Thursday, her detention hearing was adjourned until 1 p.m. June 13 to allow time for a new defense attorney to get up to speed.

Liu was sent back to China last year after changing his story during an interrogation at the Detroit airport about red plant material discovered in a wad of tissues in his backpack, the FBI says.

The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with China, which makes Liu’s arrest unlikely unless he returns.

In a statement released on June 3, the University of Michigan said it condemns “any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission.”

“It is important to note that the university has received no funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals,” the university added. “We have and will continue to cooperate with federal law enforcement in its ongoing investigation and prosecution.”

In a statement released on June 3, the University of Michigan said it condemns “any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission.”

(Michigan News Source)

Boyfriend Spills Intentions To Investigators
An article in The Detroit News said Liu told investigators during an interrogation at the Detroit airport he planned to clone the different strains and make additional samples if the experiments on the reddish plant material failed, according to the government.

“Liu stated that he intentionally hid the samples in his backpack because he knew there were restrictions on the importation of the materials,” an FBI agent wrote. “Liu confirmed that he had intentionally put the samples in a wad of tissues so CBP officers would be less likely to find and confiscate them, and he could continue his research in the United States.”

Liu told investigators he planned on using UM’s Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction Laboratory to research the biological materials, the FBI agent wrote.

“Liu stated that, while he was in the United States, he would have free access to the laboratory at the University of Michigan on some days, and that other days his girlfriend would give him access to the laboratory to conduct his research,” The Detroit News article reported.

Before preventing Liu from entering the U.S. and sending him back to China, the investigators found messages between the couple that indicate Jian previously smuggled biological material into the U.S., the FBI agent wrote.

The messages are from August 2022 and discuss smuggling seeds into the U.S.

Lawmakers Respond To The Criminal Complaint
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that the Justice Department “has no higher mission than keeping the American people safe and protecting our nation from hostile foreign actors who would do us harm.”

“Thanks to the hard work of our excellent DOJ attorneys, this defendant — who clandestinely attempted to bring a destructive substance into the United States — will face years behind bars,” the attorney general says.

“I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country,” FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday.

(FBI)

FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the arrest of Jian late Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

“This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences … putting American lives and our economy at serious risk.”

U.S. Custom and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon says the criminal charges against Jian and Liu are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate its agricultural economy and cause harm to humans.

“This was a complex investigation involving CBP offices from across the country, alongside our federal partners,” says Raybon in a prepared statement. “I’m grateful for their tireless efforts, ensuring our borders remain secure from all types of threats while safeguarding America’s national security interests.”

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Two Key Tips to Stop Persistently Infected Calves Before They Start

1 Fulton RW, Briggs RE, Ridpath JF, et al. Transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b to susceptible and vaccinated calves by exposure to persistently infected calves. Can J Vet Res 2005;69(3):161–169.

2 Perkins-Oines S, Dias N, Krafsur G, et al. The effect of neonatal vaccination for bovine respiratory disease in the face of a dual challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus and Mannheimia haemolytica. Vaccine 2023;41(19):3080–3091.

3 Fulton RW, Cook BJ, Payton ME, et al. Immune response to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccines detecting antibodies to BVDV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2c. Vaccine 2020;38(4)4032–4037.

The Best Time to Start Your Retirement Plan

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How do ionophores work?

Chinese Scientist Accused Of Smuggling ‘Potential Agroterrorism Weapon’ Into the U.S.

¹Fulton RW, Briggs RE, Ridpath JF, et al. Transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b to susceptible and vaccinated calves by exposure to persistently infected calves. Can J Vet Res 2005;69(3):161–169.

²Perkins-Oines S, Dias N, Krafsur G, et al. The effect of neonatal vaccination for bovine respiratory disease in the face of a dual challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus and Mannheimia haemolytica. Vaccine 2023;41(19):3080–3091.

³ Fulton RW, Cook BJ, Payton ME, et al. Immune response to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccines detecting antibodies to BVDV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2c. Vaccine 2020;38(4)4032–4037.