Latest News From STATE

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Are Deer in COVID’s Crosshairs?

With deer hunting a major recreational activity and economic benefit, understanding more about deer and the possibility of zoonotic disease transmission ensures the industry’s safety and sustainability.

Ranchers Seek Remedy To Black Vultures In S.C.
Ranchers Seek Remedy To Black Vultures In S.C.

South Carolina’s Republican congressional delegation asked the Department of Fish and Wildlife to authorize a depredation order that allows black vultures to be killed under certain circumstances.

Detecting Texas Drought Conditions With Small Fish
Detecting Texas Drought Conditions With Small Fish

The Shoal chub is a widely distributed small fish species being studied as part of a project to identify how flow regulation in Texas can benefit water users while maintaining a sound ecological environment.

Greg Henderson
Colorado's Kessler Out At State Vet Board After Calling Ranchers 'Lazy'

Ellen Kessler proved a lightning rod on Colorado’s Board of Veterinary Medicine from the moment she was appointed by Gov. Polis in 2020. Her service came to an end last week after an "unprofessional" social media post.

New Iowa Beef Plant To Seek Federal Funds Through Biden Plan
New Iowa Beef Plant To Seek Federal Funds Through Biden Plan

The developer of a new beef processing plant targeted for western Iowa says the project expects to receive funding from the Biden Administration’s recently announced Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan.

Cowboy Recalls Career Working At Matador Cattle Co.
Cowboy Recalls Career Working At Matador Cattle Co.

Ray Marxer began working at Matador Cattle Co. in 1974, retiring as general manager in 2011. The ranch, owned by the Koch family since 1950, recently sold to Rupert Murdoch, a businessman, media tycoon, and investor.

Wildfire Donated Hay
Kansas Asks Vilsack to Adjust LIP, Donations to Wildfire Relief Now $1.5 Million

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack outlining the devastating impact of the extreme weather that impacted many Kansas livestock producers on December 15.

TSCRA Applauds Bill to Protect Landowners from High-Speed Rail Projects
TSCRA Applauds Bill to Protect Landowners from High-Speed Rail Projects

TSCRA president Hughes Abell says the cattlemen's group has long opposed the use of eminent domain to force the sale of private property for Texas Central’s high-speed rail venture.

#AgProud: Farm Bureau Provides Learning Opportunities to Local School
#AgProud: Farm Bureau Provides Learning Opportunities to Local School

With less people living on farms and ranches and understanding where food comes from, Farm Bureau provides agriculturally accurate resources to urban elementary school.

T Bar S Cattle Company Named American Gelbvieh Association Breeder of the Year
T Bar S Cattle Company Named American Gelbvieh Association Breeder of the Year

“I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me. I wanted to raise what I thought were the best cattle in the cow-calf industry and that led me to the maternal qualities of the Gelbvieh breed,” says Tom Vehige.

Critical Fire Weather Predicted in Texas Through Dec. 26
Critical Fire Weather Predicted in Texas Through Dec. 26

Critical fire weather is forecast through Dec. 26 for portions of North and West Texas, with Dec. 24 holding the most potential for wildfire activity, particularly in the Panhandle

Colorado's First Wolf Kill in Decades
Colorado's First Wolf Kill in Decades

A confirmed wolf kill was discovered near Walden, Colo., the home of one of Colorado’s wolf packs. This is the first confirmed wolf kill of livestock in Colorado in over 70 years.

Tyson, Cargill Among Donors To Kansas Wildfire Relief
Tyson, Cargill Among Donors To Kansas Wildfire Relief

The Kansas Livestock Association reports a total of 396 donations were made to the wildfire and severe storm relief fund through Dec. 21, including two large donations from meat processors Tyson and Cargill.

Hurricane-Force Winds Spark Wildfires in Kansas, Destroying Homes and Killing Cattle
Hurricane-Force Winds Spark Wildfires in Kansas, Destroying Homes and Killing Cattle

Hurricane-force winds and dry pastures resulted in multiple wildfires in western Kansas on Wednesday. The Kansas Livestock Association is coordinating relief efforts for affected ranchers.

Colorado Man Sentenced In $5 Million Cattle Ponzi Scheme
Colorado Man Sentenced In $5 Million Cattle Ponzi Scheme

A Colorado rancher was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in a cattle ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 100 investors of nearly $5 million.

Compensation for Rising Temperatures Without Compromising Beef Quality
Compensation for Rising Temperatures Without Compromising Beef Quality

Incorporating Brahman genetics into cattle herds amid changing environmental temperatures in the southwest has one Texas A&M AgriLife team researching the physiological differences to enhance beef quality.

Rupert Murdoch Buys Sprawling Montana Ranch From Koch Industries
Rupert Murdoch Buys Sprawling Montana Ranch From Koch Industries

Fox News founder and Wall Street Journal owner Rupert Murdoch has purchased the 340,000-acre Beaverhead Ranch in Southwest Montana from Koch Industries.

$5 Million to WTAMU Will Have Far-Reaching Impact on U.S. Meat Industry
$5 Million to WTAMU Will Have Far-Reaching Impact on U.S. Meat Industry

Two major gifts to West Texas A&M University totaling $5 million will help ensure the continued excellence of the University’s meat science program.

Rancher, Feeder Elected to Lead Kansas Livestock Association
Rancher, Feeder Elected to Lead Kansas Livestock Association

The Kansas Livestock Association elected Phil Perry of Oskaloosa as its president and Shawn Tiffany from Herrington as the new KLA president-elect during the group’s annual business meeting in Wichita.

Dwane Roth Receives Kansas Leopold Conservation Award
Dwane Roth Receives Kansas Leopold Conservation Award

Dwane Roth, Holcomb, Kan., a grain farmer with a strong interest in water conservation and irrigation technology, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Kansas Leopold Conservation Award®.

Texas Cattle Raisers Fight to Protect Water Rights in Texas Supreme Court Briefing
Texas Cattle Raisers Fight to Protect Water Rights in Texas Supreme Court Briefing

Texas cattle producers seek clarity and consistency over who has jurisdiction to decide disputes regarding ownership of water rights, the court system or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Oetting Homestead Farms Receives Missouri Leopold Conservation Award
Oetting Homestead Farms Receives Missouri Leopold Conservation Award

Oetting Homestead Farms of Concordia, Missouri, located in Lafayette County, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®.

Seminole Tribe of Florida Sells its Interests in Salacoa Valley Farms
Seminole Tribe of Florida Sells its Interests in Salacoa Valley Farms

The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., announced the sale of its interests in Salacoa Valley Farms of Fairmount, Georgia, one of the nation’s largest cattle operations.

New Mexico Buys Ranch To Expand Wildlife Habitat
New Mexico Buys Ranch To Expand Wildlife Habitat

A public-private partnership has purchased the Pipkin Ranch for management by New Mexico's Department of Game & Fish to expand the habitat of the lesser prairie chicken and other grassland wildlife.

Arizona Rancher Recognized For Commitment to Excellence
Arizona Rancher Recognized For Commitment to Excellence

Arizona rancher Ross Humphreys joined the cattle industry later in life than most, but his drive for raising high-quality beef earned the Certified Angus Beef 2021 Commercial Commitment to Excellence Award. 

New Mexico Ranchers Capture Texas Murder Suspect
New Mexico Ranchers Capture Texas Murder Suspect

Three New Mexico ranchers captured and held a Midland, Texas, murder suspect who fled law enforcement Monday night just north of Roswell, N.M.

Ute Creek Cattle Co. Receives New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award
Ute Creek Cattle Co. Receives New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award

Inspired by seven generations of family on the land and Aldo Leopold’s land ethic, Tuda Libby Crews approached restoration of the family's New Mexico ranch by collaborating with others.

More Than A Neighbor
More Than A Neighbor

As a small beef producer, Stacy McClintock, Soldier, KS., is a passionate representative at the national level as a member of the Federation of State Beef Councils.

Suspicious Deaths of 58 Cows In North Dakota
Suspicious Deaths of 58 Cows In North Dakota

Officials in North Dakota are investigating the suspicious deaths of 58 pregnant cows grazing U.S. Forest Service rangeland. The loss to the rancher is estimated at $100,000.

Kansas State Professor Dr. Miles McKee Passes
Kansas State Professor Dr. Miles McKee Passes

Longtime Kansas State University animal science professor and renowned beef cattle judge Richard “Miles” McKee, 91, passed away on Monday August 30, 2021, in Manhattan, Kansas.

All Texas Livestock Brands Expire August 31
All Texas Livestock Brands Expire August 31

For Texas livestock owners, the registration of brands, earmarks, tattoos and other forms of animal identification expire every ten years at the end of August.

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ICA Stresses Need for Custom Cattle Feeder Assistance

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to include custom cattle feeders as part of any upcoming assistance plans due to th eCOVID--19 pandemic.

Texas Cattle Co. Wins Suit Against Breed Association
Texas Cattle Co. Wins Suit Against Breed Association

A Texas jury has awarded a $30 million verdict to a cattle company after a three-year legal battle over withheld DNA verified pedigree information.

Brazil Meat Packing Plant
North Platte Expected To Invest In Sustainable Beef

Sustainable Beef, LLC, will likely receive $1 million from the North Platte Quality Growth Fund. to be used to help pay for the estimated $10 million cost of architectural, engineering and planning.

F.L. Sipes Farms Receives  Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award
F.L. Sipes Farms Receives Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award

F.L. Sipes Farms of Ekron is the recipient of the 2021 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award®. The award recognizes extraordinary achievement in conservation and management of natural resources by American farmers.

J.D. Cage
Cage: Protecting Cattle From Pest and Disease

Livestock from the U.S. move through Texas in route to Mexico every day. Animals rejected for export could be moved somewhere in Texas without proper testing and treatment, creating vulnerability for Texas ranchers.

New 1,500-Head Iowa Beef Packer To Open In 2023
New 1,500-Head Iowa Beef Packer To Open In 2023

Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company announced plans Friday to construct a 1,500-head per day beef processing facility in Mills County, Iowa, south of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. The plant will employ 750 workers.

Kansas Flint Hills Lease Rates 2021
Kansas Flint Hills Lease Rates 2021

Pasture lease rates in a 14-county area of the Flint Hills of Kansas were reported 2% to 3% higher in 2021 compared to 2019, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

ND Drought Creates Forage Shortage
ND Drought Creates Forage Shortage

North Dakota ranchers are experiencing an historical widespread drought and the window for forage production is closing for 2021. Many producers may not have adequate production to justify haying.

Ghost-Cattle Scheme Spawns Another Lawsuit
Ghost-Cattle Scheme Spawns Another Lawsuit

The fallout continues from a ghost-cattle scheme as Rabo AgriFinance filed suit in federal court seeking to foreclose on Easterday family assets that have been in default for months.

Cattle Fraud Charges Added To Diemel Murders
Cattle Fraud Charges Added To Diemel Murders

A Missouri man accused of the murders of two Wisconsin brothers in 2019 now faces additional federal fraud charges relating to his business dealings with the brothers.

San Pedro Ranch to Receive Texas Leopold Conservation Award
San Pedro Ranch to Receive Texas Leopold Conservation Award

San Pedro Ranch, located near Carrizo Springs is the recipient of the 2021 Texas Leopold Conservation Award®. The ranch is owned by siblings Joseph Fitzsimons and Pamela Fitzsimons Howard and their families.

Famous Montana Ranch Under Contract For $136 Million
Famous Montana Ranch Under Contract For $136 Million

The Climbing Arrow Ranch consisting of nearly 80,000 acres near Bozeman - and featured in a 1992 Robert Redford movie - was under contract within a week for its asking price after a bidding war.

TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund Distributes Aid
TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund Distributes Aid

Thanks to contributions from across the U.S., Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Disaster Relief Fund mailed checks totaling $112,750 to cattle raisers financially burdened by February’s Winter Storm Uri.

Devastating Drought: Texas Farmers Say 2021 Drought Already Rivals 2011
Devastating Drought: Texas Farmers Say 2021 Drought Already Rivals 2011

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows from North Dakota to Texas, all the way west to California, the most severe levels of drought didn’t ease across the U.S. this past week. 

Greg Henderson
PAUSE Act A Radical Threat To Ranching

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has effectively hung a “welcome” sign out encouraging radical activist groups to make mischief in his state and torment ranchers. The first salvo is called the PAUSE Act.

California Cattle Council Launches Wildfire Resiliency Effort
California Cattle Council Launches Wildfire Resiliency Effort

The California Cattle Council has launched a public affairs effort to promote science-based solutions and tools to help make California more wildfire resilient.

Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence
Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence

A new public health and research center in Oklahoma is taking some of the best technology and using it to fuel a public health system that combines agricultural, environmental and human health for a holistic response.

National Beef Will Expand Iowa Processing
National Beef Will Expand Iowa Processing

National Beef Packing Company, LLC, announced plans to increase processing capacity and production at its Iowa Premium facility located in Tama, Iowa. Capacity is expected to be increased to 2,500 head per day.

Cowboys Needed For Wily Rhode Island Steer
Cowboys Needed For Wily Rhode Island Steer

A 1,500-pound steer escaped Feb. 4 while unloading at Rhode Island Beef and Veal, a slaughterhouse in Johnston. The steer is rather wily as he has only been seen a handful of times in the six weeks since his escape.