Latest News From WEATHER

Experts say Prices and Demand for Beef to Remain High

High beef prices are here to stay for a while, as recent drought conditions in Texas and around the country have reduced the nation's cattle supply to its lowest numbers in more than 50 years, according to agricultural experts.

Falling Grain Prices, Record Cattle Prices Mark 2014 Season

Farmers and ranchers across Kansas are wrapping up the 2014 growing season, marked by rapidly changing fortunes that were buffeted by weather and markets.

Livestock May Need Extra Feed in Colder Weather to Keep Warm

Livestock producers need to be thinking now about how they’ll keep their animals warm when the temperatures drop.

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NWS Winter Outlook: Cool and Wet Across Southern Plains

Forecast calls for above-normal temps west of the Rockies, with cooler-than-normal temps from the Gulf region to the southern edge of the Midwest.

Choosing Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index (PRF-RI) Insurance Coverage

November 15, 2014 is the deadline to purchase or change coverage for the 2015 calendar year.

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Cattle in Colorado Benefit from Healthier Pastures

Budding plant growth across northeastern Colorado's Pawnee National Grassland serves as visual evidence of recovery and relief brought by greater rainfall this year.

Ranchers Still Rebuilding After Last Year's Blizzard
Ranchers Still Rebuilding After Last Year's Blizzard

It’s been one year since an early snowstorm in South Dakota killed over 40,000 head of livestock. While most ranchers have found a way to scrape by, rebuilding hasn’t been easy.

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Ranchers Reflect on October Blizzard One Year Later

It’s been nearly a year since an early blizzard plowed into the northern Plains, killing more than 40,000 head of livestock. Now, ranchers are focused on rebuilding.

Don’t Miss Deadline for Maximum Grazing Disaster Relief

Livestock producers who lost money due to droughts or fires between October 2011 and 2013 could be eligible to receive recovery assistance money through the Livestock Forage Disaster Assistance Program.

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Cow Herd Expansion Will Take Years

The nation hasn’t seen such a small beef cow herd in decades. Now many producers who survived the recent drought are focused on rebuilding. The question is, how long will it take?

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BeefTalk: Wet and Dry; There Is No Constant

The center, as with all producers, embarks on a management regime that adds and subtracts cattle, and moves cattle to take timely advantage of a plant’s response to moisture.

Texas Beef Producers can Apply for Federal Disaster Aid due to Drought

Federal disaster aid for Texas cattle producers is available and officials are encouraging producers to act quickly in applying for programs.

Greener Pastures Signaling U.S. Beef Supply Rebound

Drought is starting to recede in many of the top beef producing states.

Better Growing Conditions Provide Opportunity for Cattlemen

Improving forage conditions provide more options for Oklahoma cattle producers.

Rebuilding will be Challenging for Cattle Producers

A recent study indicates economic challenges will persist for cattle producers looking to expand herds.

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Drought Devastating Southeastern Colorado

Speaker at Cattle Industry Summer Conference reflects on drought in Southeastern Colorado.

Where Will Beef Cows Expand?

When are beef producers going to expand the breeding herd and in what regions of the country will that occur?

Finding Long-term Links Between Weather and Cattle Production

Decades of data kept by USDA scientists are providing valuable information about how seasonal weather patterns affect cattle production.

Kansas Farmers Adjust Practices as Ogallala Aquifer Shrinks

Irrigation transformed this region known by early explorers as the Great American Desert into an oasis of sorts. In an area of limited rainfall and surface water availability, the Ogallala allowed farmers to grow corn, which attracted cattle feedlots, then meatpacking plants, ethanol plants and dairies. Now the nation's largest freshwater aquifer is starting to run dry.

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California Drought Threatens to Dry Up Farm Wells

Farmers in pockets of California hardest hit by the drought could begin to see their wells run dry a year from now.

Drought Assistance for 2012 and Beyond

Drought assistance for livestock producers is now available for 2012 and 2013.

Rebuilding with Bluegrass Heifers

The Central Kentucky Premier Heifer Sale hopes to aid in rebuilding the national beef herd through their twice yearly female auction and private treaty sales.

Missouri Extension Guide on Forage Irrigation Systems Available

University of Missouri Extension has released a guide for farmers thinking about using a forage irrigation system.

Cattle Blocked from Water by Feds in New Mexico

County officials in New Mexico have told the U.S. Forest Service that gates need to be unlocked at a mountain riparian area that is within the Lincoln National Forest so cattle can reach the water in the drought stricken state.

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Tight Cattle Market Benefiting Louisiana Producers

Smaller beef supply could lead to more profitable years in the near future for producers who managed to hold onto cattle.

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Oklahoma State Receives USDA Grant to Tackle Cattle Climate Adaptability

Oklahoma State University has been awarded a $1 million grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide some of the first climate adaptation tools for beef producers in the form of water management resources.

Pro Farmer's Monday Morning Wake Up Call

Rain and cold temps are expected to keep many farmers out of the field this week.

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Potential Impact of Climate Change on Rangeland Plants

USDA research looks at how global warming will affect native grassland.

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Stretching Your Grazing on Drought-Stressed Pastures

Feeding hay is just one strategy to consider when trying to compensate for drought-stressed pastures.

Weather Threatening Continued U.S. Beef Herd Expansion

Weather will dictate if the U.S. beef herd is rebuilt.

Producers Should Look at Tax Implications of Drought

Property damage and livestock liquidations have implications at tax time.

NMSU Extension Program Focuses on Feral Hogs, Cattle Health, Drought

New Mexico State University’s Cattleman’s Current Issues Program will give producers an opportunity to get the latest updates on these topics and more March 28.

EPA and Army Corps Proposal Expands Clean Water Act Jurisdiction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corp of Engineers (Corps) proposed an expansion of their federal authority over “waters of the United States.”

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USDA: Dry Weather Could Knock Down Feeder Markets

Corbitt Wall gave the Weekly National Feeder Cattle Summary report for the week ending March 21.

One Nation Without Water

Drought has had a widespread impact on all areas of the beef industry. To stay in business, water is the name of the game.

Rangeland Management is Key to Surviving Drought

Improved management adapted to changing rangeland conditions will be a key to surviving three back-to-back years of drought.

Expert: Cattle Producers Have Many Options to Weigh When Considering Restocking

With the cattle market at all-time highs and drought having decimating herds across Texas, some might consider restocking, but are questioning if it’s the right time to buy.

Reuilding Drought Conditions Threaten Oklahoma Cow Herd Expansion
Reuilding Drought Conditions Threaten Oklahoma Cow Herd Expansion

Although data indicate the rebuilding of Oklahoma’s beef cow herd is happening, herd numbers are still down 10.5 percent from Jan. 1, 2011, meaning the process is only in the beginning stages.

Panhandle Ranch Management Event to Update Cattlemen

Event helps strategize for future under drought conditions.

Rains Give Hope to Drought Plagued Hawaii Ranchers

Weeks of slow, soaking rains are helping the grass grow again on the western slopes of Maui and Hawaii islands, giving cattle ranchers hope they may at last escape a punishing drought brought on by years of below-normal rainfall.

New Mexico Senators: Federal Drought Aid to be Expedited

New Mexico's two U.S. senators say ranchers will soon be able to sign up for drought disaster aid made available through the federal farm law signed last week.

Windy Start to 2014 Brings Wind Chills; Weather Challenges Livestock Producers

Cold dominated the weather reports since Jan. 1 and it has made managing livestock during these frigid times more difficult.

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California Ranchers Missing Beef Rally in Bid to Survive Drought

Record-high U.S. beef prices offer little comfort to California ranchers.

Grazing Through the Hard Times

Managing forage and water goes a long way toward profitability.

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Eliminating Grazing won't Reduce Impact of Climate Change on Rangeland

Eliminating grazing won't reduce the impact of climate change on rangeland, according to nearly 30 scientists in the western United States.

CattleFax Projections Include Improved Weather Conditions and Record Prices

Cattlemen and women gathered today at the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show to hear CattleFax market analysts’ projections for the year ahead.

Feds Announce $20M for California Farmers

Federal officials have announced $20 million in aid for California farmers affected by the ongoing drought.

USDA: Very Cold Temps on Tap for the Midwest & Plains

Beneficial winter precip is falling on the Central & Southern Plains

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2014 Cattle Inventory Lower Than Expected

Industry analysts expected cattle herds to decline by about 1.5%, but USDA’s total came in about 250,000 head lower than pre-report estimates--a 2% decline.