Latest News From Livestock

Eight beef packing projects are in various stages of completion that could add 10% to total industry capacity; is it needed? What potential headwinds might these ventures face?

Missouri soils unlocked a ‘golden’ antibiotic 75 years ago that’s still used in livestock today.

From the Mississippi River to the Panama Canal, this year’s drought has resulted in low water levels that are likely to disrupt agricultural production and trade through at least the end of the year.

It's no wonder farmers experience higher levels of anxiety and depression because of the many factors they deal with that are out of their control. But how does that affect their family? A new study sheds light.

Dry conditions persist across parts of the U.S., with nearly half of the nation’s corn crop and 37% of the nation’s hay crop areas experiencing drought. Cattle producers could be forced to make more tough decisions.

Where is the pork industry on its path to a PRRS-resistant pig? Matt Culbertson, chief operating officer at PIC, provides an update.

Travel to Carpenter, Wy., and you’ll see two-thirds of the state’s 9,000 dairy cows, who are milked at Burnett Dairy. You’ll also get to see an upcoming second-generation dairy farmer, Reese Burnett.

Tyson Foods is deploying autonomous refrigerated box trucks to bolster Tyson routes in Northwest Arkansas. Operating 18 hours a day, these driverless trucks will deliver products to distribution and storage facilities.

Sound management decisions that will impact future profit potential is based on facts arrived at through mathematical analysis. Decisions based on emotions and/or tradition seldom lead to success. 

A Sept. 8 Farmer-Led Field Day in Nebraska will explore drought management strategies for moisture retention, tips for integrating cattle into row crop operations, and polycropping systems with area producers.

Explosive numbers, deadly destruction, devastating economic impact. Is it possible to control the spiraling feral hog population in Texas? A new study shows a warfarin-based toxicant could help.

Would you pay $32,000 for "cave-aged" blue cheese?

Rancher doesn’t know whether it was rustler’s remorse or publicity that gave the bandits cold feet about trying to sell the sheep that prompted their return.

Scientists have illuminated a critical gene within pigs that plays a pivotal role in the infection process of the African Swine Fever virus, which opens up avenues for developing ASF-resistant pigs.

A federal judge in Minnesota dismissed the claims filed by a putative class of cattle ranchers in a long-running case that alleged an industry-wide scheme to fix prices.

For those whose livelihood depends upon working outdoors or in less than favorable conditions, this week looks to be quite difficult with higher-than-normal temperatures and humidity predicted.

We try to be good parents by setting boundaries for our kids. We want to raise decent humans who are kind, make good choices and respect others. But let’s be real. During fair week, that all goes out the window.

The popular show has now raised almost $5.5 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the event’s inception in 1983.

Tyson Foods’ decision to shutter four poultry processing plants, combined with Smithfield Foods announcing the closure 35 Missouri pig farmers, are strong signals that rapid consolidation is already underway.

Gregg Doud, who led often-intense discussions with China between 2018 and 2020 as the chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S., will deliver the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture at Kansas State University.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday designated his fifth national monument in Arizona, an action embraced by Native American tribes in the area and opposed by mining companies and cattlemen.

Falling chicken and pork prices as well as slowing demand for its beef products are reasons Tyson Foods cited on Monday for missing Wall Street expectations for third-quarter revenue and profit, Reuters reports.

The state's key witness in the trial of an Arizona rancher accused of killing a Mexican citizen trespassing on his property last January had previously served time in a federal prison for drug smuggling.

The Texas A&M Forest Service warns of increased wildfire danger, as high temperatures and dry conditions continue to impact the state.

Childcare presents a unique challenge for producers looking to balance farm and family. Is there a way to allow children to free-range without compromising safety, mental health and productivity?

Cattle feeders held firm to higher asking prices and packers continued to wave lower bids with only a few cattle trading hands. Leverage remains in the feeder’s hand as packers must begin filling Labor Day orders soon.

Raising teens isn’t for the faint of hearts. Raising teens is not easy and while many of those years are spent watching our children thrive on and off the farm, other times we are just trying to survive.

Packers and cattle feeders spent the week in a standoff ahead of USDA's dual July reports that were bullish as expected, suggesting a 3% decline in cattle inventories and a 2% decline in cattle on feed inventories.

Beef cows and total mid-year inventory down 3%. Cattle on Feed July 1 totaled 11.2 million head, down 2% from July 2022.

U.S. beef, pork and lamb producers are working on expanding red meat exports in Latin America based on the success they've had in Mexico and Columbia after signing trade agreements.

With the exclusion of firefighters and other personnel responding to emergencies, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is now issuing a permanent heat rule effective July 17 for outdoor workers.

Generally, a good week for agriculture with cattle steady to stronger despite a significant rally in the corn market. Packers try to hide their hand, but without inventory they must pay up to keep plants running.

Cattle industry leaders on Thursday (July 13) praised the introduction of a bipartisan congressional resolution recognizing the importance of commodity checkoff programs, including the Beef Checkoff.

Can you guess your state's top five favorite ice cream flavors?

Workers who help produce sour cream for brands, including Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Hello Fresh, have gone on strike. Teamsters Local 662 members at New Dairy Select Milk, a subsidiary of Borden Dairy are striking.

Feeder cattle got a boost from declining corn prices and wholesale beef prices moved lower ahead of next week's holiday-shortened schedule.

Which cities have the best barbeque? The answer depends on who you ask, and two recent rankings provide different results.

A California man has shown that ghost cattle are unnecessary to create a Ponzi scheme, just ghost manure. Or, at least, ghost manure digesters.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office, a California man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison due to his involvement in a nearly $9 million cow manure Ponzi scheme.

Families can expect to pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout for 10 people, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports, a decrease of 3% year over year, yet 14% higher than two years ago.

The anti-farmer movement now underway by fringe extremist groups is not pro-animal. It is extremism promoting regressive policies that will chip away at America's historically stable -- and affordable -- food supply.

Negotiated cattle traded lower for the second consecutive week and the Cattle on Feed report surprised with a placement total significantly higher than expected.

Three California-based cultivated meat companies have received approval from USDA to begin producing and marketing lab-grown chicken.

Oklahoma State University announced Dr. Jayson Lusk as the new dean and vice president of its Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Lusk will succeed Dr. Tom Coon in early August. 

Cash cattle prices retreated from the previous week's historic highs and a seasonal decline was to be expected. Analysts, however, believe another rally is brewing later in the season.

The tentative agreement that's been reached with the West Coast longshoremen is of paramount importance for U.S. red meat, says USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. Here's why.

Set to open in 2025, the Olathe, Kan., plant will further Walmart’s commitment to creating an end-to-end Angus beef supply chain.

The CPI for May shows egg prices experienced the largest monthly drop in 72 years, but the price consumers are paying for a dozen eggs is still well above average over the past 10 years.

A significant rally in fed cattle over the past three weeks confirms the front-end supply of cattle remains extremely current and cattle feeders have been willing sellers driven by good profits and a strong basis.

Economists say U.S. pork producers are faced with a 35% increase in costs with losses currently pegged at $40 per head. Even with strong pork exports, economists warn 2023 could be worse than 1998 for some producers.