Opinion
Herd building, whether through heifer retention or buying bred heifers, is a financial decision on the part of the cattleman and timing is part of that decision.
Decisions up and down the beef supply chain evolve around calculating costs and breakeven prices.
A more productive cowherd fuels the growth of beef production which in turn reduces the need to increase cow numbers to generate that same growth.
Scientists are ringing bells of warning about this virus, telling us to take action now. I hope we’re listening.
NCBA Policy director urges cattle producers to be diligent and watch for New World screwworm flies.
The Nov. 22 closing of the southern border to cattle imports from Mexico due to detection of New World Screwworm in a cow brings up questions regarding the history and future of trade with the country.
While financial well-being is a function of the market, it is also a function of the availability of grass for grazing cattle. Both define the cattle cycle. Furthermore, grazing is critical for rangeland health.
Total beef production is down a scant 0.7 percent so far this year and may end the year equal to year ago levels. Despite this, wholesale and retail beef prices are higher thus far in 2024.
There’s a lot of hyperbole out there about USDA’s EID mandate — much of it serves as nothing more than fear-mongering.
Based on the Drovers State of the Industry survey, the majority of producers agree or strongly agree that environmental impact, animal welfare, sustainable practices and desire of high-quality beef will be increasingly important.
Wherever there’s group think, there’s never much room for thoughtfulness.
The biggest impact of beef x dairy production is the blurring of the historical demarcation between beef and dairy sectors in the U.S.
Here’s a summary of the animal ID rules affecting some cattle and bison following last month’s announcement that APHIS would issue its final amendment to an already existing rule.
Activists will intensify their calls to end grazing and beef production over the next several years as climate change and carbon emissions become the priority as opposed to just protecting the environment.
Prices for day-old beef-X-dairy (BXD) calves are often surprisingly high. But what used to be a highly discounted after-thought (straight dairy calves) is rapidly transforming into a meaningful source of production.
Checkoff deniers would have you believe per capita consumption data indicate demand is in decline. That claim was debunked 25 years ago.
Last week I learned I’m a 12-percenter, and if you’re a Drovers reader it is likely you are a 12-percenter, too. That’s not good, at least according to those who would regulate our dietary choices.
How fair officials and the local sheriff, both unencumbered by intelligence, tarnished your image as a livestock producer and created a public relations disaster.
An Open Letter to Superintendent Rick Nielsen, Nebo School District (Utah): “Utah school gives kids ‘disgusting’ insects to eat in class for climate assignment on cows killing the Earth.”
Regardless of how lab-grown protein products are categorized, the federal law that created the Beef Checkoff does not allow such products to be promoted.
An Executive Order recently called for “advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing” to create a more “sustainable” bioeconomy. What is this, you may ask? A decoy.
Next week will be a good one for folks with good internet access and a few free hours who want to see some rhetorical fireworks about cattle price discovery.
Suboptimal cattle production isn’t just an innocuous segment that has no effect on the rest. Poorly managed cattle are a drag on the whole system and the impacts are worsening as we look to address big challenges.
A controversial animal rights activist and former member of the Colorado State Board of Veterinary medicine has been charged with animal cruelty. The blatant hypocrisy is stunning.
A foreign leader addressing a joint session of Congress this week was a rarity. Not to be outdone, the partisan and often cantankerous members of the U.S. Senate passed legislation unanimously on a voice vote!
Colorado ranchers say they are “under attack” by their governor after hiring a director of the Bureau of Animal Protection who has ties to Mercy for Animals and leads a project that promotes plant-based food choices.
Plant-based chicken pluckers are not satisfied with a 1% market share, but they have the difficult task of convincing folks a concoction of pea protein, soy protein, flour, oils and sodium tastes just like chicken.