Latest News From Beef - General

Angus VNR: Shade and Cattle Performance
Angus VNR: Shade and Cattle Performance

To thrive in the environments beef producers have created for them, cattle must have access to basic cattle health and welfare. Among them, the ability to perform natural behaviors.

Cattle Ranchers Cull Cows as 60% of U.S. Cow Herd Faced with Drought
Cattle Ranchers Cull Cows as 60% of U.S. Cow Herd Faced with Drought

The latest U.S. Drought monitor indicates drought is gripping pastures, with 60% of the nation's cow herd is now in some level of drought or dryness, and it's causing cow slaughter numbers to climb.

Biden Administration: Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Need Masks
Biden Administration: Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Need Masks

The CDC recently announced new protocols for fully vaccinated people. Chip Flory discusses these new measures Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Senior Advisor to the White House COVID-19 Response Team.

Air Pollution Study Contributes to False Animal Ag Narrative
Air Pollution Study Contributes to False Animal Ag Narrative

A new study claims U.S. agriculture, in particular animal agriculture, is a major source of air pollution. NCBA's Ethan Lane says the misleading nature of this study contributes to the false narrative around animal ag.

Where’s the Beef: Con Artist Turns Texas Cattle Industry Into $100M Playground
Where’s the Beef: Con Artist Turns Texas Cattle Industry Into $100M Playground

In just a few buck-wild months in 2015, a Texas grifter pulled off a swindle nearing $100M, and turned the cattle industry into his playground, stirring more cash than some of the largest beef companies in the U.S.

When Stress Goes Beyond Normal 
When Stress Goes Beyond Normal 

It started with a broken baler. The farmer panicked. He had recently lost his brother to cancer and his father to old age. Not to mention he had 2,500 acres to farm, 250 beef cows to attend to and his crop just froze. 

Study Finds Beef Industry Can Cut Emissions
Study Finds Beef Industry Can Cut Emissions

A comprehensive assessment of 12 strategies for reducing beef production emissions found that industry can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 50% in certain regions, with most potential in the United States and Brazil.

Bouncing Back from Failure
Bouncing Back from Failure

Failure is a part of life, but how we bounce back from it determines how successful we will become.

Avoid, Adapt, Alter, Accept: Stress Management Tools for Farm Families
Avoid, Adapt, Alter, Accept: Stress Management Tools for Farm Families

The only certainty during spring planting is uncertainty. Farmers face many challenges: too much rain, too little rain, long hours, crop diseases and pests, machinery breakdowns.

The Surprising Truth: 4 Things You May Not Know About Reaching Goals
The Surprising Truth: 4 Things You May Not Know About Reaching Goals

Why don't we finish goals? Jon Acuff, best-selling author and motivational speaker, says we often focus on the wrong thing when we talk about our goals. Here's what he says it takes to finish the goals that matter.

Merck to Help Produce COVID-19 Vaccine, Won’t Impact Livestock Sector
Merck to Help Produce COVID-19 Vaccine, Won’t Impact Livestock Sector

Merck will start manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine in its human manufacturing facilities later this month.

Timing Matters: It pays to get more cows bred in the first 21 days
Timing Matters: It pays to get more cows bred in the first 21 days

Dr. Todd Bilby, associate director of ruminant technical services for Merck Animal Health, will share how to get more cows bred in the first 21 days, why it matters and how to improve those numbers.

True Grit: A Tribute to Ranchers Who Weathered the Extremes This Week
True Grit: A Tribute to Ranchers Who Weathered the Extremes This Week

The record cold temperatures and extreme weather had a major impact on ranchers across the country, but through it all, the men and women showed what the true definition of a rancher is.

Bohn, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has been a part of the cattle industry his entire life.
Kansas Cattleman and Veteran Jerry Bohn Named NCBA President

Bohn, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has been a part of the cattle industry his entire life.

CycleGuard 500 Receives Medicated Feed Combination Approvals

The approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is for combination use with other drug feed additive products in the manufacture of Type B and C medicated feeds.

Y3 Ranch, Idaho
Merck’s Dr. Angela Baysinger Receives “Feather in Her Cap” Award

Dr. Baysinger was recognized for her significant contribution and achievements to the animal health industry, including mentoring and developing future women leaders.

Nebraska Rancher Uses Herd to Honor Frontline Workers

David Schuler’s Christmastime tradition turned into a tribute to those working on as first responders through the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 Livestock Market Outlook Roundup
2021 Livestock Market Outlook Roundup

The editors at AgWeb.com are looking at experts’ projections for commodities in 2021 to help you succeed in the coming year. Here’s a look at what analysts expect for the upcoming year in the protein segments.

Beef outlook 2021
2021 Beef Outlook: New Challenges, New Opportunities

Disruptions to the beef industry from the COVID-19 pandemic will likely linger into 2021, but the result may not be all bad for producers, Don Close, animal protein analyst at Rabo AgriFinance told AgriTalk.

Startup Challenge
Beef Alliance Announces First-Ever Startup Challenge

The Beef Alliance Startup Challenge is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to align the customers of technology (cattle feeders) with the creators of technology (startups) to put high impact solutions to work.

Meat Packers Accelerated Spread of COVID-19, Study Says

New research published by the National Academy of Sciences ties livestock meat packing plants to 6% to 8% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, and 3% to 4% of the deaths through late July.

The diagnosis for this case was Myocarditis, most likely caused by Histophilus somni.
A Heifer On Feed Post-Mortem

The diagnosis for this case was Myocarditis, most likely caused by Histophilus somni.

Greg Henderson
Taxing Meat: A Fool’s Errand

Criticism of beef production is rampant worldwide, and a new international report will only further fuel activists who want your business shut down.

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Beef Industry Pioneer Bill Pratt, 77, Passes

Beef industry pioneer, inventor, entrepreneur and founder of Micro Chemical, Inc., William Cline "Bill" Pratt, 77, of rural Canyon, Texas, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

One hundred countries around the globe are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics.
7 Alternatives To Antibiotic Use Identified By Researchers

A new report,“Beyond Antibiotics: The Future of Animal Health Alternatives,” identifies alternatives that could help support the animal health industry and producers, while reducing antibiotic use.

Profit margins should improve for cow-calf and feedlots next year.
Cattle Market’s Bottom Is In, Nalivka Says

Profitability for both cow-calf and feedyards is projected to improve in 2021, Sterling Marketing president John Nalivka told AgriTalk host Chip Flory.

Green Plains Cattle Co. has sold.
Green Plains Exits Cattle Feeding Business

Omaha-based Green Plains Inc., has sold its remaining 50% interest in Green Plains Cattle Co. LLC, which has a one-time capacity of 355,000 head in six feedlots across three states.

Beef packing plant
Packer Antitrust Lawsuit Dismissed

The antitrust class-action lawsuit alleging America’s largest beef packers conspired to fix cattle prices has been dismissed by a federal judge in Minnesota.

#FarmON Concert featuring Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins and more.
#FarmON Concert is Tonight: Watch Live at 7 Central

Watch the #FarmON Concert benefiting the 4-H Fourward Fund with Lee Brice, Martina McBride, Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins and more. Watch a replay of the concert below.

A trail cam captured this raccoon taking the vaccine bait.
USDA-APHIS Distributes Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait In Select U.S. States

Farmers and ranchers were most concerned about rabid dogs biting cattle 20 years ago. Not now. Today, a bite from an infected wild animal, such as a fox or raccoon, is the more common method of infection in cattle.

Beef Sales Increase $3.5 Billion During Pandemic
Beef Sales Increase $3.5 Billion During Pandemic

Spiking cases of COVID-19 have forced restaurant and foodservice to scale back once again, and dollars are flowing back into retail meat departments at a record pace.

Range and pasture represent one-third of the continental U.S.
Integrity Beef Sustainability Pilot Project Completes Two-Year Study

The Integrity Beef Sustainability Pilot Project completed its innovative two-year study to validate, track and trace beef sustainability claims across all segments of the supply chain.

One in five Wendy's out of beef
Wendy's Faces Beef Shortages At Some Restaurants

Analysts say 18% of Wendy's restaurants are out of beef and the chain is "more exposed" to shortages due to the company's reliance on fresh, not frozen, beef.

Federal lands grazing
Three Ranches Apply For Hammond's Grazing Permits

At least three ranches have applied for BLM grazing permits on 41 square miles of Oregon range that was previously allotted to the Hammonds who were the subjects of a controversial legal case.

23 State Cattle Groups Call for DOJ Investigation
23 State Cattle Groups Call for DOJ Investigation

The organizations request a formal investigation by the Department of Justice to identify and investigate any evidence of fraudulent business practices within the beef meatpacking industry.

Top 10 Winners of the Drovers “Show Us Your Bulls” Photo Contest

Find out who won the latest Drovers photo contest!

Economic assessment study conducted by NCBA.
COVID-19: Cattle Industry Losses Estimated At $13.6 Billion

Estimated cattle industry losses due to COVID-19 will reach $13.6 billion, according to a study by ag economists conducted to assist USDA in determining how best to allocate CARES Act relief funds to cattle producers.

Spring burning in Kansas Flint Hills
Kansas Spring Burns Continue Despite State Request

Despite a request from KDHE to reduce range burning, monitoring equipment has detected six instances in which levels of ozone or particulate matter exceeded safety benchmarks in Kansas.

Top 10 Veterinary Colleges Announced
Top 10 Veterinary Colleges Announced

Three U.S. schools are included in the list.

Need A Way to Temporarily Keep Newborn Calves Warm? Try This
Need A Way to Temporarily Keep Newborn Calves Warm? Try This

This rancher’s innovative calf box keeps newborn calves out of the wind and warm until they can be brought to the barn.

With the direct contact method, a susceptible animal becomes exposed through physical contact when the agent from an infected animal or the environment enters open wounds, mucous membranes, or the skin through blood, saliva, nose-to-nose, rubbing, or biting another animal.
Clinical Refresher: The Five Routes of Disease Transmission

Concerns about COVID-19 have people worried about the health and safety of their families, businesses and livestock. Here’s a recap of the methods in which disease is spread.

Cupid Shuffle shown by Ryder Day
Cupid Shuffle Is A Milestone Champion

Cupid Shuffle became the first Hereford chosen as Grand Champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show since 1982, bringing back memories of Conoco, the first crossbred picked as champion in a major show 51 years ago.

Virginia Tech Testing Bee-Friendly Forage Material
Virginia Tech Testing Bee-Friendly Forage Material

Fescue is hardy, but can harbor a fungus that causes health issues for cattle. It also crowds out native plants, which can harm pollinator populations. A Virginia Tech study aims to solve both problems.

Merck Animal Health Launches Nasalgen 3
Merck Animal Health Launches Nasalgen 3

Three-way vaccine offers immunity against IBR.

FDA’s 2018 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals showed domestic sales and distribution increased 9% between 2017 and 2018.
Antibiotic Rules Continue to Evolve

Market forces and regulatory actions will drive emphasis on disease prevention and antibiotic stewardship.

We asked veterinarians for their thoughts on the key challenges and opportunities for success during the decade of the 2020s.
Veterinarians Weigh in on Trends, Expectations for the 2020s

Part 1: Client Services and Communications

Following is the letter Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp sent to Harvard President Lawrence S. Bacow.
Texas A&M Chancellor Calls on Harvard to Investigate Faculty Members

Letter says Harvard faculty members falsely accused Texas A&M scientists of selling out to industry interests.

APHIS is awarding of $ 10.2 million to support disease prevention and emergency response training and exercise projects as well as targeted projects to enhance laboratory diagnostic capability.
APHIS Announces Progress on Animal-Health Programs

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the progress the agency is making to implement programs funded by the 2018 Farm Bill. 

Mechanisms for transmission of CWD prions among captive or wild cervids are not fully understood.
Researchers Find CWD Proteins in Deer Semen

In research with potential implications for breeders and wild herds, scientists have detected the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in semen and sexual tissues of prion-infected whitetail deer bucks.