Advice from a banker



Tough financial times require better financial management. Here are ten tips for farmers and ranchers to consider:1. In tough times, cash is king. Carefully examine every capital purchase that will require additional debt. Ask yourself if the expenditure will generate the cash flow needed to pay for itself. If the new item can’t create enough new cash to pay for […]

Belgrade-area rancher asked to step down from Montana Board of Livestock



Belgrade-area rancher Becky Weed is no longer a member of the Montana Board of Livestock.Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who appointed Weed to the board in 2007, asked her to step down and last week accepted a resignation she never tendered, Weed said.The governor’s office said Schweitzer asked for Weed’s resignation because she had sold her sheep and thus was no longer […]

Brazil halts production at meat plants



The fourth largest Brazilian exporter of beef has halted slaughtering operations at all 11 of its plants in Brazil and sent workers home, local Brazilian media reports. In addition, Independência has not paid cattle suppliers for several days and has returned most cattle to suppliers.According to the Brazilian Secretary of External Commerce (Secretaria de Comércio Exterior, SECEX), Independência was the […]

Brian Curtis of Belle Fourche, S.D. closes show on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Tokyo Drift



TUCSON, Ariz. – The 84th annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros ended March 1 with seven contestants clinching championships before a sellout crowd of 11,000 fans and a celebrated veteran cowboy taking home the all-around championship buckle for a third time. Tie-down and team roper Joe Beaver of Huntsville, Texas won the Lynn Beutler Award as this year’s all-around champion […]

Clients over the ‘Moon’ for beef



It is hard to pass up sizzling beef that is hot off the grill when you see or smell it and that is exactly what John and Patty Moon are banking on. The couple sells beef direct from the Moon Creek Ranch near Montevideo, Minn. Cooking and catering, using their home-raised, corn fed beef, has been the best promotional tool […]

FDA feed ban brings challenges, opportunities to Minnesota renderer



REDWOOD FALLS, Minn. – The Food and Drug Administration’s final expanded feed ban rule is no doubt causing a lot of headaches in the beef and dairy industries, from producers to packing plants to rendering companies. But, for at least one renderer, the ruling has created opportunity to develop new value-added products.The final FDA ruling, which goes into effect April […]

Grain Summary, Feb. 27



Compared to last week, grain bids were mix as the futures were volatile. Funds were sellers in the wheat and buyers in the corn and soybean markets early in the week. The dollar was higher with crude oil and the stock market lower early and late in the week. However, the stock market and outside markets got a break lending […]

Hay Summary, Feb. 27



Trade and movement slow. Demand moderate to good. Prices mostly steady to weak. All prices dollars per ton FOB stack in medium to large square bales and rounds, unless otherwise noted. Horse hay in small squares. Prices are from the most recent reported sales.South Central/North Central IAAlfalfa: Small and large squares, premium 200.00/ton, Good Large Round Bales 110.00/ton.Northeast Nebraska Alfalfa: […]

National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Summary, Feb. 27



Compared to last week, feeder and stocker cattle price trends were very uneven but mostly steady to 3.00 lower. Losses outweighed the gains in most cases and the direction of the market was dependant on which day of the week the sales took place. Major Monday auction markets were sharply lower, however these salebarns did not realize last week’s full […]

National Slaughter Cattle Summar, Feb. 27



Compared to last week: Slaughter cattle trading begin late Thursday in Nebraska with near 41,000 head moving by Friday morning. The South Plains remained at a standstill through noon Friday. Nebraska dressed sales trended 1.00-3.00 higher and 1.50-2.00 higher on a live basis. Cattle futures were supportive this week while wholesale beef values were lower. The boxed beef cut-out Friday […]