Ag Social Media ‘Rock Stars’ encourage farmers, ranchers



A quartet of agricultural social media “rock stars” offered tips and encouragement to farmers and ranchers at a special conference during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94th Annual Meeting in Nashville in mid-January. “Social media allows us to be part of the conversation,” said Ryan Goodman, a cattle rancher from Arkansas who created the AgricultureProud.com blog and is a guest […]

Bullish Cattle on Feed report to the rescue



Given the January selloff of the April contract of near seven dollars a bullish report was much needed. The market responded with an increase of $2.65 /cwt increase for both the February and April contracts on Monday.Much of the increase can be attributed the number of cattle placed and marketed in December versus what was estimated from analysts. Placements at […]

Cort Sheer wins Battle of the Borders Saddle Bronc Futurity



Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Neb. takes the first championship title at the Battle of the Borders U.S. vs. Canada Saddle Bronc Futurity held during the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo. Scheer turned in a total score of 165 on two rides. He secured his win in the short-go on Vold/Kling/Wageen stock contractor’s horse Stroker Ace with a score of 85.5. […]

Cow shot in Lyon Co. Kansas, reward offered



Ray Kraus of Osage City, Kan. has reported finding the remains of a 1,200 lb. fall-calving black cow that had been mutilated in a Lyon County pasture. The pasture is located one mile west of Harveyville on Highway 31, then four miles south on Miller Road and three-quarters of a mile east on Road 390. Kraus and law enforcement authorities […]

Faith, Sturgis, Valentine to host cattle showcases



There are three upcoming hometown-style events that will allow cattle producers to showcase their genetics if they so wish. Rancher’s Forum and Pen Show Ranchers are invited to the 37th Annual Rancher’s Forum in Faith, S.D. on Feb. 7. New this year, the 2nd Annual Pen of 3 Showcase will be held in conjunction with the Rancher’s Forum.Both the Rancher’s […]

Five export opportunities



After a year of challenges – highlighted by the worst drought in more than a half-century – the U.S. red meat (beef, pork and lamb) industry is focusing on 2013 as a year of great opportunities to increase the value those agricultural exports bring to exporters, processors, producers and the broad American agricultural industry that supports them.The impact of the […]

Grain Market Review, Jan. 25



Compared to last week, grain and soybean bids traded mixed. The first trading day of the week started on Tuesday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday. Wheat was lower as demand remains slow and selling interest prevailed, along with spillover pressure from other grains. Corn had slight losses as some pressure mounted from the sell-off in […]

Hay Summary, Jan. 25



Eastern Wyoming Alfalfa: Supreme large squares 265.00-280.00; Premium to Fair large squares 195.00-240.00. Alfalfa/Grass: Premium to Fair large squares 225.00-240.00Grass Hay: Large squares 240.00-245.00, large rounds 220.00-250.00.CRP Hay: Large rounds 200.00-215 Del.Corn Stalks: Large squares 100.00-125.00, large rounds 100.00. Dehydrated alfalfa pellets (17% percent protein) 345.00 delivered wholesale. No reported quotes for other classes of hay. Central and Western Wyoming […]

Iowa Beef Industry Council elects officers



Scott Niess, cow-calf producer and cattle feeder from Osage, was elected chairman of the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) at the January board meeting. Niess will lead the group of cattle producers who oversee the Iowa beef checkoff program. Roger Brummett, Bedford, will serve as vice-chairman with Scott Heater, Wapello, as secretary and Daryl Strohbehn, Boone, as treasurer. Steve Rehder, […]

Japan to relax rules

The Asian country is set to begin accepting U.S. beef less than 30 mos. Feb. 1

On Monday, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the agreement to further open Japan’s market to U.S. beef. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions which pave the way for expanded exports of U.S. beef […]