Bovine Trichomoniasis in Dewey County, SD



Cattlemen and veterinarians in South Dakota’s Dewey County and surrounding counties should be aware that bovine trichomoniasis (Trich), a serious malady with the potential to be economically devastating for producers, has been confirmed in Dewey County, South Dakota herd.The trichomoniasis organism is transmitted between cows and bulls in the breeding season, causing early term abortions. Producers are often unaware of […]

Feeder & Stocker Cattle, March 1



Compared to last week, feeder cattle and calf markets were not fully tested due to the second severe winter storm to hit many areas of the Southern Plains and the Midwest in less than a week. Direct trade and auction sales in the unaffected areas of the Northern Plains were steady to 3.00 lower, but some firmness was noted late […]

Food and beef news

Rural food desserts, new meat company in Neb.,and beef at the Boston Marathon

Mixed with the news of shrinking cattle herd numbers, sequestration and rising food prices in February there were three interesting, and positive, news items about food and beef.SDSU fighting hunger in Rural Food DesertsWith funding from a $4 million USDA grant, SDSU will lead a six-state research effort to develop community-based programs which will establish food security and sustainable healthy […]

GMO bill doesn’t make it out of committee in Colo.



On February 21, members of the Colorado House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee met to discuss HB 1192, concerning labeling requirements for genetically engineered food. The bill was defeated in committee after hours of testimony including that from Colorado Farm Bureau. Charlie Talbott, a fifth generation peach grower from Palisade, gave the following testimony. “We, all food producers in this […]

Grain Summary March 1



Compared to last week, grain bids were mixed with corn and grain sorghum higher and wheat and soybeans trading lower. Corn had solid gains as grain traders remain focused on tight corn supplies; exports were a little better than expected and good buying interest. Soybeans had good buying interest on Thursday of this week and positive export sales with fresh […]

National Slaughter Cattle Summary, March 1



Compared to last week: Slaughter cattle sold 4.00-5.00 higher on a live basis. Dressed sales in Nebraska traded 8.00 higher. Packer demand good. Boxed beef prices Friday noon averaged 186.37 up 4.83 from last Friday. The Choice/Select spread is at 2.24. Slaughter cattle on a national basisfor negotiated cash trades through Friday noon totaled about 64,440 head. Last week’s total […]

Nebraska livestock auction destroyed by fire



Gothenburg Livestock in Gothenburg, Neb. was destroyed by fire Feb. 25.The North Platte Telegraph reports the building is considered a total loss. Fire departments from Gothenburg and Cozad responded to battle the blaze which was reported around 4:30 p.m.The building was empty at the time, so there were no injuries to either people or livestock, as well as no damage […]

New CattleFax officers named



Kevin Hughes, a cattle feeder and president of Agri Beef Risk Management Co, Boise, Idaho, was elected president of CattleFax at the organization’s business meeting in Tampa, Fla., Feb. 7. Jerry Kuenning, president of Kuenning & Son LLC, Imperial, Neb., was elected vice president.CattleFax is a supplier of valuable market and associated information to the cattle industry and related businesses. […]

Okla. man charged after stealing horses



A Wynona, Okla. man pleaded guilty Feb. 28 on 2 felony counts of Larceny of Domestic Animals after stealing 2 horses he was hired to break and train.Michael John Delaney II, 28, received a 10 year deferred sentence with supervised probation and was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution and another $1,700 in court costs.According to authorities, Delaney obtained possession […]

Rural Relevance



United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack had some really harsh words for rural America not long ago. Vilsack said he’s concerned because rural America is “becoming less and less relevant.” It was tough love for those of us who live off the land and love our small towns. But, he’s right. When it comes to political clout and public […]