Drought intensifies in cattle country

According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 37.2% of the United States including Puerto Rico, an increase from the previous week’s 35.8%. The worst drought categories (extreme to exceptional drought) increased from 12.2% to 13.3%. Much of the region is experiencing some level of need for moisture. Abnormal dryness and drought are currently affecting […]

Snapshots from Western Junior 2020

Iowa’s Best Burger is at the Twisted Tail

The Twisted Tail in Beebeetown, Iowa is well known for its ribs, which won first prize in the 2013 Iowa State Fair Farm Bureau Cookoff. And now, the restaurant can add “Iowa’s Best Burger” to its list of awards. The western Iowa restaurant has been owned by Ed and Ruth Spencer since 2011, and is managed by two of their […]

Seeking information and challenging beliefs 

By Eric  Jennings   I have noticed a trend in our country that people are seeking out the information that agrees with their beliefs instead of seeking out information that might challenge their beliefs.  Where are our critical thinking skills? I attended the Fourth of July celebration at Mt Rushmore, complete with President Trump, Governor Noem, and a host of […]

Beef demand in the Chinese market is quickly recovering

It is no surprise to readers of this report that China is today the world’s largest beef buyer. This is a topic that we have covered before, mostly in the broader context of global beef demand. In previous years, non tariff barriers limited the entry of US beef into the Chinese market. That changed last year, however, as the signing […]