National Wheat Yield Contest Open for 2025

Following record-setting participation last year, the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is now accepting entries for its 10th annual yield contest. A total of 28 national winners will be named in 2025 a...

EPA Announces Revisions to Waters of the U.S. Rule

March 12, 2025 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced a major revision to the definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS), marking a significan...

Wyoming answers PETA with a rodeo license plate

Wyoming lawmakers answered demands by animal rights group PETA to remove the iconic bucking horse from the state’s license plate. It wasn’t the answer PETA was hoping for.

Annual Sheep Industry Market Report Now Available

The American Sheep Industry Association prepares an annual market report for the American Lamb Board summarizing key statistics and trends in the sheep industry. The industry saw an increase in inven...

NAWG Celebrates 75 Years of Advocacy at 2025 Commodity Classic

3.5.25 Denver, CO – Farmers and industry leaders have gathered in Denver for the 2025 Commodity Classic, the nation’s largest farmer-led agricultural event, showcasing the latest in ag technology, mar...

Commodity Classic 2025: Key Policy Discussions Take Center Stage for Wheat Growers

3.4.25 Denver, CO – The nation's top agricultural leaders and producers have gathered in Denver for the 2025 Commodity Classic, where key discussions are focusing on farm policy, risk management, and...

National Potato Council Brings Industry Priorities to Capitol Hill

3.2.25 - This week, the nation's potato producers gathered in Washington, D.C., for the National Potato Council's Washington Summit. The event serves as a crucial opportunity for industry leaders to a...

USDA Invests Up To $1 Billion to Combat Avian Flu and Reduce Egg Prices

This week U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion-dollar comprehensive strategy to curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and low...

ASI President Lehfeldt Testifies Before Senate Agriculture Committee on Farm Economy Challenges

2.27.25 - The United States Senate Agriculture Committee recently heard testimony from farmers and ranchers across the nation, including Montana sheep rancher Ben Lehfeldt, who serves as president of...

Tariffs, Trade & Taters: A Deep Dive from Washington, D.C.

2.25.25 - Lane Nordlund, host of The LaneCast Ag Podcast, sat down with Matt Lantz of Bryant Christie Inc. to explore the complexities of international trade, tariffs, and new market opportunities.

Four States Irrigation Council Honors Ag, Water Infrastructure Leaders

The Four States Irrigation Council this winter once again took time to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in the irrigation, agriculture and water infrastructure industries....

National Chicken Council Offers Measure to Help Alleviate Egg Shortage in Wake of Bird Flu

In light of the pressure the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) outbreak is putting on the nation’s egg supply, and resulting record egg prices, the National Chicken Counci...

U.S.-India Trade Talks Could Open Doors for American Pulse Exports

2.21.25 - The United States and India are in negotiations on a new trade deal that could lower tariffs and provide better market access for American agriculture, particularly pulse crops. India, the w...

Rogers New NCBA Policy Division Vice Chair

The newly elected NCBA Policy Division Vice Chair is a Yuma, Colorado, rancher with deep roots in the cattle business and a penchant for good dogs and the occasional Hawaiian shirt.

Federal Layoffs Hit U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska

Ag groups in Nebraska are urging lawmakers to fund agriculture research after federal layoffs hit close to home.

USDA Cuts Jobs: Thousands Workers Fired

February 15, 2025 - Thousands of employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture across an array of agencies and jobs have been fired since Thursday, DTN has learned. USDA on Friday afternoon released...

South Dakota Senator John Thune Leads Effort to Permanently Repeal the Death Tax

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today led 45 of his Senate colleagues, including Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, in reintroducing legislation that...

Brooke Rollins Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

February 13, 2025 - The U.S. Senate voted 72-28 on Thursday to confirm Brooke Rollins as the next Secretary of Agriculture.

U.S. Wheat Industry Supports USDA Administration of Food for Peace

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome new legislation introduced today that would move the Food for Peace international food assistance program unde...

NACD, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever signed a memorandum of understanding during the association’s 79th Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, U...

Boebert asks energy secretary to halt NIETC designation in Colorado and New Mexico

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is the first member of the Colorado Congressional delegation to send a letter to newly minted Secretary of Energy – and fellow Coloradoan – Chris Wright asking Sec. Wright...

Mexico Repeals Ban on US Biotech Corn Imports Following USMCA Dispute Loss

The Mexican government on Thursday repealed its ban on genetically modified corn imports from the U.S. after losing an arbitration ruling under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, in December...

CattleFax Forecasts Continued Strong Demand and High Price Outlook for Cattle Producers

The U.S. beef industry is poised for another year of strong market performance, driven by tight cattle supplies and robust consumer demand. As the beef cowherd enters a stabilization phase following y...

University of Nevada, Reno Researcher Develops Potential Game-Changing Sorghum Varieties for Dairy Feed and Gluten-Free Foods

Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have unveiled 200 sorghum varieties that could be a game-changer in the food, brewery, dairy feed and biofuel industry. Preliminary research underscores t...

NCBA Announces 2025 Policy Priorities

This week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Executive Committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at CattleCon 2025. This year the focus will be on engaging with the Trum...

U.S. Cattle Herd Down 1% as of January 1, 2025

All cattle and calves in the United States as of Jan. 1, 2025, totaled 86.7 million head, 1% below the 87.2 million head on Jan. 1, 2024, USDA NASS reported on Friday. All cows and heifers that have c...

Kansas Farmers Die in DC Plane Crash

1.31.25 Southern Kansas canola and wheat farmers Bob and Lori Schrock were among 67 people who perished when an American Eagle flight 5342 from Wichita collided with a Blackhawk helicopter Wednesday...

American Farm Bureau Establishes 2025 Policies

Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2025. Key topics ranged from labor to rural broadband...

Barrasso Bill Supports Ranchers and Livestock Grazing Across the West

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has introduced the Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health (RANCH) Act. This legislation promotes resilient and healthy rangelands and effective gra...

NWSS Auction of Champions breaks records

Emotion ran high as the bidding for the 2025 Grand Champion Steer soared to a record-breaking $210,000, leaving the crowd visibly moved. This surpassed the previous record set in 2023, when the Grand...

Farm Bureau Members Meet in Texas for Annual Convention

Over 5,000 Farm Bureau members are in San Antonio, Texas for the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. During the opening session, AFBF President Zippy Duvall thanked farmers and ranchers...

Cargill Agrees to Pay $32.5 Million to Settle Price-Fixing Case Over Turkeys

The potential settlement comes in a case led by a collection of companies that buy large volumes of turkey products. They filed a lawsuit initially in 2019 against major turkey producers, which also i...

USCA Reiterates Dire Concerns of Forced and Child Labor in Meat Processing

In light of the Department of Labor’s agreement with JBS USA Food Co. to address child labor, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) reiterated their commitment to challenging exploitation a...

Governor Gianforte Selects Jillien Streit to Lead Montana Department of Agriculture

Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the appointment of Jillien Streit as Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA). Streit currently serves as the financial controller at Flat Acre F...

American Lamb Board Focused On Helping Sheep Producers Profitably Grow Their Operations

One of the groups meeting this week here at the American Sheep Industry Association's Annual Convention in Scottsdale, AZ is the American Lamb Board. ALB Chair and Kansas producer Jeff Ebert says that...

American Lamb Board Release 2024 Annual Report

The American Lamb Board is committed to sharing the story of American Lamb with consumers through targeted marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships. In 2024, ALB launched a series of successfu...

ASI President from Wyoming says New Farm Bill Top Priority for 2025

This week, Scottsdale, Arizona is once again hosting the American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention.
ASI president and Wyoming rancher Brad Boner says like other industry organizations pass...

Federal Trade Commission Sues John Deere Over Right to Repair

The Federal Trade Commission today, along with the Illinois and Minnesota Attorneys General, sued agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere & Company (Deere) over its use of unfair practices that have...

MSU Rodeo Team Selected for Presidential Inaugural Parade

January 14, 2025 The Montana State University (MSU) Rodeo Team has been honored with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., on Januar...

CPW ag reps vote against ag groups

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission met this week in Denver and heard over 100 comments, many attacking ranchers, about the petition filed to pause further wolf releases in the state until the...

USDA Expects More Winter Wheat in 2025

Planted winter wheat area for harvest in 2025 is estimated at 34.1 million acres, up 2% from 2024 but down 7% from 2023. A record-low planted area is expected in Utah. Seeding of the 2025 acreage was...

NWSS junior livestock shows' new home in 2026

The livestock shows will move to their new home in the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center in The Yards. The 30-acre facility will host events year-round, including the green carpet the junior marke...

Legal Battle Over Beneficial Ownership Rule Intensifies as GOP States Defend Injunction

The attorneys general for 25 Republican-led states have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court defending a court injunction against enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act and the law's requi...

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Denies Grizzly Bear ESA Delisting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a new and comprehensive approach to long-term grizzly bear recovery in the lower 48 states and the concerns of those living with and near bears. The Se...

Potato Growers Applaud USDA Increase in Payment Limitations to $900,000 for Aid to Specialty Crop Growers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that specialty crop producers have an additional two days to apply for assistance to help offset higher marketing and production costs. Most not...

DNR: Colorado meets compact obligations for Republican River

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that the state has met its obligation to take out of irrigation some 10,000 acres of farmland on the south fork of the Republican River.

American Lamb Summit Headed for Idaho in July

The American Lamb Summit is scheduled for July 22-25, 2025, at the University of Idaho. This biennial industry event addresses critical strategies to improve the sheep industry’s competitiveness and p...

Bureau of Land Management Finalizes Western Solar Plan

The BLM has finalized their Western Solar Plan, to expand the 2012 plan to now include Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The updated Western Solar Plan identifies more than 31 million ac...

Take a Bite Out of the Bison - Slider Recipe for Bobcat Fans

December 30, 2024 -
As the Montana State University Bobcats get ready to take on the North Dakota State Bison in the FCS Championship Football game, it’s time to prep the perfect game day snack. Whet...

NFU Remembers President Jimmy Carter, Last Farmer to Occupy White House and Farmers Union Award Recipient

National Farmers Union (NFU) today expressed condolences to the Carter family on the passing of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Carter, the most recent farmer to occupy the Whit...

Court Ruling Again Halts Corporate Transparency Act, Offering Temporary Relief for Cattle Producers

December 29, 2024 In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), granting cattle producers and...

Santa’s Reindeer Cleared For Arrival in Montana

December 23, 2024 - The Montana Department of Livestock has received a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for Santa’s reindeer, and they are cleared for arrival on rooftops and lawns across Mo...

Funding Bill: What did Congress Include for Agriculture?

December 22, 2024- The legislation also includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in economic aid to farmers, as well as extension of the farm bill through Sept. 30, 2025. Overal...

Corn Growers Win Dispute with Mexico Over GM Corn Ban

In a major win for the nation’s corn growers, a dispute panel ruled today that Mexico violated its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement when it issued a decree that banned genet...

U.S. Congresswoman Boebert Calls on Haaland to Update RMPs, Pause Additional Colorado Wolf Releases

In a letter sent Dec. 13, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert insisted that the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and other offices that operate under Federal Land Policy and Management...

Thriving in Uncertainty: Beef Demand and Cattle Prices

December 15, 2024 - Dr. Nevil Speer, a renowned industry consultant, shared his insights on the state of beef demand, tightening cattle supplies, and the critical role of global trade.

Stockgrowers Launches Leadership, Legacy and the Land Video Series in Partnership with Stockman Bank

December 13, 2024 - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), in partnership with Stockman Bank and Western Ag Network, today launched a new video series Leadership, Legacy and the Land which showc...

High number of lost and stolen cattle in western Colorado

In western Colorado, an unusually large number of cattle have turned up missing this fall and five producers have reported lost or stolen cattle to brand inspectors. According to Colorado Brand Commis...

Biden Administration Wants to Protect Monarch Butterfly With Endangered Species Act

The Biden administration wants to protect the monarch butterfly and has proposed listing it as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, announcing on Tuesday the opening of a public hear...

Will Winter’s Wrath be Unleashed in 2025?

December 9, 2024 - Lane Nordlund sits down with agricultural meteorologist Brian Bledsoe who shares a forecast into what farmers and ranchers can expect across the western U.S. in 2025.

Ag's Global Game: Trade and Trends with Gregg Doud

December 9, 2024 - During the 140th Montana Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention, attendees were treated to an impressive lineup of speakers, including former U.S. Trade Representative for Agric...

RMFU Convention in the books

Franke said there was ample discussion about President elect Trump’s nominations for his cabinet, including the Secretary of Agriculture and the Sec. of the Interior North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Federal Judge in Texas Blocks Federal Corporate Reporting Rules

A federal court in Texas has blocked rules for the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), including the provisions that required farmers, ranchers and other businesses to provide their ownership informatio...

Biden Administration proposes 7,700-sq. miles in Colorado for critical lynx habitat

The proposed critical habitat rule is subject to a public comment period through Jan. 28, 2025. The Southern Rockies proposal includes portions of the following counties: Archuleta, Boulder, Chaffee,...

Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines – Remains Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels

Cooking a Thanksgiving feast for your friends and family will cost less than last year but will still be more expensive than before the pandemic. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 39th annual Than...

Minnesota Turkeys Pardoned by President Biden

National Turkey Federation (NTF) Chairman John Zimmerman presented the National Thanksgiving Turkeys named Peach and Blossom to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today during the National Thanksgiving Tu...

U.S. Halts Mexican Cattle Imports Due to New World Screwworm

Given the severity of the threat from NWS, APHIS has restricted the importation of animal commodities, including live cattle, from or transiting Mexico effective immediately. USDA eradicated NWS from...

Trump Names Policy Leader Brooke Rollins As USDA Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named Brooke L. Rollins as the country's next Secretary of Agriculture. A native of Texas, Rollins, 52, is the founder and CEO of the America First Policy Inst...

UW Sheep Program Launches Sheep Innovators Exchange to New Zealand for Young Ranchers and Entrepreneurs

The University of Wyoming Sheep Program, in partnership with the Wyoming Wool Initiative, Wyoming Business Council, and the UW Global Engagement Office, has recently created a program entitled “Sheep...

Celebrating Leadership: Montana Farm Bureau ACE Graduates 2024

November 18, 2024 - The Montana Farm Bureau Federation celebrated the Class of 2024 graduates of their ACE (Advocate. Communicate. Educate) Leadership Program.

Stabenow Releases Last Minute Farm Bill

November 18, 2024 - Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., on Monday released the text of the farm bill she hopes can get through Congress before the end of the year and pus...

Farm Progress Announces Return of Clint Peck to BEEF

Farm Progress and BEEF are excited to announce that after a 14-year hiatus, Clint Peck returns to BEEF, focusing on global markets, beef demand and production expertise. His journalism career began as...

Illinois Farm Bureau Ousted by AFBF

The Illinois Farm Bureau sued the American Farm Bureau Federation on Wednesday after the national group voted to oust the Illinois chapter and its 70,000 farmer members. The lawsuit seeks to halt the...

Lion hunting opponents focus on upcoming CPW Commission in Lamar

Despite the significant loss at the ballot box and previous efforts at the State Legislature and CPW Commission, proponents of the measure to ban lion hunting have pivoted their focus back to the CPW...

Agriculture Advocate Thune to Lead Senate GOP

November 13, 2024 - In the agricultural sector, Thune has been a steadfast advocate for farmers and ranchers, particularly in his home state of South Dakota.

Trump Picks Former NY Rep. Zeldin to Head EPA

Lee Zeldin has been selected as the next administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday. Zeldin is a former Republican congressman from New...

Interior Department Proposes Strengthened Protections for Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat

The Department of the Interior announced today that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has published proposed updates to strengthen conservation and management of greater sage-grouse habitat on publi...

IRS Extends Relief to Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Drought

The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance providing tax relief for farmers and ranchers in applicable regions forced to sell or exchange livestock because of drought conditions. The tax relie...

Slaughterhouse, Fur, Lion Hunting Bans All Rejected by Colorado Voters

The management of big cats will remain in the hands of the wildlife biologists at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The proposed mountain lion and bobcat hunting ban passed in only six counties —Arapahoe,...

U.S. Ag Organizations Congratulate President-Elect Trump

U.S. agriculture organizations are congratulating President-Elect Donald Trump after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday's Election.

National Wheat Yield Contest 2024 Winners

The National Wheat Yield Contest has announced the 26 national and 94 state winners for 2024-the ninth year of the contest. This year’s contest had 516 entries, the most ever. “The new website, along...

USDA Implementing Bulk Milk Testing to Curb Spread of H5N1 in Dairy Herds

USDA is planning to test raw bulk milk nationally for the H5N1 bird flu virus because of the growing number of cases during the past month in California dairy herds and the finding of a different stra...

Matsushima's story bound for classrooms in expanded program

Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom will be bringing the story of Dr. John Matsushima to classrooms this spring. Written by Western Ag Network's Rachel Gabel and illustrated by Liz Banman Munstertei...

Excitement Grows for 2024 Montana Ag-Tech Innovation & Investment Summit in Bozeman

October 30, 2024 - The 2024 Montana Ag-Tech Innovation & Investment Summit is set to take place on November 6, drawing together a dynamic blend of agriculture, technology, and investment leaders to Mo...

Cattlewomen Wrap First Round of Filming Pasture Gate to Dinner Plate Video

The Logan County (Colorado) Cattlewomen have presented their Steve the Steer beef byproducts lesson and their Flat Rancher program in schools across the region to supplement agriculture education in e...

All Eggs Sold In Colorado Starting in 2025 Will Be Cage Free

Starting January 1, 2025, all eggs sold in Colorado must be from a cage-free facility. All egg producers in Colorado housing more than 3,000 egg-laying hens will need to comply with the requirements o...

Still Time for to Enroll in Climate-Smart Grant Producer Program

The American Lamb Board (ALB) has received a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant to measure the benefits of targeted sheep grazing on carbon sequestration, soil health, and related ecosystem services...

McDonald's Sliced Onions Suspected in E. Coli cases

An E. Coli outbreak in Colorado and Nebraska is being tied to McDonald’s, and some menu items have been removed temporarily while an investigation takes place.

NCBA Slams Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Recommendations

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) slammed the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s unhinged recommendations that propose replacing high-quality proteins like beef with beans,...

Conservation Reserve Program Acreage is Highest in a Decade

Total acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is now the highest level in a decade as the program evolves and focuses more on grazing acres than at any time in its history. Checks f...

BLM Seeks Nominations for Public Lands Rule Advisory Committee

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for a new Federal advisory committee that will help inform how the Bureau implements the Public Lands Rule. The Committee will advise on outreach a...

Thousands of Farmers Could Unknowingly Face Federal Fines or Jail Time

Time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file Ben...

Colorado FFA adds auctioneering CDE contest, camp

Colorado FFA students may now add auctioneering to their Career Development Event lineup. The Colorado FFA Auctioneering CDE Camp and Contest at the National Western Meat and Greet in Denver on Nov. 1...

Angus Tour Highlights Montana’s Global Genetic Impact

Last month, the 50th annual Montana Angus Tour drew over 400 attendees to central Montana, including a notable delegation of 37 participants from Austria, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. West...

Bioceres Affirms Commitment to U.S. Biotechnology Commercialization Principles

October 10, 2024 - In its public statement following USDA’s deregulation of the HB4® drought-tolerance trait from Bioceres Crop Science on Aug. 29, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) noted that it would cont...

NRCS Sets Conservation Program Funding Application Dates

October 10, 2024 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Reg...

NCGA President Calls for Action During Meeting at White House

October 9, 2024 - National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. today told Biden administration officials that farmers are living through difficult economic times, but the adm...

McDonald's Files Lawsuit Accusing Beef Giants of Price Manipulation

October 9, 2024 - McDonald's alleges Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods and other companies conspired to fix beef prices by limiting supplies starting in January 2015, in a new lawsuit filed in a federal court...

Cattle Producers Slam Biden-Harris Administration for Holding “Pep Rally” as Producers Face Hurricane and Fire Damages

October 8, 2024- White House Organizes a “Pep Rally” While Producers Face Hurricanes and Fire Damages.

Let ASI Know About Your Shearing School

October 7, 2024 - The American Sheep Industry Association is excited about upcoming shearing schools that will take place this fall and in the spring of 2025. The schools provide an important opportun...