Pole Vault Champion Chooses BEEF!

January 15, 2021 - U.S Pole Vault Champion, Chris Nilsen established a deeper connection with the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) and the Sanford Sports Science Institute through a recent e...

Overall Meat Sales Higher in 2020

January 15, 2021 - The impact of COVID-19 on consumer buying habits continued through the end of the year, with overall meat dollar sales 18.4% higher and volume sales up 10.3% compared to 2019.

Gov. Gianforte Announces Ag Board Appointments

January 14, 2021 - HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the following appointments.

Entries Now Accepted for National Wheat Yield Contest

January 14, 2021 - The National Wheat Foundation is now accepting grower enrollment for the 2021 National Wheat Yield Contest. The contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wh...

November Beef Exports Largest in More than a Year; 2020 Pork Exports Top Previous Annual Record

January 12, 2021 - November beef exports totaled 115,337 metric tons (mt), up 6% from a year ago and the largest since July 2019. Export value climbed 8% year-over-year to $707.5 million. November por...

American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention Kicks Off

January 11, 2021 - The American Farm Bureau’s Virtual Convention kicked off Sunday with an opening address by AFBF President Zippy Duvall from his farm in Georgia.

UW Extension Hosting Wyoming Hemp Workshops in Five Locations

January 9, 2021 - Concurrent Wyoming hemp workshops will be in Cheyenne, Powell, Torrington, Wheatland and Worland Jan. 13 and Feb. 3 by the University of Wyoming Extension.

National Poll Shows COVID-19 Taking Heavy Toll on Farmers’ Mental Health

January 8, 2021 - A strong majority of farmers/farmworkers say the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their mental health, and more than half say they are personally experiencing more mental health challe...

NCBA Rolls Out New Event for 2021

January 7, 2021 - Brand new for 2021, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is hosting a two-day virtual event for cattlemen and women across the country to come together for industry news,...

USDA Announces Quality Loss Assistance Now Available for Eligible Producers Affected by 2018, 2019 Natural Disasters

January 6, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that signup for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program will begin Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Fu...

U.S. Custom Harvesters to Host In-Person Annual Convention

January 5, 2021 - U.S. Custom Harvesters (USCHI) will host its 37th annual convention in Des Moines, Iowa, January 21-23, 2021. The convention will be an in-person event and will follow local health o...

Conservation Reserve Program General Signup Begins Today and Ends February 12

January 4, 2021 - Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the popular program beginning today, Jan. 4, 2021, until Feb. 12, 2...

Teaming with NASCAR to Promote Beef

January 4, 2021 - The “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” race in Daytona, Florida, takes place one day before the iconic Daytona 500, which is the biggest race of the season in NASCAR.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue Issues Proclamation Honoring Longtime Broadcaster Orion Samuelson

January 2, 2021 - Samuelson retired on December 31, 2020 after 60 years in agriculture broadcasting with WGN radio in Chicago. There, he covered agriculture and food production, met with U.S. presiden...

Drought Remains a Concern in Much of Western U.S.

December 31, 2020 - According to the latest Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin from the USDA, drought remained a concern in much of the West with respect to the health of rangeland, pastures, and winter...

Certified Angus Beef to Launch Mini-Documentary

December 31, 2020 - Follow along as these short video features detail registered breeders, commercial cattlemen and cattle feeders from Oregon to Texas. Get a glimpse of their family life and their ca...

Understanding COVID Funding for Agriculture

December 29, 2020 - After months of negotiations, a $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package with much-needed financial relief for agricultural producers, funding for food assistance programs, enhanceme...

USDA, HHS Release Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025

December 29, 2020 - Nutrition in America took a major step forward today with the publication of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. Jointly published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (...

Montana 4-H Foundation to Raffle 30-Year Don Greytak Calendar Collection

December 28, 2020 - The Montana 4-H Foundation is set to raffle off a final collection of Don Greytak 4-H calendars to celebrate thirty consecutive years of a very successful 4-H calendar project. Mon...

Anti-Meat Activist Poses at Smithfield CEO

December 27, 2020 Last week, the head of an anti-meat extremist group posed as the CEO of a major pork producer during a national television interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.

Montana Department of Livestock Issues Reindeer Permit for Santa

December 24, 2020 - t’s the season of giving and joy and children across Montana are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus and his reindeer and the gifts they’ll be delivering. To help make Sant...

Gianforte Announces Director of the Department of Agriculture

December 23, 2020 - Governor-elect Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Mike Foster to lead the Department of Agriculture.

Columbia Grain International Supports its Farmers and Communities in these Challenging Times

December 23, 2020 - This December, CGI is giving back to local charities to support their employees and farmers in agricultural communities. CGI has donated to 30 charities within the 46 cities they o...

LMA Applauds Congress for Passing Livestock Dealer Statutory Trust

December 23, 2020 - The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) applauds Congress for passing Dealer Statutory Trust in the COVID relief package. A Dealer Statutory Trust will provide sellers of livesto...

Tester Delivers Tax Cut for Montana Craft Alcohol Producers in Government Funding Bill

December 23, 2020 - Tester secured a deal to include his bipartisan the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) in the year-end legislation, making permanent a cut to excise taxes on...

CSKT Water Compact Headed to President’s Desk

December 22, 2020 - The bill will permanently settle the century long CSKT water dispute, support Montana jobs, modernize rural infrastructure and protect the water rights of all Montanans. That legis...

U.S. Cattle on Feed Up Slightly

December 21, 2020 - Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.0 million head on December 1, 2020. The inventor...

New COVID Aid Package Includes More Financial Aid for Agriculture

December 21, 2020 - The aid package comes as Congress is trying to close out 2020 and fund the federal government for the rest of its fiscal year. Overall, the aid bill includes $13 billion for food p...

Tool Helps Develop Custom Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention

December 18, 2020 - In support of cattle producers across the country dedicated to preventing disease, improving animal welfare and reducing production losses, the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality As...

The MATE Show in Billings, Mont. Canceled for 2021

December 18, 2020 - COVID-19 has forced the cancelation of another popular Ag event-The MATE Show & Home and Health Expo in Billings, Mont.

Montana Farmers Union to Donate More Pork to Montana Food Bank Network

December 17, 2020 - The Montana Farmers Union (MFU) and Farmers Union Enterprises are pleased to once again make a sizeable in-kind donation of pork ribs to the Montana Food Bank Network. The truck wi...

Grain Elevators Capitalize on Price Rally but Potential Volatility Lies Ahead

December 15, 2020 - An explosive counter-seasonal rally in grain prices that continued through early December has dramatically changed the complexion of the 2020-21 grain marketing season. The largely...

Monarch Butterfly to Remain Off Endangered Species List

December 15, 2020 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will leave the monarch butterfly off the endangered species list. The Service issued a “warranted but precluded” decision, which mea...

RFD-TV Celebrates 20th Anniversary

December 15, 2020 - Today marks the 20th Anniversary of RFD-TV. Proudly delivering Agriculture and Rural America's important story to over 50 million households nationwide.

USDA Publishes GIPSA Final Rule

December 14, 2020 - On December 11, USDA published the final rule for Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages under the Packers and Stockyards Act. This rule is the culmination of a multiyea...

Bred Cattle Market Closes Out 2020 Strong

December 14, 2020 - This past week in Billings, Mont. the Public Auction Yards held their annual Blue Ribbon Stock Cow and Bred Heifer sale featuring nearly 7,000 head. And the market was strong which...

U.S. Wheat Export Basis to Remain High Until March 2021

December 11, 2020 - Since June, U.S. Wheat Associates has carefully tracked the relationship between limited export elevation capacity and high U.S. wheat export basis values. Significantly greater Ch...

Surging Feed Prices Will Challenge the U.S. Animal Protein Sector’s Recovery

December 10, 2020 - Livestock producers will face more feed cost inflation next year than they have in a decade, challenging their ability to recover from a difficult, volatile 2020

Colorado Rancher on Beef Promotion, Research & More

December 10, 2020 - Colorado rancher Hugh Sanburg serves as the Vice Chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. He discusses the Beef Checkoff and more in the latest LaneCast Ag Podcast.

USDA Announces Increase to Certain Incentive Payments for Continuous CRP

December 10, 2020 - USDA’s Farm Service Agency is upping the Practice Incentive Payment for installing practices, from 5 percent to 20 percent. Additionally, producers will receive a 10 percent incent...

Friday is Deadline for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

December 10, 2020 - With over 300 eligible commodities, from livestock and row crops to specialty crops and aquaculture, most farmers and ranchers are potentially eligible for CFAP 2.

Biden Expected to Nominate Vilsack to Return as Agriculture Secretary

December 9, 2020 - Vilsack, who turns 70 next week, was former President Barack Obama's longest-serving cabinet member, leading USDA from 2009 to 2107. He was a two-term governor of Iowa from 1999 to...

Wheat Industry Welcomes Final Congressional Passage of the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act

December 9, 2020 - The U.S. wheat industry has worked collaboratively over the last year and a half to identify priorities for the reauthorization process, given the critical importance of the United...

CME Launches First-Ever Water Futures Contract

December 9, 2020 - Nasdaq Veles California Water Index futures will be an innovative, first-of-its-kind tool to provide agricultural, commercial, and municipal water users with greater transparency, p...

California Farmer Harvesting Success with Coffee

December 7, 2020 - For coffee lovers, a good “cup of joe” is hard to beat. And even though the majority of the world’s coffee is grown outside of the United States, a farmer in Southern California has...

Deadline Approaching for Farmers and Ranchers to Sign Up for COVID Relief

December 3, 2020 - Over 300 commodities are eligible for CFAP 2 and producers have several options for applying for the program. Bill Northey is USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservat...

Scott to Lead House Ag Committee

December 2, 2020 - U.S. Representative David Scott (GA-13) has been nominated by the Democratic Steering Committee to become the next Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Colorado, USDA Forest Service Announces Capitol Christmas Tree Essay Contest Winner

Governor Jared Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Colorado Tourism Office, have chosen Alessandra Wilson as the winner of the 2020 Colorado Chri...

Santa Rally Unlikely for Grain Prices

December 2, 2020 - Cash crop producers hoping for Santa Claus to bring them higher grain prices near the end of the year may not get what they’re asking for. November price rallies saw soybeans inch t...

APHIS Reopens Comment Period on Request to Produce FMD Vaccine on U.S. Mainland

December 2, 2020 - With the reopened comment period, APHIS is providing commenters with additional scientific information supporting its determination that the leaderless virus strain from which Zoeti...

South Dakota Beef Industry Council Announces Holiday Campaign

December 1, 2020 - The "BEEF is there for YOU" campaign focuses on the integral role beef plays in households across the state and will offer opportunities for consumers to win big with BEEF as it kic...

USDA Announces Expansion and Other Improvements to Hemp Crop Insurance

December 1, 2020 - The USDA has announced it is expanding the pilot Multi-Peril Crop Insurance plan for hemp. The expansion, as well as other improvements to the plan, will begin in the 2021 crop year...

New Feedlot to Open Next Year in Alberta, Canada

December 1, 2020 - Serfas Farms began the project in June and it is expected to be fully complete in the third quarter of 2021. The new build is likely the first large from-scratch feedlot to be built...

New Study Highlights the Value of Corn in the Pet Food Industry

November 30, 2020 - There are many benefits to including corn in your pet’s diet, but have you ever wondered about the benefits that your cat or dog brings to the corn industry? Fortunately, there is...

Fall Feeder Cattle Market Dynamics

November 30, 2020 - For cow-calf producers selling calves at weaning, price level is the most important determinant of revenue. The price of 500-pound steers dropped from $165.36/cwt. in August to $15...

Montana Grain Growers Association to Meet Virtually for 65th Annual Convention December 1 & 2

November 27, 2020 - The Montana Grain Growers Association will meet virtually December 1 & 2 for it's 65th Annual Convention. This year's theme is "Managing Risk in time of Uncertainty."

EU Hits Hard Red Spring Wheat Imports with Punitive Tariffs; Durum Trade Remains Open

November 27, 2020 - The U.S. Wheat Associates say U.S. hard red spring wheat exports are caught in the crosshairs of an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and the European Union, to the d...

Colorado Potatoes: A Thanksgiving Tradition

November 26, 2020 - Colorado is renowned for the variety of agricultural products grown and raised statewide--and that includes potatoes. Colorado is the 2nd largest producer of fresh market potatoes...

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner to Cost Less This Year

November 26, 2020 - Thanksgiving celebrations will look different for many Americans this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But one tradition that continues this year is the American Farm Bureau Fede...

Montana – Israel Virtual Trade Forum

November 24, 2020 - The Montana World Trade Center at 9:00 AM MT on December 3, 2020, will host the Montana – Israel Virtual Trade Forum. The event will highlight the opportunities to grow trade betwe...

2020: Challenges and Opportunities for the Sheep Business

November 24, 2020 - The American Sheep Industry Association President Benny Cox of Texas and Exec. Dir. Peter Orwick discuss the challenges and opportunities the sheep industry faced in 2020.

Build Your Base Expands to Black Hills State University

November 24, 2020 - As BEEF continues to power student athletes across South Dakota and the nation, The South Dakota Beef Industry Council and Sanford Sports Science Institute are thrilled to announce...

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation honors Wally and Sally Ramsbottom with Distinguished Service Award

November 24, 2020 - Johnson County Ranchers Wally and Sally Ramsbottom were awarded the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award at the 101st annual meeting of the organization. Pre...

NFU Farmer's Share Shows Producers Earn Only 11.9 Cents of Thanksgiving Food Dollar

November 24, 2020 - For every dollar Americans spend on their Thanksgiving dinner this year, farmers and ranchers will earn approximately 11.9 cents, according to National Farmers Union (NFU). This ma...

U.S. Cattlemen's Association Questions DOT Interim Final Rule Clarifying Hours-of-Service Regulations

November 24, 2020 - For several years, USCA has specifically requested FMCSA provide clear, consistent regulatory definitions for transporters of live animals and/or beef. Both are highly perishable c...

Pacific Rim Bright Spot for American Lamb Exports

November 23, 2020 - Similar to the US market, Japan experienced a retail surge as a result of Covid-19 because foodservice options were limited and consumers opted to eat at home. In Taiwan, restauran...

BLM's Sage-Grouse Plans Affirm Commitment to Managing Public Lands to Support Western Communities

November 23, 2020 - The BLM has announced it will publish six final supplemental environmental impact statements for the management of Greater sage-grouse habitat on public lands in seven Western stat...

Oilseed Growers in Montana Will Vote to Establish Checkoff for Industry Research and Market Development

November 21, 2020 - Montana oilseed growers will soon receive a ballot in the mail proposing a 1% checkoff for canola, flaxseed, mustard, safflower, soybeans, and sunflower crops. If passed, the Monta...

Colorado Department of Agriculture Launches New and Improved Website

November 21, 2020 - The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) today launched a new website to better serve the hundreds of thousands of visitors who access the Department’s site for ag-related info...

Montana Stockgrowers Association Virtual Annual Convention & Trade Show a Huge Success

November 21, 2020 - This one-of-a-kind event provided over 200 attendees the chance to gather for keynote addresses, explore a virtual trade show, vote for MSGA’s 2021 Board of Directors, and particip...

U.S. Beef and Asia: Ongoing Growth

November 20, 2020 - What is the status of U.S. beef exports to Asia? Joel Haggard senior vice president for the Asia Pacific with U.S. Meat Export Federation shares his insight with Lane Nordlund in t...

Montana Governor-Elect Gianforte Names Agriculture Transition Advisory Team

November 19, 2020 - The advisory team will identify and review candidates to serve as the next director of Agriculture, members of the Board of Livestock and Livestock Loss Board, and other related bo...

NCBA & PLC Secure NEPA Improvements for Livestock Producers

November 19, 2020 - The organization's say the announcement represents decades of work by livestock producers who have told the Forest Service and other federal agencies for years that NEPA regulation...

Nearly 60,000 RFID Livestock Ear Tags Distributed in Colorado in 2020

November 18, 2020 - Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began offering the option of no-cost Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) livestock ear tags in early 2020, the state veterinarian’...

National Industrial Hemp Council Receives $200,000 to Help Grow Export Markets

November 18, 2020 - NIHC programs will focus on Europe and China and include market research, trade policy and trade facilitation. With an annual growth rate of 52 percent, driven by continued strengt...

Joint Ag Lender Survey Reveals Top Concerns in an Uncertain Year

November 18, 2020 - The American Bankers Association and Farmer Mac say when it comes to their customers, lenders continue to be most concerned about liquidity, income and leverage. Uncertainty regard...

National Wheat Yield Contest Winners Announced for 2020

November 17, 2020 - The National Wheat Foundation’s National Wheat Yield Contest offers growers the opportunity to compete with farmers from across the United States and improve their production pract...

CFAP 1 Payments to Sheep Industry Totaled $68.9 Million

November 17, 2020 - The American Sheep Industry Association projected $125 million in COVID-19-related losses at the farm gate level to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as it developed the CFAP prog...

U.S. Wheat Commercial Sales Significantly Ahead of Last Year’s Pace

November 14, 2020 - USDA currently estimates the United States will export 26.5 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat in 2020/21, 1 percent ahead of last year’s pace, if realized. Four months into market...

Poll Shows Americans’ Unwavering Trust in Farmers and Approval of Sustainability Practices

November 13, 2020 - A majority of U.S. adults have a positive view of farmers’ sustainability practices, and an overwhelming majority trust farmers, according to a new national public opinion poll fro...

Grant To Reduce Conflict Between Livestock and Predators

November 13, 2020 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announces coalition, spanning 20 groups across seven states and two tribal nations, has been awarded a conservation innovation grant...

U.S. Pulse Industry Excited About New McPlant Burger

November 12, 2020 - McDonald’s is joining other fast-food chains like Burger King and Dunkin’ in getting in on the plant-based trend. The company announced this week that it will test its new McPlant...

ASI Updates Nontraditional Lamb Study

November 12, 2020 - There is an ongoing sentiment in the American sheep industry that the animal inventory is greater than that captured by federal and state lamb slaughter data. The belief is these “...

Honoring Veterans Every Day at Farmer Veteran Coalition

November 11, 2020 - With Veterans Day upon us, the team of Farmer Veteran Coalition is reflecting on the thousands of farmer veterans they have supported in pursuit of new agricultural endeavors, incl...

Dairy Checkoff and Domino’s Honor Veterans with Special Pizza Promotion

November 11, 2020 - As a celebration of dairy farmers’ commitment to communities, Rosemont, Ill.-based Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) said it is joining checkoff partner Domino’s Pizza and Wounded Warrio...

Stevenson Elected to American Angus Board

November 9, 2020 - Montana Rancher Darrell Stevenson was elected by delegates to the 137th American Angus Association Convention to serve on the board of directors. The convention was held in Kansas...

Keeping Cattle Healthy and Strong during Winter

November 9, 2020 - “The big one we want to keep in mind is that rule of thumb that for every degree below 32 degrees, we increase our requirements by one percent” said Montana State University Extensi...

It's Time to Celebrate National Bison Day

November 7, 2020 - The U.S. Senate this year once again designated the first Saturday in November as National Bison Day and encouraged citizens everywhere to engage in bison-centered activities throug...

Pork Exports Remain on Record Pace through September; Beef Exports Trend Lower

November 6, 2020 - September exports of U.S. pork increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federatio...

Forced Wolf Introduction (Prop. 114) Passed by Colorado Voters

November 6, 2020 - While very disheartened with the passage of Proposition 114 and also fearful of what implications forced wolf introduction will have on Colorado, the Colorado Cattlemen's Associatio...

Vergeront Named as Grain Growers Exec.

November 4, 2020 - Great Falls – Today, the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) announced that executive vice president Lola Raska will retire from the organization at the end of this calendar ye...

Farm Supply Co-Ops have Opportunities to Bring Additional Value to Members and Local Communities

November 4, 2020 - According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, these challenges may be a catalyst for farm supply cooperatives to rethink their business model. The report outlines seve...

Idaho Cattle Feeder Reflects on Challenging but Rewarding Year as USMEF Chair

November 4, 2020 - Idaho cattle feeder Cevin Jones is wrapping up his one-year term as chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). He says that even in this very challenging environment, USMEF m...

Ag Labor: H-2A Wage Rule Announced

November 2, 2020 The Department of Labor Monday issued a final rule that updates the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates in the H-2A visa program. The Trump administration...

Pulses are the Ideal Regenerative Ag Crop

November 2, 2020 - Pulse crops are helping to overhaul American diets and play a large role in organic and regenerative agriculture. Agribusiness companies like Columbia Grain-one of the largest proce...

Trump Signs Bill to Save Sidney & Kinsey Irrigation Districts

October 31, 2020 - U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today celebrated their bill to save the Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts being signed into law by President Trump. The bi...

Mobile Meat Processing Unit Destined for MSU-Northern

October 30, 2020 - Montana Farmers Union is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $150,000 Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant (MMPIG) which is funded by Coronavirus relief funds. The...

Coalition Condemns APR Federal Grazing Requests in New Report

October 29, 2020 - Montana Natural Resource Coalition is announcing the general release of their report “Repurposing of Federally-Reserved Taylor Grazing Districts For Wildlife Rewilding: A statutory,...

Trump Administration Returns Management and Protection of Gray Wolves to States and Tribes Following Successful Recovery Efforts

October 29, 2020 - More than 45 years after gray wolves were first listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Trump Administration and its many conservation partners are announcing the success...

USDA Surveying Bison Industry for Future Study

October 29, 2020 - In addition to helping USDA identify key bison health and management issues, stakeholder participation will bridge existing information gaps by exploring stakeholders' new and ongoi...