Spend Saturday with Good Grazing Makes Cent$

December 1, 2023 - In collaboration with the U.S. Cattlemen's Association, GGMC will be presenting two rancher-focused panel livestreams this Saturday.

Western Ag Network Hosts Fireside Chat As Farmers Attend Crop Classic in Great Falls

November 29, 2023 - This week the Montana Grain Growers Association is hosting its 68th Annual Convention in partnership with the Northern Pulse Growers Association here in Great Falls. From farm poli...

Farm Bill, Grizzly Bears and Cattle

November 27, 2023 - With Congress approving an extension of the 2018 Farm into 2024, livestock producers are continuing to push for the completion of a new Farm Bill in the months ahead. They are also...

National Western Stock Show to Host Mutton Bustin' at Halftime During Broncos Game

November 24, 2023 - The National Western Stock Show, presented by CommonSpirit Health, is excited to announce a collaboration with the Denver Broncos for the Thankful for Colorado game. The halftime e...

Group Studying Lamb Insurance Program

November 20, 2023 - Watts and Associates has announced four listening sessions in which the company will solicit input on a potential federal lamb insurance program. The company has been contracted by...

A Rural Lifeline: AM Radio

November 17, 2023 - As some auto manufactures seek to remove AM radios from new vehicles, groups like the National Association of Farm Broadcasting are supporting legislation to require auto makers to...

Differentiate Your Cattle

November 14, 2023 - In today's cattle industry, it is increasingly crucial for cattle producers to distinguish their livestock in the market. As more feeders look to buy cattle with Angus influenced g...

Dicamba Court Ruling Appears Imminent

November 13, 2023 - A decision on dicamba's fate could be imminent as a federal court in Arizona continues to consider several motions filed during the past year on a lawsuit aimed at taking several d...

Joe Goggins: Thoughts on the Cattle Business

November 13, 2023 - Respected Montana rancher and livestock market owner Joe Goggins sits down with Western Ag Network and shares his thoughts on the state of the cattle business. From keeping family...

USDA Predicts Record Corn Production

November 10, 2023 - USDA increased U.S. 2023-24 corn production by 170 million bushels (mb) to 15.234 billion bushels (bb) -- a surprise that was beyond pre-report estimates. If that holds, that break...

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, Montana NRCS Announce Major Partnership

November 8, 2023 - This partnership, solidified by an $875,000 award, will enable RSA to collaborate with NRCS and relevant partners in accelerating conservation delivery across RSA’s geography.

Reaching New Heights: Angus Convention 2023

November 7, 2023 - On the Road at Angus Convention: Lane Nordlund sits down with leaders from the American Angus Association to learn more about the state of the Angus Breed. Guests include Mark McCu...

Celebrity Singer Reflects on Time at Western Ag

November 7, 2023 - Anna Sponheim credits her Western Ag Network internship for her ability to think on the fly.

Custer County (Colo.) FFA-operated Riggs Ranch a successful partnership

Westcliffe, Colo., which is home to the Custer County FFA chapter, is sandwiched between the Wet and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain ranges in the Wet Mountain Valley. It is home to vast hay meadows tha...

Live From Angus Convention 2023

November 5, 2023 - On the Road at Angus Convention: Lane Nordlund catches up with leaders and innovators in the cattle business, including American Angus Association President Chuck Grove and Certifie...

Local Partners Draw Big Federal Dollars to Montana

November 3, 2023 - $26.9 million will be distributed in three “Restoration Landscapes” over the next eight years.

Montana Stockgrowers Works To Connect Consumers and Ranchers Through Food Service Industry

November 3, 2023 - The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) Cattle Drive program has set out to do something no other cattle organization in the state has done—match Montana born, raised, and fed cat...

Wyoming's Ag Issues Team Preps for Sweet 16 at National FFA Contest

The Ag Issues Career Development Event contest at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis began with nearly 40 teams and Wednesday evening, they were narrowed down to the Sweet 16 with Wyoming on...

Nevada Ranchers Sue BLM Over Wild Horses

November 1, 2023 - Colvin & Son LLC and Stone Cabin Ranch LLC filed suit against the BLM, along with its parent agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, on Oct. 17 in U.S. District Court in Nevada...

Inductees into Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Announced

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame 2024 inductees and industry award winners will be honored on Feb. 1 at the 15th annual banquet, held during CattleCon24 in Orlando, Florida. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame...

Montana Stockgrowers Promote Beef in Taiwan

October 30, 2023 - Montana Stockgrowers Association Second Vice President Turk Stovall is promoting Montana Beef in Taiwan on an agricultural trade mission led by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.

2022 Crop Disaster Relief: USDA Unveils $3 Billion Enrollment for ERP Applications

October 30, 2023 - USDA on Friday detailed enrollment for more than $3 billion to both commodity and specialty crop producers who were affected by 2022 natural disasters under the Emergency Relief Pro...

Right to Repair Discussion on the National Stage

October 30, 2023 -
This year, as numerous state legislatures deliberated on the issue, Colorado emerged as the inaugural and solitary state to enact a Right to Repair law specifically for agricultural...

Farmers Union Members Want Competition Title in New Farm Bill

October 27, 2023 - Getting a new Farm Bill sooner rather than later continues to be the main priority of Ag organizations this fall. During the Montana Farmers Union Convention in Great Falls, MFU pre...

Marketing Grain During Volatile Market Swings

October 27, 2023 - This year the wheat market continues to be a lot more volatile than it was a year ago. In fact, Columbia Grain’s Director of Customer Risk Management Phil Symons says it’s almost po...

New Speaker of the House and Agriculture

October 26, 2023 - Who is Speaker Mike Johnson and how will his leadership impact agricultural priorities in Congress? That is a question many Americans are asking.

Moderate Grazing Has No Effect on Sage Grouse Nest Success

October 26, 2023 - Sage grouse and cows can coexist on the same land without declines in greater sage grouse nest success or insect abundance, according to a 10-year University of Idaho study. In fact...

Enhancing Herd Longevity: Introducing Functional Longevity Research EPD

October 26, 2023 - The Functional Longevity (FL) research expected progeny difference (EPD) was released by the American Angus Association® for breeders on October 25. The trait’s purpose is to help f...

Volcanic Rock Amendment: A Breakthrough Solution for Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture

October 25, 2023 - Adding crushed volcanic rock to cropland could play a key role in removing carbon from the air. In a field study, scientists at the University of California, Davis, and Cornell Univ...

Fundraisers Set Up for Montana Cattle Buyer

October 25, 2023 - Mark Bertolino has been hospital bound since a horse accident on October 6.

USAEDC Statement Welcoming New Regional Agricultural Promotion Program

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will invest $1.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for a new export promotion and foreign market development program—the Re...

Fall Bred Cow Market Remains Strong

October 24, 2023 - 20th Annual Montana Angus Female Bonanza held Monday at the Public Auction Yards in Billings, MT. 3,433 head of bred cows sold.

Wheat Groups Welcome New Funding for Food Assistance and Market Development

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now have the opportunity to increase global food assistance and expand export marke...

Ripples of Justice: Montana Stockgrowers Association Takes a Stand in Landmark Water Use Case

October 24, 2023 - The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA), in partnership with other organizations who represent ranchers, farmers, business owners, cities, counties, local governments, irrigatio...

Wheat Yield Contest Winners Announced

October 23, 2023 - Four new individuals earned the title of "Bin Buster" in the 2023 National Wheat Yield Contest. On Monday, the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) announced this year's state and natio...

Fencelines & Headlines: Calf Market Update, Chinese-Owned Ag Land, Stock Shows and Genetics

October 22, 2023 - Fencelines & Headlines Topics: Calf Market Update, Arkansas Says “No” to Chinese-Owned Ag Land,
NILE Stockshow and Rodeo, PRF Enrollment, Ranchers Promote Livestock Genetics

NILE Stock Show Prioritizes Youth and Agriculture

October 20, 2023 - Helping young people who are interested in having a career in agriculture is still one of the main missions of the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings, Mo...

Arkansas Takes Bold Action Against Chinese-Owned Agricultural Land Holdings

October 19, 2023 - On Tuesday, Arkansas authorities issued a directive mandating Chinese-owned Syngenta Seeds and its subsidiary, Northrup King Seed Co., to divest their land holdings in the state. Ad...

Colorado and Montana Cattle Producers Attend Expogan in Chihuahua, Mexico

October 18, 2023 - Last week several cattle producers from Colorado and Montana joined their Mexican counterparts in Chihuahua for the 40th Anniversary of Expogan, one of the largest livestock events...

Great Plains Heifer Development Program Opens Doors

Amid historic lows in the nation's cowherd, Nebraska and South Dakota State University are spearheading the Great Plains Heifer Development Program, to help beef producers optimize heifer development...

Montana Flooding Disaster Declared

October 16, 2023 - President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in the State of Montana following flooding across 10 counties in June of this year.

Empowering Small-Scale Meat Processors

October 16, 2023 - The Butcher Block Act would create grant and loan opportunities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enable small and mid-sized meat processing facilities to expand...

Colorado's newest livestock market opens for business

Zane O’Dell’s family has been in the cattle business in the Four Corners area for generations. A few years ago, he purchased a piece of ground that was once owned by his great-grandfather. On that lan...

It's Time for the NILE Stock Show and Rodeo

October 13, 2023 - A true western tradition is officially underway in Billings, Montana. It’s the NILE Stock Show and Rodeo. And General Manager Leah Clark says this year’s NILE will once again featur...

Federal Court Greenlights States' Lawsuit Against Biden's Revised WOTUS Rule

October 13, 2023 - Twenty-four states that challenged the Biden administration's waters of the U.S. rule are expected to file an amended complaint against EPA's new version of the rule finalized this...

USDA Lowers Corn and Soybean Production and Ending Stocks

October 13, 2023 - USDA on Thursday slightly lowered U.S. crop production for corn and soybeans and brought down projected ending stocks for both crops as well.

Bird Flu Alert: Avian Influenza Detected in Montana

October 12, 2023 - On Tuesday, October 10, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Glacier County poultry flock. This is Montana’s 18th affe...

The Cattle Herd Rebuilding Challenge

October 12, 2023 - Oklahoma State University's Derrell Peel says there can be little doubt that the biggest issue in the cattle industry right now is the question of when herd rebuilding will begin. T...

Grid Pricing: A Win-Win for Cattle Producers and Beef Consumers

October 11, 2023 - Kansas State University (K-State) agricultural economists have conducted an extensive analysis on the impact of grid pricing within the cattle industry. Their findings, among other...

Farm Bill Extension Likely Needed

October 11, 2023 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday criticized efforts in Congress to cut USDA's budget, adding he expects lawmakers will be forced to pass an extension of the current farm...

Crop Progress Report for Oct. 8, 2023

October 11, 2023 - Despite being slightly behind average in some Eastern Corn Belt states such as Indiana and Ohio, this year's corn and soybean harvests continued to outpace the five-year averages na...

Fall Storm on it's Way

October 11, 2023 - The storm system will deepen quickly midweek, which will cause a shield of rain to develop that is forecast to be quite heavy. A band and zone of heavy rain is forecast from Wyoming...

Survey Aimed At Wool Pool Coordinators

October 10, 2023 - Wool pool coordinators are encouraged to share information on their wool pools through a new American Sheep Industry Association survey. Additionally, ASI is updating the Wool Pool...

Farm Bill Provides Vision For Wheat Growers

October 10, 2023 - Congress has created a lot of uncertainty in farm and ranch country. Most notably, the future of the new farm bill. Montana Grain Growers Association Vice President Boyd Heilig says...

WAN Broadcaster Releases Fifth Ag Book for Kids

Western Ag Network broadcaster Rachel Gabel has released her fifth children’s agriculture book, Kindergarten Cowman. The book follows a young cowman who is growing right alongside the calves on his fa...

Oregon Agrees to Provide Wolves to Colorado

In a one-year agreement announced today between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon will be a source for up to 10 wolves for the Colorado gray wolf reintrodu...

Speakership Vacated: What does it mean for agriculture?

Oct. 4, 2023 - What impact will the vacated Speaker of the House position have on U.S. agriculture? Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and Ethan Lane, VP of Gov. Affairs for the National...

Canola Acres On The Rise In America

October 3, 2023 - More farmers across America are adopting new cropping rotations to help take advantage of the agronomic benefits. And one of these crops is canola. U.S. Canola Association President...

Fencelines & Headlines: Foreign Investors in U.S. Ag, Lamb Imports and More

Oct. 1, 2023Fencelines & Headlines Topics:
• More oversight of foreign investments in U.S. agriculture
• Sheep industry on foreign lamb imports
• Labeling of lab-grown dairy and meat imitators
• Monta...

Gordon, ag groups call for withdrawal of BLM's Rock Springs plan

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has requested that the Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office’s Draft Resource Management Plan Revision (RMP) and accompanying Draft Environmental Impact Statemen...

Over 100 Ag and Forestry Groups Voice Opposition to Spartz Anti-Checkoff Amendment

September 27, 2023 - In a letter sent this week to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), 130 leading state and national livestock, crop, and fore...

Barrasso Bill Keeps Sheep and Goat Import Ban

September 27, 2023 - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has introduced legislation to stop the Biden administration from lifting a ban on imports of sheep and goat products until accurate studies sho...

Strong Fundamental Outlook for Cattle Market

September 24, 2023 - Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on Sept. 1, 2023. The inventory...

CCA Ag Water NetWORK: Living Within the River's Means

“Yes, we have been in a record drought,” she said. “We all know that in the Colorado River Basin. Climate change is definitely impacting the flows, but that’s only part of the story. As you’ve had rec...

GHG Regulations May Force Ag Companies to Reduce Output, Move Operations out of Colorado

“At present, it’s going to hit the processors – Cargill, JBS, Colorado Lamb – the bigger facilities than run more than a few hundred a day,” Riley said. “There are several phases, and my fear is the n...

Wheat Industry Applauds Senate American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023

September 21, 2023 - The bi-partisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional Farm Bill resources, all while also safeguarding the intere...

ASI Investigates Trade Case Against Lamb Imports

September 21, 2023 - The American Sheep Industry Association has released a video podcast sharing the status of a legal process initiated several months ago toward the possible filing of a United Stat...

Feeding Quality Forum Shares Market Outlook, Path to Meeting Demand

The beef demand success story of the past is also the industry’s roadmap for the future, said speakers at this year’s Feeding Quality Forum.

Russian Wheat Exports Remain Biggest Risk to U.S. Wheat Elevators

A modest rebound in U.S. wheat production and supplies is improving the outlook for profitability among grain elevators that store wheat. Futures market carries have improved for all three major class...

Calf and Bred Cow Market Remains Strong

September 20, 2023 - The summer video sale season is winding down, but cattle prices remain strong here in the later half of September. This week, the Northern Livestock Video Auction (NLVA) held its...

2023 National Red Angus Convention

September 14, 2023 - Maintaining efficient and profitable cattle herds is a top conversation during this year’s National Red Angus Convention in Denver, CO. Brought to you by Ag Risk Advisors, Western...

Michigan auctioneer wins qualifier for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

The event, hosted by Torrington Livestock Markets, was the first of three qualifying events building up to the 2024 WLAC Championship. Thirty-six contestants from across the U.S. and Canada competed f...

Montana Senator Presses SEC Chair on “Pain in the Neck” Reporting Requirements for Farm Country

September 14, 2023 - U.S. Senator Jon Tester pressed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler this week about concerns that the agency’s “climate disclosure rule” could lead to burd...

New Beef Checkoff Plan Approved

September 14, 2023 - The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $38 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, an...

CattleCon24 Contests Announced

Whether you are pitch perfect or know how to make beef sizzle, CattleCon24 has a variety of contents to showcase your hidden talents. Applications are now open for the Beef It Up Recipe Contest, Natio...

ALB Launches New Website for Sheep Industry

September 12, 2023 - American Lamb producers can now turn to LambBoard.com for resources on checkoff production, promotion and other programs. The new website replaces the previous industry website, L...

Farmers Union Kicks Off 2023 Legislative Fly-In

September 12, 2023 - This week 300 Farmers Union members from across the country are in Washington, DC to advocate for family farmers as part of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-I...

Fencelines & Headlines: Wildfires, Whiskey, and a Wyoming Legend

A special Fencelines & Headlines episode from Pendleton, OR at the Public Lands Council held its 55th Annual Meeting.
Topics include:
- Wildfire Management with rancher Dave Daley
- Risk Management...

Will the U.S. Cattle Herd Expand?

September 11, 2023 - When will the cattle cycle change and the rebuilding of the cattle herd begin? Clint Berry with Superior Livestock Auction shares his prediction.

Let'er Buck From Pendleton

September 7, 2023 - Western Ag Network's Russell Nemetz and Lane Nordlund share an update from the event with the latest On the Road Report from the Public Lands Council Annual meeting.

Roundup for Ranchers in Pendleton

September 6, 2023 - Western Ag Network's Lane Nordlund talks with Colorado Rancher and Public Lands Council President Mark Roeber.

Public Lands Ranchers Head to Pendleton for Annual Meeting

September 6, 2023 - The Public Lands Council (PLC) 55th Annual Meeting starts today, where ranchers, Congressional representatives, administration officials, and industry stakeholders from across the...

Rising U.S. Corn Yields Boost Production Without Additional Farm Acres

September 6, 2023 - Remarkable growth in corn yields has boosted corn productivity in the United States over the past century. While corn production has risen, the land used to grow corn has not. Unit...

Fencelines & Headlines: BLM Overreach, Big Bud Tractors, Weather Outlook

September 3, 2023 - Western Ag Network’s Lane Nordlund along with KMON radio host Jason Laird discuss several topics important to farmers and ranchers.

The Return of the King: Big Bud at Farm Progress Show

September 2, 2023 - Since the announcement of its resurrection, farmers and tractor enthusiasts cannot wait to see the brand-new Big Bud Tractors out in farm Fields. The pre-production Big Bud model w...

Budd Falen: Amended WOTUS rule less murky

She said a complicated permit process unfolded giving life to the saying that any water that could float a single page of a Supreme Court opinion was navigable water.

Farmers Frustrated with President Biden's Updated Water Rule

August 31, 2023 - Farmers, ranchers, and landowners are frustrated with the changes made by the Biden Administration to the Waters of the U.S. Rule. The Administration was forced to update the controv...

Some Edwards' Sheep Returned, Others Remain Missing

In a twist to an already strange story, a little over half of the Edwards' family's missing yearling ewes showed up again.
Guy Edwards' ewes were returned. His dad, Rich's ewes were not.
As The Fenc...

EPA Finalizes Changes to WOTUS Rule

August 30, 2023 - The EPA removed the term "significant nexus" from the waters of the U.S.(WOTUS)rule in a final revision announced by the agency Tuesday after the Supreme Court in May declared uncons...

Young Producers and Researchers Examine Genetic Future of U.S. Sheep Industry

August 30, 2023 - Sheep Genetics USA brought 15 young producers, researchers, university staff and industry personnel to Colorado State University for two days of brainstorming on industry issues and...

Montana AG Calls On Federal Appeals Board To Overturn BLM's Illegal Bison Grazing Decision

August 29, 2023 - Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen called on a federal appeals board to overturn a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) final decision that rubber stamped a controversial and locally...

Syngenta Seeds and Sustainable Oils Announce Agreement to Sell Camelina Seed

August 29, 2023 - Syngenta Seeds, LLC and Sustainable Oils, Inc. have entered into a new agreement to sell Camelina sativa (camelina) seed – an ultra-low carbon oilseed crop that can be used as feedst...

Take Advantage of Market Highs with Columbia Grain Producer Solutions

August 25, 2023 - As the winter wheat harvest draws to a close and spring wheat harvest picks up, Columbia Grain’s Phil Symons says there's good reason why grain markets continue to be very volatile t...

Hawaii Cattlemen Need Our Help

August 24, 2023 - Here in the West, we’re certainly no strangers to wildfires. However, catastrophic wildfires have also been burning on multiple islands in Hawaii for the past two weeks. Most notably...

It's the Ranchers' Turn - Profitability Favors Ranchers

August 23, 2023 - Joe Goggins with Northern Livestock Video Auction (NLVA) says its finally the cow/calf producers turn at making a profit after years of drought and unforeseen challenges. NLVA’s Earl...

Members of Congress Oppose EATS Act

On Monday, 171 members of Congress signed a letter opposing the inclusion of the EATS Act in the 2023 Farm Bill. Four members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation – U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse,...

Fencelines and Headlines: Coors Barley Harvest, Plant-based Meat Sales Decline and More

August 20, 2023 - Fencelines and Headlines: Topics include: Coors Barley Harvest, Animal Rights Activists Call for Ban of Slaughterhouses in Denver, Plant-based Meat Sales Decline, Harvest Safety and...

Grassley's Farm Program Integrity Act Means Major Cuts to FSA Limits for General Partnerships

The limitations mean that no person, corporation or LLC may receive more than the designated limitation for the corresponding program in a single year. However, there is a notable exception to the pay...

Corn Growers Applaud USTR’s Request For Dispute Panel With Mexico

August 18, 2023 - The U.S. Trade Representative has requested a panel formation under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement over Mexico’s decision to ban imports of biotech corn used for human consumption.

Excellent Molson Coors Barley Crop in Montana and Wyoming

August 17, 2023 - Combines are now rolling through Molson Coors barley fields in Montana and Wyoming. And growers in both states report another excellent barley crop which is good news for Coors Banqu...