Goodyear Acquires Rival Tire Maker Cooper

February 24, 2021 - Goodyear Tire & Rubber is acquiring Cooper Tire & Rubber for $2.5 billion. The combined company will be headquartered in Akron, OH and have approximately $17.5 billion in sales.

Vilsack Confirmed by Senate as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

February 24, 2021 - Tom Vilsack received a strong vote of confidence in the U.S. Senate from Republicans as President Joe Biden's pick for agriculture secretary was confirmed with a 92-7 vote on Tuesd...

Here by the Owl: Bill Jimmerson

February 22, 2021 - Mr. Bill Jimmerson has taught and influenced thousands of Ag Education and FFA members for over 50 years. As an Ag Educator, FFA advisor and later on Montana State FFA Advisor, Mr....

ASI CONDUCTS SHEEP IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY SURVEY

The American Sheep Industry Association is conducting an online survey on animal identification and animal disease traceability systems.

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Announces 2021 Inductees

February 21, 2021 - The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame has announced its 2021 inductees and award winners who will be recognized at its 12th annual banquet to be held Aug. 9, 2021, in Nashville, Tennesse...

South Dakota Ag Leader Selected as New Farm Service Agency Administrator

February 19, 2021 - Zach Ducheneaux is the current Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the largest, longest-standing Native American agriculture organization in the United State...

Buckwheat: A Hazard to Montana’s Export Markets

February 19, 2021 - As farmers prepare for spring planting, the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee is reminding producers to ensure that wheat shipments destined for export are buckwheat-free. It's im...

Disaster Assistance Available for Producers Impacted by Severe Winter Storms

February 19, 2021 - Most of the nation is facing unusually cold weather, as a winter storm moved coast-to-coast over the weekend. Winter storms create significant challenges and often result in catast...

Montana Beef Advocate Elected to National Leadership Role

February 18, 2021 - Andy Kellom of Hobson, Mont., was elected Region V Vice President for the Federation of State Beef Councils during the Cattle Industry Winter Business Meeting held virtually, Feb....

Spring Planting Tips for Farmers

February 18, 2021 - Another planting season is just around the corner. To help set farmers up for success this year, the Columbia Grain International Agronomy Division recommends farmers review any di...

Feedyards, Packers Disrupted By Weather and Energy Shortage

February 17, 2021 - A winter storm and the coldest temperatures in decades has created another crisis for cattle feeders and beef packers. Rolling power outages and natural gas shortages at many High...

NCGA Announces Winners of the Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest

February 16, 2021 - In 2020 we went from one unprecedented event to another. A challenging year for so many, yet photographers continued to share essential farmers’ stories of perseverance through the...

More Demand for Yearlings and Calves Ahead

February 16, 2021 - Corbitt Wall called the latest inventory report "bullish" and says commercial cattlemen should see stronger prices moving through 2021, due largely to supply numbers that continue...

Montana Loves Beef Campaign

February 15, 2021 - To show their appreciation for Montana’s ranchers and remind consumers that beef is a top protein, Montana Beef Council (MBC) is launching a new branded campaign called “Montana Lo...

Farm Futures Survey Shows Higher Wheat Acres in 2021

February 15, 2021 - Farm Futures estimates that total wheat acreage planted for harvest in 2021 will come in at 46.4 million acres – a 4.5% increase from 2020 planted acreage and the first time U.S. p...

American Lamb Board Nominations Due to ASI by March 26

February 15, 2021 - ASI is looking to submit two eligible producers and feeders for each position. Anyone interested in applying should first consult with representatives from their state sheep associ...

Kick Off the 2021 NASCAR Season with Beef. It's What's For Dinner.

February 12, 2021 - The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 40th season-opening race for the NASCAR...

March 15 Last Day to Enroll in ARC & PLC for 2021

February 12, 2021 - Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 must do so by March 15. Program enrollment fo...

Advocating for Ranchers: PLC’s Kaitlynn Glover

Wyoming native Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director of the National Public Lands Council was featured on the LaneCast Ag Podcast with Lane Nordlund.

Montana Farmers Union Supports Right to Repair

February 11, 2021 - The ‘right to repair’ is a heavily debated topic in agriculture and the Montana Farmers Union is addressing the issue of a producers’ right to repair their farm equipment by suppor...

Certified Angus Beef Launches #RestaurantChallenge

February 10, 2021 - As the 2012 drought was to the cattleman, this pandemic has been to the restaurateur. The key to survival? Help from friends and neighbors. To inspire and build support for this ke...

U.S. Senators Send Letter Requesting Withdrawal of Rule Hurting American Sheep and Goat Industries

February 9, 2021 - A letter has been sent to Robert Fairweather, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, requesting the USDA's final rule on the importation of sheep, goats, and certai...

2020 Pork Exports Shatter Previous Records; December Beef Exports Outstanding

February 9, 2021 - U.S. pork exports reached nearly three million metric tons in 2020, topping the 2019 record by 11 percent. Pork export value also climbed 11 percent to a record $7.71 billion. Meanw...

Grains Scholarships for Ag Students

February 8, 2021 - The Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) and the Montana Grains Foundation (MGF) will each offer scholarships to be used for the 2021-2022 school year.

Cattlemen's Beef Board Elects New Officers at 2021 Winter Meetings

February 8, 2021 - Cattle producers Hugh Sanburg, Norman Voyles, Jr. and Jimmy Taylor are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). This officer team is responsible for...

Colorado Department of Agriculture Seeks Hemp Center of Excellence Advisory Committee Members

February 8, 2021 - The purpose of the committee is to assist CDA and its contractor in the development of the organizational structure and a five-year strategic plan for the implementation of the COE....

Montana Farmers Union to Host Interactive Town Hall on Farmers’ Right to Repair

February 8, 2021 - MFU is addressing the issue of a farmers’ right to repair by promoting legislation at the Montana legislature, and secondly by hosting a virtual town hall on February 8 at 7 pm. The...

Mozzarella Sticks Surpassing Wings as Top Super Bowl Food?

February 7, 2021 - Leveraging data from 1,000 customers ordering on football Sundays, from Sept. 13, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2021, DoorDash predicts mozzarella sticks will be the most ordered dish Feb. 7 whe...

USDA Extends General Signup for CRP

February 6, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021....

NCBA Elects New Officers and Sets Policy for 2021

February 5, 2021 - The executive committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has approved the organization’s top 2021 policy priorities with a continued focus on advocating for a bus...

PPP Loans For Ag, Planning For 2021

February 4, 2021 - Does your farm or ranch qualify for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan? In this Wipfli Spotlight on Agriculture Podcast, Dustin Wiesner and Ryan Tangedal provide insight on th...

UN Designates February 10 as World Pulses Day

February 4, 2021 - The United Nations has designated February 10 as World Pulses Day to recognize the importance of pulse crops like chickpeas, dry beans and lentils as a global food.

Fish & Wildlife Service Defends Gray Wolf Delisting

February 3, 2021 - The Fish and Wildlife Service in a letter to environmental groups signaled it may not put the gray wolf back on the endangered species list after it was removed under the Trump admi...

ASI Elects New Leadership at Virtual Annual Convention

February 3, 2021 - Susan Shultz of Ohio has been elected to lead the American Sheep Industry Association as its next president. Also moving up the officer chain was Wyoming's Brad Boner, who was elect...

Public Lands Council Debuts New Policy Committee Structure and Leadership

February 2, 2021 - The Public Lands Council has announced a new policy committee structure for public lands ranchers to develop and shape policy. The announcement also includes identification of new C...

Bi-Partisan DIRECT Act Introduced to Help Local Meat Processors

February 1, 2021 - the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act will allow state inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce, allowing small produce...

Cattle Inventory Down Slightly, Calf Crop Down 1%

February 1, 2021 - USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory report released Friday estimated the total U.S. herd on Jan. 1, 2021, at 93.6 million head, about 200,000 head fewer than in 2020.

Lamb Lovers Month Promotion Begins Feb. 1

January 29, 2021 - Your American Lamb Checkoff is starting 2021 with its iconic Lamb Lovers Month promotion during the entire month of February. Join the American Lamb Board (ALB) in promoting the ver...

Senate Disputes Over Rules Delaying Vilsack Confirmation

January 27, 2021 - The Senate scheduled confirmation hearings for half-a-dozen of President Biden’s cabinet nominees this week but Tom Vilsack, seeking to become agriculture secretary for the second t...

Farm to Feet Enters Tactical Market

January 26, 2021 - Farm to Feet – makers of 100 percent American socks – has launched a new Merino wool sock collection specifically designed for the needs of the tactical and law enforcement market.

Growing the Future of Agriculture through Give FFA Day

January 26, 2021 - Once again, during National FFA Week, individuals will have an opportunity to step up and support FFA and agricultural education through Give FFA Day on Thursday, Feb. 25. This year...

NILE Foundation Scholarships Available

January 21, 2021 - For 30 years, the NILE has awarded scholarships to deserving FFA and 4-H students across the nation. And this year the NILE Foundation is expected to award over $35,000 in scholarsh...

Understanding COVID Relief for Agriculture

January 19, 2021 - Farmers, ranchers and agribusiness are still trying to wrap their minds around COVID relief programs. In this Wipfli Spotlight on Agriculture, Brad Cook walks us through how Wipfli...

USDA Publishes Final Rule for Hemp Production

January 19, 2021 - Key provisions of the final rule include licensing requirements; recordkeeping requirements for maintaining information about the land where hemp is produced; procedures for testing...

Wilks Ranch Purchases 2021 Angus Foundation Heifer

January 18, 2021 - Since 1980, the Angus Foundation Heifer Package has been sold to generate funds to support the Angus Foundation’s mission of youth, education and research. This year, Wilks Ranch of...

NILE Begins Search For New General Manager

January 18, 2021 - The application period for the General Manager position will be open until February 1st followed by the interview process and subsequent selection. Current General Manager, Jennifer...

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...