New Lawsuit by Environmentalists Targets Malathion

September 16, 2024 - A final biological opinion that led to national restrictions on the pesticide malathion is the target of a new lawsuit filed this week that alleges the decision by the U.S. Fish a...

Ranchers ask feds to manage Colorado wolves, another wolf dead

“It is very evident that Gov. Polis is at the helm of all decisions regarding wolf management. Recent comments by the first gentleman on his Facebook reinforce what is already known, that management d...

Nebraska's Blackshirt Feeders poised to be most environmentally friendly in world

“I had just returned home from Kazakhstan and was planting corn when the idea for Blackshirt Feeders was hatched,” he said. “I had just gotten back from a trip all around the world and was literally i...

Harris and Trump Outline Agricultural Priorities In Farm Bureau Survey

September 13, 2024 - Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump revealed their priorities for American agriculture in responses provided by their campaigns to a questionnaire distr...

99th Montana Ram and 11th Montana Ewe Sale Results

September 12, 2024 - On September 11 and 12, Miles City hosted the Montana Ram and Ewe Sales at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds. The offering included over 400 commercial ewes, and 257 rams from consi...

Cattle Sale with a Cause: Supporting Duchenne Research

September 12, 2024 - On September 19, 2024 the Heaton family will be hosting their annual Calves to cure DMD cattle sale at Billings Livestock Commission to raise funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystroph...

Safeguarding American Soil

September 12, 2024 - Legislation seeks to tighten oversight on foreign attempts to purchase U.S. farmland, specifically targeting countries like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.

Montana Rancher Promotes U.S. Beef on Trade Mission to Japan

September 11, 2024 - Potomac, Montana rancher Justin Iverson is currently in Japan on a beef trade mission with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, representing the Montana Beef Council.

National Farmers Union and USDA Announce Agreement to Strengthen FSA County-Level Operations

September 9, 2024 - National Farmers Union (NFU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address staffing levels and improve customer service...

South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson Requests Briefing on Chinese Drones

September 9, 2024 - U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and twelve members of Congress asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security...

Up to $7,000 Available for Sheep Producers Selected for Climate-Smart Grant

September 5, 2024 - The American Lamb Board received a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant to quantify the impacts of targeted sheep grazing. The program is designed to measure and report carbon sequ...

The Producer Partnership Helping Remington Wildfire Victims

September 5, 2024 - The Producer Partnership would like to help the counties affected by the devastation the Remington fire has caused by picking up animals from ranchers that have been injured from t...

Checkerboard, Montana Hosts America's Smallest Labor Day Parade

September 4, 2024 - For over 30 years, the small community of Checkerboard, Mont. has held America's smallest parade as part of it's annual Labor Day weekend celebration. And this year's turnout of pa...

Wyoming Confirms Anthrax in Carbon County Cattle

September 4, 2024 - Anthrax has been confirmed in multiple beef herds located in Carbon County, Wyoming. This is the first confirmed anthrax in Wyoming cattle since the 1970s.

The Cattlemen's Wife: A Tribute to Babe Goggins

September 3, 2024 - A new documentary, "The Cattlemen’s Wife" recently debuted. The story centered around the life and legacy of Babe Goggins, wife of the late Pat Goggins, offers a unique glimpse int...

Kendra Santos Chronicles Heartbreaking Tragedy at Beutler Ranch

September 1, 2024 - Journalist Kendra Santos has reported on a devastating tragedy at the Beutler Ranch in Elk City, Oklahoma, where nearly 70 horses have died due to a catastrophic feed contamination...

DEKALB Partners with the Field of Dreams Movie Site

August 30, 2024 - DEKALB is proud to announce its new partnership as the official corn seed for the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa. DEKALB corn surrounds the filming site of the iconic 1989 Field...

USDA Launches Online Debt Consolidation Tool

August 30, 2024 - The USDA is announcing the launch of the Debt Consolidation Tool, an innovative online tool available through farmers.gov that allows agricultural producers to enter their farm opera...

Auctioneer Randy Searer’s Battle for a New Liver: A Journey of Strength and Hope

August 28, 2024 - Auctioneer Randy Searer, diagnosed with end-stage liver failure in April 2024, has been placed on the liver transplant list after a series of medical tests and treatments. Despite th...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Capturing and Relocating Depredating Wolf Pack

August 27, 2024 - Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced late last night that they will be rounding up the mating pair and three pups that make up the Copper Creek Pack. CPW said the capture and reloca...

U.S. Wheat Industry Applauds USDA Approval of Drought Tolerant Wheat Trait

August 28, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it plans to deregulate the HB4 drought-tolerant trait from Bioceres Crop Solutions. Access to drought-tolerant wheat like...

Wildfire Relief Fund: MT Stockgrowers Foundation Launches Donation Hub

August 27, 2024 - The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is seeking donations for its Wildfire Relief Fund to aid Montana livestock producers impacted by the devastating Remington Fire in southeast...

Western Ag Network Excited for New Television Partnership with Cowles Media

August 26, 2024 - Western Ag Network’s Russell Nemetz and Lane Nordlund are thrilled to announce they’ve accepted an invitation from Cowles Media to provide ag news on Wake Up Montana NonStop Local. B...

New Strategic Investment Program for Young Pork Advocates

August 26, 2024 - The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) unveiled a new Strategic Investment Program, “Young Pork Advocates,” for young individuals ages 18-22. This initiative expands on NPPC’s St...

Canadian Government Orders Railways Back to Work

August 26, 2024 - After a tumultuous week of rail worker stoppage between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN) railways, t...

Wyoming Gov. Gordon Unhappy with BLMs Proposed Rock Springs Resource Management Plan

The plan outlines how the BLM will manage 3.6 million acres of federal land in southwest Wyoming. Gov. Mark Gordon said the FEIS for the proposed Rock Springs RMP does not meet Wyoming’s expectations...

Canadian Rail Shutdown: Agricultural Trade and Rail Transportation at Risk

August 22, 2024 - The agricultural sector and several key industries are grappling with significant disruptions following a rail shutdown that occurred in the early morning of August 22, 2024, in Cana...

USDA Accepts More Than 2.2 Million Acres Through 2024 Grassland, General, and Continuous CRP Offers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for more than 2.2 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Grassland, General, and Continuous...

Utah Files Landmark Lawsuit Challenging Federal Control Over Most BLM Land

August 20, 2024 - After decades of legal analysis, Utah has filed a landmark public lands lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to address whether the federal government can simply hold unappropriated...

Anti-meat billboard in Casper ruffling feathers

A billboard in Casper, Wyoming, is ruffling feathers in the state’s agriculture industry, especially when it comes to spreading incorrect information. The billboard with an angry chicken grasping an A...

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven Organizes Field Hearing to Discuss Future of Ag Tech Development

August 15, 2024 - The discussion included U.S. Senators, leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and producers, industry representatives and agriculture researchers.

CSU Researchers Earn USDA Funding to Develop Weed Herbicide for Palmer Amaranth

August 15, 2024 - Colorado State University researchers are developing a novel biological herbicide that would specifically target Palmer amaranth – one of the most challenging weeds for agricultural...

Montana State University Program Looks at Domestic Wool Manufacturing

August 13, 2024 - In conjunction with the Montana Ram & Ewe Sale – Sept. 11-12 in Miles City, Mont. – Montana State University will offer a program entitled Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Grown...

Scientists Developed a Unique Approach to Conserve the Monarch Butterfly

August 13, 2024 - USDA scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Weed and Insect Biology Research Unit, in Fargo, North Dakota, have developed the first known cryopreservation protocol for...

MSU President Cruzado Announces Retirement

August 12, 2024 - Cruzado, a strong advocate for the Land Grant University System, agriculture and the people of Montana shared in a letter she will retire June 30, 2025

ASI Executive Board Conducts Summer Meeting in South Dakota

August 9, 2024 - The American Sheep Industry Association Executive Board met this week in Deadwood, S.D., for its annual summer meeting. The focus of the meeting each year is to set a budget for the c...

NCBA's Lane: Maude Indictments Inspire Anger from Caputa to Capitol Hill

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, S.D. Senator Mike Rounds called the indictments for theft of government property served – by USFS Special Agent Travis Lunders while unannounced,...

Sweetener Users and Sugar Producers Join in Support of Strengthened Sugar Policy

August 8, 2024 - Sugar is a vital ingredient in our national food supply, and U.S. farmers, workers, and food manufacturers support the sugar policy provisions in the bipartisan Farm, Food, and Nation...

Beef Export Value Climbs in June

August 8, 2024 - Beef exports totaled 110,155 metric tons (mt) in June, down 4% from a year ago but the second largest of 2024. Export value reached $938.3 million, up 3% year-over-year and the highes...

NRCS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Invests $22 Million in 29 Projects in 36 States

August 6, 2024 - The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) empowers partners to increase availability of grazing land technical assistance for livestock producers, including historically unders...

FFA Reaches Record-Breaking 1 Million Members

August 5, 2024 - National FFA Organization, a nationally-recognized school-based student leadership development organization, announced today that it reached a record-breaking milestone of having more...

U.S. Ag Land Values Up 5%

August 5, 2024 - USDA said the value of all farm real estate increased 5% from 2023, averaging $4,170 per acre. This estimate includes buildings and other facilities.

FFA Gets Microsoft Grant to Expand Precision Ag Education

August 1, 2024 - Dozens of FFA chapters around the United States are getting a new classroom resource for the 2024-25 school year as part of a Microsoft grant. The grant will help FFA members and advi...

U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Supports Resolution to Block Mandatory EID

August 1, 2024 - The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) announced their support of Representative Harriet Hageman’s (R-WY) joint resolution to block the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Se...

Tribes rescind agreement to provide source wolves to Colorado

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation say they won’t be sending 15 wolves from their reservation in Washington to Colorado in late 2024. In a June 6 letter to CPW Director Jeff Davis, th...

Calf Prices: Superior Livestock’s Video Royale Sale

July 30, 2024 - This week Superior Livestock Auction is holding its 2024 Video Royale Sale in Winnemucca, NV. Taking place July 29 – August 1, there are over 190,000 head of cattle being offered.

National Beef Settles Wage-Fixing Case

July 30, 2024 - National Beef Packing Company is the latest food company to announce a settlement in an ongoing wage-fixing lawsuit, according to a notice filed in federal court Monday.

What Practices Pay Off at the Auction Block?

July 29, 2024 - As cattle producers sit in auction barns or on the video and watch their calves sell, they often wonder why their calves don’t sell for more. What makes buyers pay more for some calves...

Public Lands Council Launches #SageGrouseSummer

July 29, 2024 - The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness, promote, and educate the public about the positive impact of cattle grazing on sage grouse populations through engaging and informative...

Clean Water Act Case Against Simplot Allowed To Proceed

July 29, 2024 - According to the Western Livestock Journal, a lawsuit challenging one of the biggest feedlot companies in the world and its waste discharges will continue after a court ruled against t...

Denver slaughterhouse ban "closes door to generational prosperity"

Martin said Colorado agriculture plays a role outside of the state and globally, and so as scientists, the CSU team that compiled the study felt it was important to speak up in the absence of informat...

Real Beef Triumphs: Lab-Grown Protein Off Military Menus

July 24, 2024 - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will not pursue lab-grown protein projects for human consumption in the military, e...

Yearlings and Calves Fetch Top Prices at NLVA Summertime Classic Sale

July 24, 2024 - The Northern Livestock Video Auction's (NLVA) Summertime Classic sale offering 189,000 head of feeder cattle this week. The event, held on July 22, 23, 24 & 25, witnessed robust demand...

Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Hay Scam

July 23, 2024 - A Kansas man admitted to a fraud charge last week of devising a scheme to steal from Montana and Wyoming ranchers who were seeking to buy hay to feed their livestock during the drought...

Decision on Mexico-U.S. Corn Dispute Expected This Fall

July 23, 2024 - The U.S. has made a strong case in the dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a top official in the Biden administration...

Working to Reduce Obstacles for Red Meat Exports to Canada

July 23, 2024 - Canada is a top five destination for both U.S. beef and pork exports, but shipments are sometimes slowed by regulatory issues. The recent transition to the Public Health Information Sy...

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Comments on President Biden Dropping Out of Presidential Race

July 22, 2024 - "In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "As a r...

Cargill Invests $1 Million in Research on Methane Reduction in Cattle

July 22, 2024 - In an effort to help fund research studying sustainable animal agriculture practices and reducing the environmental impact of the beef industry, Cargill has issued a $1 million grant t...

July 1 Cattle on Feed Up 1% From Year Ago

July 19, 2024 - Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on July 1, 2024. The inventory was 1%...

A Strong Bond: Gage and Lambo

When Gage Graves, who is now 11 years old, moved with his family to the Yoder, Colo., area they were all hoping to build upon his existing love of horses with more animals that would be made possible...

35th Anniversary of Lane Frost's Death at CFD Honored

It’s been 35 years since then 25-year-old bull rider Lane Frost was killed in the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo arena. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is honoring the anniversary with a spe...

Farm Bill Negotiations and Election Impacts Discussed at Republican National Convention

July 18, 2024 - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson of Pennsylvania and Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, both offered their views on...

Wickens Salt Creek Ranch Sets Conservation Standard with Leopold Award Recognition

July 18, 2024 - Wickens Salt Creek Ranch of Hilger has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Montana Leopold Conservation Award®.

Deere & Co. Alters Policies After Social Media Backlash

July 18, 2024 - After a week of attacks on social media, Deere & Co. on Tuesday announced the farm machinery manufacturer would change its polices around sponsorships and would no longer support certa...

Jim Magagna Chosen as Recipient of the 2024 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award

July 17, 2024 - The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust is pleased to announce that Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, has been selected to receive the 2024 K...

Summer Lambventures is Bigger and Better than Ever

July 16, 2024 - The American Lamb Board recruited outstanding hosts from across the country to throw their best lamb-themed parties, complete with mouth-watering recipes and stunning photos. Nine host...

Western Senators Continue Push for Grizzly Bear Delisting

July 16, 2024 - During a recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) John Barrasso (R-WY) pushed for the delisting of grizzly bears in the Greater Y...

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report 7.15.24

July 15, 2024 - Despite scattered reports of crop damage from hail, high winds and flooding in some states across the Corn Belt, national condition ratings for both corn and soybeans held steady last...

New Study Showcases Corn Farming’s Contribution to the Economy

July 15, 2024 - According to a new report released this week by the National Corn Growers Association, corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023.

Ag and Energy Groups File Lawsuit Challenging New BLM Public Lands Rule

July 15, 2024 - A lawsuit filed by the American Farm Bureau Federation and 11 other groups challenges the lawfulness of the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, which threatens the future of...

Grain Market Summary 7.12.24

July 12, 2024 - September corn closed up 1 3/4 cents and December corn was up 4 cents. August soybeans closed down 12 cents and November soybeans were down 2 1/2 cents. September KC wheat closed down...

Cattle Market Summary 7.12.24

July 12, 2024 - All in all, it was a quiet day for the livestock complex, as traders allowed the contracts to close mildly higher, but not much else exciting happened throughout the day.

McDonald’s Says No More Meatless Burger in U.S.

July 12, 2024 - Looks like McDonald’s has given up trying to sell meatless beef burgers in the U.S. The fast-food giant recently announced it has no plans to continue promoting its plant-based burger...

Nominations Open Through July 19 for 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Contest

July 12, 2024 - Farmers have until July 19 to submit nominations for the 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest. This is the seventh year of the contest which is supported by Nestlé Purina PetC...

Grasshoppers and Mormon Crickets Are Back This Summer

July 11, 2024 - Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets are back this summer, causing considerable damage to rangelands and forage here in the West.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

July 9, 2024 - Corn and soybean good-to-excellent condition ratings rose slightly for the first time in several weeks last week, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.

Beef Checkoff Dollar Returns $13.41 to Producers

July 9, 2024 - An economic analysis of the national Beef Checkoff program (2019-2023) found that each dollar invested generated a $13.41 benefit for producers and importers by boosting domestic beef d...

Boosting Profitability: Key Issues for Cattle Producers at July Forum

July 8, 2024 - The Cattle Producers’ Forum is set to take place in Billings, Montana on July 23-24, 2024. Co-hosted by the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and the Montana Stockgrowers Ass...

Kerin Clark Named Next Executive Vice President of Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation

July 8, 2024 - Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) is pleased to announce Kerin Clark has been selected as the next Executive Vice President for the organization. Clark will begin transitioning to h...

USDA Issuing Survey to Study Grazing

July 8, 2024 - This summer, the Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey – a joint project between USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service –...

Grain Market Summary 7.5.24

July 5, 2024 - For the Week: December corn was up 3 1/4 cents per bushel, November soybeans finished up 25 3/4 cents per bushel. September KC wheat was up 12 3/4 cents per bushel, September Chicago wh...

Cattle Market Summary 7.5.24

July 5, 2024 - It was a mostly quiet day for the livestock complex with some cash cattle trade in the South developing for $190, which is steady with last week's market but at the time of this writing...

Lamb Market Outlook Webinar Scheduled for July 10

July 5, 2024 - North Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension have partnered with the Livestock Marketing Information Center to provide a Lamb Market Outlook webinar at...

Sizzling Inflation: BBQ Costs Hit Record Highs in 2024

July 3, 2024 - Discover how inflation is impacting your summer cookout! The 2024 Rabobank BBQ Index reveals that hosting a Fourth of July barbecue will cost a record $99 this year. With skyrocketing p...

Lawmakers Urge EPA to Reconsider Costly Heavy-Duty Truck Emissions Rule

July 3, 2024 - A group of 157 Republican senators and representatives has requested EPA Administrator Michael Regan to withdraw a new heavy-duty truck emissions rule. The rule, announced by the Biden...

Nebraska celebrates new feedlot research, teaching, extension center

The new facility is among the largest research feedlots in the world and is designed to present unique opportunities for teaching, outreach and public-private partnerships. The center includes commerc...

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Angus Producers Travel America to Unlock Keys to Beef Value Chain

July 2, 2024 - From pasture to plate, it takes multiple links in the value chain to bring Americans the hamburgers they are throwing on the grill this 4th of July. And each link is integral to the suc...

NCBA's Lane: Proposed PSA Rule Threatens Profitability

A proposed rule has met vehement opposition by cattle trade groups, including the NCBA, while the USDA seeks to define conduct and unfair practices prohibited by the Packers and Stockyards Act.
NCBA...

Molson Coors Barley Days Celebrate Growers Commitment to Raising High Country Barley

July 1, 2024 - Growers across our region have successfully planted another Molson Coors barley crop. Barley Days help celebrate farm families in Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming who raise their fa...

MTN Cancels Western Ag Network AM and Noon TV Reports

June 28, 2024 - The Montana Television Network (MTN) owned by the E.W. Scripps Company notified us that June 28, 2024, would be the last day the Western Ag Network TV report would air during the MTN...

Nebraska Game and Parks Approved Mountain Lion Hunting Season

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved staff recommendations for a 2025 mountain lion hunting season at its June 21 meeting in Ogallala.
For the first time, a hunting season will take place...

ASI Requests Support for Guard Dog Fund

June 27, 2024 - Just as producers put faith in livestock guardian dogs to protect their flocks, the American sheep industry has for two decades counted on ASI’s Guard Dog Fund to assist those fighting...

USDA Announces Improvements to Camelina Pilot Insurance Program

June 27, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced improvements to the camelina pilot crop insurance program for the 2025 and succeeding crop years. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA...

Wyoming Weed and Pest Districts Offering Cash Bounty in Exchange for Invasive Weeds

Several counties are taking part in their own weed bounty programs across the state, with various payouts per program. For example, the Johnson County Weed and Pest District (JCWP) will pay $1 for a p...

NFU Commends Continued Packers and Stockyards Act Progress

June 25, 2024 - The “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” proposed rule is meant to strengthen P&S Act enforcement by creating a framework to assess “unfair practices” claims by family...

American Wool Included in USA Olympic Uniforms

June 25, 2024 - Ralph Lauren partnered with many manufacturers in the United States to produce Team USA’s uniform, including Shaniko Wool Company (located in Maupin, Ore.), which provided the wool for...

First pup born to released wolves in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials announced Thursday the first newly formed pack of released wolves has a pup, making them a pack. Grand County is home to the first new wolf pack, the Copper Creek...

Madden Brothers of Wyoming Inducted Into Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame

June 21, 2024 - The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing and true price discovery. This year's inductees include Lex...

U.S. Headed for Record Ag Trade Deficit

June 21, 2024 - After decades of substantial U.S. agricultural trade surpluses, the U.S. is forecast to experience a record trade deficit for the second year in a row. American Farm Bureau Federation...