FFA Convention Showcases Next Generation of Leaders

March 23, 2023 - The 93rd Annual Montana State FFA Convention is underway in Great Falls, MT. Not only will FFA members be competing for top honors in their respective events, most importantly, the fu...

Mont. Gov. Highlights Ag Innovation with Ranch Tour

March 23, 2023 - As part of his Montana Agriculture and National Ag Week tour of Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte traveled to a ranch nestled in the shadow of Tiger Butte south of Belt Montana.

Bison Industry Weighs in on Farm Bill

March 21, 2023 - The National Bison Association (NBA) is encouraging members of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees to include farm bill policies that will foster continued growth in the...

ASI Leads Coalition Support for Wildlife Services

March 21, 2023 - The American Sheep Industry Association has sent its annual letter of support for Wildlife Services to congressional leaders . More than 200 agriculture and trade associations signed...

Montana Stockgrowers to Host Rollover Auction to Support BLM Litigation

March 20, 2023 - On March 21, National Ag Day, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will launch its first of a series of rollover auctions at markets across Montana to raise funds for its appe...

USDA Awards Funds to NCBA to Protect U.S. Cattle Herd from FMD

March 16, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced this week that they are awarding the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NC...

Big Bud Tractor Unveiled at Con Expo

The wait is over. After 40 years, Big Equipment Sales in Havre, MT is once again rolling out the Big Bud Tractor. Unveiled at Con Expo 23 in Las Vegas, Chad Colby shares an exclusive look at the resur...

Sec. of Ag Vilsack Sits Down with Western Ag Network

In an exclusive interview, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visits with Russell Nemetz about the new farm bill, increasing domestic fertilizer production, BSE in Brazil and more.

NextGen Ag Leadership Program Awards Grants to Support Youth in Agriculture

One of the projects receiving funding from the NextGen Leadership program used the funds to educate young agricultural leaders about federal policy.

Proposed USA beef labeling rule divides trade groups

The proposed rule comes as a result of a request made by the United States Cattlemen’s Association in a petition for rulemaking dating back to 2019. Under current regulations, imported beef product ca...

Farm Bill Big Priority for Farmers Meeting in Orlando for Commodity Classic

March 9, 2023 - This week thousands of corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat farmers from across America are here in Orlando, Florida for Commodity Classic.

New Book Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Farmall Tractor

March 8, 2023 - This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Farmall tractor. Austin-based independent book publisher Octane Press is celebrating this significant historic milestone with the launch of...

NFU Concludes 121st Anniversary Convention, Looks to Have Major Impact on 2023 Farm Bill

March 8, 2023 - “Farmers Union members are united and energized. With our grassroots policy set and the 2023 Farm Bill proceeding in earnest, NFU is going to hit the ground running,” said NFU Presiden...

Family Faces Felonies on Animal Cruelty

March 7, 2023 - Two Lincoln County, Nebraska, men were arrested on numerous felony counts of alleged animal neglect and cruelty, after law enforcement authorities and brand inspectors found more than...

MGGA Welcomes Montana Pulse Crop Committee Exec

March 7, 2023 - Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) applied and received a grant from the Montana Pulse Crop Committee and recently hired Liz Edmundson, of Cascade, to serve as the executive dire...

National Farmers Union Addresses Market Competition at Annual Convention

March 6, 2023 - On the topic of the Fairness for Farmers campaign, convention attendees heard from three key players in NFU’s efforts to boost competition.

A Deep Dive into Carbon Markets

March 3, 2023 - A 3-hour panel discussion was recently held at the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting.

Montana Farmers Union Frustrated by Legislature's Failure to Act on Right to Repair

March 2, 2023 - When the Montana Legislature Tuesday tabled two bills related to right to repair agricultural equipment, they missed an opportunity to lead the nation. Instead, they continue to deny f...

Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame Welcomes Three Inductees

March 2, 2023 - The Colorado FFA Foundation recognized three new inductees representing Colorado politics, water, and agricultural advocacy into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Eric Wilkinson (...

Spring Crop Insurance Prices Set for Corn, Soybeans and Wheat

March 1, 2023 - The prices are an essential component of revenue protection crop insurance policies, the most popular subsidized insurance option among U.S. farmers.

Gila cattle gunning ends, 19 head reported dead with no other cattle present

“Reporting 19 head killed over several days of flight just shows that the United States Forest Service has absolutely no idea about the actual herd numbers in the Wilderness, and has no evidence to su...

NCBA Calls Again for Immediate Halt to Brazilian Beef Imports

Last week, Brazil reported another atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to the World Animal Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). That report indicated 35 days elapsed between when...

NCBA Condemns House and Senate Bills Aimed at “Checkoff Reform”

In 2021 cattle producers overwhelmingly denied a referendum to end the Checkoff with detractors coming nowhere near the required signatures to petition for the termination of this vital program. The B...

Gila Cattle Shooting Delayed, N.M. Gov. joins opposition to USFS decision

According to USFS officials, aerial shooting operations by the agency and contracted Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel were delayed a day, starting Feb. 23, and then grounde...

Potatoes Power $100.9 Billion in U.S. Economic Growth

February 28, 2023 - ‘Spud Nation’ report reveals potato supply chain drove $100.9 billion in U.S. economic activity, supported more than 714,000 jobs, and contributed $34 billion in wages

Columbia Grain Has Specialty Seed and Contracts Available for Pulse Growers

February 27, 2023 - This is the time of year when a lot of farmers make their decision on which crop to grow including which type of pulses to plant. This year, Columbia Grain International (CGI) want...

Feb. 1 Cattle on Feed Down 4%

February 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 11.7 million head on Feb. 1, 2023. The inventory wa...

Brazil Confirms BSE Case

February 23, 2023 - Brazil has confirmed that for a third time since 2021 an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has surfaced in the country.

Educational events on tap at USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Centers, New Facility in Nebraska introduced

One of the events will be hosted by the newly established Training Center at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in Lincoln, Neb. While anyone can attend the events, they are targeted to producers, f...

Judge Denies Cattle Growers’ motion to stop USFS from killing cattle

February 23, 2023 - After hearing argument on Wednesday, February 22, U.S. District Court Judge James Browning denied NMCGA’s application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop the USFS from...

National Corn Growers Association Name New CEO

Feb. 22, 2023 – Neil Caskey, a long-time professional in the agricultural arena, has been tapped to lead the National Corn Growers Association as its new CEO, according to the organization’s board of...

Preventing a Precedent: NMCGA Files Injunction to Stop Aerial Gunning of Cattle Scheduled to Begin Thursday

The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) and others have filed a Complaint and Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction against the United States Forest Service...

Legislation Reintroduced to Suspend Brazilian Beef Imports Amid Safety and Health Concerns

February 22, 2023 - As part of their continued effort to support American ranchers and safeguard American consumers, U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) reintroduced their bipa...

What’s The Forecast For 2023?

February 21, 2023 - What is the forecast for the first part of 2023? In the latest Cattlemen’s Call Podcast, Meteorologist Matt Makens discusses the shifting weather patterns occurring at the start of...

Preventing a Precedent: USFS/APHIS Aerial Gunning of Cattle in Gila to Begin Feb. 23

USFS has issued a closure order for the area beginning Feb. 20, with four days of gunning beginning Feb. 23. USFS and APHIS estimate 50 to 150 head of cattle remain, with both bulls and females presen...

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023

February 17, 2023 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting...

It's Time for MATE-Montana's Largest Farm and Ranch Trade Show

February 16, 2023 - The MATE Show and Home & Health Expo, February 16-18 in Billings, Mont. at MetraPark, highlights agriculture products and services just in time for the upcoming spring season.

WY wolf depredation compensation bill passes both ag committees

In Wyoming the discussion of compensation for wolf depredation is top of mind as HB0188 passed through the House and made its way to the Senate Agriculture committee on February 14 where it was extend...

WY Brucellosis comm bill advances out of committee

A bill that would create a communication protocol as it relates to Brucellosis testing notifications has passed both the House and Senate Agriculture Committee. HB0180 is supported by the Wyoming Stoc...

U.S. Corn Farmers Want Science from Mexico on GMO Corn Ban

February 14, 2023 - Time is running out on Mexico for it to explain the science behind the country’s planned ban on GMO corn imports. If it continues, the dispute threatens to disrupt billions of doll...

CPW, Partners Release Endangered Black-Footed Ferrets to Boost Wild Population

Nine black-footed ferrets were released into the wild Tuesday; the latest success story in a remarkable conservation recovery. The release was part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the US Fish and W...

Wyoming Welcomes Jackie Byam as State Conservationist

Byam has worked with NRCS for 18 years. She has served in several NRCS field offices in Minnesota, and in leadership positions with NRCS in Maryland, Illinois, South Dakota and Kansas.

Railroad Workers' Quest for Paid Sick Days Still on Track

February 13, 2023 - "Guaranteeing seven paid sick days to rail workers would cost the entire industry just $321 million, less than 1.2% of their profits in a single year," says Senator Bernie Sanders.

New Ranchbot Technology Makes Checking Livestock Waters Easy

February 13, 2023 - Ranchbot monitoring solutions gives you accurate and reliable snapshots of your livestock's water. Save time driving to check water, money on labor, and have peace of mind with thi...

Veterans are the Pulse of our Country

February 11, 2023 - The heartbeat of America is driven by veterans and their pulse for freedom. These men and women represent everything that our nation fights to protect, everything we value in life....

New Waterline Ensures Cattle Stay on the Land and Land Stays Intact

February 10, 2023 - Water projects are meaningful to ranchers on any given year, but as drought choked the northern portion of Montana the last two summers, one particular pipeline on the Jim and Dee...

Preventing a Precedent: USFS posts a Notice of Intent in ongoing fight over the aerial gunning of cattle

The US Forest Service has issued a Notice of Intent to Impound Unauthorized Livestock in portions of the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. The notice said unauthorized livestock may be impounded by the U...

Preventing a Precedent: USFS Aerial Gunning of Estray Cattle

February 9, 2023 - New Mexico ranchers are warning producers across the west of what they call a “blatant misuse” of the U.S. Forest Services role in resource management. The USFS has utilized aerial...

Senators Introduce Truth in Buffalo Labeling Act

February 8, 2023 - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the labeling of U.S. bison products and prevent water buffalo produ...

Sheep and Lamb Inventories Lower in Latest USDA Report

February 8, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released this week the annual sheep inventory report which stated that all sheep and lambs were down le...

Montana Ranch Family Wins Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

The Mannix Brothers Ranch, in Helmville, Mont., has been selected as one of seven regional honorees of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award, announced during the 2023 Cattle I...

Sidney Sugars to Begin Closure Procedures in April

February 6, 2023 - Montana-Dakota Beet Growers Association members and Sidney Sugars employees were informed Monday that plant closure procedures will begin on April 14.

Wyoming Sheep Industry Legend Don Meike Dies

February 6, 2023 - Wyoming rancher Don Meike – who served as president of the National Wool Growers Association – passed away at home in Kaycee, Wyo., on Feb. 2, 2023. He was 93.

Legislation Introduced to protect America’s farmland and businesses from the Chinese Communist Party

February 3, 2023 - Two bills have been introduced to protect America’s farmland and businesses from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign I...

Raw and Real: Montana Ranch Families Share Succession Stories

February 3, 2023 - Perennial Roots “Succession Stories" will bring firsthand stories of transition planning to Malta and Winnett.

CattleFax Forecasts Producer Profitability in 2023

February 3, 2023 - Prices and profitability will again favor cattle producers in 2023. The cattle industry is entering 2023 with the smallest cattle supply since 2015 as drought caused the industry to...

Breaking down the Cattle Inventory Report, NCBA Sues Biden Administration over WOTUS Rule

Cattle Contract Library, Grazing on Federal Lands and Wild Bison Hot Topics in New Orleans

February 2, 2023 - Cattle producers at discussing important topics at the Cattle Industry Convention like increased market transparency, grazing on federal lands and wild bison.

Farm Groups Call on Congress to Protect Crop Insurance From Budget Cuts

February 2, 2023 - Calling crop insurance a "linchpin of the farm safety net," a coalition of 60 farmer and agribusiness groups are standing behind letters urging congressional budget leaders "to prot...

Six-Generation Rancher Named 2022 Ag Advocate at Cattle Industry Convention

February 1, 2023 - From Throckmorton, Texas, Tucker Brown has been selected by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, as the 2022 Advocate of the Year. The award...

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Celebrates 2023 Inductees

February 1, 2023 - Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame inductees and industry award winners were honored on Jan. 31, 2023, during the 14th annual banquet, which precedes the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention an...

U.S. Cattle Herd Shrinks 3%

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2023 totaled 89.3 million head, 3 percent below the 92.1 million head on January 1, 2022.

Young Producers Meet in Fairmont for Montana Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference

January 31, 2023 - Having a career in Agriculture isn’t an easy task; especially for young people. That’s why the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee held its YF&R Leadership Conferen...

Cattlewomen Kick Off Cattle Industry Convention in Moo Orleans

January 31, 2023 - This week the Big Easy has been transformed into Moo Orleans for the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show.

What You Really Need to Know About the Carbon Markets

January 30, 2023 - As questions abound, a panel discussion will take place in-person and online this February.

Colorado Couple Receives Coveted Angus Herdsman Honors

January 27, 2023 - Jeff and Kathi Creamer of Lazy JB Angus in Montrose, Colorado recently received prestigious acknowledgement for nearly 40 years of hard work.

AgWest Farm Credit Donates $256,870 for Montana Class C Schools' Shot Clocks

January 27, 2023 - AgWest Farm Credit donated $256,870 for shot clocks of Class C Montana schools following a new rule voted on last year by the Montana High School Association requiring all Montana s...

Record Low Hay Stocks Seen in Top Producing States

January 26, 2023 - Two years of drought have severely depleted U.S. hay stocks. The recently released December 1 hay stocks from USDA showed total stocks of 71.9 million tons, 16.4 percent below the p...

Bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act Reintroduced in Senate

January 24, 2023 - U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have reintroduced the Ame...

Columbia Grain Helping Farmers Maximize Profits with Producer Solutions

January 24, 2023 - Columbia Grain International (CGI) is ready to help farmers in 2023 maximize their profitability with it's new Producer Solutions platform. During the Montana Grain Growers Associat...

Corn Growers Praise Biden Officials for Stance on Biotech Corn

January 24, 2023 - The development came during a meeting between Mexican officials and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor and the Office...

Wyoming’s Brad Boner Becomes President of American Sheep Industry Assoc.

At the conclusion of the 158th American Sheep Industry Association annual convention in Fort Worth, TX Brad Boner of Glen Rock, WY became president of the association.

American Lamb Board Releases FY22 Report and New Strategic Plan

January 20, 2023 - The past year has been challenging for the U.S. Lamb industry, between price inflation, labor challenges and the economic downturn, added to the lingering Covid pandemic. The Americ...

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and Colorado State University’s AgNext Recipients of the NFWF RESTORE Grant to Improve Resiliency of Grasslands

The Colorado State University’s AgNext and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) have announced they are the recipients of more than $668K to develop and implement science-based grazing management pr...

New Effort Launched to Address Wildfire Crisis

January 19, 2023 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S. These $490 million investments were made possible through President...

Another round of USFS sniper operations presented to remove cattle

According to the release, 756 cattle have been removed either through lethal or nonlethal means over the course of nine contracts for their removal. Howes notes that for every animal led out of the Wi...

Fankhauser presented with CCA's top honor

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) wrapped up its 2023 Mid-Winter Conference earlier this week at the Renaissance Central Park Hotel in Denver. This year’s event capitalized on CCA’s engaged mem...

Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule Published

January 18, 2023 - The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and e...

USDA Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Strengthen Animal Disease Traceability Regulations

January 18, 2023 - The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a proposed rule today to amend animal disease traceability regulati...

Pickup stolen from Montana Galloway breeder at NWSS

Another vehicle has been reported stolen by a NWSS exhibitor, this one a Galloway breeder from Montana.

New Big Bud Tractor Coming in March for Farmers

January 17, 2023 - This week the buzz in farm country has been the news that Big Equipment Company in Havre, Mont. has partnered with Rome Agricultural and Construction Equipment in Cedartown, GA to b...

FOUND! Stolen Pigs and Rig End Last-Year Exhibitor's NWSS Trip

January 16, 2023 - Monday morning 19-year-old Myles Lee should have been checking his two market hogs in to show at the National Western Stock Show, but instead he’s without pigs and without a rig aft...

Breakevens Reach Highest Level for Cattle Feeders Since 2015

January 12, 2023 - Cattle feeders are finding profits early in the New Year, but costs of production continue rising. Cattle placed on feed last week project to have the highest breakeven price since...

Stanko, Whitten announced as new Regional Assistant Ag Commissioners

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is announcing the hiring of Jo Stanko and George Whitten as Regional Assistant Commissioners of Agriculture. In their new positions, they will serve as lia...

MOU with John Deere Creates Workable Solution on Right to Repair for Farmers and Ranchers

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) is very pleased with the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today between American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and John Deere that will ensure farmers’ and ra...

Vilsack announces major program improvements, progress, and investments to benefit American ag producers

Today, at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers,...

Farm Bureau Names 2023 Farm Dog of the Year

January 9, 2023 - The winner of the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Tough, a Border Collie owned by Kansas Farm Bureau members Denny and Donna Ashcraft. AFBF, with support from Nestlé P...

Scrambled: HPAI cases and a new egg bill create troubles for consumers

The bill, HB20-1343, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts and Sen. Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) requires a farm owner or operator to confine chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or guinea fowl hens in only cage-free sy...

Record Sales and Land Values to Continue in 2023

January 6, 2023 - The land market momentum that began in late 2021 accelerated into 2022 and was driven by competition for high quality cropland; it resulted in both record sales and overall increases...

U.S. Custom Harvesters to Celebrate 40th year at Annual Convention in Omaha

January 6, 2023 - U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. (USCHI) will host their Annual Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, February 2-5, 2023. This year USCHI celebrates its 40th anniversary as an organization that...

Farm Credit Stockholders Vote to Form New Association in the West

January 5, 2023 - Stockholders of both Northwest Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit West have overwhelmingly approved a merger of their associations to form AgWest Farm Credit – a new association se...

American Angus Association Partners with IMI Global

January 5, 2023 - For today’s cattle producers, it is more important than ever to be able to differentiate their cattle in the marketplace. Two of the leading third-party verification companies, IMI G...

KLMR Set to Make a Comeback

January 4, 2023 - KLMR first took to the airwaves in 1948 and after falling silent in September of 2022, the Giant of the High Plains is poised to return to the air. Riverside Communications, LLC, a p...

Western Ranchers Launch Effort to Raise Climate-Smart Beef

January 3, 2023 - Country Natural Beef is a cooperative with more than 100 members, operating on 6.5 million acres of rangeland in 11 western states, comprising the largest network of family ranches i...

Cattle Analysts are Bullish on 2023 Market

January 2, 2023 - Cattle prices will be higher in 2023. That’s the consensus of market analysts across the industry. How those higher prices translate into rancher profitability is yet to be determine...

EPA Releases Final WOTUS Rule

December 30, 2022 - The final rule, released Friday, keeps a controversial "significant-nexus" test in place when determining jurisdictional waters and codifies for the first time a number of long-sta...

Cattle Rustlers Steal 80 Bred Cows in Baca County, Colorado

December 28, 2022 - There is a report of stolen livestock in Baca County. It has been reported that approximately 80 head of bred cows are missing. The cattle are mostly black and predominantly have b...

Fast-Food Chains Allege Price Fixing By Big 4 Packers

December 27, 2022 - Sonic, Arby’s, Burger King, Whataburger, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. filed a 94-page complaint against Cargill, Tyson, JBS and National Beef Packing Co., claiming that the four have be...

North Dakota Entrepreneur Brings Carpet Farming to a New Level for Kids

December 26, 2022 - Carpet farming is serious business. If you don't believe it, look to a new business started by Nathan Faleide. The North Dakota entrepreneur turns satellite images of farm landscap...

"Mad" Jack Hanks passes at 82

It was from the O-NO that he began his career as a cowboy poet, humorist, cartoonist, and artist. His column Tales from the O-NO Ranch by Mad Jack Hanks became a fixture in The Fence Post Magazine abo...