Silage choppers will soon be dotting the landscape as farmers bring in that valuable crop. Until then, there are things that need to be done, said Ben Beckman, Extension educator with the University of Nebraska based in Hartington.
Where’s the beef?” The iconic girl with pigtails coined the phrase in the mid-’80s, and since then it’s been used to demand both quality and quantity.
- By Nick Hytrek, Lee Enterprises
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — Like many other kids involved in 4-H, Emmanuel Ruiz Del Olmo and Kylee Kurtzleben spent a recent warm, humid day with halter in hand, practicing leading their calves in preparation for the upcoming county fair.
- Crystal Reed
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — Solo cups aren’t just for summer barbecues. They’re also something to look for in a cattle herd.
- By Russ Daly, South Dakota State University
Veterinarians and cattle producers have long embraced preweaning vaccines as effective tools to help reduce the impact of respiratory disease in calves following the stress of weaning.
- Benjamin Herrold
Native warm-season grasses can benefit pastures, especially during the hot summer months. University of Missouri Extension Agronomist Valerie Tate said they can complement cool-season grasses.
- University of Missouri Extension
STOCKTON, Mo. — Keeping pastures in their optimum quality range supports cattle performance and contributes to a successful operation.
- By Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University
Tar spot has become one of the most concerning foliar diseases impacting corn silage production across Iowa and the Midwest. The disease, caused by Phyllachora maydis, has now been identified in every county in Iowa and can spread rapidly under cool, wet conditions.
- By John Hanna, Associated Press
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed concern June 5 that a new factory isn’t expected to start breeding sterile New World screwworm flies for more than a year.
- By Eric Jones, Graig Reicks, Philip Rozeboom, Jill Alms and David Vos, South Dakota State University
Editor’s note: The following was written by Eric Jones, Graig Reicks, Philip Rozeboom, Jill Alms and David Vos with South Dakota State University for the university’s website June 22.
Welcome to The Beef Brief, a new monthly column that explores and reports some of the most pressing topics in the beef industry.
Coming out of the competition in St. Onge, South Dakota as the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Jace Thompson is prepared to put his dedication to work on an international scale.
- By Kristin Danley Greiner, Iowa Farmer Today
DES MOINES — When the Illinois Pork Producers Association shared a guide touting creative pork recipes with the Chicago Public Schools’ food service director in February 2025, ag leaders were stunned to learn pork isn’t allowed to be served to students enrolled in the nation’s fourth-largest…
- Benjamin Herrold
The hot summer months can be a challenge for cattle herds. Heat can affect performance in several ways, including average daily gains and reproductive issues.
- Daniel Munch and Bernt Nelson American Farm Bureau Federation
Key Takeaways
- Heather Schlitz, Tom Polansek and Cassandra Garrison Reuters
Experts said an outbreak could cause $1.8 billion in damage to Texas' economy and likely would raise beef prices by shrinking cattle supply.
Editor’s note: The following was written by Krista Ehlert, associate professor and South Dakota State University Extension range specialist, for the university’s website May 18.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
JESUP, Iowa — Six generations of Ben Bader’s family have farmed near Jesup in Black Hawk County, and the northeast Iowa farmer is proud of that legacy.
- By Crystal Reed, Illinois Farmer Today
Darell Stitzel is a third-generation hog farmer in Carroll County, Illinois. Both of his grandfathers were farmers for life.
- ZoeMartin
This year’s World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines June 3-4 focuses on what’s new — new leaders and new technology.
- Benjamin Herrold
The hog industry continues to see a run of profitability now stretching over two years, based on Iowa State University estimates.
Editor’s note: Kim Ricardo, South Dakota State University Extension forage field specialist, wrote this article for the university’s website May 6.
- Crystal Reed
A warm and wet spring in many parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri has had an impact on pastures.
- Photos by Kristin Danley Greiner, Benjamin Herrold and Tim Kenyon
Staffers spent time out in the field capturing photos of cattle during National Beef Month in May. Below are some of the pictures they snapped.
- By Craig Moss, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
Droughts, border closures, New World Screwworm, Argentina beef imports, wildfires, packing plant slowdowns and a 75-year low in the U.S. cattle inventory. Those aren’t just headlines. They are the realities cattle producers are working through every day.