yclp

Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Experiences Hands-On Learning Across Alabama

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association recently hosted an impactful weekend for participants in the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), offering valuable exposure to real-world cattle operations, custom meat processing, and leadership development. We spoke with Michael Smith of the Alabama Cattlemen’s to learn more about the experience and what attendees took away from this enriching event. “We actually had just an …

U.S.-Japan trade

U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement Maintains Key Access for U.S. Red Meat Exports

Following last week’s high-level Japanese tariff negotiations in Washington, D.C., a new chapter in the U.S.-Japan trade and investment agreement is taking shape—one that promises ongoing stability for U.S. red meat exports. According to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom, the finalized deal is a critical step in preserving long-term market access in one of the …

usmef

USMEF President Reviews Exports of Pork and Beef in June

June Beef and Pork Exports: USMEF Highlights Growth in Latin America Despite China Challenges The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) released its latest June beef and pork export data, revealing contrasting trends between the two proteins. While U.S. pork exports saw notable growth, beef exports declined, primarily due to limited market access in key destinations like China. According to USMEF …

livestock producers

Livestock Producers Eye Upcoming MAHA Report with Optimism

The second Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report is expected to be released soon, and livestock producers are watching closely. We spoke with Sigrid Johannes, Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to get insight on what the cattle industry should anticipate from the upcoming publication. Johannes notes that the first MAHA report, released in …

agco

USDA Reports Multi-Year Lows for Cattle and Hay Production in Drought Conditions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting a notable improvement in drought conditions affecting cattle and hay production as the country enters August. In a recent update, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey highlighted how reduced drought pressure is benefiting both sectors—particularly across the Great Plains, a region heavily dependent on grazing and forage. “Cattle and hay numbers for the month …

ticks

Ticks to Tech: The Evolution of Cattle Ear Tags

A Persistent Pest Problem in the Mid-20th Century In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, cattle producers across the southern United States faced a major challenge: the Gulf Coast tick. These pests would burrow into the ears of cattle, causing painful open wounds. Unfortunately, the problem didn’t stop there. These wounds attracted additional threats, most notably the screw worm, …

cattle industry

Cattle Industry Reaction to USTR 301 Investigation of Brazil

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s unfair trade practices, with a sharp focus on agricultural products—especially beef. Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin sat down with Kent Backus, Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to discuss the implications for the U.S. cattle industry and the broader …

cattle

Smallest US Cattle Herd Since 1973

U.S. Cattle Numbers Hit 50-Year Low, Fueling High Beef Prices According to the July Cattle on Feed report, recently shared by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, U.S. cattle numbers have dropped to historic lows, offering little relief to consumers struggling with high beef prices. As of July 1, there were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the United States—marking …