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 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 …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 08-08-2025
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended August 8, 2025, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended- August 8, 2025, receipts at 16 markets totaled 13,002 head compared to 18,262 last week and 14,241 last …
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 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 …
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 …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 08-01-2025
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended August 1, 2025, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended August 01, 2025, receipts at 16 markets totaled 18,262 head compared to 10,285 last week and 9,819 a …
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 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 …
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 …