Concentration and Competition in Meat Packing Industry

A recent USDA study looks at trends of concentration in agribusiness and what that means regarding competition within certain industries, like the meat packing industry. Rod Bain has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship …

Cattle Producers Direct Action on Cell-Cultured Products

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) passed a directive to continue advocating for transparent labeling and inspection of cell-cultured protein products. While NCBA President Todd Wilkinson says cattle producers aren’t afraid of competition, he knows that consumers will continue choosing real high-quality beef over cell-cultured imitations. “Our priority is ensuring that consumers know the difference between real beef and cell-cultured …

Spartz Ag Appropriations Amendment Ignites Checkoff Debate

The cattle industry is speaking out against a proposed amendment to the ag appropriations bill, and the Representative behind the amendment is firing back.  Introduced by Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), the amendment states that none of the funds made available by the bill may be used to carry out commodity checkoff programs. Vice President of Government Affairs with the …

More Milk Output Projected for 2024 and Lower Prices

The dairy industry has a few of its own laws of supply and demand, one of which will likely be operating next year. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between …

USMEF Attending Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings

Cattle producers from across the nation are in San Diego this week for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings. One key focus of the conference will be industry efforts to bolster global demand for U.S. beef, which these efforts are funded in part by the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA market development programs. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO …

U.S. Cattle Inventory Down 3 Percent, Cattle on Feed Down 2 Percent

Two big reports were released this past Friday afternoon by USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System. One was the bi-annual Cattle Inventory Report, where USDA says all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.8 million head. That is down 3 percent compared to July 1, 2022. The other was the monthly Cattle on Feed Report which shows the number of cattle …

Beef Cattle Prices Rising and Expected to Keep Rising in 2024

Steer prices are rising higher than expected this year, but will they cool off in 2024? Gary Crawford has a story helping to answer that question. USDA Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski has the latest forecast for this year’s beef production. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

United States Again a Top Beef Supplier to Japan

The United States is again a top supplier of beef to Japan, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. U.S. market share collapsed in 2004 after a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly referred to as “mad cow disease,” was detected in a cow shipped from Canada to the United States. In response, Japan placed an embargo on all U.S. …

ASI Applauds Support for Checkoffs

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) welcomed last week’s news that Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama introduced a resolution in support of checkoff funds, such as the American Lamb Board. “Checkoff programs have made significant, measurable strides in raising the level of demand and awareness for our farmers, ranchers and foresters’ products,” said Moore. “This resolution expresses congressional support for checkoffs due …