Overall, 81 projects were awarded more than $1 billion under the 2023 RCPP, administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The preliminary estimate of overall June milk production compared to a year earlier was unchanged to slightly lower in the U.S., and up just 0.2% in the major dairy states, the fourth straight month output was up less than 1% from a year ago.

Even with the fire loss, Texas cow numbers were up 5,000 head from a year ago.

Running through the heart of the north-central U.S. and bordering three of the nation’s 24 major dairy states, Interstate 29 (I-29) is a strong vein from which to measure the pulse of the industry.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized seven of the nation’s top cattle operations as Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) regional winners for their environmental conservation efforts during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans on Feb. 1.

Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota native, cow-calf producer and cattle feeder, became the new NCBA president during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, held Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in New Orleans.