Ranchers currently have exciting opportunities, but it’s important to position yourself appropriately. Operational costs as well as the price of critical inputs for cattle – such as feed and labor – have increased in recent years. To build a sustainable operation, ranchers should take advantage of the current market to develop financial resilience and thoughtfully manage risks.

Resting a pasture for two growing seasons postburn is a common recommendation in the Intermountain West since at least the ’80s. “The question is, ‘Is there a real reason two full years rest are needed after fire?’” says University of Idaho (U of I) area extension range educator K. Scott Jensen. “Can it occur sooner than that without delay or harm to postfire recovery? We wanted to put some science to it.”

Abby’s thoughts on our work seemed to have taken a softer, more empathetic tone than her initial attitude had portrayed. “There’s not much you can’t fix with baling twine and a prayer,” she quipped. Since my fences and my life are often held together by those two very indispensable ingredients, I could only smile and agree.

One tool for managing these fluctuations and improving returns in all years is the use of value-added programs. While these programs have become increasingly popular due to the promise of higher premiums for “program” cattle, participation costs vary greatly, leaving some producers to ask if it’s really worth enrolling.

The 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) issued by the Trump administration in January 2026 are perhaps the most talked-about DGA ever. In some ways, they are also the most simplified, containing just 10 pages of official guidance under the catchphrase “eat real food.”

Grain producers in the Pacific Northwest know that marketing wheat is rarely straightforward. Prices move constantly, global events can shake markets overnight and input costs continue to rise. Over the past decade, these pressures have made it increasingly difficult for producers to lock in profitable prices.

Across the Pacific Northwest, sugarbeet growers are facing one of the most challenging market environments in decades. Domestic sugar prices have fallen sharply, dropping more than 33% over the past two years. For many sugarbeet growers, the 2025 crop resulted in losses exceeding $500 per acre. If current conditions continue, the economic outlook for the sugarbeet industry is grim.