Grazing animals and stewardship of grazing lands will be the topics discussed at the 11th Nebraska Grazing Conference in Kearney, Nebraska, next month. The conference will run from Aug. 9-10 at the Kearney Holiday Inn and Convention Center.

Horizon Organic announced the recipients of the 2011 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) scholarships, which were established to encourage young people to enter the field of organic agriculture. Each recipient will receive $2,500 toward their education. “This year marks Horizon’s 20th anniversary, and we’re proud to celebrate 20 years of transitioning farmers to organic; making products that are healthier for families; advancing organic farming practices; and protecting the integrity of the organic seal,” said Mike Ferry, Horizon Organic president. “As more and more consumers seek nutritious food options made without the use of pesticides, added hormones, and antibiotics, the importance of building the next generation of organic dairy leaders is critical. These young men and women are the future of organic agriculture, and we’re proud to be able to help support their education with the HOPE Scholarship.”

WOOSTER, Ohio – Although beef prices have been relatively high this spring and summer, many consumers and chefs are continuing to look for high-quality cuts. The Certified Angus Beef ® brand sold 70 million pounds in June, the highest volume month in the company’s 33-year history, 4.3% above the previous June and some 10 million pounds better than June 2009. This milestone, with three months to go, moves the company one step closer to a sixth consecutive fiscal year of sales gains.

U.S. beef exports in May exceeded year-ago levels by a considerable margin and kept year-to-date results on a very strong pace, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Heat, humidity and windless days are bad news for cattle. Actually, high heat and humidity are not good for most living things. A new record was set in North Dakota for the low minimum daily temperature when the thermometer failed to fall below 70 degrees.

SAN ANGELO – The West Texas Beef Conference and Trade Show tailored specifically for West Texas cattlemen is scheduled for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 20 at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Fairgrounds Sale Pavilion, according to organizers. The conference is being conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Oklahoma State University have developed a decision aid to help cattle producers make culling decisions due to extreme drought.

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota–Between 1,000 and 1,500 head of cattle have died across South Dakota from excessive heat and humidity, and those numbers will likely climb as more reports come in, state officials said Tuesday. State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven said his office was still compiling numbers, but reporting is not mandatory and many people dealing with cattle losses likely haven't had time to check in.

People are arriving home from work in the late afternoon, turning on their washers, dryers and ovens. Demand for power is peaking, so a utility puts in a call to a big farm: “Can you postpone irrigating your hay for a couple of hours?”