A group of seven politicians from Upstate New York and representing more than 90 percent of the state’s dairy farms want the government to delay plans for random inspections at farms in the Empire State.

It’s that time of year where we are wrapping up 2013 and are looking ahead to the next season. For most farms, we are taking a hard look at the financials, upcoming costs and equipment purchases. It’s also the time to review our current structure, team and management practices to ensure we are set up for success for the upcoming year.

Decades-old Farmland Dairies in Wallington, New Jersey, plans to close its doors by mid-February. The announcement came as a surprise to many, according to a report by Desiree Taylor on NJTV News, including the 325 people who will be left without jobs once the plant closes.

Accelerated Genetics adds three proven sires to enhance an already well-equipped Jersey lineup, the company says, with highly demanded attributes of production, type and outcross.

A new report by Rabobank on the global dairy industry forecasts continued high prices in 2014 due to demand from China. In the report, the company says that international dairy commodity prices strengthened from already high levels in the three months to mid-December are expected to remain high at least for the first half of 2014.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says it applauds FDA changes to veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulations that will require veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use in livestock. The FDA’s Final Guidance 213 establishes a three-year timeframe for phasing out growth-promotion uses of antibiotics important in human medicine and the phasing in of veterinary oversight. The changes were announced recently in Washington D.C.

The beef industry will open 2014 with an unprecedented wave of good news that should bode well for the next few years. The key question remains whether cattle producers stand prepared to seize the opportunity before them.

Global beef and veal production for 2014 is forecast up marginally at 58.6 million tons, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The new year brings with it new motivations and goals. Many people make New Year’s resolutions – only to hope that they are still following them by the end of January.

Technology is a valuable tool in the beef industry. It continues to evolve, bringing new ways to make decisions and manage an operation.