This article is the first in a two-part series. I meet ranchers and farmers who are in the fifth or even sixth generation. I have met a few with double-digit generations.

As the country continues its vicious cycle over immigration and labor needs, including its impact on agricultural industries, it seems many in the beef industry continue to look away.

Today’s cattlemen and women are well aware of the ever-increasing risks that could affect profitability. But when managing risk, there are still misperceptions around futures contracts.

In July, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the midyear Cattle report, which provided a snapshot of U.S. cattle inventory, as well as a glimpse into cow-calf producers’ indications for retaining heifers.

In the most recent data, the occupational fatality rate for workers in the beef industry (including feedlots) was 116 fatalities for every 100,000 workers.

Cattle markets have been hard to figure out the past several years. In 2014 and 2015, we saw record cattle prices. It seemed like making money in the cattle industry was easy.

Tyson. ConAgra. Cargill. They’re some of the biggest names in the meat business. Bow Creek Farm and Cattle Co. is a small name that’s beginning to make a big statement in central Pennsylvania.

Can you download an app that will raise financially savvy kids? I would say, more than likely, no. In today’s educational system, many kids can’t or won’t take courses in banking, personal finance or budgeting.

Have you noticed the trend with the Cattle on Feed reports? It seems these surveys continually report an increase in cattle on feed. Up 4 percent (July Cattle on Feed, 2018) from last year in July 2017 and the highest since reporting started in 1996.

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (“pinkeye”) has been a problem for cattle producers for more than 100 years. It is a highly contagious ocular disease that results in serious monetary losses for cattle producers.