October was another excellent month for U.S. beef exports, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

The changing dynamic of technology in agriculture will require cattle producers to stay ahead in the innovation game, especially with the use of vaccinations in protecting their calf crop.

As winter brings Arctic air to many areas, dairy producers should be prepared for conditions that can affect young stock and lactating cows. South Dakota Cooperative Extension Dairy Specialist Alvaro Garcia says producers should protect young calves from inclement weather and air drafts and should provide clean, dry bedding. “If using milk replacer, choose those that contain 20 percent fat, as they provide additional energy,” Garcia says.

October 1, 2011, marked the 10-year anniversary of our presence in Afghanistan. The history of our presence, both military and civilian, will be written for decades to come.

The Fort Worth Stock Show is a mecca for a lot of purebred breeders. Many, many thousands have made the trip over the years, often overcoming daunting obstacles. But Galen’s journey from Illinois takes the cake!

With cotton production down and the need for supplemental feeds high, cottonseed prices are nearly double that of an average year, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel. Despite rains, the entire state remained in one stage of drought or another, with more than 70 percent under severe to exceptional drought conditions, according the U.S. Drought Monitor.

When it comes to expanding market share, increasing revenue and getting the word out about a great product or commodity, checkoff programs prove there’s strength in numbers. Officially called research and promotion programs, checkoff programs give agricultural producers, importers and other stakeholders in the marketing chain the power to maximize resources while managing risk. The strategy for increasing or expanding commodity markets takes more cooperation within the industry than competition between individual farms and businesses.

By weight, water is the most important nutrient in a milking cow’s ration, easily making up greater than 80 percent of total intake by weight. We hope you have been motivated to have your farm’s drinking water tested for the things that most often lead to water quality issues:

I don’t know how old I was when I realized that Santa Claus wasn’t real. A story about a fat man slipping through chimneys with toys has a lot of holes in it. If it was true, we would be dealing with a very capable man in being able to do all that he was reported to – and surely, this same man could have done our morning chores for us so we could have stayed in the house and opened presents.