I was the veterinarian for a livestock company in the Northwest. We had 10,000 cows on six ranches in five states with a progressive, well-managed cow-calf operation. The year was 1976.

While the current Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) runs through the end of next year, an amendment included in a fiscal year (FY) 2018 agricultural spending bill could provide a head start for changes in the next farm bill.

Hope the summer has been kind to your operation thus far. The summer of 2016 was a struggle for most; the drought was a hard pill to swallow. This year has shaken out to be much better for many, and the long-term precipitation forecast is more optimistic.

As the grazing season progresses, cattle use of riparian areas will increase due to more appealing grazing conditions (i.e., forage quality and quantity). Overgrazing riparian areas during the summer (hot temperatures and lack of moisture) can have detrimental impacts on forage.

Cool-season grass production in August is often reduced by about 50 percent of the forage yield in May due to increased temperatures and reduced moisture.

Fall is approaching, and the majority of beef cattle producers will be weaning calves in the next few months. The goal of weaning programs is to minimize stress on calves and prepare them to perform as stockers, feeders and replacement heifers.

The most discussed trends in U.S. agriculture have likely been the declining number of U.S. farmers and ranchers. This trend – combined with ever-growing global demand – has set the wheels into motion for U.S. farming and ranching operations to become larger over time.

Most of us consider generational land transfer (parent to child) to be the most common method of land transfer in the U.S. However, there are some interesting changes in the population structure that may impact the traditional way in which land can be transferred.

In today’s world, we hear the word “millennial” so many times we cringe. It has become almost “evil” to certain generations. We say they are lazy, we say they are entitled, and we say they want it all now.

Farming and agriculture in general is a rewarding, exciting and honorable vocation. It is also backbreaking, heart-aching and hard to get involved in for some.