In a move to safeguard U.S. livestock and ranching operations from the screwworm threat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Jan. 21, 2026, announced the launch of the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, a major funding initiative designed to accelerate innovative tools, technologies and strategies to combat the northward spread of New World screwworm (NWS).

The January Feed Outlook report shows estimates of the 2025-26 corn crop were elevated to 17 billion bushels. Corn production was already a record high prior to the update, subsequently the U.S. corn harvest was augmented by gains in harvested area – up 1.2 million acres and 1.3% from the prior forecast to 91.3 million.

Groundhog Day is, in my estimation, one of the most underappreciated holidays on the American calendar. Cattle and horses obviously sit the throne and occupy most of the court of my animal kingdom, but any event that elevates an unlikely critter into the national consciousness is OK in my book.

Beef exports data for September took another downturn in September 2025, according to data released by the USDA. As expected, beef exports took another hit in September, with total beef exports dropping to the lowest level in five years.