Sometimes, you don’t just need a plan, you need plan A, B and then even C, especially when it comes to water resources for your livestock. There is nothing quite like drought conditions to really drive that point home.

Strong March results capped an excellent first quarter for U.S. red meat exports, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), as beef exports set a new monthly value record in March and pork export value reached the second-highest level on record. The U.S. is exporting a strong share of its beef and pork production at higher prices – a clear sign of solid international demand.

Branding cattle is a tradition (and practical measure) that dates back as far as the ancient Egyptians, but for most Americans the tradition is immortalized in Western movies as a symbol of the Old West.

The latest Drought Monitor shows rapid expansion of the exceptional drought (D4) area to include about 38 million acres with another 126 million acres of D3 (extreme drought) conditions. Parts of the drought region received some rain in the past 10 days – enough to slow expansion of drought conditions, but not enough to reduce drought without additional moisture.

Agricultural land prices remain remarkably healthy and growing, despite repeated downturns in commodity prices and a dismal 2018 outlook on farm incomes from the USDA. Most ag experts scratch their heads at the buoyant land values. Some believe the year-to-year gains in land values will soon disappear.

Most Progressive Cattleman readers use both salt and protein supplements for their cattle.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) recently announced that current Executive Vice President and CEO Eldon White will be retiring, effective Sept. 1, 2018. He will continue on as executive vice president emeritus until officially retiring on Dec. 31, 2018, “to aid in a smooth transition.”

Effective immediately, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial assistance program participants will no longer need a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Number System (DUNS) number or to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (2018 Omnibus Bill), signed by President Donald Trump on March 23, eliminated these requirements.

Beef producers consistently look toward the horizon for new tools to help them improve their bottom line. The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) has a long history of supporting commercial cattlemen and women who are dedicated to efficiently producing high-quality beef. The recent release of two new Red Angus EPDs, targeted at providing producers with additional selection tools to meet their goals, exemplifies this effort.

The American Hereford Association (AHA) is proud to introduce the Maternal Advantage program – a genetically verified program that will be used to identify premium replacement females.