U.S. meat production is growing more slowly than previously expected. Many analysts have trimmed their estimates, and the USDA, in the latest monthly estimates, reduced forecasts for 2017 beef, pork and poultry production from earlier levels.

In April, U.S. red meat exports slowed moderately from the red-hot pace established in March but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented John and Gina Mundhenke of Mundhenke Beef near Lewis, Kansas, the BIF Commercial Producer of the Year Award on June 1 during the group’s annual meeting and symposium in Athens, Georgia.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Hunt Limousin Ranch, Oxford, Nebraska, the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Award on June 2 during the group’s annual meeting and symposium in Athens, Georgia.

Finding skilled part-time labor is easier said than done in most parts of cattle country. Whether ranchers need extra help for one day or one month, it helps to know where to go to find experienced workers and how to determine who is the best fit for your operation.

Stronger than expected April placements pushed the May 1 feedlot inventories to 102 percent of year-ago levels. April placements were 111 percent of last year, above the average trade guess though not outside the range of expectations. April marketings were 102.7 percent of last year, also above expectations and a continuation of strong feedlot marketings.

Most Progressive Cattleman readers truck their cattle within 100 miles for summer grazing.

Spelling was not my strongest subject in elementary school (to be honest, it still isn’t), but thankfully spell check is as common as the cold nowadays. Whether it was your forte or not, some schools had an annual spelling bee to determine who the queen (or king) bee was.

When cattle producers hear the term “targeted grazing,” they often think of a herd of goats grazing to control a patch of invasive weeds in an urban environment, but targeted grazing can be used for more purposes, with more types of livestock, and at larger scales.

As I write this, most of my part of the world is in the midst of the fall gather. It’s a fun time of year as it always means lots of time on horseback, bugling elk providing a symphony as you pull cattle from the high country and lots of sorting.