After seeing herd liquidation trends in 16 of the past 18 years, U.S. beef producers are moving toward herd expansion in 2014, according to CattleFax analysts speaking at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association National Convention Feb. 5 in Nashville.

As many horse owners know, mid-winter brings snow and other forms of precipitation that often continue through the spring – and that can mean wet, muddy conditions for our equine companions.

Frank and Sims Price Ranch, Sterling City, Texas, was named the national winner of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The award, presented during the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show, recognizes this father-son partnership, who respectively represent the fourth and fifth generations of the Price family to operate the ranch.

American snowboarder Kaitlyn Farrington, a Hailey, Idaho native raised on a cattle ranch in nearby Bellevue, won the gold medal in the ladies' snowboard halfpipe Wednesday.

Global animal health and nutrition company Alltech announced the expansion of the New Mexico team with additions in marketing and office support. Tracie Anes and Jo Hughes will provide support to beef and dairy customers in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Louisiana.

Exports of U.S. beef, pork and lamb closed 2013 on a mixed note. Beef exports eclipsed the $6 billion mark for the first time, setting a new annual value record. At the same time, pork exports declined below 2012’s record highs, while lamb sales rose in value on lower volumes according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Cow-calf and stocker producer Kim Brackett from Buhl, Idaho, was elected by fellow Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members to serve as CBB chairwoman in 2014. The vote came during the 2014 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

As expected, the annual cattle inventory report confirmed that the U.S. cattle herd continued to liquidate in 2013. The inventory of all cattle and calves was 87.7 million head, down 1.8 percent from one year ago and the smallest total U.S. cattle herd since 1951.  

Changing consumer preferences and a production model tailored to the production of top-shelf steaks has put the U.S. cattle industry in a position of losing market share to competitive proteins, according to a new report from the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group. The report, “Ground Beef Nation,” notes the industry needs to change the way beef is produced in order to remain competitive in the protein market.

Anyone who has ever had to follow a special diet – for medical reasons, for weight loss or otherwise – knows how restrictive it can seem. But if you think following a low-sodium protocol can limit your dining options, that’s only a fraction of what Jewish people who follow the kashrut laws endure.