Effective Jan. 1, Innovative Livestock Services Inc. (ILS) purchased Knight Feedlot Inc. (KFL), located in Lyons, Kansas. With the sale, ILS has acquired 100 percent control of KFL. This sale does not involve Knight Land & Cattle Co. (KLCC), Knight Farms or Bar-K-Bar Trucking.

The rich beef culture of Nebraska and the world's gambling capital were the perfect pair recently as several hundred leaders of Macau's food service and game industry gathered to sample expertly prepared U.S. beef at the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s second annual Great American Barbecue – Nebraska in Macau.

Over the years, several of the nation’s leading universities, along with livestock producer groups and the USDA, have completed many studies with the goal of getting a more accurate handle on how different weather-related events and exposure affect livestock.

Tis the season for analysts to look back at the nearly completed calendar year and to engage in speculation regarding the forthcoming year. In that spirit, I first encourage readers to make use of the growing list of available resources that summarize the situation experienced by cattle producers in 2013.

Last week, the USDA Economic Research Service released its estimates of monthly average retail meat prices for November. According to this data, beef prices continue to edge higher. Both average choice and all-fresh retail beef prices rose by about 1 percent compared with October.

Glenna Stucky of Avon, Montana, was honored as “Ranching Woman of the Year” by the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) during its recent 129th annual Convention and Trade Show at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings.

The beef industry will open 2014 with an unprecedented wave of good news that should bode well for the next few years. The key question remains whether cattle producers stand prepared to seize the opportunity before them.

Global beef and veal production for 2014 is forecast up marginally at 58.6 million tons, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The new year brings with it new motivations and goals. Many people make New Year’s resolutions – only to hope that they are still following them by the end of January.

Technology is a valuable tool in the beef industry. It continues to evolve, bringing new ways to make decisions and manage an operation.