Like many ranchers, Bill Sproul experiences the rewards and challenges of ranching on Kansas’ tallgrass prairie. And he considers sericea lespedeza the No. 1 long-term threat for ranchers like him. Sericea lespedeza is an invasive, noxious weed that infests approximately 600,000 acres of native tallgrass prairie in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Listening to Linda Davis talk to a room full of cattle producers at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen’s College, you easily get the impression there’s no crisis that cannot be conquered. Whether it be drought, high prices, sick cattle, political opposition, the Depression, world war or the heavy loss of loved ones, Davis has seen most of it in her 83 years on the New Mexico range. Now her wisdom is as telling as ever.

Progressive Forum is a compilation of viewpoints from cattle producers on a given topic. Hear what those with boots on the ground have to say about the issues.   How will Japan’s expansion for U.S. beef create export opportunities for you?