Larry Berger, head of the University of Nebraska animal science department, talks about the advantages of early weaning.

U.S. agriculture has seen tremendous changes and challenges in recent years. Unprecedented new demands for agricultural products have caused significant changes in crop production and have provoked huge impacts on livestock production. Input market shocks, dynamic global markets and drought have all contributed to volatile short-term market conditions. The changes and impacts are not merely short term in nature.

It can be a costly experience when rebuilding cow herds, but beef cattle producers can learn about strategies to consider at the 51st Blackland Income Growth Conference Feb. 4-6 in Waco.

U.S. pork exports for the first 11 months of 2012 continued to exceed the record-setting pace of 2011, the value of beef exports remained slightly above 2011’s record levels despite continued lower volumes and the value of lamb exports in November bounced back from an otherwise slow year, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

It's not every day that a walk to your mailbox leads to an opportunity to help shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow your farm future. But for producers across the country, that opportunity will soon become a reality. The 2012 Census of Agriculture, the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, is currently being mailed to millions of farmers and ranchers across the United States.

Westway Group, Inc. announced it has closed the previously announced sale of its liquid feed supplement business, Westway Feed Products, and certain bulk liquid storage terminals located in Ireland, Denmark, Korea and the United Kingdom to ED&F Man Holdings Limited, Westway's largest stockholder, for a final purchase price of approximately $112 million.

Bayer HealthCare LLC has received the necessary regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition of the U.S.-based animal health business of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Bayer will pay up to 145 million USD following the achievement of successful manufacturing and sales targets. The transaction includes a manufacturing site in St. Joseph, Missouri, and nearly 300 employees.

In the coming year, the 2013 National Beef Ambassador Team will come face to face with thousands of consumers and students across the nation. They will have the opportunity to educate consumers of all ages through the internet, consumer promotions and in classrooms. The National Beef Ambassador Program works with youth in states across the country. These Beef Ambassadors educate consumers in their respective areas about beef and beef production.  Additionally, five of these young adults are chosen to represent the National Beef Ambassador Team and educate consumers on a national level through a competition.

Livestock producers may not be able to see the difference between stable flies and other flies at a distance, but they can definitely see the stable flies’ effect on their cattle as the animals stop grazing and bunch together to minimize the number of bites they’re getting.