In the sandhills of Nebraskastands a monument of willsWhere man has staked his claimto them blowin’, rollin’ hills

Accelerated Genetics and Select Sires Inc. today announced they will be joining forces as a unified cooperative effective July 1.

For many cattle producers, the increased use of unmanned aerial systems (commonly known as drones) has created a concern related to property and privacy rights. If a drone is flying over the property or livestock of another, what legal rights does the landowner have? What can he or she do in that situation to protect his or her property?

When the owners of the Santa Teresa Livestock Auction came together with a unique idea, they seemed to be following a theme of many successful entrepreneurs: Find a need and fill it – and that is exactly what they did.

Exporting of beef is a key issue facing the cattle industry since exports move American supply to overseas buyers. It was announced on May 8 that starting no later than July 16, 2017, the U.S. and China have made a trade agreement that would allow beef exports to the Chinese market, which is a crucial change proving the U.S. beef industry is stronger when producers have the ability to access to foreign buyers.

Step one of U.S. beef exports to China is completed. The first step of opening any international market is the political process of negotiating access and agreeing on the conditions and stipulations of that access. Step one establishes the game and the rules of the game.

Respiratory disease in cattle, also known as BRD, shipping fever or pneumonia, may cost the U.S. cattle industry over $2 billion annually. Management techniques can offset much of this cost, and having a good vaccination program can maintain the health of a calf all the way through the production system.

After months of negotiation, both the U.S. and China have come to an agreement that will allow commercial shipment of U.S. beef to China for the first time since 2003. The June 12 announcement has been highly anticipated since the original announcement made in August last year.

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).