If the unpredictable, distasteful and unbelievable election of 2016 provided anything worth savoring, it was the reaffirmation of the power in the rural American vote.

Six cases of bovine tuberculosis were confirmed in western Canada late last year. As of Dec. 7, over 26,000 head of cattle were quarantined on around 50 premises. Most of the quarantined locations were in Alberta, with no more than five in Saskatchewan.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Key deer from a wildlife refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida.

Happy New Year! The past year was not the most enjoyable for Southeast producers. Over half the region was categorized as at least “severe drought” by mid-November. Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi were experiencing extreme or exceptional drought in large portions of their states.

Calving season is now upon us and perhaps the most important time period of the year. Being prepared with a concrete plan will improve your chances for success.

As calving season approaches for a large majority of the northern U.S., be aware that the intensive use of calving ease genetics has shortened the gestation length in many herds.

Pasture bloat may not be a top-of-mind concern in January. But late winter and spring are around the corner and bring an increased potential for bloat in stocker cattle grazing small-grains forages and some pastures with a legume component.

Keeping up with a quickly changing industry is a daunting task. Cattlemen and cattlewomen across the country are finding that a yearly two-day college can help give them the edge they need to remain viable and up-to-date in cattle production.

October cattle prices were lower relative to September and the previous year. Weekly average fed cattle prices declined during the month, averaging about $100 per hundredweight compared to $131 in 2015.

South Dakota cattleman reflects, looks ahead He may have grown up on a typical 1940s diversified farm in Iowa, but Dean Wink and the South Dakota prairie adopted each other decades ago.