Livestock producers now have the ability to check an animal’s DNA for various traits.

During the past 90 days, Merck Animal Health, with the input and oversight of its advisory board, has worked to implement its Five-Step Plan to Ensuring Responsible Beef and, according to the company, has made considerable progress.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show will include the 21st Anniversary Cattlemen’s College Feb. 3-4 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Alltech is continuing to expand its algal DHA plant in Winchester, Kentucky, one of only two plants in the world, the company says, commercially producing a high-DHA heterotrophic microalgae. The facility, which is capable of producing around 15,000 tons of algae, has already been updated since its opening in early 2011.

Cattle markets are heading into the final holiday period of 2013 at record or near-record price levels across the board. Cattle slaughter and beef production are falling as the market transitions into a much tighter supply situation in 2014. Cattle and beef prices are expected to push to even higher record levels in 2014.

American Angus Association members interested in becoming more effective leaders in the agriculture industry may apply for the seventh annual Beef Leaders Institute (BLI). Held June 23-26, 2014, the program brings Angus producers together in Saint Joseph, Missouri, for a series of informative sessions, followed by a three-day tour across several industry segments.

As a sponsor of the Food Systems Fellowship Program coordinated by Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Merck Animal Health has awarded $5,000 scholarships and internship opportunities to three students who are participating in the program. During the past eight years, the company has provided various scholarship opportunities for 87 students focused on working in the food animal industry.

Beef exports remained on a record-setting pace in October while pork exports put up one of their strongest performances of the year, yet remain behind 2012’s record-high levels, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Spurred primarily by this year’s drop in feed prices, cow-calf operators are looking at opportunities for higher profits in the coming year, and a chance to expand herds.