As was the case last year, the drier than normal 2012-2013 winter is likely to translate into a particularly bad pinkeye season.

Dry-aged beef. The term evokes a variety of responses -- for me they're the palatable kind. But how many of us have actually seen the process up close?

Amended Country of Origin Labeling, or COOL, laws are still creating a wave among U.S. commodity producers, especially those who raise and export beef. The issue appears to be headed toward more litigation, and more rounds of trade negotiation. The question is if the powers in Washington are paying attention.

Ranchers in Tornado Alley aren't the only ones who were hit this year by extreme weather in their herds.

Worksaver Inc. has produced the RBH-4000 Bale Handler that gives farmers and ranchers a couple of options with their hay. It fits tractor front loaders to handle and stack two 4x4x8 or three 3x3x8 large rectangular bales.

This month's Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) puts the heavy slaughter rates for beef cattle in perspective. Feedlots are placing heavier feeder cattle as a way to spark more beef production as the summer continues, which USDA says could lower fed cattle prices.

Here's to new beginnings. This marks the first entry in my Editor's Blog corner for Progressive Cattleman. Check back here regularly for the latest happenings in the beef industry. I'll try to keep a tidy array of news, market reports and commentary from around the Web.

The DuPont Crop Protection Land Management business unit has introduced the first three in a series of learning modules that address stewardship best practices, aimed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day herbicide, insecticide and fungicide use.

The 21st annual World Beef Expo is scheduled for Sept. 27-29 at Wisconsin State Fair Park and will offer a variety of educational seminars, youth sweepstakes, sales and a trade show. There also will be a few changes to this year's Expo.

Meyer Natural Foods, a supplier of natural and organic beef, has launched the Meyer Natural Foods Humanely Handled program, designed to strengthen company standards for raising cattle and establish a program farmers and ranchers can use to produce high-quality beef in the most humane manner.