Everyone in the beef chain seems to agree we need more of it. That’s the simple explanation for a trend that shows hot carcass weights (HCW) have increased 200 pounds in four decades. But for all the opportunities that presents, there are many challenges.

Short-term calf removal is the term that describes the temporary physical separation of the calf from its mother. This removes the nursing stimulus from the cow for about two days.

The American Shorthorn Association (ASA) board of directors has announced Montie Soules as the new executive secretary/CEO of the American Shorthorn Association in Omaha, Nebraska, effective this month.

A northwest Kansas rancher has dropped a lawsuit claiming the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is illegally using beef checkoff funds for lobbying. St. Francis feed yard operator Michael Callicrate filed a notice of voluntary dismissal April 11 in federal court in Kansas.

Tracey Ericson, the marketing vice president for Certified Angus Beef LLC has been inducted into the Women of Influence in the Food Industry group. This award is designed to recognize women who make a major impact on the market and the industry.

At the end of March, the quarterly Grain Stocks report looked like just what the doctor ordered for an ailing feeder cattle market. News of larger-than-anticipated corn stocks sent corn prices tumbling. This, in turn, stimulated a sharp rally in feeder cattle futures. The April Feeder Cattle contract surged from just over $138 right before the report to almost $146 in very short order.  

Now that springtime has finally arrived, farmers have plenty on their to-do list, including equipment maintenance, purchasing of supplies and fence mending. To make fence mending easier, Warn Industries has introduced PullzAll, ­ an electric hand-held and portable tool that can lift or pull up to 1,000 pounds.

BioMultimin Inc. has developed the mineral supplement Excelerite, which is purported to provide livestock with the benefits of the organic trace minerals they need to thrive, thus improving growth and overall health.

The term Weak Calf Syndrome (WCS) was coined back in the 1960s to describe calves that are dull, listless and uninterested or unable to nurse.

Horsemeat DNA was found in beef products in parts of Europe in January of this year. As European officials take steps to contain the scandal and assure consumers of quality control, the USDA is also gearing up to ensure the problem doesn't spread to the U.S.