The Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Speakers Bureau (NBSB) is currently accepting applications for new speakers who will engage people across America in the rich and compelling “Beef Story.” The NBSB is kicking off its third year with the goal of reaching 10,000 meal‐time decision makers. Each NBSB member will connect with meal‐time decision makers and youth regarding modern beef production, nutrition, safety, animal care and more – helping to make beef an easy choice.

The 128th Annual Montana Stockgrowers Association Convention and Trade Show, held in Billings, Dec. 13-15, drew approximately 800 participants from across the state for the three-day conference.

Dick Monfort, scion of one of the West’s most prominent cattle families, will be honored by Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences as 2012 Livestock Leader for his role as a champion of the nationwide beef industry and for high-impact philanthropy that benefits agriculture.

U.S. pork exports set new monthly records in October, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), reaching 218,132 metric tons (mt) valued at $607 million. Export volume was 9 percent above last year and broke the previous monthly record of 217,080 mt set in November 2011. Export value exceeded $600 million for the first time, breaking the previous high ($597.85 million, also from November 2011) by 1.5 percent.

Alltech’s Global 500 closed Dec. 6 after welcoming dairy and beef producers from 40 countries to Alltech’s home in Lexington, Kentucky. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, closed Global 500 with seven take-home messages:

Grain prices for 2013 will hinge on favorable weather patterns following the devastating 2012 drought in the Midwest, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist. “It’s all about the weather,” said Mark Welch, grains marketing economist. “You’ve got higher prices, and the yield potential is greater if they can get rain.”

The quality of hay fed to a beef heifer the next 60 days of winter will determine the vigor of her calf to be born next spring—and whether she can rebreed to calve the next year.

Dr. Michael Smith from University of Missouri explains reproductive tract scores and A.I. semen.