Livestock Articles
Comment Period Extended for Biotech Issue
Published March 8, 2021
USDA is reopening its comment period for the regulatory review of agricultural animals developed through genetic engineering. Comments will be taken until May 7. Former Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue made the move in December to give USDA authority over genetically…Feeder Cattle Continue to Move Through Auction Barns
Published March 6, 2021
North Dakota and South Dakota auction barns continue to market a steady stream of feeder cattle. There is good buyer demand and calves are coming in with light to moderate-plus flesh condition. Kist Livestock at Mandan, North Dakota had 4,300…Calving Checks: How Often Should You Do It?
Published March 5, 2021
It is the age-old question: How often should you be checking cows during calving? A common rule of thumb is that cows and heifers should be check every 3 hours. Of course, that does change depending on the weather. South…Drought Conditions Remain in the Northern Plains
Published March 4, 2021
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows little change in drought conditions across the Northern Plains the past week. Sixty-eight percent of North Dakota is in severe drought which encompasses the western two-thirds of the state. The southeastern portion of North…Minnesota Beef Update
Published March 3, 2021
A main legislative priority for the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association is proposed feedlot permit requirements. Find out more from Executive Director Allison VanDerWal in the Minnesota Beef Update.Cattle Market Transparency Act Introduced
Published March 3, 2021
Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden have introduced a bill to offer more market transparency for cattle producers. It calls for regional mandatory minimum thresholds for negotiated cash and negotiated grid trades and prohibit USDA from using…MN House Considers Changes for Board of Animal Health
Published March 2, 2021
A bill designed to reform the Minnesota Board of Animal Health has been laid over by the House Agriculture Committee for inclusion in an omnibus bill. South St. Paul Representative Rick Hansen authored the bill to expand the board from…Berthold, ND Business is Newest State Processing Plant
Published March 1, 2021
Mema’s Meats in Berthold, North Dakota is the newest company operating under the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. Owners Phil and Karen Newman converted an existing truck shop into a butcher facility. The Newmans decided to become a state-inspected…Red Meat Exports Hampered by West Coast Port Issues
Published March 1, 2021
Congestion at West Coast ports, especially the Port of Los Angeles, is delaying U.S. pork and beef shipments. U.S. Meat Export Federation Senior Director of Export Services Travis Arp says the pandemic has impacted the availability of workers. Containers are…