A new genomic test for female cattle can tell a cow/calf producer which to retain for breeding and which to send to the feedlot, and the decision can be made shortly after birth. Time was, a cow/calf producer trying to improve the genetics of his or her cow herd had to wade through generations of … Read More

Beef markets may be moving past the worst of the disruptions of recent weeks, said Oklahoma State University agricultural economist Derrell Peel in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner. Beef markets were thrown into turmoil in March as food service markets were sharply curtailed and beef demand focused on retail grocery, Peel said. … Read More

Farmer sentiment improved slightly in May after falling sharply in March and April, according to the monthly Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. James Mintert, Purdue University Agricultural Economist, outlined the highlights of the monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from May 18 though 22 in a release.  He said the index was up seven … Read More

The Beef Cattle Research Council, Canada’s industry-led funding agency for beef, cattle and forage research, is publishing a blueprint for cattle-producer record keeping that is aimed at helping producers keep good, useful records on their operations. The guidance is being released in “levels” that build on each other.  The first was released May 28, and … Read More

With drought building from western Kansas, the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles through the southern two thirds of Colorado, the northern half of New Mexico and on into Utah, Nevada, northern California, Oregon and Washington, it is good to keep up with what pasture conditions are doing. Those pasture conditions are released each week by the … Read More

Chad Wilkerson, vice president and Oklahoma City Branch Executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said, since March, COVID-19 and the collapse in oil prices have presented significant challenges for Oklahoma’s economy. Wilkerson made the comment in a report on the economy published by the Kansas City office. He also said employment in … Read More

Limiting the use of Alternative Marketing Agreements in the fed cattle industry could cost the cattle and beef industries $2.5 billion in the first year and $16 billion over the first 10 years, said a well-known university economist last week in a white paper on the subject. Stephen Koontz, agricultural economist at Colorado State University, … Read More