From R-CALF USA The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced additional steps toward restoring livestock grazing opportunities on federally managed lands by issuing implementation directives to the U.S. Forest Service aimed at expanding grazing access, streamlining permitting, and improving coordination with ranchers. The memorandum builds upon USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the March 2026 Memorandum of Understanding on grazing. While

Informational Press Release from IANR Lincoln, Neb., June 5, 2026 —The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is aware of the confirmation of New World screwworm in Texas earlier this month and is monitoring developments related to the parasite. Screwworm, the larval stage New World screwfly, has not been detected in Nebraska. University experts are working with partners including the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebr

The event was held May 26 at the Cherry County fairgrounds The annual 4-H livestock judging clinic and competition was held on May 26, 2026, at the Cherry County Fairgrounds. Nolan Orwig & Tevor Gill were the head clinicians/judges, assisted by Craig O’Kief & Andy Dawson. Youth judged five classes of livestock – market beef, breeding beef, market swine, market sheep, and market goat. Stock was provided by Craig O’Kief, Josh Delaney, the Jones family, the Dawson family, and th

Weaning calves early could help with saving resources this year. Photo by T.L. Meyer By T.L. Meyer | Beef Systems Extension Educator / Karla Wilke | Cow-Calf Stocker Management Specialist When grass is limited, early weaning may be a viable option for cow-calf producers. If grazing pressure needs to be reduced quickly and/or cow body condition needs improved, early weaning can fit the bill. Weaning removes any grazing pressure from the calf and removes milk production from

June 4 Press Release From R-CALF USA Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that New World screwworm was confirmed in the United States. The pest was detected in a 3-week-old calf in South Texas, and USDA stated it has mobilized response personnel and coordination efforts in the impacted area. In its statement, USDA said current response efforts include forming a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission, establishing an infested zone

The best odds for rain in the KVSH are will be Saturday into early Sunday The National Weather Service in North Platte is predicting some relief from dry conditions this weekend. After a conversation on Wednesday with forecasters, KVSH learned that while the odds are not high for precipitation Thursday and Friday, the forecast models are indicating that the chances of significant rain Saturday into Sunday morning are quite high. Officials at the North Platte office that is

Producers need to ensure forage quality meets the needs of the cow and calf, or provide supplements. Aaron Berger | Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator Cattle producers may have the opportunity to use Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres after July 15 if drought conditions continue. Producers located in or next to counties in Nebraska impacted by drought conditions may be authorized for emergency grazing or haying. Eligible producers interested in grazing CRP under

Building Skills, Connections, and Futures: Welcoming the 2026 Sandhills Ranch Interns and Apprentices The 2026 Sandhills Ranch Internship season has kicked off, bringing together a new cohort of interns eager to step into ranch life. Participants gathered for the annual orientation, a tradition that lays the groundwork for their summer experiences on ranches across the Nebraska Sandhills. Over the next three months, these interns will live and work on ranches throughout the N

During a drought, some producers may decide drylotting cattle. Photo by Chabella Guzman Nebraska Extension - As drought conditions continue to affect much of Nebraska, beef producers are being forced to make difficult decisions about herd and forage management. To support producers navigating these challenges, Nebraska Extension will host a free webinar on Thursday, June 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30 to 9 p.m. Central Time. The webinar, "Management Options in D

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is opening up added grazing opportunities for the upcoming spring and summer season through its cooperative agriculture program. The available pasture units range from approximately 100 to 500 acres and are located on refuge property south of Valentine, Nebraska. Applications are currently being accepted from interested producers. Immediately following the historic wildfires in Nebraska and loss of over 800,000 grazing acres, both state and

Senator Deb Fischer, R-NE U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation allowing the year-round sale of E15: “After years of fighting for year-round E15, I am encouraged to see the House finally approve this effort today. Though long overdue, this is a major step toward securing stability and certainty for American producers and consumers – without any government mandates. I commend my fellow Nebras

Grain sorghum can be a summer option for forages needing limited water. Photo by Chabella Guzman With limited water availability this summer for irrigators dependent on canal water, summer annual forages may provide an opportunity to grow cover crops on prevent-plant acres that will likely have significant value as a forage resource due to drought conditions. Summer annual grasses can produce about 1 ton of forage for every 2.5 to 3.5 inches of water available to the crop.

Ricketts' constituent casework staff will have mobile office hours around the region beginning Thursday May 14 Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his constituent casework staff will be hosting Mobile Office Hours around the state. At Mobile Office Hours, Ricketts’ staff will be on-site to assist Nebraskans with their casework needs. If Nebraskans can’t get an answer in a timely manner or feel they have been treated unfairly, Ricketts and his staff may be able

The letter was signed by the entire NE delegation in DC Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to President Donald Trump supporting Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration following wildfires across the state. Read the letter below: Dear Mr. President: We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major

Suspension of certain tariff's could lead to more beef import, says the cattle producer group. The White House today announced a 200-day suspension of certain tariff-rate quotas for beef, a move that is expected to increase imports of foreign beef into the United States at a time when the U.S. cattle herd has already declined to historically low levels. Tariff-rate quotas are a means of limiting the quantity of foreign beef by establishing country-specific annual quantity lim

Senator Ricketts' Weekly Column This month, we celebrate Nebraska as the Beef State. Agriculture is the heart and soul of our state, and beef is a cornerstone. We’re recognizing the hard-working producers who make that possible. That’s why I introduced a resolution that designates May as National Beef Month. This resolution honors Nebraska cattlemen and women. Overall, our cattle account for about $16 billion of cash receipts for Nebraska’s economy. Last year, we led the

The R-CALF USA convention will be June 16-18 in Rapid City BILLINGS, Mont., May 6, 2026—R-CALF USA today released the speaker lineup and agenda for its 2026 National Convention and Trade Show, set for June 16–18 at The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota. Registration is now open. At a time when consolidation, market volatility and global pressures continue to reshape the cattle industry, the convention will bring together hundreds of producers, industry leaders and policy e

Farm Credit Services of America shares lender insights on capital management, volatility, and financial decision‑making in a high‑value beef market . As the U.S. beef industry recognizes Beef Month this May, Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) joins in recognizing beef producers for their essential role in feeding families, strengthening rural communities, and sustaining a safe, reliable food supply for the nation. At the same time, producers are navigating one of th

From R-CALF USA BILLINGS, Mont., May 4, 2026—Today, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the White House held a press conference outlining ongoing efforts to examine competition and market concentration in the cattle and beef supply chain. “Today’s joint press conference was unprecedented. It demonstrated how seriously the Administration is taking the ongoing problem of concentration in cattle and beef markets,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.

The resolution was introduced by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced a resolution to designate May 2026 as Beef Month in America. Ricketts is a longtime champion — and enjoyer — of Nebraska beef. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) cosponsored this resolution. “Nebraska is the beef state. Last year, we led the nation with over $1.75 billion