Private Property Rights, Agricultural Freedom and The Future of America's Food Supply Last week, R-CALF USA leaders and members traveled to Washington, D.C., to carry the voice of independent cattle producers into meetings and events focused on private property rights, agricultural freedom and the future of America’s food supply. R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde, Vice President Eric Gropper, Property Rights Committee Chair Shad Sullivan, and former R-CALF USA President and Chec

Producer Advocacy and Engagement Highlight Black Hills Stock Show R-CALF USA and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) upheld their more than 20-year tradition of sharing a booth at the 2026 Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, providing a central gathering place for cattle producers and focusing on membership recruitment, fundraising, grassroots outreach and policy engagement. The booth drew strong interest throughout the week, featuring the 2026 R-CALF USA sad

From droughtmonitor.unl.edu The University of Nebraska, Lincoln's continued coverage of drought, the US Drought Monitor, indicated that drought coverage was again waxing in the KVSH listening area. While most of Cherry, Brown and Rock Counties are considered abnormally dry, Moderate Drought coverage is building in southern Cherry County as well as eastern Brown and Keya Paha and northern Thomas and Hooker Counties. Also concerning is the slight expansion of D3 Extreme Droug

Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement in support of Nebraska’s cattle ranchers after President Trump signed an executive order permitting an increase of Argentine beef imports into U.S. grocery stores: "Nebraska produces the world's best beef. Instead of imports that sideline American ranchers, we should be focused on solutions that cut red tape, lower production costs, and support g

The emergency action is intended to help with the spread of new world screwworm Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for Ivomec (ivermectin) injectable solution to help prevent infestations caused by New World screwworm (NWS). The FDA said scientific evidence suggests Ivomec may be effective in preventing New World screwworm infestations in cattle when given within 24 hours of birth, at castration or when a wound appears.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard issued the following statement in response to Trump’s new proclamation. Today, President Trump issued a proclamation entitled “Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.” The proclamation increases the in-quota quantity of lean beef trimmings that can be imported from Argentina by an additional 80,000 metric tons during the 2026 calendar year, which is in addition to the 20,000-metric-ton annual in-quota quantity limit already applicable t

Things are coming together for the 25th annual Bull Bash on February 14th in Valentine. Activities will begin on Friday the 13th with the livestock judging at Valentine Livestock. Valentine FFA advisor Brent Nollette appeared on the KVSH Comment program and reported that for over 5 years youth from 4-H, FFA and college level have competed in divisions at this event. It has become a premier event of its kind in the area which draws college teams from University of Nebraska,

Master 'Ranch Ready' Principles Ranchers and cattle producers interested in learning about the latest cutting-edge research in range livestock production from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are encouraged to register for the 2026 Nebraska Ranch Practicum offered by Nebraska Extension. Master 'Ranch Ready' principles designed for immediate use on your ranch. The practicum will be held during eight sessions over the course of three seasons in order to cover the production

Ashley Ahrens, Assistant Extension Educator, will participate in a pilot partnership between Nebraska Extension and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.. Photo By Kim Haas Nebraska Extension work is built on relationships and trust. In an evolving role, Ashley Ahrens, Assistant Extension Educator, will participate in a pilot partnership between Nebraska Extension and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Since January of 2023, Ahrens has been the Health and Wellbeing

A live auction sale at the Bassett Livestock Auction. Photo by Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension By Marilyn Schlake | Nebraska Extension Educator Emerita Social relationships build a sense of community and belonging. For farming and ranching, one of those communities is the livestock sale barns. Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln examined four Nebraska livestock sale barns to assess the social value these businesses provide to their patrons and surrounding c

The upcoming workshop will be in mid February Nebraska Extension invites feedlot owners, managers, employees, and allied industry professionals to attend the 2026 Beef Feedlot Roundtable Series. The roundtable will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport. The Beef Feedlot Roundtable Series will feature timely, research-based discussions focused on feedlot management, cattle health, nutrition, and market outlooks,

Cold weather will affect the region through the weekend in the KVSH area. USDA- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers, ranchers, families, and small businesses in the path of Winter Storm Fern to prepare for severe winter weather and be aware of available USDA assistance. USDA staff in regional, state, and county offices are ready to help communities respond and recover. USDA’s Disaster Resource Center and Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool offer easy a

The bill would remove the Mexican wolf from the lists of threatened and endangered species under the ESA. R-CALF USA applauded the House Committee on Natural Resources yesterday for voting to advance H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act, out of Committee. If passed, the bill, led by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., would remove the Mexican wolf from the lists of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. “We applaud Congressman Gosar’s efforts in

The course is open to the public IANR News - The University of Nebraska’s Department of Agricultural Economics, in partnership with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, announces its online, non-credit course “Public Participation and Engagement” for the third semester running, beginning Feb. 15. With the course open to the public, the curriculum focuses on helping community leaders and those involved in their communities enhance their work and locally-focused projects through public e

The Ag Group Continues To Push For Property Tax Reform In Nebraska The Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging state lawmakers to make property tax reform a top priority in the 2026 legislative session with an emphasis on taking steps to slow the growth in property tax collections. The message was delivered during a January 22 news conference held at the State Capitol during a meeting of the organization’s State Board of Directors. “Property taxes continue to be a top concern for Nebr

R-CALF USA and its affiliate, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, will host a booth at the Black Hills Stock Show at The Monument in Rapid City. Located in spaces 117 and 118 on the Lower East Concourse, the booth will serve as a hub for conversation and producer engagement. Raffle tickets for a custom saddle handcrafted by South Dakota saddle maker Baxter Badure of Belvidere will be available for purchase at the booth, with proceeds supporting R-CALF USA’s work on beh

For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension office. Nebraska Extension will offer a six-part webinar series in February 2026 designed to equip ranchers, landowners, and natural resource professionals with the latest research and management strategies for tackling invasive weeds, woody encroachment, and pasture pests. “Controlling Invasive Weeds & Pests in Pastures” will be held over three weeks, with webinars taking place on Mondays and Thursdays — Feb. 9, 12,

R-CALF USA - Last week, a new federal nutrition plan was released emphasizing real, nutrient-dense foods and a move away from highly processed products. In a joint op-ed published by Fox News, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined a dietary approach encouraging Americans to prioritize whole foods, including increased consumption of protein, dairy and vegetables. The secretaries wrote that, in addition t

2025- A Defining Year For Producers As 2026 begins, it’s worth looking back on one of the most consequential years in the modern American cattle industry. It was a year defined by historically high cattle prices paired with sharp market volatility, alongside major developments in R-CALF USA’s antitrust and electronic ID eartag cases, the dismissal of criminal charges against the Maudes, New World screwworm, and the cattle industry in headline news. From working across all thr

Crawford Livestock Market will host an R-CALF USA rollover auction fundraiser at noon during its special calf sale on Friday, Jan. 9. Dyesville Angus/Jack and Penny Dye of Hermosa, South Dakota, will donate a calf for the rollover auction – the third year that the Dyes have generously donated an animal to benefit R-CALF USA. R-CALF USA Vice President Eric Gropper will attend the fundraiser and be on hand to answer any questions. R-CALF USA works with the three branches of go