Food Security, Packing Space, Priorities in Upcoming Farm Bill, Nash Says

With conversations over the 2023 Farm Bill set to begin in earnest in the coming months, many in the farming community are asking if the farm portions of the legislation and nutrition segments be separated.  Todd Nash, President of the Oregon Cattleman’s Association said he doesn’t have an issue with those nutritional elements, such as SNAP and WIC being included in the Farm Bill.

Cattle association backs expansion of smaller beef processors

Todd Nash, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, is hoping to see the expansion of some small and mid-sized processing and packing facilities in Oregon.

To help with the expense of upgrading those facilities or building a new one to increase processing capacities for Oregon-raised livestock, the state Legislature allocated $2 million to the Oregon Meat Processing Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant Program during the short session in February.

How Might the Beef Industry Diversify in the U.S.?

Most ranchers raise cows on their land for less than a year. Then, they’re sold into the feedlot system where they’re fed grain to fatten them up for slaughter.  Once the cow leaves the ranch, the rancher has no control over how that cow spends the rest of its life, where its meat ends up being sold — or for how much.

When Cory Carman took over her family ranch in northeastern Oregon, she knew she wanted to do things differently.

Oregon’s $5 billion agriculture industry struggles amid high gas prices

An increase in the price of corn is likely to hurt Oregon’s ranchers, Nash said. A few years ago, producers paid up to $1 for every pound of weight added to a cow.
“Now we’re looking at somewhere north of $1.50 per pound,” Nash said. “It’s a great thing, if you’re in the business of producing corn and wheat, but if you’re a consumer of corn and wheat, that can be pretty tough on you.”

Favorable markets call for a fresh look at your breeding

The cattle industry has breeding gold standards — 85 days to rebreed, a 60-day calving window and cows in body condition score 6. These figures are especially important when looking to take advantage of improving cattle markets. The 2022 CattleFax Outlook forecasts 550-pound calves to be $225/cwt1. Using these gold standards to achieve more calves and pounds, with favorable prices, means more potential dollars in your pocket…

Ten Tips for a Trouble-Free Calving Season

It is important to be prepared for the challenges associated with calving time. Most calving difficulties are more commonly observed in heifers than in cows and the economic losses are associated with several factors: an increased risk of calf and cow mortality, longer calving intervals, decreased conception rates, reduced weaning weight, and increased veterinary and pharmaceutical costs. These tips for proper breeding and feeding management will help you prevent these problems before they occur, ensuring a strong, healthy calf crop…

Judge restores some wolves to endangered species list

A federal judge in Oakland, Calif., on Feb. 10 restored some wolves in the Lower 48 to the endangered species list, overturning a decision by the Trump administration that was cheered by ranchers…

NYT: Record Beef Prices, but Ranchers aren’t cashing in

“You’re feeding America and going broke doing it”: After years of consolidation, four companies dominate the meatpacking industry, while many ranchers are barely hanging on.

More wolves means more livestock conflicts, illegal killings in Oregon

Wolves have been on the rebound in Oregon since the beginning of this century. But the numbers are getting to a point where some ranchers have said something else needs to be done.

“They’ll be here tonight, and they may not come back for 30 nights,” Wallowa County rancher Rawley Bigsby said. “You never know with the way that they hit you.”

Bigsby said the threat of a wolf attack is constant.

‘Greenhouse gas guru’ responds to meat critics with science

If you raise cattle, you don’t need to be told that the meat industry has been targeted by some powerful propaganda in recent years. You may have had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right about what you were hearing. You may have seen widely repeated statistics making various claims about livestock production. Maybe you even have family members who have gone vegan or challenged you about why you raise meat. After all, you’re “killing the planet”—aren’t you?

Storytelling critical for ranching industry, journalist says

Ranchers need to tell their stories, Ahearn told the annual Oregon Cattlemen’s Association convention, especially as more consumers veer toward vegetarian and vegan diets they see as more environmentally sustainable.

Oregon ag groups ask AG for more accurate Initiative Petition 13 ballot title

Twelve leading Oregon agriculture groups have petitioned the Oregon Attorney General’s office to clarify the sweeping devastating effects (IP) 13 would have on all Oregonians. The measure would criminalize good animal husbandry practices, hunting and fishing, animal breeding of both pets and livestock, and even home rodent
control.

Beef Cattle Grazing More Help than Harm for Endangered Plants and Animals

Research recently published in the journal Sustainability documents a role for livestock grazing to support the conservation of imperiled plant and animal species in California.

COVID-19 AND BEEF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Believe it or not…. some people receive misinformation about how COVID-19 is spread. These FAQs will help clear up some misconceptions for you.

Cattle Market Desperately Needs More Workers and Packing Capacity

Like many of you, I’ve spent many hours trying to pinpoint “why” the cattle market is in the state it’s in. Currently, we have consumers who hunger for American beef and are being charged outrageous prices at the meat counter but continue to buy anyways. We have feedlots who are stomaching (barely) the expense of $7.00 corn and selling live cattle for less than $120, and we have a packing industry that’s making an ungodly amount of money but continues to run processing speeds well below full capacity.

If that’s not a signaling cue for market chaos, I don’t know what is.

Beef campaign highlights cattlemen’s sustainability efforts

According to market research, only 24% of consumers say they are knowledgeable about how cattle are raised. This sustainability campaign aims to address that by introducing consumers to farmers and ranchers across the country and showcasing the many efforts underway to help sustain and improve the land.

Oregon initiative would ban animal slaughter, breeding

IP13 would classify slaughter as aggravated abuse, redefine AI and castration as sexual assault.

OCA Welcomes Renewed Interest In Cattle Market Legislation

“Right now, we have a lot of inside deals,” noted President-Elect of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Todd Nash. “We have large corporate feeders making deals with large packing facilities, and we have no idea what kind of deal they’ve brokered there.  It’s led to a mistrust in the market.”

Beef Checkoff: Who’s who & how it works

By Greg Hanes, CEO, Cattlemen’s Beef Board

Simple hand-built structures can help streams survive wildfires and drought

Low-tech restoration gains popularity as an effective fix for ailing waterways in the American West

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Responds To Gov. Jared Polis’ ‘Meatout’ Day With ‘Meatin’ Day

CCA has posted a list of beef barbeques planned across the state and restaurants and stores that will be offering meat specials on its website.

NYT: A Different Kind of Land Management: Let the Cows Stomp

Regenerative grazing can store more carbon in soils in the form of roots and other plant tissues. But how much can it really help the fight against climate change?

Meat Eaters: 5 Things You Should Know

Besides simply loving the taste and variety of animal protein on the market today, there are so many reasons I feel good about incorporating meat, milk and eggs into an overall diet that is also rounded out by fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats…

Choosing Sustainability Over Steak? Think Again (And Fire Up the Grill

If you’ve been missing those family-favorite meals, thinking you were protecting the environment and your health, then it’s time to come up to speed with the science.

Let’s break down two of the most common misperceptions about beef so that you can welcome one of the most nourishing, pleasurable foods in the world back to your table