Getting heifers developed, inseminated early and confirmed pregnant plays a significant role in the lifetime productivity of beef and dairy cows.

Today’s dairies generate more data than ever — from herd management software to monitoring systems, parlors and sort gates.

Farmland sales in Illinois are continuing their recent pattern of being unpredictable. Low farmer profits are the main driver of this volatility, but other factors also weigh on the marketplace.

Poverty is deepening and hunger is increasing across Cuba, a country of nearly 10 million people.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition, a global leader in microbial solutions for animal health and performance, announced the opening of applications for its 12th annual Lallemand Scholarship Program.

Leaders of Dairy Management Inc., the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association announced newly elected officers who will help guide national dairy checkoff strategies and programs aimed at protecting and growing dairy sales.

Dairy Management Inc. announced the formal launch of its search for a new president and CEO, following the announced planned retirement of Barbara O’Brien later this year.

The U.S. House passed a new farm bill after the agriculture industry has operated for the past eight years under the previous legislation that included three extensions.

These super-high prices we are experiencing all across the beef industry leave one unanswered question on every producer’s mind: When will it all end?

We are nearly a month now post-inaugural production sale. All the nervousness and concerns were brushed aside, as the sale in all facets turned out to be a great success.

As we continue the great ride with cattle prices we still must do some things well to be as profitable as possible.

Graduation season isn’t just about diplomas and tassels. It’s about what comes next and the people who help get you there.

Indiana Farm Bureau awarded five scholarships to incoming or current college students pursuing careers in agriculture.

Local livestock auction yards have been around since about the time cattle were first introduced as a commercialized American food source and they are the epitome of a robustly competitive market.

Don Lamb, the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, recently toured two ag facilities in Rush County.

Silage management is key to providing high-quality feed for dairy herds.

As the 59th World Dairy Expo approaches, coordinators are searching for college students passionate about the dairy industry to be part of the 2026 media team.

Planting corn and soybeans on Bell Family Farms has started for the 2026 growing season.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Legislative Conference is where grassroots policy meets action.

In cow-calf operations, reproductive success comes down to timing. A calf born just a few weeks earlier can mean significantly more weight at weaning, tighter calving groups and improved lifetime performance.

Global disruptions have tightened fertilizer supplies and driven up costs. At the same time, fuel prices continue to rise, further tightening balance sheets.

For decades, farmers and ranchers have been begging antitrust officials for probes into concentrated industries like meatpacking, seed, fertilizer, machinery and grain merchandising.

Farmers and ranchers can capture more of the food dollar through value-added production, direct marketing and partnerships that move them deeper into supply chain activities.

For sheep producers who have a shortage of hay stocks or are concerned about pasture conditions they should take action now to prepare for the year ahead.

For every Indiana Pacers’ 3-pointer scored, three cases of eggs will be donated to those in need.

Indiana Pork partnered with the National Pork Producers Council to host a LEADR — Leadership, Education, Advocacy Development and Resources — training at Purdue University.

Thirteen Illinois Farm Bureau members and agricultural professionals graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills.

From charter signings to banquets and everything in between, the Illinois FFA major state officers this past month have participated in a wide variety of events across the state, along with extensive convention preparation.

Elections for the Midwest Dairy corporate and division boards were held during the organization’s annual meeting in Kansas City.

It’s never been so expensive for Americans to buy a steak or hamburger, but cutting those costs requires ranchers like Stephanie Hatzenbuhler to raise more cattle — and that’s not an easy ask.

For our U.S. cattle and sheep industries, do you want free markets or competitive markets? That’s not a trick question as there’s presently significant political tension between these two goals.

The Mexican cattle industry has been hit hard by New World screwworm fly larvae infestations, and the United States has closed the border since July to imports of cattle, bison and horses.

Livestock producers prefer to prevent rather than treat sickness. The goal is to minimize the risk of animals getting sick, thereby reducing the need for treatment.

Illinois Farm Bureau secured statewide black vulture depredation permits through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through Dec. 31.

Like other farmers across the nation, my work is not a job, but a calling.

United Producers Inc. announced a leadership transition at its Salem market as Maycey Crain and Mark Kleiboeker step into new roles to serve producers across the region.

Land in the Midwest is not just dirt. It’s legacy, livelihood and, increasingly, a line in the sand.

Indiana Pork is investing in the future of the food and agriculture industry by sponsoring a hands-on meat fabrication and sausage-making labs at Ivy Tech Community College and Central Nine Career Center.

Farmer sentiment about the ag economy improved in March despite rising input cost concerns, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

With farmers capturing only a small share of the food dollar, even modest swings in commodity prices or increases in input costs can quickly strain farm finances.

I asked a friend that has a home weather station to go back 24 months and tell me do we have a plus or minus water balance. He came up with 18 inches short.

Cattle, sheep and goat prices are at record or near record levels and fundamentally should remain that way for some time to come.

If you store wool properly, it lasts a long time.

A bipartisan bill passed in 2022 to promote the use of higher biodiesel blends is making a significant impact once again in 2026.

University of Illinois Extension staff gathered in the State Capitol to showcase how Extension and Illinois 4-H strengthen communities statewide and to call for an increased state investment at its inaugural Extension Day at the Capitol.

A new website called “Find-a-Vet” makes it easy for Indiana animal owners to find veterinarians in their area who are accepting new clients.

Midwest Dairy released its 2025 Annual Report, demonstrating a strong year of progress building trust and demand on behalf of dairy farmers.

Differences between pastures become more apparent each spring, largely based on how they were managed the previous year.

Charlie Meier is quick to point out that had it not been for his involvement with FFA and 4-H as a youngster, he would not be a state representative.

We have continued to have a few health problems here with the insurance calves and now we have more mud.