Author: staff

McDonald’s recent lawsuit against major beef suppliers like Tyson Foods, JBS, and Cargill has ignited both controversy and conspiracy theories, with many people questioning the fast-food giant’s motives. The case, which which was filed last week in New York courts and alleges that these suppliers colluded to inflate beef prices by reducing slaughter-ready cattle, has created a stir not only in the agricultural world but also on social media. While McDonald’s seeks damages under federal antitrust laws, some consumers and ranchers are skeptical about the fast-food behemoth’s sudden concern over price-fixing. The platform formerly known as Twitter has been buzzing…

Farmers, get ready for a challenging winter. The 2025 Farmers’ Almanac predicts a cold, stormy season, far different from last year’s unusual weather anomalies. While the winter of 2023-24 saw unpredictable warm spells and sudden cold snaps, this year’s forecast promises more traditional winter conditions, particularly for the northern and eastern regions. Image by Farmers’ Alamanac Winter officially starts on December 21, 2024, with the winter solstice, but don’t expect the cold to hold off until then. La Niña’s influence means cold temperatures and storms could hit earlier. The Farmers’ Almanac highlights that the season’s coldest temperatures will affect the…

In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the Cow-Side Conversations podcast, Matt Carr, a third-generation dairy farmer from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, opens up about a farm safety accident where he lost the fingers on his left hand. He describes how quickly the incident happened, what the physical and mental recovery process was like, and the lessons he learned through the incident. Their dairy operation is a true family business with some additional Spanish-speaking employees. Carr shares how developing clear protocols for their workforce, while always remembering to have fun, is one of their top priorities. He also compares…

At 4-H, we’ve always believed in the boundless potential of young people. We know that when youth are given the tools, opportunities, and guidance they need, they are unstoppable. But today, as our nation’s youth face increasing challenges in mental health, education, and workforce readiness, it’s clear the stakes have never been higher. This is why 4-H, led by the work and leadership of 4-H Extension programs, is launching Beyond Ready — a bold, nationwide initiative designed to empower 10 million young people with the skills, resilience, and confidence they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Cameron Swallows, his…

Bayer AG is facing further legal challenges after Washington State’s Supreme Court announced it would review a case concerning Monsanto, a company Bayer acquired in 2018. The case involves allegations that chemicals produced by Monsanto, specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), caused brain injuries to three teachers at the Sky Valley Education Center in Washington. The focus of the case is on whether Monsanto’s PCBs, which were banned in the U.S. in 1979 due to health risks, played a role in the illnesses of these educators. Previously, a jury had awarded $185 million in damages to the teachers, but an appeals court…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has requested additional information on potential new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act concerning price discovery in cattle markets. Not everyone, however, is pleased with this potential new rule. In response, Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, issued a statement criticizing the USDA’s proposed changes and accusing the administration of overreach in an industry that already maintains high levels of transparency. Potts argued that the Biden administration’s attempts to further regulate cattle markets would have negative consequences for producers, packers, and consumers. “This is not about transparency,” Potts stated. “This…

A devastating series of wildfires in Williams County, North Dakota, has claimed the lives of two individuals and ravaged nearly 90,000 acres, marking it as the largest wildfire incident in the state during the recent disaster. The Williams County Commission declared an emergency on October 8 in response to the fires, which have destroyed approximately 88,934 acres across central and eastern Williams County, roughly equivalent to 140 square miles. As of Tuesday, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services reported that 99 percent of the fire was contained. However, the damage has been significant, affecting both the land and the…

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association recently published a comprehensive report analyzing data from a nationwide tax survey conducted among American cattle producers. With the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act looming in 2025, the survey aimed to provide insights into how vital tax provisions, including Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family-owned cattle operations across the country. NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher, reflected on his personal battle with the Death Tax, which nearly ended his family’s ranching legacy. “This experience pushed me to advocate for lower taxes on farms and ranches,” Eisele explained. He…

Dinner Bell Farm, nestled in the heart of central North Carolina, was pleased with the ease of its initial success when the farm applied for a high tunnel through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The process was straightforward, and the operators were happy with the results — but they didn’t realize that the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) had much more to offer. “They had no idea about the other conservation practices that NRCS can help them with,” says Jaimie McGirt, Agricultural Conservation and Market Access Coordinator for Rural Advancement Foundation International. RAFI’s Resources for Resilient Farms program…

The fourth genetically engineered Arctic apple variety — the Arctic Gala — has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercial production. The Arctic Gala — along with its predecessors, Arctic Golden, Arctic Granny, and Arctic Fuji — are the only apples that are specially developed to resist browning while sliced, capable of staying as fresh looking and tasting as fresh-picked fruit. By turning off the enzyme responsible for enzymatic browning, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), Arctic apple varieties resist browning caused by bruising and slicing, reducing the number of apples damaged throughout the supply chain and extending the…