Despite all the hot weather we had in July and August, the cattle have come on well and look great. Returns on the cattle we have sold continue to show they are performing and grading very well.

Prices for every class of cattle are over-the-moon high and the only question I hear is, “When will this bubble burst?” The answer of course is, “Who knows?”

The moderate drought we are back in has hastened the row crop maturation and held back everything else needing a drink.

The Purdue University Ag Economy Barometer fell 10 points to a reading of 125 — the third month of declines.

Brazil’s government said it will buy several domestic products hit by the 50% higher U.S. tariffs, such as acai, coconut water, mangoes and Brazilian nuts — and that it will pay an “adequate” price for them.

September usually marks a turning point. Summer turns to fall, vacation turns to school and the green hope and promise of growing crops turns into the yellow and gold of harvest. This month feels different, though.

Why wouldn’t you want to farm the land in a way that builds soil biodiversity, delivers a return on investment and restores wildlife habitat?

Your data is constantly flowing — from the milking parlor to the feed bunk to the breeding pen.

Crop prices and trade policies remain among the top concerns across Corn Belt districts for the fourth straight Federal Reserve survey.

Judicious use of antibiotics is tremendously important for the future of beef and dairy production.

Brazilian beef imports are accelerating the ongoing contraction of the U.S. cattle industry by displacing domestic cattle producers, their cattle and domestic feedlots — and this is weakening America’s ability to be self-reliant in beef production.

Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, which will be held for the first time in downtown Nashville.

The annual Orr Beef Research Center Field Day will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal science are encouraged to apply for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program.

On the southern Illinois farm of my youth, August always meant heat, humidity and the best food of the year.

Nathaniel will be marketing his first-ever pastured organic broiler crop as his entrepreneurial debut.

The Parkers wrapped up a successful weekend at the Illinois State Fair livestock show and returned to their farm with ribbons in hand.

Sixty-five young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” during the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

Champions were crowned in the Supreme Drive at the Indiana State Fair.

In a period when retail beef prices are at an all-time high and consumers are still willing to pay, South Dakota rancher Calli Williams would love to cash in. But it’s not so simple.

The United States’ suspension of live cattle imports from Mexico hit at the worst possible time for rancher Martín Ibarra Vargas, who after two years of severe drought had hoped to put his family on better footing selling his calves across the northern border.

If “America First” is the goal, then the American Beef Labeling Act is an integral component. You simply can’t say you’re putting America first when you’re catering to the self-interests of global corporations.

Becoming a trained observer of livestock can help producers evaluate the nutritional value of their pastures.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition will host two upcoming Grazing Schools, with events scheduled this September in Cambridge and Waltonville.

The nation’s largest grocer is reportedly creating a closed, vertically integrated system for which it touts new jobs and new marketing opportunities for ranchers.

The Trump administration is suing the state of California to block animal welfare laws that it says unconstitutionally helped send egg prices soaring.

From canning vegetables to volunteering at Taste From Indiana Farms at the Indiana State Fair, Mindy Orschell is enjoying the final few weeks of summer on — and off — the farm.

The cooler weather this past week allowed us to wean calves and introduce some new heifers to the herds.

The prices for what these feeder cattle are costing and what fat cattle are bringing seems dangerously crazy.

We think now in our second rotation that things are improving, not just from better practices from us, but from the steers perhaps having less anxiety about what and where they are grazing.

My father-in-law farmed in Stark County his whole life and for many years worked at the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office out measuring bins and acres for the various government programs.

After a tight competition, several exhibitors were crowned as champions at the Indiana State Fair 4-H Grand Drive.

Wheat harvest is complete on Riskedal Family Farms and cover crops have been planted that will be grazed by cattle starting in September.

The Illinois Soybean Association elected new leadership during its annual public meeting in Champaign.

Before railroads were established in Illinois, cattle and hog farmers drove their animals to livestock markets and processing facilities.

The agricultural economic outlook across the Corn Belt’s Federal Reserve Districts remain subdued.

U.S. cattle producers with an interest in strengthening the economic position of their individual farms and ranches and in ensuring the health and safety of their livestock herd would not knowingly support policies that conflict with their own interests and goals.

All the feed for the University of Illinois farms — including poultry, beef, dairy and swine — are formulated at the Feed Technology Center.

Identifying their business goal will help cattlemen determine where to allocate dollars in their operation.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture plans to overhaul its rules this summer to allow more than just agricultural production on 25,000 acres under a new agricultural enterprise lands program.

As the Indiana State Fair approaches, Jeanette Merritt is preparing for two of her favorite weeks of the year.

Incorporating cover crops into their regenerative farming system has been a learning process for the Riskedal family this spring.

Farmers truly share a bond, no matter where we live or what we grow and raise.

With good yields come low prices, so at times like these it’s good to have some diversification.

There will be at least three more pasture walks put on by the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition coming up.

Even small Midwestern farms can harness the power of AI to boost productivity without breaking the bank.

With 2025 half gone, the cautious American ag economy, like the slowing U.S. economy, now tiptoes into its second half.

CattleCon 2026 is heading Feb. 3-5 to the heart of downtown Nashville, and it’s time to get involved in the largest cattle industry event of the year.

“Summertime, when the livin’ is easy.” That line from a well-known song couldn’t be further from the truth.

With the record prices being paid for fat cattle I am trying to get them to eat and gain as fast as possible so we can take advantage of this crazy-high cattle market.