A documentary called “The Beck Family: A Home-Grown Legacy” has officially premiered and is available to watch for free online.

2025 was great for high cattle prices, but the risk and uncertainty of the cattle business is still there and I know many of us remain cautious about what the future holds.

My dry erase board in the office now has 15 projects listed for winter and spring and space for some more as they come up. It is just part of the continuous quest to leave the land and this place better than when my family landed here back in 1951.

The fact that it takes time to build a cow herd is reality and that reality is playing out in the cattle market.

January is a natural time to reflect back, think forward and set the stage for a more resilient grazing season.

The outlook for the four pieces of the demand pies that drive corn and soybean prices is anticipated to include some growth and a wild card in 2026.

When it comes to soybean demand, meat exports are a big part of the equation.

One of the most under-reported stories of 2025 — the departure of more than 20,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees — finally surfaced just before the quietest, most unwatched news periods of any year, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

At the 2025 Indiana Ag Gathering held at the French Lick Springs Resort, the Indiana Farm Bureau delegate body reelected INFB Vice President Kendell Culp of Jasper County.

Mark Gebhards, retired Illinois Farm Bureau executive director of governmental affairs and commodities division and chief strategy officer and adviser to the IFB president, was honored with the IFB 2025 Eagle Award for Excellence.

Meat production was the most commonly reported primary production type across all flock sizes in the National Animal Health Monitoring System Sheep 2024 study.

Today’s dry-off challenges look different than those of the past. More cows are entering the dry period at higher production levels — a sign of progress, but one that brings added considerations for cow comfort and mastitis risk.

The Illinois Milk Producers Association recently recognized Amy Hildebrandt and Tony, Walt and Bobby Graves for their leadership, stewardship and excellence in the dairy industry during the organization’s 2025 annual awards program.

Farmers say they are grateful to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

Clean water is essential for every farmer and rancher; we depend on it every day. That’s why we’re encouraged to see the new proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

Working with a new administration during 2025 has been fast-paced and challenging for those dealing with regulatory and legislative policies.

People don’t buy into what you do or how you do it. They buy into why you do it.

Join University of Illinois Extension Livestock Specialist Teresa Steckler for a program on small ruminants.

The Illinois Beef Association hosted a Cattlemen’s Gala celebration to raise money and mark the 10th anniversary of the Illinois Beef Foundation.

As the Midwest agriculture sector faces another year of low profits, farmers need to take a closer look at their farm balance sheet, which is a snapshot of their financial condition on a specific day.

It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for agriculture, on top of some very big challenges. Farm Bureau helped farmers and ranchers across the country navigate the roller coaster ride.

Farmers were more optimistic about the ag economy in November, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Winter weather isn’t just tough on producers — it’s tough on cattle, too.

Illinois Milk Producers Association and University of Illinois Extension are excited to highlight sustainability and technology during the upcoming Illinois Dairy Summit.

World Dairy Expo is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Recognition Awards through Feb. 15.

The marketplace, from the cattle producer all the way to the consumer, is fundamentally broken, and the only time it functions properly is when it is confronted with a significant market shock.

Agricultural conditions remained strained but slightly improved over the last six weeks, according to a survey across the Corn Belt’s Federal Reserve Districts.

Farmer Tyler Everett had the ultimate “seat at the table” with President Donald Trump.

A friendly wager between the pork associations in Indiana and Ohio has paid off for Hoosier families in need of high-quality protein this holiday season.

President Donald Trump accused foreign-owned meat packers of driving up the price of beef in the United States and asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation.

Expanding demand to bring profitability back to corn farmers while being “at the table” working with legislators remains top priorities for the National Corn Growers Association.

Merck Animal Health announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted a conditional approval for Exzolt Cattle-CA1 fluralaner topical solution.

They say you never know what you have until it’s gone. I agree. My years as the resident barn owl at Wonderland Farms have taught me that many take what they have for granted.

There’s something magical about Christmas on the farm. The stars in the sky reflecting off of a snowy field, the quiet hum of a heater in the barn office and that sense of peace that comes from being surrounded by open space and loved ones.

This Christmas column, first published in 1994, remains the most-requested column ever written by Alan Guebert. Maybe that’s because its lesson is both timely and timeless or perhaps it’s just a warm tale well told.

Wool is always breathable. The air spaces in wool fabric insulate, but also allow moisture to easily pass through. This keeps your skin dry and enhances your body’s temperature control.

Take advantage of these long nights to get rested up for spring. That’s our God-given advantage at this latitude.

It’s time to come inside and learn something. The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition will be sponsoring several webinars this winter.

With Christmas just around the corner, Ken Ropp and his staff were busy filling numerous cheese orders for delivery or shipping.

If people invested even a fraction of the money they pour into massive animal “rights” organizations into helping children in this country, the impact could be nothing short of transformative.

Although the New World screwworm has been eradicated from the United States for many years, the recent movement of the pest through Central America and Mexico is a concern for Americans.

The judges tasked with evaluating the Showmanship Contest and Fitting Contest at World Dairy Expo 2026 have been confirmed.

The goal of the Building a Better Cow project is to improve dairy cow productivity, profitability and wellness.

When a Chicago native Andrea Padilla, a senior agriculture major, returned to higher education after a decade-long hiatus, she didn’t expect her path to lead through Western Illinois University’s agricultural research fields — or to a first-place national research award.

To truly experience the Trump tariff rollercoaster, hop on the ear-popping ride American cattlemen, meatpackers and U.S. beef eaters have been on over the past few months.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association announced new economic impact findings showing that pork production in Illinois generates more than $373 million in total tax revenue, underscoring the vital role pig farmers play in supporting local communities, strengthening the state eco

A longtime Idaho rancher suggested this week’s segment. We’ll start with this quote from an unknown author: “Truth is, great things take time. So, either you wait or you settle for less.”

High-quality colostrum intake by dairy calves is an essential component for healthy animals.

Each year during the holiday season, I sit down and make a list of things for which I am truly thankful. Some entries never change. These constants anchor my list, reminding me of the steady gifts that shape my life.

Farm families need lasting certainty, and we appreciate our partners in Washington for taking this important first step by delivering a $12 billion package. But the need is far greater.