Livestock

Illinois Farm Bureau is hosting Nutrient Stewardship Field Days this summer for farmers and industry partners to collaborate and discuss ongoing research and innovative approaches to nutrient stewardship.

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

While bovine viral diarrhea virus presents serious challenges, producers have reliable tools like vaccination, testing and biosecurity to manage it.

Cow comfort, especially in the dry period, is the most important part of mastitis management, said Ben Smith, owner of Cool Lawn Farm.

Budget reconciliation legislation that includes farm safety net enhancements, higher reference prices and biofuel tax credits was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Agriculture leaders voiced support for the massive spending and tax package bill that includes significant new farm program funding.

Farming is all about being resilient, and Mindy Orschell and her family have had to be just that as weather challenges impacted planting this spring.

A Wisconsin dairy farmer alleged in a federal lawsuit that the Trump administration is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by continuing programs that favor minorities.

The U.S. pork industry is charting a new course to engage with American consumers and boost domestic demand as trade policy and global market dynamics threaten the pace of export sales.

Questions and concerns about foreign countries owning U.S. land did not start recently nor will they end anytime soon.

This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 243 veterinary shortage areas across 46 states — the highest number recorded.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced strong support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to build a New World screwworm sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas.

The Secure Beef Supply website has been redesigned to better serve the growing number of users seeking new, updated and classic biosecurity resources.

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.

Corn Belt agricultural conditions ranged from weak to slightly favorable in the latest Federal Reserve’s Beige Book.

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

The 36th annual Ice Cream Social will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10 on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Entries are being accepted for the World Forage Analysis Superbowl, which is open to all forage producers across North America.

Hoosiers are paying an average of $71.49 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $7.15 per person — a 5% increase compared to last year, according to a survey from Indiana Farm Bureau.

Recognizing the hardships many communities are facing, Illinois Milk Producers Association donated 24,000 pounds of milk, including lactose-free, between three local food banks.

Lena Olson’s love for animals is in her DNA.

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

America’s certified organic acreage fell almost 11% between 2019 and 2021. Many farmers have been asking: Is organic farming just a word?

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program is accepting nominations for its annual FARM Excellence Awards, spotlighting program participants who embody the program’s mission of continuous improvement.

Midwest Dairy announced that five students will receive $1,000 over the 2025-2026 academic school year to study agriculture education, dairy science, applied sciences and animal science, starting this fall at the college or university of their choice.

Farming practices in America have been under public scrutiny for well over a century, but the intensity and focus of that scrutiny have evolved significantly over time.

A wise-old rancher told me last year, “I can lead you to knowledge, but I can’t make you think.”

June is the beginning of grilling season and that’s been great for beef demand. If more of you would try lamb chops or lamb kabobs on the grill maybe we could see similar results in the lamb market.

After 17 wonderful years, we’ve made the heartfelt decision to sell Illinois Wool & Fiber Mill and The Complete Sheep Shoppe.

The National Pork Board invites consumers to “Taste What Pork Can Do” in a new campaign designed to deliver a message: Pork delivers taste, flavor, balanced nutrition and versatility.

This is the second in a series of columns featuring conversations with state Farm Bureau presidents about current issues in agriculture.

A biosecurity plan will be different for every cattle operation.

I cannot emphasize enough how wet it is in southern Illinois. The row crop guys were able to jump in and get some planting done, but may be wishing they hadn’t.

This cattle market is crazy good and has me wondering how long it can last.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has worked successfully through the tension of whether it would still have grant funds for events after the days of DOGE.

Four members with outstanding projects that include cattle, flowers, sheep, auctioneering and hay production were presented the prestigious star awards during the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention.

The recently released MAHA report was the work product of the commission established by President Donald Trump’s executive order to “Make America Healthy Again.”

The Jersey cows are lined up waiting their turn for the afternoon milking as Ken Ropp and Brett Yoder readied the parlor equipment.

Demonstrations, equipment and education will be the features of the Illinois Forage Expo on July 30.

Our independent cattle and sheep industries have been steaming along through history as if they were without a strategic vision — rudderless and directionless.

Fire is a natural and necessary part of a healthy ecosystem.

The 51st annual Fastest Rookie Luncheon was held to celebrate the top-performing rookies ahead of the 109th Indianapolis 500.

Delegates wrote history at the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention with the vote to add a sentinel to the FFA officer team that now includes six members.

Earlier this winter while attending a farm show sponsored by a local radio station that carries Brownfield programming, a listener shared with me a poem, “Sermons We See,” by Edgar A. Guest.

When you’re 8 or 9 years old, you don’t see the world as you will as a 50- or 60-year-old. Much of what seems perfectly ordinary to a child often becomes quite extraordinary with the passing of time.

Illinois FFA state proficiency winners are selected based on FFA members’ outstanding skills in recordkeeping, leadership and scholastic achievement.

The Dave and Donna Scanlon family was proud to receive the Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of more than 100 years of agricultural heritage.

These students have been selected district winners for the Star in Agriscience award after an extensive process of evaluating the students and their record books.

The Star in Agricultural Placement award will be presented during the Stars Over Illinois ceremony on Wednesday, June11.

The winner of the Star in Agribusiness award will be announced during the Wednesday afternoon session of the Illinois FFA State Convention starting at 2 p.m.