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.

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

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.”

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.

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

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

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

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.

The older I get the more I realize some of life truths have to be understood and honored.

We have been going hard with AI synchronization and breeding, both cows and heifers.

The university extension services in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin are teaming together to offer the Driftless Region Beef Conference to educate beef producers.

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

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.

With cattle herds at historic lows and input costs high, Jim Henry predicts beef prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

On the southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth, we marked seasons by the work more than by the month.

With harvest complete and cover crops planted, work at Riskedal Farms is focusing on repairing machinery and deciding what changes they will make for the 2026 growing season.

Several individuals and a family were honored for their contributions in promoting and supporting corn farmers during the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s annual meeting.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association announced that Laura Lant, an agronomist at Midwest Grass & Forage in Macomb, received the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award at the organization’s annual meeting.

We must look internally — within the borders of the United States — not externally to foreign countries, to resolve our domestic beef production shortfall.

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

With historically strong beef prices driving profitability for many ranchers in 2025, now may be the ideal time to reinvest in their operations by enhancing feed grain, hay and pasture production by adding center pivot irrigation.

For beef producers using benzimidazoles — commonly known as white dewormers — getting the application right is just as important as choosing the right product.

With lower grain prices, higher interest rates and increased production costs, some farms are facing a challenging financial situation.

Emergency loans are available to counties impacted by excessive rain and flooding last spring in southern Illinois.

After experiencing the biggest cattle industry event of the year, CattleCon 2026 attendees are encouraged to stay a little longer to see Tennessee cattle country firsthand.

Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling potentially harmful goods such as raw milk are profiting from the push to write anti-science policies into law across the United States.

Clay Geyer celebrated the end of another successful year on his farm in northern Indiana.

Farmland values were unchanged from the second to third quarter of 2025 in the Seventh Federal Reserve District and up 3% year-over-year.

Indiana’s poultry farmers donated $620,000 worth of chicken, duck and turkey meat to Hoosiers through local food banks, including Second Helpings in Indianapolis.

Jim Henry gives thanks that the price of a classic Thanksgiving dinner has dropped for the third consecutive year, according to a Farm Bureau survey.

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.

Together, we can help farms of all sizes succeed to ensure America’s ability to be food independent long into the future.

Zinpro Corporation, the world’s leading innovator and manufacturer of high-performance organic trace minerals and animal nutrition solutions, has launched the Zinpro Sow Excellence Index — the swine industry’s first data-driven benchmarking system.

Hoosiers are paying an average of $53.62 for Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people, or $5.36 per person — a marginal increase of 3 cents per person from last year.

College students and recent graduates are encouraged to attend CattleCon 2026 in Nashville to help them prepare for careers in the cattle industry.