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Western Ag Reporter Podcast

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3:46

Comments by the Publisher 6.19.25

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/06/19

I received a very nice phone call last week from a long-time customer and friend in Nebraska complimenting me on my “Comments” from a couple of weeks ago. We visited for a good while, and then he brought up that maybe there needed to be a little more press about the fact that these high cattle prices are not just because of historic low cow numbers. There is a reason why beef demand is staying so strong, despite record beef prices at the retail level: it’s because beef is a lot better and mor...

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3:12

Dressler, Zuvich Win BIF's Baker/Cundiff Student Awards

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/06/18

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented the 2025 Baker/Cundiff Awards to Elizabeth Dressler and Miranda Zuvich on June 10 during its annual symposium in Amarillo, Texas. The annual Frank Baker/Larry Cundiff Beef Improvement Essay Contest for graduate students recognizes outstanding student research and writing in honor of Frank Baker and Larry Cundiff. Dressler, a doctoral candidate at Kansas State University, won with her essay, "Genetic Selection for Feed and Water Efficiency to Imp...

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11:28

Secretary Rollins Announces Bold Plan to Combat New...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/06/18

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins this morning launched an .5 million sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas and announced a sweeping five-pronged plan (PDF, 434 KB) to enhance USDA’s already robust ability to detect, control, and eliminate this pest. These urgent actions are necessary to finish the fight against NWS and protect the United States. NWS is a devastating pest that causes serious and often deadly damage to livestock, wildli...

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0:53

Farm Bureau Applauds Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/06/16

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard requirements for 2026 and 2027. “Farm Bureau applauds the Environmental Protection Agency and Administrator Lee Zeldin for recognizing the importance of biofuels for farmers and America’s families. EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standard for 2026 and 2027 would increase domestic biofuel production, prioritize home-grown crops, and enable producers to meet the demands of emerging internati...

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3:58

Ride Easy Pard - Memorial Day

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

Memorial Day was first celebrated as a national holiday on May 30, 1868. In 1971, Congress changed Memorial Day to the last Monday of May, making it fall on May 26 this year. It had been celebrated on May 30 since 1868. It was apparently first thought of by Mary Ann Williams, who came up with the idea of “strewing the graves of Civil War Soldiers, Union and Confederate,” with flowers. It was originally called Decoration Day. In my mind, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day was on ...

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3:22

John Goggins and Matt Wznick 2024/2025 Sale Season Recap

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

By Matt Wznick, Field Rep - MT The one thing that stood out to me the most over the past sale season was that price was quality driven. It felt like no matter what you were selling, the best brought more than what we had ever seen it sell for. The most obvious answer to this trend can be attributed to the weigh-up market. Ranchers are selling weigh-up cows and bulls for more money than they ever have, and it almost felt like they were saying “we need a bull (or these cattle), we...

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3:23

In the Swing of Things - Steel Guitar

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

Last night, we ventured up to Lockhart to watch our friend Dave’s steel guitar trio at a local club. Dave is one of the most accomplished, well-known steel guitar (and guitar) players in the country, and we have been lucky enough to have him play with us when he’s able. His main job is with the current Texas Playboys group, led by Jason Roberts. In his own group, Dave plays steel, and he also has a drummer and an upright bass player. I had a blast listening to Dave play a bunch of classic cou...

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3:36

Prairie Pondering - Pondering Crop-Life Balance

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

A colleague complained that he was forced to reschedule his golf game. The light, soaking rain mucked up his shoes. This friend works hard – he never quits at five, and he uses his weekends to catch up on professional commitments. Golfing provides a bit of work-life balance. I admire him for making time to get some exercise, breathe outdoor air, and think about something besides his demanding job. The stress relief will probably extend his life, and it is always a good thing to have a little ...

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6:14

Urgent Action Needed to Stop New World Screwworm

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

On May 11, 2025, United States Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, suspended the imports of live bison, cattle, and horses through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the rapid, northward expansion of the New World screwworm through Mexico. Today, livestock officials, veterinarians, and lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the spread of the New World screwworm and the economic impacts the pest could have if it reaches the U.S. Epidemiology and Spread. . . The New ...

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6:06

Targeted Grazing 101

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

“Because of targeted grazing, we’ve turned a threat – the negative perception of utilizing livestock to graze – into a positive for the {sheep} industry,” Erica Sanko, director of analytics and production programs with the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) said in a recent webinar outlining ASI’s newly published Targeted Grazing 101 Guidebook. “It is now a strength for the industry regardless of the project.” The term “targeted grazing” is used to describe the business practice of uti...

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5:43

Montana Distiller Participates in USDA Trade Mission

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

May 16 marked the conclusion of a four-day USDA trade mission to Hong Kong where 37 agriculturally-based businesses from all corners of the United States convened in hopes of expanding their reach internationally. According to USDA, Hong Kong was the 18th-largest market for U.S. ag goods in 2024, with a total of [post_excerpt].4 billion in products. “As a free port and a gateway to South China, Macau, and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong plays a crucial role in facilitating food and agricultural exp...

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3:44

Editor's Perspective - Contemplating Seasons of Life

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

A few weeks ago, I was pruning off some dead spots in the bushes in front of our house when I took a pause to look at the flowering trees in our yard. In between two, fragrant trees with beautiful flowers in full bloom is a taller tree that was still dormant at the time. No leaves and definitely no flowers. It frankly looked sad and ugly compared to the trees next to it. But as I stood there, pondering the stark contrast between the trees (no doubt procrastinating the task at hand), my perspe...

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2:40

Comments by the Publisher 5.29.25

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/29

I hope all of you enjoyed your Memorial Day Weekend, and that you all fired up your grills and cooked some nice, juicy beef! Memorial Day marks the official start of grilling season in most people’s minds. It goes without saying that every day is grilling season around my outfit, even when it is well below zero in the winter! In the week leading up to Memorial Day, I could tell all of the retailers here in my area knew it was the official start of grilling season as many outlets were advertis...

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2:21

R-CALF USA Calls for Swift Passage of Bill to Delist...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/28

R-CALF USA is urging Congress to swiftly pass the Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025, or PALPA (H.R. 845). The bill, introduced on Jan. 31 by U.S. Representatives Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., seeks to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List and return its management authority to individual states. R-CALF USA Property Rights Chair Shad Sullivan issued the following statement in support of the legislation: “R-CALF USA applauds the leadership of Reps. Boe...

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1:09

Jake Pickering 2024/2025 Sale Season Recap

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/28

The 2024/2025 bull sale run is all wrapped up, and a new bar has been set. Before the sales began, we all thought we would see an increase in prices, we just didn’t know how much. Advanced genetics and improved management practices are earning premiums from cattle buyers. The rising feeder cattle prices, higher returns on cull cows/bulls, and growing market optimism created an ideal window for ranchers to invest in genetic upgrades. Below you will see the increase in average bull cost for the...

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1:31

Kelcy Bergstrom Joins the MSGA Team as Summer Intern

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/28

The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has selected Kelcy Bergstrom as MSGA’s 2025 summer intern. Bergstrom previously served in the general production role for MSGA’s Annual Convention Internship Program in December 2024. From May to August, Bergstrom will work with the marketing and communications team on various association programs and campaigns. Originally from McPherson, Kansas, Bergstrom is a junior enrolled at Kansas State University and is working toward a bachelor's degree in a...

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2:41

Apply by June 9 for Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/28

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The overall winner of the competition will receive 0,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded ,000 and two additio...

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2:04

MSF Awards $10,000 Through Annual Education Heritage...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/27

The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Education Heritage Scholarship. This year, MSF awarded a total of ,000 in scholarships to three Montana students. Tyeson Gravenhof was awarded a ,000 scholarship and Taryn Martinell and Andy Moore both received ,500 scholarships. Each year, MSF awards scholarships to college students who are seeking a career beneficial to ranching. To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must meet a...

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2:49

Farm to School Equipment Grant Recipients Announced

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/27

Farm to School equipment grants have been awarded to 13 recipients to purchase equipment that will further their participation in the Farm to School program, which allows schools to purchase food from local producers for their school lunch menus. To be eligible, applicants had to be a North Dakota producer, a North Dakota K-12 school district participating in the National School Lunch Program, or a North Dakota Early Childhood Education Center participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Pr...

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1:22

Montana Stockgrowers Foundation Invites Golfers to...

Western Ag Reporter Podcast ·

2025/05/27

The Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF) is excited to launch registration for its 15th Annual TBone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament. The event is set to take place at the Briarwood Golf Course in Billings, Mont., August 13 - 14, 2025. The TBone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament provides an opportunity to foster new partnerships between Montana’s ranching community and other businesses/industries essential to Montana’s economy. "The TBone Classic is always an exciting ev...

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