herd – Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Watching for signs of expansion in the cattle herd

Monday, April 7

The cattle industry has been slow to expand, but growth in some parts of the country could be on the horizon. Tony Hancock, manager with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, says there hasn’t been talk of widespread heifer retention in his state. “But I’ve... Read More.

A good time to invest in herd genetics

Thursday, April 3

A Missouri seedstock producer says now is the time for operations to invest in genetics. Blake McDonald is a cow/calf producer from Sullivan, and raises Angus and SimAngus bulls. He says, “Everybody’s making a little money.” He tells Brownfield he’s seeing more operations make... Read More.

Economist says there are headwinds slowing expansion of the cattle herd

Friday, March 28

An ag economist says costs have contributed to the slow expansion of the cattle herd. Kansas State University’s Glynn Tonsor tells Brownfield, “Our costs of running a cow are going up.” “That’s been the case for several years,” he says. “That actually slows down... Read More.

H5N1 detected in central Minnesota dairy herd

Monday, March 24

The H5N1 virus has been detected on a 600-head dairy farm in central Minnesota. Michael Crusan with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health says it’s the first detection in livestock since last summer and was discovered during mandatory raw milk surveillance testing. “Low and... Read More.

A slow cattle herd rebuild

Thursday, February 27

A cattle producer in western Missouri says he’s been slowly rebuilding his cattle herd following several years of drought. Mark Smith tells Brownfield he sold about 25% of his herd in the last two years. “I personally save my own breeding stock and retain... Read More.

Traceability and innovation crucial to keeping the swine herd healthy

Thursday, February 20

The presence of African swine fever in the Caribbean brings the risk of the disease closer to the U.S. Burke Healey, USDA domestic ASF response lead, says traceability and innovation matter when it comes to keeping the swine herd healthy. “It helps to determine... Read More.

A slow approach to herd expansion

Wednesday, February 5

Could herd expansion be around the corner in the cattle industry? Oklahoma State University economist Derrell Peel says once herd expansion happens, he expects it to be a gradual increase. “We’re thinking about thinking about expanding,” he says. “We’re not really doing it yet,... Read More.

U.S. cattle herd smaller, could continue to contract

Friday, January 31

The USDA’s long-awaited Cattle Inventory report indicates further contraction of the U.S. herd is likely. At the start of 2025, the number of heifers weighing 500 pounds and heavier were 1% lower than at the start of 2024. That includes 1% year-to-year declines for... Read More.

Economist says heifer retention isn’t enough to grow the cattle herd

Tuesday, January 28

A livestock economist says the latest Cattle on Feed report shows no signs of widespread expansion in the cattle herd. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says the USDA estimates 38.7 percent of on-feed inventory is heifers. “It’s definitely not a number that... Read More.