Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

‘Correction’ In Farmland Values Called ‘Imminent’

The value of farmland has skyrocketed in recent times, with some studies indicating increases from 30 to 50 percent over the last three years. Driving values upward was a long-term low interest rate environment and a bull market in grains and oilseeds.

Methods For Cattlemen To Stay ‘Grounded’ When Profit Is Up

While drought and other economic challenges tightened the U.S. cattle herd in recent years, the constriction eventually created a significant upswing in profitability for many beef cattle producers. As 2023 ended, many cow-calf and feeder producers were experiencing record profits, with experts forecasting this upward cycle to continue for several years.

Cheese Processing Plant Coming To Dodge City

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc., last fall broke ground on the site of its future state-of-the-art cheese and whey protein processing plant in Dodge City, Kansas. The new facility is expected to create 250 new jobs and represents more than $600 million in capital investment.

Management Strategies For Young Cows

Young cows in the cow-calf operation are the genetic future of the herd and represent a large economic investment. Unfortunately, young cows leave the herd at a higher rate than other age categories.

Anaplasmosis, Noninfectious Cattle Disease, Increasing Problem

Veterinarians are concerned that anaplasmosis, a noninfectious disease in cattle, is reemerging throughout the U.S. The initial cause is the transmission of bacteria from ticks and horseflies, especially during heavy tick and fly seasons. Beef producers may control the disease with strategic pest control methods, good husbandry practices, and antibiotics.

An Essential Bond Between Honeybees And Forage Crops

It’s well known that pollinators, especially honeybees, play an important role in production agriculture for high-value fruits and vegetables. But what is less known is their equally important impact on many forage crops.

Crop Insurance Costs To Leap By 29 Percent

The federally subsidized crop insurance program will cost an additional $27.7 billion over the coming decade, said the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The government pays roughly 62 cents of each $1 in premiums, and sales of livestock and forage policies are exploding, officials said.

Cattlemen’s College Offers More Industry Insights

While numerous stories have circulated since the Cattle Industry Convention in Florida, there was also the Cattlemen’s College. With the nation’s cow herd at historic lows, drought fading away in some areas, and record high calf prices, many cow-calf producers are in expansion mode.