A devastating parasite that burrows into the flesh of its hosts is inching dangerously close to the United States, the Texas Department of Agriculture warns. The New World screwworm has been found just 62 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border in Nuevo León.
Read MoreThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), and its nationwide network of state affiliates, concluded its 2026 Legislative Conference this week, bringing together cattle producers from across the country to advocate for policy solutions that strengthen America’s cattle industry and rural communities. Throughout the conference, producers met with federal officials and engaged directly with policymakers on Capitol Hill to ensure the voice of cattle producers is heard in Washington.
Read MoreMore than 130 head of cattle passed through the show ring April 10–11 at the Florida Parishes Arena in Amite during the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Youth Livestock Show. The annual event brings young exhibitors from across the state together to showcase their livestock while gaining insight into the agriculture industry.
Read MoreThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for four animal drugs aimed at preventing and treating New World screwworm, a parasitic threat that can cause severe and often fatal tissue damage in livestock and other animals.
Read MoreOn April 7, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) livestock brand inspectors arrested 21-year-old Kivon L. Hollins. Hollins was arrested on a warrant charging him with two counts of theft of livestock in Pointe Coupee Parish. His bond was set at $50,000. At the time of his booking in Pointe Coupee Parish, a hold was placed on Hollins for an additional warrant regarding further allegations of transactions of stolen livestock in St Landry Parish.
Read MoreTexas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning producers to be on high alert following confirmation of the northern-most New World screwworm detection in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, only 90 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Read MoreApril began on Wednesday of “Holy Week” leading up to Easter Sunday and the ending of Lent. Historically, April cattle futures are the highest for Spring as the grilling season kicks off on Memorial Day. This year so far nothing is normal. Here in Louisiana our row crop farmers usually start planting corn in March. This year, because of dry conditions corn planting was mostly done by March 1 and then in Mid-March we had 3 days of temperatures in the 20’s and many fields had to be replanted.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins says that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is actively considering a phased reopening of the southern border to Mexican feeder cattle, as the agency continues to monitor the spread of New World screwworm.
Read MoreMexican cattle exports fell off sharply in 2025, sending shockwaves through the North American beef supply chain and raising urgent questions about the long-term sustainability of U.S. cattle feeding operations.
Read MoreAn ag economist says cattle placed into feedlots were up 4 percent from last year. Charley Martinez is with the University of Tennessee. “Part of the reason why we see that and kind of going against the trend that we saw last year,” he says. “I think drought’s really putting some pressure on folks throughout the country that we just can’t hold on to some of these animals.”
Read MoreFrom barns to show rings, producers and students say that livestock events offer economic opportunity and life lessons. Let’s take a look at some shows across the southeast in Georgia, Virginia, and Louisiana, showcasing the hard work and talents of rural youth in 4-H and FFA.
Read MoreA historic labor strike at one of the country’s largest beef processing plants is sending early warning signs throughout the U.S. cattle and beef industry. Both producers and consumers may feel the impact.
Read MoreThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is aware of online rumors that allege a new or unknown animal disease is circulating in a feedlot in the Texas Panhandle. These claims are false. Animal health officials from USDA, state officials in Texas, along with leaders at Texas Cattle Feeders Association, have confirmed there is no such disease present.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today announced a construction contract with Mortenson Construction to build a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. This facility is a key component in Secretary Rollins’ sweeping 5-prong strategy (PDF, 1005 KB) to fight New World Screwworm (NWS), as it will expand USDA’s domestic response capacity, bolstering protection for U.S. livestock, wildlife, and public health.
Read MoreStudents with hands-on experience raising livestock, poultry, or equine will have an opportunity to earn financial support for college through the Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship starting March 18, a program established by Land O’Lakes, Inc. to support the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The scholarship program awards up to 10 students each year with $3,000 scholarships to help cover undergraduate education expenses at accredited two-year or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools in the United States.
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