Saying things that need to be said.
Luxury Beef
Consignors to this summer’s big video sales haven’t stopped smiling for a month. And it’s easy to see why. At Western Video Market’s sale in Reno, a consignment of 440 pound weaned steers brought $500.00 per hundredweight. For the mathematically challenged that’s $2,200 apiece!
“It’s no wonder cattle were so high with stocker operators making $500 per calf this last turn and cattle feeders doing the same.”
I’m very happy for all of you who finally got paid for what
A load lot of 420 pound weaned heifers brought 452.50 and that’s over $1,900! No wonder ranchers aren’t holding back heifers when they bring that kind of money.
The results of Northern Video’s Summertime Classic were equally stunning. I saw 230 weaned steers weighing 430 that brought $519 cwt. or 2,231.70! All the light steer cattle I saw sold well into the high four hundred per cwt. mark and most of them sold closer to $500 cwt than $400. And it wasn’t just the lightweight cattle that brought the chips. 372 weaned steers weighing 625 sold at $400. per hundredweight for a ticket of $2,500!
One knowledgeable industry observer told a friend of mine,
Don’t dig for water under the outhouse.
for the week ending Saturday, July 26, 2025, (at the time this story was being written) was estimated at 970.4 million pounds according to the USDA’s Marketing Service. This was 1.5 percent lower than the previous week and 5.6 percent lower than a year ago.
The number of cattle in the United States on January 1, 2025 was 86.7 million compared to 115 million 30 years ago.
you deserve. Congratulations!
So why do I have this nagging feeling that all this euphoria may not end well for the cattle business in the long run?
Get The Picture?
Here are a few of my concerns going forward:
■ Total red meat production under Federal inspection
■ During the third week of July 2025, beef cattle slaughter amounted to 549,000 head. In recent years there was hardly a regular week (without a holiday) where we didn’t kill at least 600,000 and usually it was more like 650,000!
■ According to a report in
Taking Stock For Disasters: Developing a Large Animal Preparedness Plan
When a disaster is on the horizon, timely evacuation can become that much more challenging for owners whose horses and livestock can’t simply squeeze into the back seat. These animals often depend entirely on their owners to shield them from the elements within their pasture, so having a proper plan in place is vital for their safety.
Dr. Kyle Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, offers insight into disaster risks and preparedness methods for large animal owners.
The Threat Of Wind, Water, And Wildfires
Natural disasters that can impact horses and livestock include seasonal concerns like extreme summer heat and winter ice as well as sudden events like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.
Any storm with strong winds brings the threat of flying debris.
“When airborne, this debris can cause traumatic injuries — such as lacerations and puncture wounds — to horses and livestock,” Johnson said. “These high winds can also cause barns, shelters, and other structures to collapse.”
Flooding brought on by a storm’s heavy rain is another major threat for large animals exposed to the elements.
Axios, “Beef prices keep going up, and there’s no end in sight. Beef prices are at record highs, and industry experts tell Axios they could stay that way into 2026.”
■ In a chart tracking the average price per pound of 100 percent ground beef from June 2019 to June 2025, prices rose from $3.95 in December 2020 to $6.12 in June 2025! That $6.12 per pound in June was up 12 percent from a year ago, according to USDA data. It’s the first time that ground beef has been above $6 since CPI data collection began in the 1980’s.
■ Consider these current average prices per pound for various cuts of beef: Ground Beef... $5.00 –$7.00; Ribeye Steak... $12.00 – $15.00; Filet Mignon... $20; Chuck
continued on page 2
USDA Opens Comment Period on Department ReOrganization Plan
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the opening of a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan, as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum (PDF, 2.6 MB) issued on July 24, 2025.
“As committed, we are continuing to hear stakeholder feedback on the USDA Reorganization. All stakeholders – including Capitol Hill offices, USDA employees, and members of the agricultural community – are encouraged to share their input during the open comment period. We value your perspective as we work to ensure that USDA is best positioned to serve America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The reorganization proposal reflects President Trump’s commitment to relocate federal agencies beyond the national capital region, reduce bureaucracy, and strengthen USDA’s presence in key agricultural regions across the country. As part of the plan, USDA will consolidate operations, close the South Building, and relocate approximately 2,600 Washington-based positions to five regional hubs: Raleigh, NC; Kansas City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Collins, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT.
USDA is conducting the reorganization under its authority established in the Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5 U.S.C. app.; 7
Riding Herd
by
E-Cows
It’s looking more and more like ranchers are going to have electronic ear tags shoved down their throats whether they like it or not. In the future, you’ll be required to use EID tags so your cattle can be scanned like a can of peaches in the grocery store. Here are ten events I see happening to ranchers someday as a result. Just remember, you read it here first.
#10- The IRS will have a huge air force of drones for the sole purpose of flying over ranches to take an inventory so they’ll know exactly how many animals you have so that at the end of the year you’ll get an all-new inventory tax bill. Whatever happened to the unwritten rule that it’s impolite to ask a rancher how many cows he or she owns?
#9- Not only will the feds have drones to count cows, ranchers will have their own drones to take a daily inventory. Then your neighbor will send you a feed bill for having five cows on his place for 27 days. If you thought the Hatfield and McCoy’s feud was bad just wait until ranchers start spying on their neighbors.
#8- The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management will also have a drone air force too. One day after your due date for getting all your cows removed from your allotment they will do a flyover to make sure you got off on time. But because the EID tag is still in the ear of a dead cow that was either killed by wolves or shot by a short-sighted hunter, the feds will assess you a huge fine, take your allotment away and throw you in jail for not removing ALL your cows in a timely manner.
#7- The USDA will say that their new rules will apply only to those cattle involved in interstate commerce. But is a rancher in California going to commit economic suicide because most of the California stockers are sold to feeders in Nebraska, Colorado, etc. and by not using EID tags he’s going to eliminate them from bidding on his cattle?
#6- Auction markets are disappearing faster than a dozen donuts at a police station due to the U.S. beef cattle herd being the smallest it’s been in 64 years. This is really hurting some of the smaller auction yards. When
LEE PITTS
Volume 67 • No. 8
LEE PITTS
Roast... $6.00 – $8.00. These prices reflect the average costs across various retail outlets and regions, providing a snapshot of
what consumers can expect to pay (National Beef Wire).
■ Steak prices jumped eight percent year-over-year, per the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) according to
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
lit Yes. Please subscribe me to the Livestock Market Digest for: □ 1 Year at $35 □ 2 Years at $45
■ These prices “are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Patrick Montgomery, CEO and cofounder of Missouri-based KC Cattle Company. He told Axios, “What we are experiencing as a country is a trifecta resulting in the perfect storm for record high beef prices. Prices for beef will continue to be tumultuous for the next two to four years.”
■ The average American is expected to consume 59.1 pounds of beef in 2025 — compared with 102.5 pounds of chicken and 50.3 pounds of pork. When the beef checkoff was inaugurated in 1988 per capita beef consumption was 72.5 pounds. In 2016, per capita consumption was 56.5 pounds, a decline of 22 percent.
■ Another reason for the reduced beef supply is that twice now the U.S. has rightly suspended live cattle imports from Mexico because of the New World Screwworm. Fewer Mexican cattle has put more upward price pressure on American stockers.
■ Despite Trump’s tariffs, imported beef continues to come in from Australia, Brazil and some from New Zealand. But one wonders what will happen when a new 50 percent U.S. tariff on Brazilian imports starts as Brazil accounts for around 23 percent of all U.S. beef imports. Reuters has reported that currently Brazilian meatpackers are reconsidering future beef shipments to the U.S. because of the tariff.
■ You can blame some of the increased price for beef simply on inflation
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which reduces the purchasing power of consumers and increases the cost of goods and services, including beef.
■ The cost of labor in the meatpacking industry hasn’t helped either. Higher wages and benefits for workers has led to higher operational costs for packers who just pass these increases on to consumers.
■ Finally, there’s little indication that the U.S. beef cattle herd will begin rebuilding anytime soon. Not when heifer calves are fetching such high prices. Persistent drought, public lands ranchers receiving fewer days on their allotments, and cattle ranches being sold strictly for hunting or recreational purposes have also reduced the supply of cattle.
Following The Sheep
There are many reasons given by pundits as to why the American beef herd is the lowest it’s been in nearly 65 years but they all dance around the real reason. Courtney Schmidt, sector manager at Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute says, “We’re dealing with lower supplies of beef, and that’s what’s really driving up our prices of beef right now. It is taking a long time for herds to recover from the 2021-2022 drought.”
Economists say that the drought, inflation, labor shortages and market instability have led to a long-term inventory decline. They contend it’s simply a matter of economics, when the price of beef increases, the consumers will purchase fewer quantities of beef. This will lead to contraction of demand for beef.
That’s probably an accurate assessment but it’s also true that if you have dramatically fewer cattlemen you’ll probably see a lot less beef being produced. According to Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA who recently testified before Congress on the matter, says “The new cattle and calves census shows America lost nearly 107,000 beef cattle farms and ranches during the past five years, representing a loss rate of over 21,000 cattle producers per year. It also shows the U.S. beef cow herd has declined another 2.5 million cows, representing an eight percent reduction in the beef cow herd since 2017, and resulting in the smallest beef cow herd in decades.
“We seem to be following down the path of the sheep industry,” says Bullard, “The new sheep and lambs census reveals that nearly 500 full-time sheep producers (those with a herd size of at least 100 head) have exited the industry since 2017, and the U.S. sheep inventory, at only 5.1 million head in 2022, likewise represents the smallest U.S. sheep herd in decades.”
Bullard said the U.S. lost nearly 558,000 beef cattle operations from 1980 to 2017, representing a loss rate of over 15,000 producers per year. And now it’s lost nearly 665,000 through 2022.
“That means we’ve now lost well over half of all U.S. beef cattle farms and ranches in just over a generation and more than five of every ten beef cattle farmers and ranchers in business in 1980 are gone today,”
continued Bullard.
He said the situation in the sheep industry is even worse. “We’ve now lost more than six of every 10 full-time sheep producers who were in business just over a generation ago.”
Bullard said these long-term losses pose a grave danger to U.S. food security. “We are fast centralizing our production supply chains for beef and lamb, making them much more vulnerable to disease, climate and geopolitical events.”
Bullard told Congress, “The alarming contraction of our cattle and sheep industries are a serious threat to our nation’s food security.”
The Disappearance of Beef
There are other factors affecting U.S. beef consumption according to researchers Christopher G. Davis and Biing-Hwan Lin. They say, “For many years, beef reigned as Americans’ number one source of protein. Beef consumption continues to be strong, and beef is the most preferred of the red meats. In 2004, retail beef represented 56 percent of all red meats (beef, pork, lamb, and veal) consumed in the United States. Although beef is not eaten by some global citizens because of their belief that cattle are sacred animals and is relatively more expensive than pork or chicken, beef still ranks third in per capita consumption of all meats in the world (excluding fish). Beef accounts for more than 20 percent of consumers’ meat protein intake worldwide.”
According to Davis and Lin, most beef is eaten at home. In the past, annual beef consumption per person was highest in the Midwest (73 pounds), followed by the South and West (65 pounds each), and the Northeast (63 pounds). Rural consumers ate more beef (75 pounds) than did urban and suburban consumers (66 and 63 pounds). But the times they are a changing.
“For example, changes in the U.S. racial/ethnic landscape in the United States and the ‘graying’ of Americans will probably reduce per capita beef demand,” said Lin.
According to some older data, “Beef consumption also varies by race and ethnicity. Blacks ate 77 pounds of beef per person per year, followed by 69 pounds by Hispanics, 65 pounds by Whites, and 62 pounds by other races.” Interestingly, low-income consumers tend to eat more beef than consumers in other income households.”
“Beef is a primary protein source for Americans, but changes in consumer demand for all kinds of meats have influenced the market. Although beef production represents the category with the largest U.S. farm cash receipts, retail per capita disappearance (retail weight equivalent) has fluctuated.
“Average beef disappearance per capita in 1960 slightly exceeded 66 pounds and peaked in 1975 after increasing by almost 5 percent between 1970 and 1975. Beef disappearance fell from 89 pounds per person in 1975 to 76 pounds in 1980, its largest plunge during 1960-2004.
“Between 1980 and 1985, per capita disappearance rose again but then fell by 16 percent
“When that number is converted to boneless weight equivalent, it indicates that Americans ate about three ounces of beef per day. In short, reduced beef production and continued strength in demand are expected to be the major factors underlying U.S. beef markets in 2025. Prices across the beef complex are expected to average into new highs as many seasonal supply and demand factors also remain at play.”
Out Of Reach
If you want to see what happens when high prices put beef out of reach of the common consumer we need to look no further than our neighbor to the north. According to the e-paper Vauxhall Advance, “This year, the meat aisle has become a case study in supply-side economics and market dysfunction, leaving consumers to wonder how this all came to be.
“Since January, according to Statistics Canada, beef prices have surged dramatically. Striploin is up 34.2 per cent, top sirloin 33.7 per cent, and rib cuts nearly 12 per cent. What’s particularly concerning is that it’s not just one cut of beef—virtually every option has seen a dramatic jump, putting pressure on Canadian consumers who were already grappling with rising food costs.”
“The cause behind these increases lies in Canada’s shrinking beef cow inventory, now at just 3.38 million head—the lowest since 1989. This represents a 1.2 percent drop from last year, but it signals much more than a cyclical decline. Many cattle producers, facing an increasingly volatile market, are choosing to exit the industry while prices are favorable. Others are opting to reinvest in less risky sectors or even shift entirely to crop production, leaving the beef industry in a precarious state. In short, Canada’s beef industry is retreating, and with that retreat comes rising prices, fewer available cattle, and growing uncertainty.”
If you think prices for beef in the U.S. are high consider that while, “U.S. boneless sirloin steak rose 5.7 per cent, compared to a staggering 22 per cent in Canada. Ground beef saw a 10.8 per cent increase in the U.S., but 23 per cent in Canada. The price difference between the two countries is stark, and Canadians are feeling the inflationary pressure much more acutely,” according to Vauxhall Advance.
“There are several factors contributing to the price hikes: Canada’s vast geography, high transportation costs, a limited number of federally licensed beef processors, CARBON PRICING (emphasis ours), and higher labor costs. Carbon pricing, in particular, has added a burden to sectors like beef production, where transportation costs are high. Regulations and logistical inefficiencies add to the costs, driving up prices for retailers and, ultimately, consumers.
“This combination of factors is having a compounding ef-
fect on the price of beef, making it increasingly out of reach for many. For many Canadians, beef is no longer a staple food but rather an occasional indulgence, reserved for special occasions or holiday meals. For many Canadian families, a summer steak on the grill is becoming more of a splurge than a staple.”
HERD continued from page 1
USDA continued from page 1 between 1985 and 1990. Fluctuations are usually associated with beef price changes and/or beef availability. The data show that per capita disappearance was approximately 67 pounds of beef per year during 1994-98.
they are told how much it will cost to install EID readers on their scale and to update computer programs to tie that information in with the price paid, many of the auction owners will just quit.
And therein lies the problem. While consumers will, no doubt, continue to enjoy beef, the frequency and volume of consumption will likely diminish. This isn’t merely a shift in dietary preferences—this is a structural change in consumer behavior. Sadly, beef is increasingly becoming a luxury item for far too many. ▫
#5- EID readers and computer programs will make the USDA’s job much easier. At the touch of a keystroke they will know how many cattle and what prices were paid. This will allow packers to know immediately which auction markets to send their buyers to in order buy their cattle at the cheapest price.
#4- One day you’ll sell a slaughter cow that will be ground up in a big batch of ground beef that could potentially have meat in it from a couple dozen countries. When it’s found that a specific batch of hamburger has e coli in it and because they’ll know your cow contributed to that particular batch, the USDA will send officials out to your place to depopulate your entire herd, including those two new $10,000 bulls you just bought. D9 bulldozers will then show up to dig a big trench and bury all your beauti-
ful cows. The packers will love it because they can assign all the blame to you and you’ll get sued and lose your ranch despite the fact that the dirty cow meat actually came from Australia.
#3- Using the IRS inventory, you will receive a BIG BILL from the EPA based on how many head you own multiplied by their supposed greenhouse gas production.
#2- Good help will be as rare as a cowboy with a 401K. That’s because a cattleman will someday be able to check the temperature of all his cows, or all his cattle in a feedlot, with a drone and a special EID reader. Cowboys will be replaced by drone pilots and virtual fences.
#1- You inventory tax bill may be inflated by one head thanks to the Longhorn head hanging over your fireplace with an EID tag still in its ear. ▫
U.S.C. 2201 note) and The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354). The secretarial memorandum delegates authority to the Deputy Secretary and underscores USDA’s focus on efficiency, geographic diversity, and long-term sustainability.
How to Submit Comments
All stakeholders, including USDA employees, members of Congress, and agricultural and nutrition partners, are encouraged to provide feedback by emailing reorganization@ usda.gov. The comment period is open through August 26, 2025. ▫
Patronize
“If an animal is forced to stand in floodwaters because it is confined to a stall or a flooded pasture, it can suffer from a variety of injuries, including severe dermatitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal or neurological disease — collectively known as submersion injury,” Johnson said. “Floodwater can also be heavily contaminated with a variety of substances, such as petroleum products, agricultural and industrial chemicals, pesticides and bacterial organisms like E. coli.”
Completing nature’s triple threat against horses and livestock is the potential harm brought by wildfires.
“When these animals inhale the smoke from wildfires, it can cause irritation of their eyes and lungs,” Johnson said. “Animals may cough, have increased respiratory rates and nasal discharge. Fires can also destroy or contaminate any available forage for grazing animals. In these cases, animals will either need to be moved or high-quality forage will need to be delivered to them.
“At times like these, proper animal identification is critical, as it makes returning these animals to their owners and pastures much easier after flood waters have receded and fires have been extinguished,” Johnson said.
Methods of large animal identification include:
■ Microchipping
■ Ear tags
■ Plastic neck bands ■ Branding ■ Tattoos
Thinking Ahead
Simply deciding to evacuate your horses or livestock isn’t enough. Having a safe place to go is also a vital part of your plan. Furthermore, knowing how to get there and having alternate routes can also be critical to an effective evacuation.
“A vital first step in any evacuation is the ability to quickly and safely load your horses into a horse trailer,” Johnson said. “Practice makes perfect so practicing loading your horse can be helpful so when you must leave. It’s also important to ensure that the trailer is regularly maintained.”
A plan is merely an idea unless it is written down. Copies should be made and stored both on-farm and in alternate, but known and accessible, locations. It should also be rehearsed, even if only briefly, and everyone should have a thorough understanding of the plan and know their role.
Emergency Kit Preparation
Companion animal owners are encouraged to plan ahead in the event that an evacuation might be needed by creating an emergency “go kit” of necessities for their pets; having the same kind of kit in the event that you need to evacuate large animals will make that process easier as well.
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An emergency kit for large animals should contain enough supplies to last at least 72 hours, and possibly up to two weeks.
“Water is arguably the most important part of an emergency kit,” Johnson said. “An adult horse needs roughly six to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. As such, a kit should include at least three days’ worth of water per horse, with enough feed to last one to two weeks.”
Additional emergency kit materials include:
■ Registry paperwork
■ Copies of medical records
■ First-aid supplies
■ Identifying photographs
■ Feed and water buckets
■ Extra halters and lead ropes
■ Cleaning supplies
■ Medications
Pre- And Post-Disaster
Resources
Before a disaster strikes, an owner’s best preparation resource is their regular veterinarian, who can provide copies of important documents and ensure that horses are properly vaccinated and in good health.
“It is important for horse owners to know their neighbors or, if the horse is kept in a boarding barn, the barn manager and other boarders at the facility,” Johnson said. “These relationships can promote mutual aid when disaster strikes.”
There are also a variety of resources available for members of the public to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about disasters that may impact their area, including automated emergency alert systems in the form of texts, emails or apps.
Knowing how weather may affect your property and having a plan in place are the best ways to protect your horses and your herds and to stay ahead of the chaos.
“As Dr. Deb Zoran, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, says, ‘hope is not a plan.’ Owners should plan for disaster, discuss their plan with others, prepare their emergency kits, and be ready to act,” Johnson said. “With disasters becoming more frequent and catastrophic, it’s not a matter of if, but when.”
Alltech Awards Young Leaders in Agricultural Communications
During the 2025 Ag Media Summit (AMS), which was held in July in Rogers, Arkansas, four students currently studying agricultural communications were honored for their excellence, professionalism and leadership. The Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Student Award Program, sponsored by Alltech, provides travel scholarships for four students to attend AMS.
“Alltech is proud to support the next generation of agricultural communicators as the ambassadors and voice of our industry,” said Jenn Norrie, Alltech’s communications manager for North America and Europe. “These young leaders are playing an instrumental role in sharing stories of farmers and ranchers and are helping to educate the urban population on where and by whom their food is produced.”
The finalists for this year’s Forrest Bassford Student Award, presented by the LPC, included:
1. Kyra Holt, Texas Tech University
2. Jenna Whitaker, University of Idaho
3. Rianna Chaney, Oklahoma State University
4. Jenna Fiscus, Kansas State University
Following a competitive application and interview process, the award was presented to Jenna Whitaker, a junior studying agricultural science, communication and leadership at the University of Idaho. Her dedication to the livestock industry, exemplary academic performance and outstanding communication skills set her apart from the pool of candidates.
Whitaker said, “I am grateful to the LPC for honoring me with this award and helping fund my education. The agricultural industry is responsible for providing safe, high-quality food to the world. Through my career, I hope to tell the stories of those making that happen.”
Among her many other accomplishments, Whitaker interned this summer with Angus Media as a member of their publications team. Through this experience, she shared the stories of agriculturalists who work every day to ensure American food sources are safe and sustainable.
“Words are not small things. Quite the opposite, actually. Words have the incredible ability to change lives in an instant. As an avid communicator, reader and storyteller, I recognize the value of the words I choose. As an agriculturalist, I find it disheartening how often the agricultural industry has their words chosen for them,” said Whitaker in her application essay. “The agricultural industry suffers from a misinformation crisis. Inaccurate information from loud voices leads to false narratives and consumer distrust. I want to use my voice to change that perspective.” ▫
Sad News
Mattie Marguerite Vensel, 75, Safford, Arizona passed away in Tucson on July 2, following a short illness. Marguerite was born to Bill and Cordy Cowan in Douglas, Arizona on February 8, 1950. She grew up between the Cowan Ranch near McNeal and Cordy’s family ranch near Animas, New Mexico. She first attended the then small McNeal Elementary School and then went to Douglas High School where she graduated. Marguerite grew up with the family showing horses and rodeoing. She was an avid and a darn good roper. Over the years she worked with and managed cattle on the ranches, including the first Brahman cattle brought to the Southwest. She was a great cowboy and often day-worked or helped the neighbors with their cattle work.
She had a knack for caring for people, including her parents, and then many other aging folks who needed care. In 2009 Marguerite moved to Albuquerque where she went to work as office manager for the New Mexico Stockman magazine and the Livestock Market Digest. In 2020 she moved to Safford to be closer to family.
Marguerite is survived by her daughter Dess and son Bill, along with four grandchildren, Alexys, Garrett, Madelyn and Deven Vensel. She is also survived by sisters Ruth Evelyn Cowan and Flossie Holly, niece Trisha Steiner and nephew Michael Wright.
Per her wishes she has been cremated. The family is planning a celebration of life in Animas in the Fall. ▫
Restoring Revenue, Resilience, and Respect for Timber Communities
BY NICK SMITH / HEALTHY FORESTS HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Across the West, counties surrounded by federally managed forests have long supported responsible timber harvests, not just to power rural economies, but to fund essential public services like schools, roads, and law enforcement.
For generations, these communities received a share of federal timber revenues as compensation for the fact that they cannot collect property taxes on federal lands. But over time, timber harvests have declined sharply, and so have the revenues that counties rely on.
To fill the gap, Congress created the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which for more than two decades provided temporary relief for timber counties. But SRS is not a permanent solution. It must be reauthorized by Congress every few years. In 2023, Congress failed to do so.
As a result, counties reverted to receiving only the timber revenue payments they are guaranteed under federal law: 25 percent of the seven-year average of receipts from federal timber sales in their area. These payments are now a fraction of what they once were, leaving counties in a funding crisis.
It’s a reminder that timber counties cannot rely on stopgap measures alone. They need meaningful, long-term solutions. That starts with restoring active forest management to federal lands.
Increasing responsible timber harvests would not only provide a more stable funding source for rural counties and schools but would also reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support thousands of family-wage jobs in timber communities. Restoring the health of our forests means putting people to work and putting rural governments on stronger financial footing.
Yet recent policy decisions risk making this situation even worse. The Reconciliation Bill recently passed by Congress includes language requiring the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to establish long-term timber contracts, at least 40 contracts of 20 years or more.
While long-term contracts can help build certainty for industry, the bill includes a provision mandating that all timber revenues from these contracts be diverted to the U.S. Treasury, instead of being shared with counties as federal law has required for more than a century.
That’s a serious concern for counties that have already lost too much. These communities deserve a fair share of the value generated from the forests they steward and depend on. It is a mistake to break the historic link between timber receipts and county budgets, a link that has funded classrooms, maintained roads, and kept sheriff’s deputies on patrol.
Timber communities are proud of their forests. They don’t want handouts, they want partnerships. They want to actively manage forests to create healthier landscapes, protect against wildfire, and build a more sustainable future. But to do that, we must return to policies that reward stewardship and respect the people who call these places home.
It’s time to reinvest in rural America by restoring active forest management and restoring the promise that counties will share in the benefits of the land that surrounds them. ▫
Minnie Lou Bradley
Minnie Lou Bradley, Childress, Texas, passed away after a short illness on August 5, 2025. Services are planned for Monday, August 18, at 2:00 P.M at Mashburn Event Center in Childress, Texas.
She was born December 15, 1931 in Hinton, Oklahoma to Ralph Thomas Ottinger and Zulema Young Ottinger.
Minnie Lou attended Elementary School in Hinton and graduated from High School in Hydro in 1949. Minnie Lou then enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College where she was the first female in the Animal Husbandry program. While a student, she was the first female to be a member of the Livestock Judging Team and was High Individual at the International Livestock Judging Contest during the 1952 International Fat Stock Show in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated in 1953 with a degree in Animal Husbandry and a Minor in Agriculture Journalism.
She began her career with a position at the Texas Angus Association until she married Billy Jack (Bill) Bradley March 5, 1955. They moved immediately to the recently purchased ranch in Childress County that became known as Bradley 3 Ranch in 1955.
Minnie Lou became an icon in the cattle business. She was the first female elected to the American Angus Association Board of Directors in 1998 and is still the only female to have served as their President and Chairman of the Board in 2005.
She was inducted as a
member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery in 2014. In 2018 she was recognized by Garden & Gun Magazine and did a segment on Texas Country Reporter. In 2019 she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University. In 2022 was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the entire University.
Minnie Lou was active in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, serving as Vice Chairman of several committees. She was a supporter of Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA), a program to aid cattle producers.
She was a sought after speaker at countless local, regional and national meetings on cattle production. There is not enough time to cover the vast list of Minnie Lou’s achievements. There was never a job or challenge she wasn’t ready to take on.
Beyond her many agricultural and livestock successes, Minnie Lou was a dedicated supporter of young people in Childress County and beyond and was equally active in her community. Over the years she has served on various boards and committees from local 4-H, school board, Ag Day at school, to even being Parade chairman and all things Agriculture related she was involved.
Minnie Lou was passionate about education and devoted lots of time and resources to local youth, not only through elementary and high school, she wanted to be sure they had skills for life. One of her projects (Krockpots for Kids) provid-
ed crockpots for youngsters to take home for nourishing meals on evenings and weekends in addition to learning food preparation and safety.
Minnie Lou’s reputation was known throughout agricultural and livestock circles. She was a mentor to countless young women in the agricultural community. There was never a challenge she wasn’t ready to take on.
She was preceded in death by her son Monte Jack Bradley; her parents, Ralph and Zulema Ottinger; her sister Helen Brown, and Helen’s two daughters, Suanne and Kaylinn.
She is survived by Bill Bradley, her daughter Mary Lou Bradley Henderson, husband, James; grandson Raymond Jack Bradley; granddaughter Mandy Ann Popejoy; brother Ted Ottinger; sister Linda Pike; five great-grandchildren, a niece and three nephews, along with countless friends across the nation.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory can be made through the Oklahoma State University Foundation for the Minnie Lou Ottinger Bradley Endowed Scholarship Fund (Fund 21-60600). Please make checks payable to the Oklahoma State University Foundation and mail to OSU Foundation, PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749. To make a gift online, go to secure.osugiving.com/s/giving/ annual?dsgt=21-60600 Or donations may be made in Minnie Lou’s memory to the American Angus Foundation, 3201 Frederick Avenue, St Joseph MO 64506. AngusFoundation.org Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home 307 Ave. C NW Childress TX August 17, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. Celebration of Life to be held at Mashburn Event Center 1100 7th Street NW, Childress, TX at 2:00pm on August 18, 2025. ▫
USDA to Gather Conservation Data to Assess Trends, Improve Programs & Services
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is reaching out to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to gather in-depth information about the conservation practices they use.
Nearly 23,000 operators nationwide will receive the 2025 Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey. Data obtained will support the third set of national and regional cropland assessments delivered by USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), a multi-agency effort led by NRCS to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation’s working lands.
“Responding to the survey gives farmers the opportunity to provide the most accurate picture of conservation practices on their cropland,” said NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons. “Information from CEAP – which is made stronger by robust survey response – will help inform programs that benefit producers by protecting the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend.”
Local NASS representa-
tives will visit farmers and agricultural landowners in August and September of 2025 to determine if their operations and properties meet the criteria to be considered eligible candidates for the survey.
Eligible farmers and landowners may be contacted between November 2025 and March 2026 and asked to participate in the survey. Typical questions will discuss farm production practices; chemical, fertilizer, and manure applications; tillage; irrigation use; and installed conservation practices.
NASS will provide survey data to NRCS, the agency tasked with publishing findings.
CEAP Cropland Assessments quantify the environmental outcomes associated with implementation and installation of conservation practices on agricultural lands. Findings are used to guide conservation program development and support agricultural producers and partners in making informed management decisions backed by data and science.
Specifically, CEAP results may help:
■ Evaluate the resources farmers may need in the future to protect soil, water, and habitat.
■ Shed light on techniques
farmers use to conserve healthy environments.
■ Improve and strengthen technical and financial programs that help landowners plan and install conservation practices on agricultural land.
■ Support the conservation programs that can help producers’ profits while also protecting natural resources.
The CEAP survey is conducted through a cooperative agreement between NRCS and NASS. NRCS will couple survey results with modeling to report on trends in cropland conservation – and associated outcomes – from 2024 through 2026.
Information provided to NASS and analyzed by NRCS is kept confidential, as required by federal law. The agencies only publish data in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.
The data from this survey will be published as a report on the CEAP Cropland Assessments webpage at nrcs.usda.gov/ceap/ croplands. If you have questions about the survey, please contact us at 888-4247828. ▫
Cochise County Taps Draganfly Drones in New Border Security Push
The Cochise County Arizona Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the launch of a cutting-edge drone pilot program and has selected Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) to support enhanced surveillance and operations along the Southern Border. This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” aimed at reasserting America’s leadership in unmanned aerial systems for security and defense.
As one of the most forward-thinking law enforcement agencies in the country, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office has earned national recognition for its innovative use of technology to address complex border challenges. The organization has previously deployed high-resolution camera networks, sensor-integrated mobile units, and ground surveillance radar systems. These efforts have drawn direct praise and high-profile visits from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both of whom have publicly highlighted the Sheriff’s Office leadership in border enforcement and technological integration.
“The Southern Border is one of America’s most critical national security frontiers,” said Captain Tim Williams. “Our organization has always been committed to leveraging the best tools available. With Draganfly as our drone partner, we’re entering the next phase of smart border enforcement. Their North American and U.S.-built systems will enhance our ability to protect communities, manage humanitarian concerns, and respond rapidly to evolving threats.”
Under this new pilot program, the department will deploy the Draganfly Family of Drones, which includes long-endurance fixed-wing UAVs for extended border surveillance, AI-enhanced quadcopters for quick-response missions, and thermal imaging drones to assist in search-and-rescue and nighttime operations. Draganfly’s drones are known for their rugged reliability and secure data architecture — key attributes for mission-critical operations in harsh and remote terrain.
“We are honored to be working with Cochise County Sheriff’s Office for this historic program,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “Their team represents some of the best of American law enforcement; innovation-focused, community-minded, and mission-ready. This project embodies the spirit of President Trump’s executive order and sets a gold standard for how drone technology should be used to secure national borders.”
This initiative not only reinforces the Sheriff’s Office legacy of operational excellence but also positions Cochise County as a national model for technology-enabled border enforcement.
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University Holds Rafter 7 Ram & Ewe Sale
Over 200 Rafter 7 Merino sheep, internationally known for the quality of their wool, and developed and raised by the University of Nevada, Reno, will be sold as part of an annual event that attracts livestock producers from around the country.
The Rafter 7 Merino Ram and Ewe Sale begins at 1 p.m., September 13, at the Eureka County Fairgrounds in Eureka, Nevada, off of U.S. Highway 50, about 250 miles east of Reno. Animals will be available for inspection beginning at 8 a.m., and there will be a welcome luncheon featuring lamb at noon. At 1 p.m., the Rafter 7 line of Merino X Rambouillet and purebred Merino rams will be sold. Immediately after the ram sale, a select group of 30 of the purebred Rafter 7 Merino ewes will be auctioned. Those who can’t make the
sale and auction in person this year will be able to participate virtually.
Eureka veterinarian Dr. Darla Baumann will be in attendance to provide health certificates if needed. Catalogs with the latest information on the animals for sale will be mailed and available online in late August. The information in the catalog will provide pertinent data to aid in selection choice for conception, mothering, weaning weights and wool.
The Rafter 7 sheep are grown under range conditions in the high‐desert mountain ranges of Nevada and based out of the University’s Great Basin Research & Extension Center, a 644-acre ranch where research is conducted.
The Rafter 7 Sheep were initially developed over 30 years ago by the University’s Experiment Station, which is a unit of the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, under the direction of Hudson Glimp, professor emeritus, and Tom Filbin, herd manager from which the original Rambouillet seed stock was purchased.
“Our goal is to provide high-quality rams for the sheep industry that are adapt-
ed to rangeland conditions,” said Scott Huber, senior assistant director with the Experiment Station and leader of the Rafter 7 Merino Sheep Program. “With the Rafter 7 Program, we strive to constantly provide profit-building genetics for the sheep industry.”
Huber said that through research, artificial insemination, data analysis and constant focus, the modern-day dual‐purpose bloodlines have proven to enhance sheep industry profits. Emphasis is on quality wool production, lambing rates, hardiness, longevity and herding instinct, among others, as profitable production traits. Proceeds from the sale will benefit continuing research on the Rafter 7 sheep, as well as other research conducted at the Center focusing on sustainable grazing management of rangelands, livestock production, water-limited crop production and alternative irrigation strategies.
For more information, contact Huber at 775-682-9808 or shuber@unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
Neighbors Work to Create
Arizona’s
Newest Town Rather Than See Giant BNSF Rail Hub Destroy Their Quality of Life
Faced with the prospect of living in the shadow of a giant 4,200-acre, $3.2 billion rail hub, the most intense and impactful zoning case in Maricopa County since the Arizona Pulbic Service (APS) Palo Verde nuclear power plant, residents of Wittmann, Arizona in western Maricopa County are fighting back by pursuing incorporation. Last week, Wittmann residents Kirby Anderson, Heather Vought-Abbate, and Jeff August submitted a letter of intent to pursue incorporation.
Residents are turning to incorporation to fight a massive rail hub proposed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), a company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, which would create massive amounts of traffic and air pollution, increase crime and noise, and strain critical services such as fire protection and public safety.
Those impacts would be felt in neighboring communities such as Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Morristown, Circle City, and Wickenburg, whose residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the project.
Wittmann’s cowboy culture, with dozens of horse and cattle ranches, would vanish if the rail hub were to move in.
Keep Us Rural LLC is coordinating the incorporation effort assisted by election attorney Tim La Sota. After a brief notification period, signature collection will begin. The group will have 180 days to gather signatures from 10 percent of Wittmann residents (about 800 registered voters), with an election happening up to 180 days after that.
Incorporation would not only help Wittmann residents defend themselves against a destructive rail hub, but it also tells other developers to move along if they have similar devastating designs. Specifically, residents want to preserve R-43 (one home per acre) zoning and maintain parcels with agriculture status.
Because Wittmann’s struggle to protect itself and surrounding communities resembles an episode of Yellowstone, residents reached out to documentary film maker Reece O’Connor to create the YouTube series, The Lost Cowboys. Episodes One and Two have attracted more than 165,000 views. Here is a link: youtube.com/@SaveArizonaCowboyCulture Wittmann resident Jeff August said, “If Wittmann and its cowboy culture are to be preserved, the people of Wittmann must make it happen and that can only happen with local control. Pursuing preservation without incorporation is like riding a horse without holding the reins, you would just go around in circles.”
At present, the BNSF request to approve the project is before the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, specifically in Supervisor Debbie Lesko’s district.
For more information go to nobnsfwittmann.com ▫
Get your application in by September 1! Application link:
nm4h.nmsu.edu/documents/Foundation-Scholarship.doc
The New Mexico 4-H Foundation sponsors scholarships for NM 4-H members. The dollar value of the scholarships awarded will be determined by the Board of the NM 4-H Youth Development Foundation based upon availability of funds.
These scholarships may be used in-state or out-of-state at any post-secondary college or university or trade school. Applicants will be considered without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
Awards will be presented on October 1