The U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth. Although land values are still high historically, current signs indicate a more complex situation driven by local and regional factors rather than nationwide trends. “After years of steady growth, we’re seeing the farmland market stabilize,” Colton Lacina, senior vice president of real estate operations at Farmers National Company, said. “This isn’t a sign of collapse but a recalibration that reflects current commodity prices, input costs, and regional production conditions.” Farmland demand now varies widely by location. Areas with high crop yields, diversified farms, and dependable groundwater continue to...

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Across the U.S., lawmakers are gathering in their state capitols and Washington, D.C. to begin another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something America prides itself on and one that requires input to thrive. While the process for public contributions varies by state, one commonality exists—lawmakers need to hear directly from their constituents on issues that are important to them. How can you make sure your voice is heard? Whether you’re interested in federal, state, or local policy, you can share your views with elected officials by writing, calling, or visiting them. Testifying in person is...

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Editor’s Note: Please enjoy this walk down memory lane from Wallace “Wally” McLane who worked at PAYS in Billings, Montana, a few moons ago. ~TO Did I tell you about working sheep at sales without dogs?  It’s akin to either waking the dead or herding cats. The shortest sales we had, time wise, were when we used dogs. Each one with its owner: one in the yards bringing the sheep or goats to the 11 alley; mine taking them from the 11 alley to the alley with the sorting pens; then a dog to take them from the sorting pens to...

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In the last 100 years we have eliminated such diseases as the slobbers, palsy, quincy, the crud, and the croup and we didn’t have to have a single telethon, marathon, or beg for money on TV to do it. How easy we forget the pain and discomfort that diseases such as puking fever, English sweating fever, the grip, and the screws caused. And in all that time I can’t ever remember getting a piece of junk mail that gave me a nickel in hopes that I’d contribute to a campaign to cure dropsy, breakbone fever, ague, carbuncles, boils, or piles....

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R-CALF USA applauded the House Committee on Natural Resources for voting to advance H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act, out of Committee. If passed, the bill, led by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., would remove the Mexican wolf from the lists of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. “We applaud Congressman Gosar’s efforts in leading this legislation to protect the livelihoods of American ranching families,” said R-CALF USA Property Rights Chair Shad Sullivan. “Delisting the Mexican wolf is long overdue. Wildlife management policy must shift to include boots-on-the-ground livestock producers, local communities and an emphasis on...

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For 85 years and counting, the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale in Red Bluff, California, has been a premier event in the West. That reputation can be attributed to the tireless efforts of ranchers in the community who, for nearly a century, have helped mold this event into one of immense genetic quality and valued family traditions. For many ranching families in the area, there has been multi-generational involvement in the event, which will take place the last week in January. John Owens, a revered cattleman, was involved directly with the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale for nearly...

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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall highlights the urgent need for legislation expanding the bridge support program for farmers, reinforced by new analysis indicating the economic crisis in farm country is likely to continue this year. “We are grateful for the aid Congress has delivered to farmers this year and do not take that for granted. But we are in an economic crisis, the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades. New Farm Bureau analysis reveals farmers are likely to face another very difficult year if markets do not improve. The sad reality is the climbing rate of farm bankruptcies...

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The monetary reward has increased for information on a wolf that was killed illegally near Gardiner last month. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks initially offered a [post_excerpt],000 reward for information. The Large Carnivore Fund and Wolves of the Rockies together have offered an additional ,000. The investigation began when officials received a mortality signal from a collared wolf in the Jardine area. They found the collar had been cut off and thrown into a tree, but they did not find a wolf carcass. This area is in wolf management unit 313, which closed to wolf hunting on Nov. 16. However,...

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Agri-kid cousins Finley, Harper, Townes, and Josie Hanson ranch with their families in northern California. Photo courtesy of Robin Hanson. Submit YOUR agri-kids to [email protected]!

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As I get older, it becomes harder and harder to find a winter sport that I can participate in, because I don’t dare risk my knees, my hips, my skull, etc. So, when our friends, Keith and Holly Williams from Virginia, suggested a snowmobile outing, it sounded fun and harmless. We met them in Jackson, Wyoming, and headed out for a three-day ride through Yellowstone Park, and then one final day in the Grand Tetons along the Continental Divide. Even though it was 17 below at Flagg Ranch the first morning and 20 below the second morning in West Yellowstone,...

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