All articles tagged with #cattle
Beef prices are at or near record highs as the U.S. cattle herd remains near multi‑decade lows due to drought and aging ranchers, while demand for protein stays robust. Producers are raising prices, and rebuilding the herd will take years, creating a persistent gap between supply and rising consumer appetite for beef.
DNA from Amsterdam Island’s five founding cows shows mixed Jersey and Indian Ocean zebu ancestry, meaning the tiny herd did not shrink via rapid island dwarfism but started small with enough genetic diversity to rebound into thousands; the study, based on eight whole genomes, upends a 2017 dwarfism claim and suggests the founders carried traits favorable for isolation, despite about 30% inbreeding, before the herd was ultimately removed to protect native species.
Drought has pared the U.S. cattle herd to its smallest size in 75 years, lifting feed costs and keeping beef prices elevated for years as it takes several years to rebuild herds.
A Derbyshire cattle farmer plans to cross-breed his Highland herd to make the cows less photogenic and deter visitors who hug or film them, citing a growing social-media trend and safety concerns; the Peak District authority warns hugging cows is dangerous, and the farmer says the change is not taken lightly but necessary.
Live cattle futures settled at $2.51 per pound—the highest on record dating back to the 1960s—driven by shrinking U.S. herds and slower slaughter. Beef production fell, ground beef价 near $6.70 per pound in March, and input costs for farmers rose, helping keep beef inflation elevated even as demand remains resilient; restaurants could face weaker sales amid higher beef prices.
The USDA is using scenes from the film 'Marriage Story' featuring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver to scare wolves away from cattle by playing alarming sounds and using drone technology, aiming to reduce wolf attacks on livestock.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Cornell University, and the USDA have discovered CoRSIVs (correlated regions of systemic inter-individual variation) in cattle, similar to those found in humans. These regions, marked by DNA methylation, could help predict and select desirable traits in cattle, such as milk production and disease resistance, potentially improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
An avian flu outbreak has affected over 40 cattle in Minnesota, marking the spread of the virus to the state. The herd has been quarantined, and the USDA confirmed the positive tests. This follows earlier outbreaks in Kansas and Texas, with over 80 dairy herds infected across 11 states. The virus has also led to human infections, though it is not believed to transmit between humans. The economic impact is significant due to the higher cost of raising cattle compared to poultry.
Archaeologists have discovered the earliest evidence of cattle herds in northern Europe at Swifterbant, Netherlands, dating back to 4240 BC. Using stable isotope analysis, they found that early farmers managed livestock in complex ways, with different herds grazing in forests or on manured fields and salt marshes, indicating advanced animal husbandry practices.
A lightning strike killed Colorado rancher Mike Morgan and 34 of his cattle while he was feeding them from a trailer. The incident occurred in a pasture near Rand, stunning the tight-knit community. Morgan's father-in-law and wife, who were nearby, survived the blast.
A lightning strike killed Colorado rancher Mike Morgan and 34 cattle while he was feeding them, leaving the small community of Rand in shock.
A lightning strike killed Colorado rancher Mike Morgan and 34 head of cattle while he was feeding them from a trailer. Despite life-saving efforts, Morgan died on the scene. The incident shocked the small, close-knit community of Rand.
A 51-year-old rancher named Mike Morgan and 34 of his cows were struck and killed by lightning in Rand, Colorado. The community is mourning the loss, and the incident highlights the rarity of fatal lightning strikes, with the CDC noting that the odds of being struck are about one in a million annually.
A lightning strike killed Colorado rancher Mike Morgan and 34 head of cattle while he was feeding them from a trailer. Despite life-saving efforts, Morgan died on the scene, and the incident has deeply affected the small, close-knit community.
The USDA has been criticized for not sharing enough information about the outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cattle, leaving scientists and experts in the dark about the risks posed to cattle operations and people. Concerns have been raised about the virus potentially evolving to infect cattle more easily and the lack of transparency hindering global risk assessment. The USDA has been slow in releasing genetic sequences and information, leading to distrust and concerns about pandemic preparedness. The movement of H5N1 into cows is a concern for the industry and scientists, as it could potentially lead to transmission to humans and other animals. The lack of transparency and clear communication from the USDA has been highlighted as a significant issue in managing the outbreaks.