NEWS

The 2010 Northern International Livestock Exposition held Oct. 12 to 18 in Billings, Montana, lived up to its motto, "Preserving and Embracing the Western Lifestyle," perhaps more than any previous year in spite of some obstacles presented by Mother Nature months prior to the conference.

BRYAN, Texas – A Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist has forecasted continued strength in cattle prices heading into 2011, but has warned to keep a watchful eye on the corn supply.

Erratic volatility plagued commercial cattle markets during the month of October in direct relation to the roller coaster ride that grain markets have been experiencing since mid-September when full swing harvest began moving through the Corn Belt. Typically, corn and soybean prices are under pressure during harvest but this year’s disappointing yields and low global stocks have caused grain markets to be ultra-sensitive to the slightest crop report, rumor, or innuendo.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Terry Neuner worked eight years for 3M in Japan before his employers treated him to a Kobe beef dinner. The meal was worth the wait.

“It was so good, I knew then that this was something I wanted to bring back home,” said Neuner, who owns Westphalia Vineyards, a farm southwest of Jefferson City.

August was a solid month for U.S. beef exports, easily outpacing the results of August 2009 and increasing its gains over the cumulative totals from the first eight months of 2009.