NEWS

Pasture fencing will be the focus of the discussion at the next pasture walk scheduled for Wednesday, May 18 at the Nick and Luann Rolling Farm near Waterville, Iowa.

Rolling Valley Jerseys is home to 85 head of Jersey and Jersey-cross cows. The cows have access to paddocks daily to supplement their ration. Fencing is important to this operation. There will be a discussion on how electric fences work and how farmers can make them work better.

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Obama administration on Wednesday moved to lift Endangered Species Act protections for 5,500 gray wolves in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes, drawing the line on the predators’ rapid expansion over the last two decades.

Farmers, ranchers and small-business operators can elect to take additional deductions in the first year for machinery and equipment purchases in 2011. These elections were extended under the recent tax law changes, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service economists.

SHARON, N.D. -- It's déjà moo for Chris Johnson.

For the second straight year, the Sharon, N.D., rancher and his family have seen a torrent of twin calves that far exceeds what's normal.

The spring feeder cattle marketing season in the Northern Plains is wrapping up, as most backgrounded cattle reached market weights and have been sold to feedlot buyers. Many auction markets are reporting sales volumes at 20 to 30 percent of peak runs in February. And the percentage of heifers selling is outnumbering steers as the heavier weight steers were sold earlier.