Ranchers

A string of wolf attacks on livestock in Colorado's high country has become a flashpoint in the effort to restore the animal to its native range. Ranchers want the state to kill the wolves, which were reintroduced in that state just a few months ago.

The Western Landowners Alliance said Idaho is in the minority of Western states without a state livestock depredation fund.

Despite recent snowstorms, the Mountain West region continues to be affected by historic drought. That’s why ranchers are looking for ways to cope with dry conditions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending more than $22 million to help livestock producers in the West reduce conflicts with large carnivores and steward land for wildlife. The funding is part of a larger effort to preserve agricultural lands.

For some ranchers, mustangs are seen as trash horses that litter the range, taking much-needed grass from cattle and destroying expensive fencing and water infrastructure. Ashley heads to Winnemucca, Nevada to talk to a fifth-generation rancher who runs his cows in wild horse country. But unlike many ranchers, Will DeLong doesn’t want the wild horses gone – they’re entwined with his family’s history – he just wants them better managed. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Boo bucks Ashley off and she gets teased about it by the cowboys at the local bar.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told western governors this week that he’s concerned about consolidation in food production. Farm sector income reached record highs in 2022, but the number of farms continues to decline and the average farm size is increasing.

A recent report by the University of Wyoming Extension looks into methods to mitigate the impacts of horn flies on the cattle industry throughout the Cowboy State and Mountain West.

One rancher is turning saddles into art.

Idaho Matters learns about FARE Idaho, a new trade organization representing all aspects of the food sector — from farmers and ranchers, to food and beverage producers — to independent restaurants and bars. The group was formed in 2020 after the disruptions to the industry due to COVID-19.

Beef prices are on the rise while live cattle prices are falling. One reason for that is COVID-19 disrupting meat processing plants. There are more cattle…