American beef is a perfect fit with the second MAHA report

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the Sept. 9 release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s second report. The MAHA Commission’s first report highlighted the positive role beef plays in a healthy diet. The second report expanded on the benefits of high-quality protein like beef and the critical role cattle producers play in helping make America healthy again.

“From every angle, it is tough to beat American beef. Our farmers and ranchers raise the best beef in the world, providing a healthy, fresh protein option to millions of families every day,” says NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. “We responsibly steward millions of acres of land, water and wildlife habitat, including some of America’s most cherished landscapes and species. We pump lifeblood into the local economies of tens of thousands of communities across the rural American heartland. … American beef is the perfect fit for the MAHA Commission’s goals.”

The second MAHA report takes a holistic approach to the health, safety and security of our food supply chain. Highlights from the report include:

• Stressing the need for a diet high in whole, unprocessed foods like fresh beef, fruits and vegetables to support Americans’ health at every age and stage of life.
• Encouraging innovation that helps American agriculture stay at the leading edge of safe, healthy, nutritious food production.
• Jump-starting gold-standard scientific research to answer targeted questions on the connection between diet, other lifestyle choices and health outcomes.
• Exploring ways to boost consumption of fresh, healthy, locally produced foods.

“This report confirms the science-based recommendation that making America healthy again has to start with safe, nutritious, fresh, whole-ingredient, and American beef hits the target on all of the above,” says NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “As this administration has pointed out before, beef is the crown jewel of American agriculture. Millions of American families build a healthy plate around our product every week. We will continue working with President Trump’s administration to keep the supply chain moving and keep the safest, highest-quality beef in the world on grocery store shelves.”

Years of peer-reviewed research, including clinical trials — the gold-standard for research, have proven that beef plays a key role in a healthy, balanced diet for Americans of all ages. A single 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides half of Americans’ daily protein needs with 10 essential nutrients — with fewer than 170 calories. To receive the same amount of protein from most plant sources, you would have to eat at least twice as many calories. The nutrients in beef, including protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins, are critical for strengthening muscle, fueling a healthy metabolism, supporting cognitive development and ensuring healthy living. As a source of nourishment and satisfaction in balanced diets, beef can help build and sustain healthy eating habits from childhood through adulthood.

Angus seeking interns for 2026

The American Angus Association offers a multitude of hands-on learning experiences for young cattle enthusiasts. Summer internships are offered in several departments and provide opportunities for growth in a student’s chosen career field. Students will be immersed in a fast-paced professional environment and work side-by-side with experts at the forefront of the cattle industry.

Interns will be based out of Saint Joseph, Mo., for the 10-week internships. Some positions offer the opportunity to travel.

Available internships include positions with Angus Media’s Digital Marketing and Publications divisions, with the Association’s Communications and Junior Activities & Events departments and with Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI).

Students who are interested in growth and networking opportunities, have a good attitude and are willing to jump into new and challenging situations for hands-on experience should apply at https://www.angus.org/careers by Nov. 12 to be considered.

Angus Foundation Heifer Package Sells this January

Wilks Rita 4728 will headline the 2026 Angus Foundation Heifer Package selling Jan. 9, 2026, at the 87th National Angus Bull Sale in Oklahoma City. Donated by Wilks Ranch of Eastland, Texas, she represents a breeding program built on form, function and balance and a commitment to the future of Angus.

Minnesota farm recognized as a Historic Angus Herd

In 1973, John and Joanne Reed established their Angus herd in Brooten, Minn. Originally known as John D. and Joanne Reed & Son, the Reeds rebranded the operation as Bar J Ranch LLC in 2012. The ranch has been home to Angus cattle for more than 50 years, earning it the Historic Angus Herd Award. The award, presented by the American Angus Association, recognizes Angus breeders and immediate families who have been in continuous production of registered-Angus cattle for 50 years or more.

The Reeds purchased their first registered cow in 1973 from Hugh Ingalls of Faith, S.D. Ingalls, along with Jim Wilson of Whitewood, S.D., became mentors to John Reed.

John traveled extensively with his father, a country veterinarian. During that time he was able to observe livestock of all breeds, which played a vital role in his decision to raise Angus cattle.

“I found Angus to be more trouble-free, with ease of calving and resistance to pinkeye,” John says. “They also had sound feet and were hearty.”

When the industry moved toward larger-framed cattle, the Reeds bred for frame and growth. When that type of selection became problematic, they selected more moderate-framed cattle with muscle and volume. They always selected cattle for carcass quality, calving ease, disposition and, more recently, heifer pregnancy and foot score.

Bar J Ranch LLC has always employed artificial insemination (AI), along with Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^®), keeping considerable performance records on their herd.

Significant DNA testing has been performed to identify sires when needed, enhance accuracy of expected progeny difference (EPD) values, and identify and cull cattle with genetic defects.

Despite many of the highs and lows that come with being part of the cattle industry, the Reeds have had many successes, including their induction into the Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame in 2017 and being named Pope County Farm Family of the Year in 2018.

In 2012, when the Reeds purchased a lifetime membership from the American Angus Association and rebranded their operation, they added their son, Jake Reed, as a partner.

The Reeds have sold cattle by private treaty and participated in consignment sales. Since 2015, they have hosted an annual production sale featuring 80 bulls and females.

Today, Jake Reed is responsible for the nutrition and breeding decisions of the Bar J Ranch LLC, which consists of 170 cows and an additional 60 bred heifers.

Visit www.angus.org  for more information or to view a list of awarded members since the program began in 1988.

The crop report is in

Corn production is up, while soybean and cotton production are down from 2024, according to the Crop Production  report issued Sept. 12 by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 13% from last year, forecast at 16.8 billion bushels (bu.). Soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2% from 2024, with production forecast at 4.30 billion bu. Cotton production is down 8% from 2024 at 13.2 million 480-pound (lb.) bales.

The Crop Production  report is published monthly and is available online at https://nass.usda.gov/Publications.

USDA to offer $1 billion in disaster relief

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Sept. 12 announced eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to a qualifying flood or qualifying wildfire in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits.

Sign-up began Monday, Sept. 15. Livestock producers have until Oct. 31, 2025, to apply for assistance.

To streamline program delivery, FSA has determined eligible counties with qualifying floods and qualifying wildfires in 2023 and 2024. For losses in these counties, livestock producers are not required to submit supporting documentation for floods or wildfires. A list of approved counties is available at https://fsa.usda.gov/elrp.

For losses in counties not listed as eligible, livestock producers can apply for ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW, but they must provide supporting documentation. FSA county committees will determine if the disaster event meets program requirements.

Contact your local FSA county office for more information.

Federal reforms to improve nation’s wildfire response

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins Sept. 15 issued a new memorandum to modernize and strengthen America’s wildfire prevention and response system. This policy direction enacts commonsense reforms that modernize and streamline the federal wildfire system. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued his own memorandum to streamline capabilities and strengthen federal, state and local partnerships.

“For too long, outdated and fragmented systems have slowed our ability to fight fires and protect lives. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting through the bureaucracy and building a unified, modern wildfire response system that works as fast and as fearlessly as the men and women on the front lines,” said Burgum.

“By streamlining federal capabilities and strengthening our partnerships with state, tribal and local teams, we will deliver the commonsense reforms needed to safeguard our communities, our lands and our future,” he said.