Because of its ESA status, Mexican wolf management remains heavily restricted, even in areas where wolf populations have expanded significantly. Producers face ongoing livestock depredation, disrupted grazing operations, and delayed or denied responses to problem animals — often with little to no compensation for losses.

“Whether it is Mexican wolves, gray wolves or grizzly bears, ranchers across the West face daily challenges with recovered species protected by the Endangered Species Act. This bill is a step toward alleviating the challenges southwestern producers face and would recognize the realities on the ground,” said Colorado rancher and PLC President Tim Canterbury. “This legislation is grounded in established science and restores common sense in the listing determination. The Mexican wolf has recovered. Now is the time for Congress to finish the job and pass this legislation.”

USDA Forest Service issues revised oil and gas leasing rule

The USDA’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the updated rule Jan. 27, emphasizing the Trump administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes and advancing President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders on Declaring a National Energy Emergency and Unleashing American Energy.

“President Trump has made it clear that unleashing American energy requires a government that works at the speed of the American people, not one slowed by bureaucratic red tape,” said Rollins. “This rule gives energy producers the certainty they need to expand supply to make energy more affordable, create jobs, and ensure America remains the dominant force in global energy markets — all while safeguarding forests and communities. Energy security is national security. These revisions create clarity and alignment across federal agencies, allowing our teams to move swiftly on leasing and permitting so American families and businesses can rely on affordable, dependable energy, while continuing to be good stewards of our public lands.”

“These new rules provide the certainty needed to boost production, slash energy costs and guarantee our global leadership,” said Burgum. “By streamlining permitting and cutting bureaucracy, we are lowering costs for families, creating jobs and securing our nation, all while protecting our public lands.”

The final rule (36 CFR 228 Subpart E), now published in the Federal Register,  updates and simplifies federal oil and gas leasing procedures, allowing the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to seamlessly coordinate when issuing permits. By establishing a single, clearly defined leasing decision point and reducing duplicative analysis, the rule improves response times to industry requests, helps reduce longstanding backlogs, accelerates lease issuance and supports the timely processing of applications for permits to drill.

Under federal law, the Forest Service manages the surface estate of National Forest System lands, while the BLM manages the subsurface mineral estate. The two agencies work together to develop permitting conditions under their respective authorities.

Currently, 5,154 federal oil and gas leases cover approximately 3.8 million acres (about 2%) of National Forest System lands. Of these, roughly 2,850 leases spanning 1.8 million acres across 39 national forests and grasslands contain producing federal oil or gas wells.

John Deere announces major expansion with two new U.S. facilities coming

John Deere has announced plans to open two new U.S.-based facilities: a state-of-the-art distribution center near Hebron, Ind., and a cutting-edge excavator factory in Kernersville, N.C. Both are set to open in the next year.

“Our investment in these new facilities underscores John Deere’s dedication to strengthening the backbone of American industry and supporting local economies,” said John May, chairman and CEO of John Deere. “We believe in building America, and these projects represent our intent to continue driving innovation and job creation in the United States.”

The company recently broke ground on a new distribution center near Hebron, Ind., strategically located to enhance its supply chain capabilities nationwide. The facility will be designed to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of equipment and parts. The Indiana project is anticipated to generate significant employment opportunities with approximately 150 jobs, contributing to the state’s economic growth.

John Deere will continue to maintain its primary North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Ill., which has been in operation since 1973 and employs about 1,200 people.

The new $70 million factory in North Carolina will bolster John Deere’s manufacturing capabilities, leveraging advanced technologies to produce industry-leading excavators for the construction market. It will assume production of future generation excavators previously produced in Japan.

This facility will employ more than 150 people and will help meet equipment demand and strengthen commitment to U.S. manufacturing innovation.

“These investments further demonstrate our commitment to invest $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next 10 years,” May said. “It is a testament to our confidence in the future of U.S. manufacturing and our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and economic growth.”

LMA opens applications for 2026 scholarships

Applications are open for 2026 scholarships offered by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA). LMA members are encouraged to endorse applicants — customers, family members, employees or students from their communities — who demonstrate interest in or understanding of the importance of livestock marketing.

The association offers two distinct opportunities to support students pursuing education and careers connected to the livestock marketing industry.

The Career & Academic Education Scholarship supports graduating high school seniors and students currently enrolled in accredited post secondary institutions, including trade schools, community colleges, junior colleges, universities, and programs in veterinary science, veterinary medicine, or law.

Applicants must include the name and contact information of an active LMA member endorsing their application. Each LMA member may endorse up to two applicants per academic year, and relatives or employees of LMA member businesses are eligible.

A review panel composed of allied industry representatives, LMA leadership, and/or LMA members — who are not sponsors or relatives of applicants — will evaluate submissions after the deadline. Up to nine students will each receive a one-time $2,500 scholarship, paid directly to the academic institution.

The LMA Auctioneer School Scholarship provides a one-time award to applicants who plan to attend auction school and use their training to support the auction method of marketing livestock.

Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 25, provide an essay demonstrating their understanding of the livestock marketing industry, and be endorsed by an active LMA member. Each LMA member may endorse up to two applicants per scholarship year, and relatives or employees of LMA member businesses may apply.

Following the submission deadline, a panel of allied industry representatives, LMA leadership, and/or LMA members — who are not sponsors or relatives of applicants — will review submissions. One applicant will receive a one-time scholarship award of up to $2,500 toward auction school tuition.

Applications for both scholarship tracks are online at www.lmaweb.com and must be received — whether emailed or mailed — by March 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. CST. For more information, contact lmainfo@lmaweb.com.

NCBA releases 2026 policy priorities at CattleCon

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) on Feb. 2 announced its 2026 policy priorities following approval by the organization’s Executive Committee at CattleCon 2026. NCBA’s focus centers on policies that directly affect producer profitability, including reducing regulatory costs, defending free markets, expanding trade opportunities, and maintaining strong beef demand.

“NCBA focused on practical, workable solutions that produced meaningful policy wins in 2025,” said NCBA President-elect Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. “NCBA’s efforts resulted in key tax and regulatory improvements, including expanded estate tax exemptions, a new Waters of the U.S. rule, and the rescission of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Public Lands Rule, providing greater certainty and opportunity for cattlemen and cattlewomen.”

NCBA leaders noted those achievements provide a strong foundation for the organization’s 2026 policy agenda, which focuses on strengthening producer profitability and addressing emerging challenges across the cattle business. The organization will advance regulatory reform, animal health protections, expanded market access, and workforce solutions that ensure the cattle and beef supply chain can continue meeting strong consumer demand.

“Now is the time to continue reforming federal regulations that have hindered conservation efforts for decades, strengthen protections against the northward spread of New World screwworm, expand foreign market access for U.S. beef, and advance science-based policies that keep beef at the center of the plate,” Copenhaver said.

NCBA’s 2026 policy priorities are:

• Continue to press the administration to roll back harmful regulations to keep working lands working.
• Enhance and strengthen U.S. mitigation measures against the incursion of New World screwworm.
• Protect the U.S. cattle herd from foreign animal diseases and pests through heightened awareness and preparedness actions.
• Expand market access for U.S. beef exports and hold trade partners accountable to ensure equivalent animal health and food safety standards for imported beef.
• Promote scienced-based nutrition policies and sound, fact-based information for consumers.
• Push for further hours-of-service flexibility, increased truck weights, and continue delaying ELD (electronic logging device) requirements for livestock haulers.
• Safeguard the U.S cattle and beef supply chain by working with the administration to ensure there is a strong workforce to limit processing disruptions for producers.

PLC and BLM sign MOU to promote cooperative monitoring of grazing allotments

The Public Lands Council (PLC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Feb. 2 announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote cooperative monitoring of grazing allotments on National Forest System lands. The MOU will help public lands ranchers and local BLM officials cooperate to collect and analyze data on rangeland health to ensure higher quality management of federal rangeland.

“Federal lands ranchers manage millions of acres of federal land through livestock grazing, as well as voluntary conservation work. Ranchers strive to improve range conditions every day. To help boost these management efforts, data is needed to help ranchers make decisions on the landscape, and this MOU will allow BLM and grazing permittees to better share the information that is key to those management efforts,” said PLC President Tim Canterbury. “The Public Lands Council is thrilled to join BLM in this cooperative monitoring agreement that will strengthen partnerships between agency officials and producers. We look forward to continuing our work with BLM and utilizing this MOU to improve and protect America’s treasured natural resources.”

“Public lands ranchers are essential partners in sustaining healthy rangelands,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “Their on-the-ground knowledge and stewardship play a critical role in managing and protecting these resources for future generations. This MOU strengthens our ability to work side by side with permittees and other partners, ensuring that decisions are informed by sound data and collaborative monitoring. Together, we can achieve resilient landscapes that support productive grazing, healthy wildlife habitat and clean water.”

The MOU provides a clear path for more efficient data collection and information sharing between grazing permittees and BLM. PLC signed a similar MOU with the Forest Service in 2022, and these monitoring activities have proven to be integral factors in the decisions grazing permittees make to keep rangelands healthy and resilient through grazing activities. The data collected by permittees through approved and agreed-upon methods will provide the agency with a larger set of reference points when evaluating rangeland health and resource management and clear records of the positive results from producers’ investments in resilient rangelands, healthy wildlife habitat, and robust watersheds.

The MOU is in effect from 2026 until January 2031.

Akralos Animal Nutrition debuts, delivering advanced feed and nutrition solutions across North America

Akralos Animal Nutrition, a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture between global ag leaders ADM and Alltech, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations.

Operating an extensive network of more than 40 feedmills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers reliable, high-quality feeds, minerals and supplements through its trusted brands, backed by advanced nutrition expertise, leading-edge science and personalized service.

“Akralos brings together proven scale, innovation and infrastructure with a deep commitment to service and results,” said Akralos CEO Brian Gier, a leader with more than 30 years of experience in the commercial animal feed industry. “From Day 1, our focus is on delivering nutrition our customers can rely on, support they can count on and partnerships that help their animals and businesses thrive.”

Akralos is dedicated to helping customers gain a measurable advantage, bringing together passionate teams, proven products and shared values. Its experienced team works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, consistent performance and actionable insights, supported by leading-edge research and development, broad logistical capabilities and strong connections across the agri-food value chain.

ADM and Alltech have a longstanding relationship, tracing back to ADM being Alltech’s first customer in 1980. Akralos brings together ADM and Alltech’s complementary strengths to form a unified organization with a clear mission: to serve as an advanced nutrition partnership committed to delivering a competitive edge for producers, retailers and animal owners across North America. Headquartered in Lexington, Ky., its footprint includes feed manufacturing, research and laboratory facilities, enabling the company to serve the livestock, equine, backyard and leisure animal markets with unmatched expertise and scale.

“With the unique strengths and shared values of Alltech and ADM, we can deliver deeper expertise, broader support and a stronger portfolio of nutrition solutions and services, all designed to help our customers build more profitable and resilient operations,” said Akralos chief operating officer Brad Dalke, an animal feed industry veteran who has served in numerous leadership roles at ADM over the past 27 years.

Hubbard and Masterfeeds remain Akralos’ core customer-facing brands, preserving continuity for customers across North America. Product and portfolio alignment are underway, ensuring each brand continues to evolve while benefiting from the shared resources, science and operational strength of Akralos’ parent companies.

“Our vision is to become the most trusted name in animal nutrition by delivering high-performance feeds and partnerships that drive results,” Gier said. “We’re here to listen, collaborate and use science to solve real-world challenges — nourishing advantage for all of our customers and partners.”

Akralos is now fully operational and serving customers across North America. For information on products and services, please email info@akralos.com. Learn more at www.akralos.com.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 2-A