Earlier this summer President Donald Trump signed H.R.1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, into law. Despite its tumultuous journey, the law reflects many provisions that were central to President Trump’s second-term agenda, including spending cuts, sweeping tax reforms and immigration policy changes. For American ranchers and farmers, there were several notable, positive provisions included in the final bill, as well as significant changes from previous iterations.

Ranchers gamble each year on their ability to raise a profitable herd. There are many factors outside our control that have profound impacts on an operation, including wildfires, drought and even regulatory or policy changes. However, the biggest indication of success or failure can be seen when examining the cattle market. And in case you haven’t heard, it’s up.

Recently, the American Angus Association announced that their genetic subsidiary, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), has received a $4.85 million research grant to study the impact genetics may have on methane emissions and overall feed efficiency in cattle. AGI will be joining several other research partners, including the University of New England in Australia, the Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics and Ag Research in New Zealand, Scottish Rural University in the United Kingdom and the Teagsac and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation in Ireland to examine the genotypes and phenotypes of more than 10,000 animals.

Over the weekend, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they would be suspending live cattle, bison and horse imports from Mexico due to the rapid resurgence and spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS). 

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and the Angus breed is setting out to solve the age old question: Which breed of cattle produce the best mothers? By the end of the month, we may just begin to have our answer.