Terra Ochsner

4 weeks ago | westernagreporter.com | Kellie Kubacak |Terra Ochsner

Click the "Play" button to listen to this article! On March 17, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brook Rollins announced “new actions to reduce burdens on the U.S. pork and poultry industries…” Beginning immediately, the Food Safety and Inspection Service will be extending waivers to pork and poultry processing facilities, allowing them to increase line speeds at their discretion. In 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first administration, the New Swine Slaughter Inspection...

1 month ago | westernagreporter.com | Kellie Kubacak |Terra Ochsner

Click the "Play" button to listen to this article! On March 4, the House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee heard testimonies from a variety of panelists to evaluate the “Consequences of Experimental Populations Under the Endangered Species Act.” Ranchers representing a host of stakeholder groups – including the Public Lands Council, NCBA, the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, and the Arizona Farm Bureau – testified to their personal experiences with endangered...

1 month ago | westernagreporter.com | Kellie Kubacak |Terra Ochsner

Click the "Play" button to listen to this article! Nearly every week for 18 years, Jean Petersen, of Red Lodge, Montana, has brought the “Agri-News for Kids” section of the Western Ag Reporter to life with her column “Life on the Ranch with Banjo.” Over the years, the adventures of Banjo, a three-legged ranch dog, and his crew have worked to teach children about morals, faith, and life in agriculture. For Petersen, a proud mother of four who also teaches in Red Lodge, her creative writing is...

1 month ago | westernagreporter.com | Kellie Kubacak |Terra Ochsner

Click the "Play" button to listen to this article! On February 11, 2025, the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands convened for an Oversight Hearing titled “Restoring Multiple Use to Revitalize America’s Public Lands and Rural Communities.” Testimonies were heard from professionals representing a variety of interests and industries, including public lands grazing, timber outputs, and local communities who are facing infrastructure growth challenges due to multiple use restrictions. Tim...

2 months ago | westernagreporter.com | Terra Ochsner

Click the "Play" button to listen to this article! For Tom Flynn, a 35-year-old second generation rancher, horseman, and father, emotions and tears do not typically flow freely.