Cattle Pulse: Smart Herds and High Rewards

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CattlePulse is a monthly update from Virginia Farm Bureau on the Virginia feeder cattle markets, the national trends that affect them and stories of cattle producers across the commonwealth.

In this month’s episode, host Elijah Griles breaks down the record-setting feeder cattle prices driven by tight national inventories and strong seasonal demand. He also discusses the impact of the New World screwworm fly on U.S. cattle imports and what it could mean for Virginia producers. Plus, Halifax County cow-calf producer Adam Davis shares how he’s using genetic data to improve herd performance.

Want to get in touch? Contact Elijah at 804-290-1713 or elijah.griles@vafb.com.

Listen to the latest episode

Enjoy It While It Lasts – CattlePulse

Feeder cattle prices are at historic highs — but challenges are mounting. In this month's episode, host Elijah Griles breaks down the latest futures markets, unpacks what a softening choice-select spread could mean for beef demand, and shares drought conditions across the Commonwealth. Plus, Elijah talks with Gene Copenhaver, newly elected president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and a Washington County native at the Virginia Beef Expo.In this episode:Feeder cattle futures are trading in the low $370s, with May at $372, August at $373, and September at $371 — all up roughly 1% from a month agoThe April Cattle on Feed report showed 11.6 million head on feed as of April 1st, down 1% from a year ago, with placements down 7% and marketings down 6%Heifers on feed came in at 37.3% — slightly above the 20-year average — with a downward trend over the last 2–3 years that may signal early heifer retentionThe choice-select spread has narrowed significantly in 2026, hovering between $0–$10 and even turning negative at points, raising questions about softening consumer demand for higher-quality beef grades80% of Virginia is in severe drought, with 18% of the state in extreme droughtVirginia feeder calf prices surged again — the six-market average for 500 lb. Medium & Large #1 steers hit $469/cwt, up 3.1% from last month, with Winchester approaching $500/cwtNCBA President Gene Copenhaver shares his priorities: supporting the next generation of cattle producers, easing farm transition costs, and navigating the ongoing drought and border reopening questionsResources mentioned:Kenny Burdine's Cattle Market Notes weekly newsletter (University of Kentucky)USDA Cattle on Feed Report (April 2026)NOAA Climate Prediction Center May outlookU.S. Drought MonitorAgriStress helpline: call or text 833-897-2474CattlePulse is produced by Virginia Farm Bureau. Have a question or topic suggestion? Email Elijah at elijah.griles@vafb.com.
  1. Enjoy It While It Lasts
  2. Fertilizer Prices and Product of the USA
  3. Consumer Demand Counts
  4. Virginia Heifers Heat Up Despite Statewide Freeze
  5. New Year's Reflections

Virginia Expands Fire Ant Quarantine to Protect Against Invasive Species Spread

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Virginia’s battle against invasive imported fire ants has reached a new phase, with state officials announcing a significant expansion of quarantine areas to prevent further spread of these destructive pests across the commonwealth.

New Areas Under Quarantine

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has added ten new localities to the existing Imported Fire Ant Quarantine, bringing additional protections to both agricultural and urban areas. The expansion now includes:

Counties:

  • Chesterfield
  • Lee
  • Nottoway
  • Pittsylvania
  • Prince George
  • Surry

Independent Cities:

  • Colonial Heights
  • Danville
  • Hopewell
  • Petersburg

This expansion comes after recent VDACS surveys confirmed that imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrids) have become established in these areas, creating an urgent need for containment measures.

Why Fire Ants Are a Serious Threat

Imported fire ants aren’t just a minor nuisance—they pose significant risks to Virginia’s economy, environment and public health. These invasive insects damage crops and agricultural equipment, disrupt local wildlife populations and create serious problems in urban areas. For humans, fire ant stings can cause painful welts and allergic reactions, with rare cases leading to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Once fire ants establish themselves in an area, they spread rapidly through natural means and human activities. Without proper containment, they can quickly colonize new territories, making early intervention critical.

What Businesses Need to Know

Companies operating within the quarantined areas face new responsibilities when shipping materials outside the quarantine zone. Any business moving regulated articles must now certify that their products are free of imported fire ants.

Regulated articles include:

  • Soil (except commercially prepared soil in original containers)
  • Plants with roots and attached soil
  • Grass sod
  • Used soil-moving and farm equipment with non-compacted soil
  • Hay and straw stored on the ground
  • Honey bee hives stored on the ground
  • Logs and pulpwood with attached soil

Businesses have two main options for compliance: follow USDA-approved treatment protocols or enter into a compliance agreement with VDACS. The detailed treatment guidelines are available in the USDA’s Quarantine Treatments manual, which provides step-by-step procedures for ensuring shipments meet quarantine requirements.

Resources for Affected Businesses

VDACS has made several resources available to help businesses navigate the new requirements:

  • An updated quarantine map showing exactly which areas are affected
  • Detailed information about compliance agreements
  • Links to USDA treatment protocols
  • Contact information for additional guidance

Businesses can check whether their location falls within the quarantine area by consulting the most current map on the VDACS website. Those needing to ship regulated materials should review the compliance options and consider entering into an agreement with VDACS to streamline their operations.

Looking Ahead

This quarantine expansion represents Virginia’s proactive approach to invasive species management. By implementing these restrictions now, the state aims to slow the spread of imported fire ants and protect uninfested areas from future colonization.

For businesses and residents in affected areas, the quarantine may require some operational adjustments, but these measures are essential for protecting Virginia’s agricultural economy and natural resources from long-term damage.

More information about the Virginia Imported Fire Ant Quarantine, including compliance procedures and updated maps, is available on the VDACS website at their plant industry services section.

Virginia Farm Bureau statement on MAHA Commission initial assessment

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The following is a statement from Virginia Farm Bureau President Scott Sink, regarding the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission initial assessment on May 22, 2025.

Virginia’s farmers share the White House’s vision for a healthier America, and we recognize that healthy meals start with healthy farms. However, we’re troubled by the MAHA Commission’s initial opinion-based findings and their potential impact on our farm families who have fed this nation for generations.

Our farmers don’t just grow food—they grow their legacies. They live on the land they farm, raise their children there, and work every day to pass healthy soil and thriving operations on to the next generation. Their livelihood depends on growing nutritious food sustainably. While the MAHA Commission questions some aspects of modern farming practices, farmers have the strongest incentive to protect both their land and their families’ health. They wouldn’t use tools or methods that jeopardize either their family’s safety or their farm’s future productivity.

As a farmer, I can confidently say that farmers share the goal of improving health outcomes in America. They’re dedicated to continuous improvement, guided by sound agricultural and livestock practices and technological advancements that keep our food supply safe, abundant and affordable.

Any policy changes must consider real-world consequences for food affordability and availability. Well-meaning, yet misguided, restrictions could reduce crop yields, drive up grocery costs and increase hunger in America—outcomes none of us want. Virginia’s farmers stand ready to be partners in building a healthier nation, but solutions must be practical and account for farming’s complexities. We need a seat at the table for discussions that include farmers’ voices and recognize that sustainable agriculture requires balancing environmental stewardship, economic viability and food security for all Americans.

Virginia Farmers to Serve on New Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Advisory Committee

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed two farmers to represent the state on a newly established Chesapeake Bay Program Agricultural Advisory Committee. The committee aims to incorporate agricultural expertise into conservation efforts across the Chesapeake Bay watershed as officials work to accelerate progress toward water quality goals.

Kevin Craun and Robert “Bob” Waring will serve as Virginia’s representatives on the committee. Each jurisdiction in the watershed will appoint two representatives.

The committee’s formation follows a December 10 meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council, where members formally approved its establishment. The initiative came at the request of agriculture secretaries from states within the Bay watershed and aligns with plans to revise the existing Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by the end of 2025.

“Since day one, I have consistently said that we must work with Virginia’s farmers, not against them, in order to achieve our goals,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Under my administration, we have fully funded the Virginia Agricultural-Cost Share Program for the first time ever.”

Agriculture Secretary Matthew Lohr called the committee’s creation “a game-changer for ensuring that farmers’ voices are front and center in shaping the future of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Craun co-owns a 900-acre operation in the Shenandoah Valley, managing 190 dairy cows and 100 cow/calf pairs. He serves on multiple agricultural boards, including as chairman of the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and as a commissioner of the Virginia State Milk Commission.

Waring co-manages Brandon Farms, a third-generation row crop farm in Essex County recognized by the American Farmland Trust for its conservation practices. He serves on the executive board of the Southern Cover Crops Council and works at Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Chesapeake Executive Council includes governors from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, along with the mayor of Washington, D.C., the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the EPA administrator.

Agriculture is the largest non-forest land use in the watershed and will play a critical role in creating solutions for a healthier Chesapeake Bay, officials said.