Public Data & Information – Sometimes We Never Realize Value Until Something Is Gone

Oct 27, 2025

By Glynn T. Tonsor

The calendar year of 2025 continues to evolve as a memorable one for cattle producers. Markets continue to reflect supportive demand and supply fundamentals that have underpinned cattle price levels many deemed unreachable just months ago. While indeed market fundamentals largely remain supportive, it is important to note how and why we can come to that conclusion. Alas market data and information are critical to modern agricultural industry functions – you can’t manage (or assess) what you don’t measure. At the time of this writing, we remain in a federal government shutdown leading to this article’s focus on market data and information.

Most livestock producers are what economists would describe as price takers. The available set of market data and information for livestock sellers has long been justification for public investment in collection and reporting efforts by USDA (and other governmental agencies).

Source : osu.edu

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.