Agriculture received a win this week as the government dropped all federal charges against South Dakota ranchers Charles and Heather Maude. The previous administration had lodged federal theft charges against them, claiming they stole federal land for personal use.
The Maudes spoke with RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander about their operation, their legal battle, and how their outcome can benefit American ag and ranching.
Related Stories
Bigger cows must wean proportionally heavier calves to justify higher ownership costs.
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.