The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024. Matt McCelligott, past president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, said those wildfires left a devastating legacy.
“When it does burn, it does go through forest land and also goes through open rangeland,” McCelligott said. “But all of it is rangeland, quite frankly, and when it burns, then it creates such damage to the environment that we can’t, as an industry, graze cattle or sheep or any other livestock on that for a couple of years, unless the conditions are just exceptional, and usually they aren’t.”
McElligott says wildfires can burn so hot that they destroy any seed bank in the soil, inhibiting future growth. The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association has launched a fund to assist ranchers affected by wildfires across the state.
Molly Ball joins us to talk about the upcoming FFA Convention & Expo and dish about the latest episode of “Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.”
October 02, 2025 11:34 AM
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Farmers are in the midst of harvest as the government descends into a shutdown and the Farm Bill expires. Key federal departments, crop reporting, and aid programs important to the agricultural sector are now on hold.
October 02, 2025 10:54 AM
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Students share their experiences overcoming anxiety through opportunities provided by the National FFA Organization.
October 01, 2025 04:40 PM
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As flu season closes in, Dr. Gold outlines the steps to take when you get sick — including resting, staying hydrated, and knowing when to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
October 01, 2025 03:57 PM
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FarmHER Laura Adams raises cattle in Georgia, overcoming family tragedy with the help of Farm Dog of the Year, Skippy.
October 01, 2025 11:15 AM
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October 01, 2025 10:02 AM
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Under this agreement, SCDA will administer a program covering infrastructure and timber losses, as well as future economic and market losses.
September 30, 2025 04:31 PM
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Alan Bjerga, with the National Milk Producers Federation, joined us on Tuesday from Wisconsin with his Dairy Industry Outlook.
September 30, 2025 01:27 PM
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USDA and EPA officials aim to maintain America’s robust food supply while ensuring farmers have access to key resources and crop protection tools.
September 30, 2025 12:13 PM
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