As Livestock Weekly approaches the beginning of its 50th year of publication, we thought it appropriate to reprise the greeting that appeared on our first Christmas issues. Our sincerest wishes for a wonderful holiday season go out to all the readers who've helped keep us here this long.

Feeder Lambs Trend Higher, Fats Weaken
Feeder lambs showed a little strength around the country the last full trading week of 1997. Most Texas markets will be closed the next two weeks for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Plains Fed Cattle Movement Stymied Yet Another Week By Big Price Gap
Once again, feedlot trading on the Plains was stalled at midweek. That makes three out of the last four sessions, and the other one never amounted to much.

PLAINS FEEDLOT SALES

RANGE SALES

Frank Davis Hopes To Bring Home Steer Wrestling Title
Frank Davis has been rodeoing off and on since he was in the fourth or fifth grade. His goal when he went professional in 1992 was to make it to the National Finals Rodeo.

New Mexico Oldtimers Helping Preserve State’s Rural History
Jupe Means was born in a cow pasture, he says, and learned to ride when he was three. He could stay in the saddle — all day if necessary — by the time his family arrived in New Mexico in 1919.

Question: What Should You Call Irradiation Without Radiation?
Well before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved irradiation of beef to control harmful bacteria such as E. coli that might be on the meat, Sandia National Laboratory was already at work on making such a system more cost-effective.

Seminars Offer Goat Producers Herd Health And Disease Tips
Herd health was high on the list of popular topics at a series of recent meat goat seminars across the state.

Species "Reform" Bill Turns Bad Policies Into Worse Law
On September 16, Republican Senators Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho and John Chafee of Rhode Island introduced their long-awaited bill to "reform" the Endangered Species Act. Their bill, S.1180, is so bad that even Bruce Babbitt likes it.

Warming Treaty Is Hashed Out, But Passage In U.S. Unlikely
When the fanfare surrounding the "global warming" conference died down here last week, tired delegates flew off for home proudly clutching copies of a "historic" agreement that does not include the majority of participating countries and will almost certainly not be adopted by the United States.

Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Scheme Nearing Move-In Date
In the coming weeks, the howl of the Mexican gray wolf will return to the forest near the Arizona-New Mexico line.

Grain Car Shortage Just Part Of Massive Rail Merger Foulup
Despite a rapidly approaching deadline to untangle its knotted lines, Union Pacific says there is no race against the clock to load the grain piles dotting the Midwest.

Punishment For Pranks Creates Aching Need For Final Payback
It has always amazed me just how some kids grow up, or at least live to the ripe old age of puberty. I've known some kids who were pretty ornery and really pushed their parents to the limit. And by limit, I mean have 'em just one step away from flat-out murder.

Judge Rules Wolf Introduction Scheme Violation Of Species Act
The federal scheme to reintroduce wolves into the northern Rockies is in big trouble.

Scientists Back Buffalo Plan, But Judge Slaps Strict Limits
The National Academy of Sciences supports the State of Montana’s case for shooting possibly diseased buffalo that wander out of Yellowstone National Park, but that evidence doesn’t sway a federal judge who ruled this week that buffalo can’t be killed without his personal permission.

Mad Cow-Related Bans In Europe Have All Factions In An Uproar
Fears that so-called "mad cow" disease could cross the Atlantic Ocean prompted federal officials to ban imports of all cattle, sheep and related products from Europe until the risk is fully assessed.

Coyote Seeks Refuge In Federal Building
Everyone who's ever dealt with them knows that coyotes are clever and adaptable. Who'd have thought, however, that they were smart enough to seek federal protection?

Angelo Feeder Lambs Higher, Cattle Steady
Feeder lambs sold $2-5 higher this week, slaughter lambs too limited for a test, slaughter ewes firm to $3 higher. Receipts totaled 12,173 head.

Steer And Heifer Prices Firm In Angelo Special Sale Monday
Steer and heifer prices were firm here Monday in the season’s tenth special feeder sale at Producer’s Livestock Auction.

San Saba, Brownwood, Mason Feeders Steady
Feeder steers and heifers were active and sold steady in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba last week, slaughter cows and bulls $1-3 higher.

Llano Feeder Steer, Heifer Prices Steady
Feeder steers and heifers sold steady, slaughter cows $2 higher, bulls steady. Receipts totaled 575 head.

Loose Ends

Coming Up...
December 18 — The Last Issue of Livestock Weekly For 1997 Will Published. December 20 — Special Stocker Cow Sale, Tri-County Livestock Market Inc., New Summerfield, Texas. December 20 — Special Winter Horse Sale, Rio Grand Classic Livestock Auction, El Paso, Texas.