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Distillery Launches Initiative

Posted on by Dustin Hector

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (May 6, 2025) – Heaven Hill Distillery, America’s largest family-owned and operated distillery launches initiative call Family Farm First.  Heaven Hill Grain to Glass is committed to celebrating and supporting the hardworking and passionate farm families who provide the high-quality ingredients essential to both America’s food supply and its finest whiskeys.

This milestone moment coincides with the release of the highly anticipated Second Edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This small-batch bourbon represents the next chapter in a story that begins with the seed and ends in the glass, highlighting Heaven Hill’s deep-rooted commitment to family, quality and craft.

Each annual edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass features a unique corn seed varietal, chosen in collaboration with Beck’s Hybrids to grow well in the soils of Central Kentucky. The 2025 release features corn seed varietal Beck’s 6225, and was grown by family-owned Peterson Farms on one of two sites in Nelson County, Kentucky. Made up of 52% corn, 35% rye and 13% malt, this unique mashbill, with a higher secondary grain content than Heaven Hill Distillery’s traditional bourbon recipe, was aged for six years at Heaven Hill’s Cox’s Creek rickhouse site. Non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel strength, the result is a 105 proof, richly layered spirit that showcases the integrity of family-farm-grown ingredients and the craftsmanship of Heaven Hill Distillery.

“In 2017, we embarked on a journey to create a one-of-a-kind Grain to Glass Whiskey by partnering with family-owned seed companies and farms,” said Max Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands. “These innovative mash bills feature hand-selected, unique grain varieties grown locally by Kentucky family farms. Heaven Hill Grain to Glass is a testament to the important legacy of family farmers, who are the lifeblood of our country.”

As Heaven Hill approaches its 90th anniversary in December 2025, the Family Farms First initiative underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting fellow family businesses—especially those within the agricultural community. The initiative is launching with a partnership with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers overcome major hardships, injuries or natural disasters. Since 2005, Farm Rescue has provided free planting, harvesting, commodity hauling and livestock feeding assistance to over 1,000 farm families across eight states.

“Farm Rescue’s mission is to keep family farms intact during times of crises,” said Bill Gross, Founder and President of Farm Rescue. “Family farms, which make up 97% of U.S. farms, are vital to sustaining our communities and our future. Our collaboration with Heaven Hill Grain to Glass will bolster our ability to provide essential support to more farm families, ensuring they can continue their operations and sustain their livelihoods.”

Tim Sullivan, Executive Director of Farm Rescue, added, “Support from companies like Heaven Hill profoundly impacts our capacity to assist family farms in need. Their commitment to quality and community resonates deeply with our mission, and we are grateful for their partnership.” A portion of every sale of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass – up to $100,000 annually – will be donated to Farm Rescue.

“We are honored to partner with Farm Rescue as part of our Family Farms First initiative,” continued Shapira. “Their efforts align perfectly with our values at Heaven Hill, where we understand the dedication and resilience needed to keep a family business thriving for generations. This investment will make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who sustain our communities and our way of life.”

With every bottle of the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, consumers are not only enjoying a world-class whiskey but also directly supporting the families who cultivate the land it comes from—a bold spirit with a bold mission. Heaven Hill and Farm Rescue are working to ensure that American farm families don’t just survive, but thrive, for generations to come.

For more information about Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, visit: https://heavenhilldistillery.com/grain-to-glass/

For more information about Farm Rescue, the distillery launches initiative, visit: https://farmrescue.org/

 

http://americancattlemen.com 

Proven Fly and Insect Control Tips

Posted on by Dustin Hector

Here are some proven fly and insect control tips.  With the modalities of fly and insect control available today, cattle producers do everything short of shielding their herd’s health and performance with a magnetic force. To promote healthier herds and prevent production losses to cattle operations, let’s review practical guidance on control methods.

More than annoyance: Impact on health and profits

“If you are seeing flies, ticks, lice or insect damage to your cattle herd, we know there is an economic impact; however, that impact can become far greater than production or weight gain loss alone,” says Ashby Green, DVM, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian with Neogen®. “Insect pressure affects grazing patterns of cattle, it affects their comfort, and it can lead to health issues. Some of those health issues can be definite, such as anaplasmosis.”

Herd Health

Commonly referred to as “filth flies,” insects such as house flies, horn flies, stable flies, and face flies – as well as ticks – present many herd health risks, according to Jonathan Cammack, PhD, D-ABFE, Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist with Oklahoma State University.

The vectors responsible for spreading anaplasmosis include horse flies, stable flies, and ticks. This condition has been reported in most states across the United States, while the disease has been recognized as endemic throughout the south, several midwestern states, and western states.1

“With horn flies, we’re looking at mastitis risk, so that’s going to impact both dairy cattle and also our cow/calf operations,” shares Dr. Cammack. “A lot of times, horn flies will feed on the udders of the animals, and they transfer the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria with them because they land on the manure, then they go back to the animal to feed and bring those bacteria with them.”

Several other conditions are propagated by flies or ticks, including pinkeye (Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis), which can be spread by face flies through the Moraxella bovis bacteria and causes inflammation and ulceration of the eyes. Pinkeye-affected calves are on average 35 to 40 lbs lighter at weaning compared to healthy calves, according to a University of Kentucky report.2

With these implications at stake, the message is clear: Insect control, including flies, ticks, and lice, is a very important part of best animal husbandry practices for livestock operations. Dr. Green shares that, “In more recent years, studies have demonstrated that a 2,000 lb bull or 1,300 lb cow can detect when a fly lands on their skin.”

Profitability

Due to flies, “We’re looking at probably $6 billion in losses annually to US cattle production, and that encompasses everything from actual loss in production due to decreased weight gain or decreased milk production, veterinary needs associated with treatment of cattle with exposure to pathogens from some of these insects, and then also the control measures associated with managing those individual fly species,” says Dr. Cammack.

In addition to flies, ticks present lofty economic risks, as well. Dr. Cammack shares how, “over a 100-day growing period, we can see a decrease in total weight gain in calves by about 20 lbs. For stockers over that same 100-day period during the summer months, we see a decrease in weight gain by about 60 lbs. With what current prices are, 60 lbs could translate to a significant amount of money returned when we’re talking about the few dollars that it might cost for some tick control.”

Controlling flies and insects: Tips to implement

Now is the time to take steps to control flies and ticks, as populations emerge with the warmer weather.

Dr. Green recommends using a multi-pronged approach to insect control. Fly tags, feed-through insect growth regulator (IGR) products, pour-ons, back rubbers, and dust bags can help diminish the population. A pour-on with an IGR destroys the larval development in flies and greatly reduces the fly population. For ultimate control using a pour-on, look to a unique combination of actives within one solution that includes an IGR, an adulticide, and a synergist that supplies relief to cattle from infestations and provides producers with a reliable solution that helps minimize handling, time, and labor costs.

“Both back rubbers and dust bags can be highly effective if managed correctly. Keep in mind that, when these are put out to withstand the elements, including moisture and rain, it’s key to keep the dust fresh or the oil recharged in your back rubbers. Otherwise, they will diminish in their ability to control flies quickly,” advises Dr. Green.

In order to prevent the issue of resistance, Dr. Cammack recommends that cattle producers follow a two-pronged approach to fly and insect control. In essence, “Use IGRs to help tackle the larval flies that are in decomposing resources, and use other compounds or products, whether it’s an ear tag or a pour-on, for the adult flies.”

Dr. Cammack also stressed the importance of accurate dosing by the individual animal’s weight and following label guidelines.

To best control flies and insects on cattle operations, “The easy and effective way is the best way,” concludes Dr. Green. “It’s up to you and with the help of your veterinarian to help create that combination.”

To learn more, visit Prozap.com or speak with your Neogen representative.

References:

1 United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. January 2024. Bovine anaplasmosis. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/bovine-anaplasmosis-infosheet.pdf

2 Arnold, M., & Lehmkuhler, J. (n.d.). Fact sheet: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis or “pinkeye” in cattle. University of Kentucky. https://ruminant.ca.uky.edu/files/factsheet_on_pinkeye_final.pdf

About Neogen

Neogen Corporation is committed to fueling a brighter future for global food security through the advancement of human and animal well-being. Harnessing the power of science and technology, Neogen has developed comprehensive solutions spanning the Food Safety, Livestock, and Pet Health & Wellness markets. A world leader in these fields, Neogen has a presence in over 140 countries with a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts focused on delivering optimized products and technology for its customers.

 

http://americancattlemen.com 

End Targeted Persecution of Maude Family

Posted on by Twin Rivers Media

End Targeted Persecution of Maude Family

WASHINGTON (April 28, 2025) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) commended U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for ending the overzealous criminal prosecution of family ranchers Charles and Heather Maude.

Secretary Rollins’ announcement today is welcome news both for the Maude family who have endured arduous court appearances, legal fees, and the threat of prison time, as well as for family ranchers across the West who feared heavy-handed legal pressure from the last administration. This announcement is a fitting culmination to the last year of work NCBA and PLC have done in Washington to find a reasonable end to this unnecessary situation. The support of grassroots cattle industry leaders from around the country was also crucial to achieving this victory.

“No family farmer or rancher should have to go through what the Maude family did,” said NCBA President Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattleman. “The targeted prosecution of the Maude family was way out of line for the U.S. Forest Service, and this was a clear example of government overreach that had direct, catastrophic impacts for a hardworking fifth-generation ranching family.”

Under the Biden Administration, Charles and Heather Maude were indicted on federal charges of “theft of federal property,” as the result of a disputed fence line with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and a small parcel in the family’s pasture that had been managed the same way since the early 1900s. Despite the Maudes engaging in good faith with USFS to address the boundary dispute, USFS diverted from normal protocol. Armed federal agents served the Maudes with federal summons where Charles and Heather were charged separately, requiring them to each retain their own attorney and subjecting each to penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.

“Charles and Heather Maude are public lands ranchers who for decades held a federal grazing permit and were permittees in good standing,” said PLC President and Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury, a federal grazing permittee. “As permittees, we are required to work collaboratively with the government, but when federal agencies view ranchers as the enemy, it threatens the trust that every single rancher has in their federal partners. The public outcry we saw on behalf of the Maudes goes to show that public lands ranchers everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief that the USDA under Secretary Rollins is no longer trying to slap handcuffs on hardworking farmers and ranchers.”

NCBA, PLC, and our state affiliates have been involved in supporting the Maudes since they first faced legal charges. Last August, NCBA and PLC leaders brought media attention to their case and urged then-Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and then-Chief of the Forest Service Randy Moore to work with the Department of Justice to change course. Since that time, NCBA and PLC staff have participated in numerous meetings with Forest Service and USDA leadership to reel in rogue federal agents and a siloed, activist Department of Justice. After the election in November, NCBA and PLC immediately brought the Maude’s case to the attention of the Trump Administration, urged the White House to intervene, and have demanded accountability from USFS law enforcement leaders.

“This case was an unfortunate example of the imbalance of power between family ranchers and a formidable federal government. Put simply, the Maude family was expected to bear the burden of an inefficient and unfair Forest Service process, and their story had a chilling effect on ranchers’ trust in federal land management agencies they interact with daily,” said Executive Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover. “Both the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council are pleased that our months-long campaign to find a good solution for Charles, Heather, and their kids has finally become a reality.”

American Cattlemen 2025

End Targeted Persecution of Maude Family.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

The Public Lands Council (PLC) represents 22,000 cattle and sheep producers who operate with federal grazing permits in the West. The PLC advocates for these western ranchers who preserve our nation’s natural resources while providing vital food and fiber to the nation and the world. Learn more at www.publiclandscouncil.org.

CONTACT:
Hunter Ihrman, hihrman@beef.org
Steve Johnson, srjohnson@beef.org

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