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Articles by Christopher Wolf
US dairy herd dynamics: dairy heifer supply and beef-on-dairy
The author is a professor of agriculture, food, and resource economics at Cornell University. The U.S. dairy herd has exhibited unusual dynamics in recent years that reflect changes in relative prices, technology, and management. The table displays year-over-year changes in national milk cow numbers, replacement heifers expected to calve, and total dairy cows culled. Several patterns stand out. Most notably, replacement heifer numbers have declined each year, even as milk cow numbers rose in 2025.
The risk of a hothouse Earth trajectory
Main text During the mid-to-late Pleistocene (∼1.2 million to 11,700 years before present), Earth’s climate oscillated between ice ages and warmer interglacials, with temperatures ranging roughly between −6°C and +2°C relative to the pre-industrial mean of ∼14°C (Figure 1A). The Holocene, beginning ∼11,700 years ago, developed into a relatively stable climate that enabled agriculture, complex societies, and today’s ecosystems to develop and thrive.
How helpful are the “hidden costs of food systems” numbers?
The “hidden costs of foods systems” calculations reported by the Food and Land Use Coalition, the Food System Economic Commission and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization may not provide helpful policy guidance for the transformation of food systems for both economic and political reasons. Economically, the hidden costs numbers exclude countervailing social benefits which imply unavoidable trade-offs across policy objectives.
These Countries Have Committed the Most Aid to Ukraine
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Markets for our milkfat
Much has been made of greater milk component production in recent years, and for good reason. Advances in cattle nutrition and genetics have enabled higher component production, with milkfat in particular rising in the past decade. The incentive to grow components sold comes not only from higher revenues but also lower costs of hauling and marketing, which are based on hundredweights of milk regardless of component levels.
What to Know About Biden’s Trip to France
Key Takeaways The trip marks Biden’s first state visit to France. The president will deliver remarks commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Biden is also expected to talk with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Joe Biden arrived in France on Wednesday for a visit during which he will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces landed in Normandy and paved the way for the liberation of Europe in World War II.
QUOTES: Trump on Gun Control Policy
Former President Donald Trump will speak to the National Rifle Association on Saturday in his ninth address to the gun rights group’s members in a major public gathering. “President Trump is under relentless attacks because he is not afraid to fight for those who share his American values,” NRA interim Executive Vice President and CEO Andrew Arulanandam said in a statement announcing the event.
These Countries Have Committed the Most Aid to Ukraine
With President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, America’s role in the war between Ukraine and Russia may be about to change. Throughout his presidential campaign and continuing at the start of his second term, Trump has promised to end the war. But in early February 2025, he said he wanted access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals industry in exchange for further support – a deal originally floated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As U.S. COVID-19 Winter Wave Recedes, CDC Tracks New BA.2.87.1 Variant Original
The latest COVID-19 wave in the U.S. appears to have peaked and started retreating, but concerns over a new variant are always lurking. Several COVID-19 metrics – including hospital admissions and emergency department visits – are showing a decline. Wastewater viral activity levels, which represent both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, remain high but are trending downward in all regions except the South, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Will Frigid Temperatures Freeze Iowa Caucus Turnout?
Iowa residents are no strangers to cold weather, but forecasts ahead of Monday night’s caucuses are calling for deep-freeze temperatures that may test the mettle of even the steeliest Midwesterners. READ: Swinging for Second in Iowa With more than half a million Republicans across 99 counties potentially participating in the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary – set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time – predictions as of Friday called for lows reaching minus 18 degrees in the state.
As Severe Weather Batters the U.S., These Places Are Most At Risk From 'Natural Hazards'
Severe weather has pounded swaths of the U.S. this week, bringing with it soaking rains, heavy snow, coastal flooding, tornadoes – even a deadly avalanche. Forecasters also warned of more weather hazards into the weekend and beyond, including the threat of tornadoes in the South, brutally cold temperatures in the Plains and Midwestern states, and more rain, snow and wind for the eastern U.S. READ: The Demographics of Disaster These types of hazards pose obvious threats to lives and livelihoods.
An environmental and socially just climate mitigation pathway for a planet in peril
Climate change—a critical issue that many consider a major threat for life on Earth—is a symptom of ecological overshoot, long-term consumption and production patterns that lead to excessive and unsustainable environmental pressure. To address climate change, we must address these underlying causes and take steps towards sustainable living practices that prioritize the health of the biosphere and all its human and nonhuman inhabitants.
School Shootings by State
A Thursday shooting at an Iowa school that left a sixth-grader dead and at least five other victims wounded continued a troubling trend of school shootings in the U.S. and marked the fourth such incident in the U.S. already in 2024.
Real Climate Solutions Will Take Real Leadership Original
The United Nations Climate Change Conference ended last month, and its small successes could barely mask its failure to face a worsening climate catastrophe. COP28 highlights included more than 120 countries pledging to triple their renewable energy capacity by 2030 and several countries pledging a total of $700 million to a loss and damage fund compensating vulnerable communities after climate disasters.
Survey: Americans Want ‘Trustworthy’ Leaders Above All Else
Americans want leaders who are “trustworthy” above all else, according to a joint 2023 survey by U.S. News & World Report and The Harris Poll. It’s a seemingly universal result across a range of demographic breakdowns, including by gender, race, generation, household income, political party, urbanicity and geography. “Honest” and “hard-working” followed trust as the most important leadership traits in the overall results.
The Evolution of Leadership
Every organization – from private companies and universities to the military and nonprofits – depends on great leadership. And while different historical cycles may bring different kinds of leaders, one thing never seems to change: Leadership matters. As part of its Evolution of Leadership project, U.S. News examines America's views of today’s leaders and the qualities that define them.
Population, Religion and Poverty: The Demographics of Israel and Gaza
Israelis gather to watch the Iron Dome missile defense system launch to intercept rockets fire from the Gaza Strip, May 17, 2021, in Ashdod, Israel.(Amir Levy/Getty Images) Life in Israel and the Palestinian territories has been upended since an Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas, which killed more than 1,000 people and sparked a counteroffensive by the Israeli military in Gaza that has killed thousands more.
Halloween Sees a Surge in Popularity - and Anticipated Spending
The amount of money spent on Halloween candy this year is expected to reach $3.6 billion, up from $3.1 billion last year, according to the survey by the National Retail Federation.(Getty Stock Images) Spooky season is here, and it’s back in a big way. About 73% of Americans are planning to celebrate Halloween this year, the highest level in the 18 years that the National Retail Federation has conducted its annual survey, and well above the pandemic slump of 58% in 2020.
Mass Killings in America, by State
A mass shooting at a bowling alley and nearby restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday left at least 18 people dead and 13 more injured. The incident marked one of 37 mass killings in the U.S. this year and was the deadliest in America in 2023 so far, according to a database maintained by USA Today and The Associated Press in partnership with Northeastern University.
Las constantes vitales de la Tierra, peor que nunca en la historia de la humanidad
Crisis climática Una coalición internacional de científicos avisan del riesgo de colapso estructural a raíz del cambio climático 3 min Una imagen de Nueva York teñida de contaminación a causa de los incendios salvajes de Canadá. Barcelona"Los signos vitales de la Tierra han empeorado mucho más de lo que los humanos hayan visto hasta ahora".
Mapping the Conflict Between Israel and Hamas
An aerial view of destroyed buildings following Israeli airstrikes in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 12, 2023.(Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images) The recent attacks on Israel by Hamas have reignited one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East. The surprise assault by the group's militant wing on Oct. 7 left nearly 1,300 dead, mostly Israeli civilians.
Mapping the Conflict in Israel and Palestine
An aerial view of destroyed buildings following Israeli airstrikes in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Oct. 12, 2023.(Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images) The recent attacks on Israel by Hamas have reignited one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East. The surprise assault by the militant group on Oct. 7 left nearly 1,300 dead, including Israeli soldiers and civilians.
How Much Aid Does the U.S. Give to Israel?
Calls for more aid to Israel came quickly in the wake of a terrorist attack by Hamas on the country this weekend, and President Biden has said military assistance is on its way. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, has already been dispatched to the region, and more aid in the form of equipment, resources and munitions is expected to arrive in coming days. READ: Why Did Hamas Attack Israel? The U.S. commitment to aiding Israel has long-standing roots.
The Best Countries, According to Europeans
A man rides a bicycle past old buildings as the Tokyo Skytree is pictured behind, Sept. 12, 2023, in Tokyo.(RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images) European nations tend to dominate the annual Best Countries rankings, and in 2023 Europe claimed five of the top 10 spots, led by Switzerland, which has earned the No. 1 overall ranking six times. The 2023 Best Countries rankings come from a perception-based survey of more than 17,000 respondents from 36 nations across the world.
Home Not-So-Sweet Home: Countries Where People Would Rather Live Elsewhere
While you might expect the country where a person lives to be a place they’d proudly call home, respondents in only about half of the countries surveyed to compile the 2023 Best Countries rankings rated their own nation No. 1 for the attribute “is a place I would live.” Respondents in another 10 countries at least gave their home nations a top 5 result.
The Best Countries in the World According to Americans
The annual Best Countries rankings from U.S. News may inspire hopeful chants of "USA!" among American readers, who in turn may be disappointed to learn the United States finished at No. 5 this year instead of No. 1, dropping a spot from last year. The result, still a top-tier ranking, comes from a perception-based analysis of data collected through a survey of more than 17,000 respondents from 36 nations all over the world.
America First? The Best Countries in the World, According to Americans
An American flag flies over the Hudson River in New York City. Examining results from the Best Countries survey based only on American responses yields some interesting insights.(Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) The annual Best Countries rankings from U.S. News may inspire hopeful chants of "USA!" among American readers, who in turn may be disappointed to learn the United States finished at No. 5 this year instead of No. 1, dropping a spot from last year.
America First? The Best Countries in the World, According to Americans
17 hours ago Sending him our condolences. While Guy Fieri's social media presence is usually pretty upbeat, he recently took to Instagram to acknowledge the death of a friend. Steve Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth, passed away on September 4. Harwell, a longtime friend of the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives …
America First? The Best Countries in the World, According to Americans
The annual Best Countries rankings from U.S. News may inspire hopeful chants of "USA!" among American readers, who in turn may be disappointed to learn the United States finished at No. 5 this year instead of No. 1, dropping a spot from last year. The result, still a top-tier ranking, comes from a perception-based analysis of data collected through a survey of more than 17,000 respondents from 36 nations all over the world.
You vs. the World, Conflict & Threats Edition
The 2023 Best Countries rankings from U.S. News are based on a survey of more than 17,000 global respondents from regions all over the world. As part of that effort, respondents were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with dozens of statements covering topics such as world events, conflict and threats, the environment, leadership and social issues. Several statements related to world conflicts and threats.
Find the Best Country for You
Let's face it: Most people are prone to a bit of wanderlust. And while pride and patriotism can still run strong, your home country may not be where your whole heart is. The 2023 Best Countries rankings from U.S. News are based on survey responses from people across the world who associated dozens of "attributes" with specific nations.
Quiz: You vs. the World, Conflict & Threats Edition Original
The 2023 Best Countries rankings from U.S. News are based on a survey of more than 17,000 global respondents from regions all over the world. As part of that effort, respondents were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with dozens of statements covering topics such as world events, conflict and threats, the environment, leadership and social issues. Several statements related to world conflicts and threats.
These Are the Top 25 COVID Hot Spots in the U.S.
COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the U.S. have continued to rise week over week, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. tallied about 15,000 reported hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 over the seven days ending Aug. 19. Though a far cry from previous totals during the pandemic, that’s a 19% increase from the week prior, continuing a climb that started at the end of June after hospitalizations reached a recent weekly low point of approximately 6,300.
Top COVID Hot Spots in the U.S. Original
Medical assistants administer COVID-19 sampling tests to laboratory technicians at Foxconn Assembly on Aug. 13, 2021, in Houston.(Brandon Bell/Getty Images) COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the U.S. have continued to rise week over week, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. tallied about 19,000 new hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 over the seven days ending Sep. 2.
Where Heat-Related Illness Has Hit Hardest in the U.S.
An unrelenting heat wave – one that’s followed the hottest start to June on record globally – is putting many Americans at risk of heat-related illness. On Tuesday, more than 52 million people – about 15% of the U.S. population – lived in a county that could experience maximum temperatures of 100 F or higher.
Methodology: Racial Equality in America by U.S. News Original
The Racial Equality in America project from U.S. News aims to highlight the difference in experiences between racial and ethnic groups across the U.S. by examining disparities in key societal outcomes. Though a separate analysis, the project is a companion to U.S. News’ Best States and Healthiest Communities rankings. The data behind it spans 19 metrics across five categories: education, health, economy, housing, and crime and safety.
Could bandwidth exist to expand the DMC program?
The author is a professor of agriculture, food, and resource economics at Cornell University The Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) is a risk management option utilized by many dairy farmers. It was first created by the 2018 Farm Bill as an updated — and many would say improved — version of the Margin Protection Program which itself was created in the 2014 Farm Bill. On an annual basis, dairy farmers can sign up for operation-specific coverage based on milk production history.
Why Biden’s Student Debt Plan Never Took Off
A sign reading "cancel student debt" is seen outside the Supreme Court, Friday, June 30, 2023, as decisions are expected in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Jacquelyn Martin The Supreme Court ruled Friday that a plan to spend some $400 billion in taxpayer money to pay off the debts of some student loan holders overstepped President Joe Biden's executive authority. But, legality aside, the merits of the spending plan have long been questioned – even by some in the president's own party.
Canada Wildfires Lead to Air-Quality Alerts in US, Here's How to Stay Safe
In this GOES-16 GeoColor satellite image taken Monday, June 5, 2023 at 7 p.m. EDT and provided by CIRA/NOAA, smoke from wildfires burning in Quebec, Canada, top center, drifts southward. (CIRA/NOAA via AP)Uncredited Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.
Police: Fentanyl Found in Waikiki Hotel Room, 2 Men Dead After Suspected Mass Overdose
HONOLULU (AP) — Two people died in what officials believe was a mass fentanyl overdose over the weekend involving five people in a hotel room in the Hawaii tourist mecca of Waikiki. Emergency responders were called to the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Sunday morning and found five people. A 44-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while two men, ages 40 and 53, were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Two women, 53 and 47, were transported in serious condition.
Climate-driven variation in dispersal ability predicts responses to forest fragmentation in birds - Nature Ecology & Evolution
Abstract Species sensitivity to forest fragmentation varies latitudinally, peaking in the tropics. A prominent explanation for this pattern is that historical landscape disturbance at higher latitudes has removed fragmentation-sensitive species or promoted the evolution of more resilient survivors.
Garth Brooks Extends Sold-Out Las Vegas Residency With 2024 Dates
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Country music star Garth Brooks says his new Las Vegas residency has been extended with 18 additional dates next year ahead of opening night on Thursday. Tickets for the “Garth Brooks/Plus One” show at Caesars Palace hotel-casino sold out quickly when they went on sale in late 2022. “When the 2023 shows went on sale, I felt extremely fortunate and blessed,” Brooks said in a statement Thursday morning.
Vermont Legislature's Impeachment Committee to Meet Over the Summer
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A special committee of the Vermont House of Representatives formed to investigate the possible impeachment of the Franklin County sheriff and state’s attorney will be meeting over the summer, the speaker of the Vermont House says. Democratic Speaker Jill Krowinski says if the committee she named earlier this week determines the House should hold an impeachment vote she will call the chamber back into session.
False Claims of a Stolen Election Thrive Unchecked on Twitter Even as Musk Promises Otherwise
FILE - A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Election falsehoods are thriving on Twitter after former President Donald Trump dug in on these claims at a CNN town hall, despite Twitter owner Elon Musk's insistence that false stolen-election claims on the platform “will be corrected.” An analysis shows the 10 most widely shared tweets promoting a “rigged election” narrative in the five days after the town hall have not been labeled or removed.
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