Magazine

Since 1964, CALF News has offered in-depth industry coverage, market insights, management advice and a celebration of the people who make the cattle industry a success. CALF News is different from every other cattle industry publication because the editorial is different – we’re dedicated to bringing a face to the industry and delivering insight in a creative and original way. Our focus is on the people of the industry, as well as the events, information and ideas that make the beef cattle sector successful and cutting edge. CALF News writers give you information you can’t get anywhere else, because it’s not published anywhere else.

Betty Jo Gigot

Betty Jo Gigot, editor and publisher, was associate editor of CALF News magazine for 15 years before taking the reins in 2004. Born in New Mexico and raised on Colorado’s Western Slope, Betty Jo became involved in the cattle feeding industry by first learning the computer end of the business. In 1980, she founded her own computer company, writing and installing programs in feedyards across Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas.

After selling the company, Betty Jo worked as a management consultant for Dinklage, Inc., in Sidney, Neb., before moving to Greeley, Colo., as part of the management team for Lextron Animal Health (now Animal Health International), developing a computerized animal health system for use in feedyards. In 1989, she went to work for CALF News magazine, traveling the country, writing stories and photographing the feedyard industry.

As the leader of CALF News, she oversees a strong staff of writers and production professionals, producing valued information to an avid and long-lasting readership.

Contributing Editors

One of the many things that makes CALF News so unique is the quality and quantity of its editorial. Utilizing a large array of industry writers allows CALF to cover events that other publications pass over, profile industry people that are making contributions to the industry in unique ways and give perspectives that are unique, varied and thought-provoking. CALF covers topics that appeal to all ages and all sectors of the industry.

2022 CALF News Editorial Calendar

December 2021/January 2022:

  • Covering the Money Front
  • Estate planning in a new tax environment
  • Has the tax burden shifted for agriculture?
  • Managing risk in volatile markets. (Is volatility here to stay?)
  • Cheapening rations
  • Coverage from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Annual Convention
  • Bonus distribution at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show

February/March:

  • Market Drivers
  • Conclusions of the Live Cattle Marketing Task Force Market Triggers Sub-Committee
  • Packer update
  • Processing expansion
  • Labor issues
  • Coverage from the Kansas Livestock Association and Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Conventions

April/May:

  • New Frontiers in Food
  • Progress in lab-grown meat
  • Meat labeling/COOL
  • Coverage from the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show

June/July:

  • Environment
  • WOTUS reappears
  • 30 by 30 (now called the America the Beautiful plan)
  • Can agriculture operate without fossil fuels?
  • Coverage from the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Annual Convention

August/September:

  • Disease Traceability … It’s Coming
  • The latest progress toward implementing a U.S. disease traceability program
  • Electronic IDs and blockchain
  • Coverage from Beef Empire Days
  • Bonus distribution at Husker Harvest Days

October/November:

  • Bridging the Gap – Repairing the Urban/Agriculture Disconnect
  • Beef Checkoff efforts by state and nationally
  • Social media as an educational tool
  • Ag in the classroom
  • Coverage from the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping and International Feedlot Cowboys Association Finals Roping
  • Bonus distribution at the Kansas Livestock Association and Nebraska Cattlemen Conventions

In addition, each issue has a feedyard profile, a producer profile and regular columns.

CALF News typically arrives in readers’ mailboxes on the second week of the first month of the issue date. (For example, the second week of February for the February/March issue.)

Our Team

Betty Jo Gigot
Editor and Publisher

Jessica Ebert,
National Account Sales Manager