Be prepared for a variety of emergency situations

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergency situations. Residents have seen it all - tornadoes, wildfires, ice storms and flooding. What should Oklahomans do to prepare for what Mother Nature has to offer? Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist, has some advice. “We see a variety of natural disasters in our state. We face everything from tornadoes to wildfires to…

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New Analysis Shows U.S. Agriculture Reducing Per-Unit GHG Emissions

New analysis of updated data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, combined with U.S. Department of Agriculture data, shows U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to reduce per-unit greenhouse gas emissions. All told, the U.S. agricultural sector accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. emissions. That’s less than the emissions from the transportation, electricity generation and industrial sectors. Globally, agriculture accounts for about 24% of GHG emissions. The EPA’s U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse…

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NCBA Delivers “Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act” for Cattle Producers and Small Business

WASHINGTON (April 21, 2020) - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President, Government Affairs, Ethan Lane today issued the following statement in response to U.S. Senate passage of additional legislation, the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act of 2020, to provide relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: “We applaud the Senate for advancing this critical replenishment of funding to programs like Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and we are pleased to see the reaffirmation…

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Storm safety while on the road

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – When at home during stormy weather, Oklahomans understand all too well the importance of paying attention to news media updates and the family plan to head to a safe location when tornado sirens sound. Knowing what to do on the road is a different matter, however. Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist, said drivers cannot outrun danger. “Seeking a safe place to shelter…

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K-State beef cattle experts join effort to help reproductive success of heifers, young cows

Yearling heifers need extra care to help prepare them for breeding. When trouble arises the Heifer CONSULT tool may serve as a resource. Heifer CONSULT is an online resource for cow-calf producers MANHATTAN, Kan. – Many veterinarians say that getting to the bottom of an animal health challenge often involves deducing a series of clues. To help beef producers solve the mystery of why their cattle conception rates aren’t where they’d hoped, Kansas…

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SIMMENTAL PROVIDES MEMBERSHIP RELIEF IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

The American Simmental Association offers a support package  for members in fiscal year 2021.   Bozeman, MT -  During this time of uncertainty and unprecedented challenge, the American Simmental Association (ASA) recognizes that members and their customers are working tirelessly to keep the cattle industry going strong despite broad-sweeping change. To give back, the ASA Board of Trustees recently passed a member support package for the fiscal year 2021 totaling over $280,000. "We…

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Ag economists warn against overreaction to meat industry structure in face of COVID-19

Disruptions in the meat supply chain linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has cut industry processing capacity by 40%. Now is not the time, however, to make sweeping changes to the industry structure itself, K-State agricultural economists say. Ag economists warn against overreaction to meat industry structure in face of COVID-19 ‘Be cognizant of how we got here,’ one specialist says MANHATTAN, Kan. – Tumultuous times in the meatpacking industry linked to the current…

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Managing Through Feed Supply Disruptions

Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Key Takeaways Availability of distillers grains may be limited in some locations because of production slow-downs related to COVID-19 and changes in the supply-demand picture for fuel.Alternative protein sources are available, including oilseed meal, commercial supplements with and without urea, and high-protein roughages.Cattle feeders should visit with their nutritionist or Extension specialists to make sure that all the implications of changing supplemental protein sources are…

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USDA Increases Monthly SNAP Benefits by 40%

Emergency Benefits Prompted by COVID-19 (Washington, D.C., April 22, 2020) –Today, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced emergency benefit increases have reached $2.0 billion per month for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households across all 50 states and 3 territories to increase food security during the coronavirus national emergency. These emergency benefits represent a 40% increase in overall monthly SNAP benefits, significantly increasing food purchasing power for American families.   “These are…

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Be wary of fraudulent COVID-19 supplement claims

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – While many people are doing their part by social distancing in an effort to remain healthy and protect the community, there are others looking to make a quick buck. Those fraudulent marketers are popping up and promoting various products that claim to help prevent or treat COVID-19, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist. “Fraudulent COVID-19 products can come in many varieties, including dietary supplements…

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