K-State provides statewide data on 2020 winter wheat performance

Wheat names, average yields and test weights by county are included MANHATTAN, Kan. – With the next winter wheat crop planting just days away, Kansas farmers can be armed with information about how different varieties fared across the state in the last growing season. K-State Research and Extension has made available the 2020 results of its Winter Wheat Performance Tests for the crop harvested this summer, showing county by county yield, moisture, height, test weight…

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Keeping an Eye on Body Condition in Fall Calving Cows

Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management While body condition is critical for all lactating cows going into the breeding season, this is especially important for the fall calving cow. Photo credit Troy Walz. With much of the eastern and western borders of Nebraska in a drought, producers with fall calving cows need to be especially mindful of body condition on fall calving cows. In Nebraska, most fall calving herds actually…

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Keep it Tight; Store Hay Right

Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator No matter the type of forage, a tight, well-made bale is the best way to reduce the risk of storage loss. Photo credit Troy Walz. Setting the Stage  Even before storing, producers can give hay a better chance to make it from the field to the cow with as little loss as possible. Baling at correct moisture levels will lead to proper curing…

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Forage Testing Can Save Dollars

Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Sampling and testing forages for quality can make designing a feeding program easy and economical. Photo credit Troy Walz. As cow-calf producers strive to reduce feed costs by finding different avenues to increase grazing days, many still have to use harvested forages in their year-round feeding program.  Sampling and testing forages for quality can make designing a feeding program easy and economical.  Nutrient concentration can vary considerably in…

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Limit Feeding Cows Corn as an Alternative to Hay

While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay. Photo credit Troy Walz. Feed costs make up the largest expense in a cow-calf operation. While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay. Considering corn has a higher energy content than hay, the cost of feeding hay is often…

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Choosing a Method for Pregnancy Diagnosis

Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist Pregnancy diagnosis is a very valuable tool in the beef industry. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz. Previous research has shown the benefit of pregnancy diagnosis and how it adds to a producer’s bottom line. Keeping one cow over winter can cost $100-$200 in feed and supplements so removing open cows can help decrease winter feed costs. Pregnancy diagnosis is a very valuable tool in the…

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K-State experts discuss matching cattle needs to feed resources

It is important to make plans now so that cattle are able to graze late into the fall. | Download this photo. The time is now to plan ahead for fall grazing in the beef herd MANHATTAN, Kan. — Cool crisp mornings and school activities filling the calendar are two signs that fall is on the horizon. Just as families make plans, cattle producers need to be looking into their fall grazing options, according to…

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Drought increases risk of forage poisoning

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drought increases the chance of nitrate poisoning and prussic acid poisoning. High concentrations in plants and water can harm or even kill animals. High nitrate, mostly concentrated in grass stems, causes quick death, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Jill Scheidt. Nitrate in the blood blocks oxygen uptake. Without oxygen, cows die quickly. Quick testing is vital to helping animals survive, Scheidt says. Most MU Extension centers offer diphenylamine-sulfuric acid…

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USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020

Summer meal programs can continue operating as funding allows (Washington, DC, August 31, 2020) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground –…

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