Researchers aim to mitigate COVID-19 in meat and poultry processing facilities

Kansas State University researchers are involved in a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project to protect meat plant workers and their surrounding communities from the spread of COVID-19. In this video, animal sciences professor Randy Phebus talks about the work that includes key partnerships between faculty in the College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Primarily we are focusing our efforts on giving the meat and poultry processing industry tools and knowledge that…

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Family Fun: Kansas Christmas tree farms hope for busy year

Christmas tree farms provide an opportunity for family bonding -- as well as a hunt for the 'perfect' tree. Buying a live tree supports local economies, good for the environment MANHATTAN, Kan. – During a year when many activities are limited or prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopping for a Christmas tree is not one of them. In fact, David Bruton – the utilization and marketing forester with the Kansas Forest Service – said…

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Recipe: GAME DAY STEAK CHILI

For best results use Certified Angus Beef ® brand GAME DAY STEAK CHILI SERVES 8 - 10 Share your great taste! Hearty slow cooker steak chili is perfect for game day or a comforting meal on a cold day. Bottom round roast makes it a budget-friendly meal. INGREDIENTS: 3 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® bottom round roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper1/4 cup canola oil3 large onions, diced4 cloves garlic, minced2…

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Plan Now to Control Weeds With Grazing Next Season

Pete Bauman SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist South Dakota Invasive Plants Canada goldenrod is a native flowering plant in South Dakota, but it is generally considered as a grazing ‘increaser’ and is relatively undesirable by landowners at high densities. Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle are both common noxious weeds in South Dakota requiring that managers control the production and spread of seed. S.D. DISTRIBUTION MAPS: Canada thistle, S.D. Department of AgriculturePerennial sow thistle, S.D. Department of…

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USDA Forest Service Announces Key Changes to NEPA Procedures

The USDA Forest Service today announced the publication of a final rule implementing key changes to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The changes include new tools and flexibilities to tackle critical land management challenges as part of a broader agency effort to better serve the American people through timely, high-quality management decisions affecting infrastructure, permitting and restoration of natural resources on their national forests and grasslands. “These changes will ensure we…

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Fall Grazing Thoughts

Chris Penrose, Extension Educator, Morgan County (originally published in Farm and Dairy) Would placing water in strategic locations improve your pasture management? Well, the growing season may be over but the grazing season may not. My whole career I have heard many talking about how long the grazing rotation should be: maybe 14 days in the spring or 60 in late summer during dry weather. I have also heard the discussion over which is…

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Reducing Winter Feed Costs

Clif Little, OSU Extension Agriculture Natural Resources, Guernsey County (this article was originally appeared in Farm and Dairy) Stockpiled fescue with small round bales can be utilized for winter strip grazing. Photo by Clif Little Winter feed represents one of the largest components of annual cow cost. Approximately seventy five percent of the annual feed cost for cattle is winter feed. One way to increase the profit potential in the cow herd is to…

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First Ever Joint Partnership with Angus Australia

Angus Australia and the American Angus Association partner on foot score phenotypes.             The American Angus Association® introduces the first ever partnership with Angus Australia and the Canadian Angus Association to combine foot score phenotypes from all three databases. Following promising results from research conducted by AGI®, the first updated foot score EPDs including phenotypes from all three databases will be published on November 27. “Using all three of these databases will be valuable to…

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USDA Opens Registration for the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum

The 2021 Forum Will Be Virtual and Registration Is Free Registration is now open for the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), the largest annual meeting and premiere event of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The two-day Forum will take place on Feb. 18-19, 2021. Due to COVID-19 and current restrictions on large gatherings in the Washington, D.C. area, USDA will hold the 2021 Forum virtually for the first time and registration will…

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Cattle Chat: Measuring genetic success at sale time

K-State beef cattle experts say post-weaning sale weight isn’t the only factor in the equation MANHATTAN, Kan. — Experts at the Beef Cattle Institute say an animal’s performance at sale time is often considered the test for the outcome of breeding decisions, but it is only a small consideration in measuring genetic success. Brad White, veterinarian and BCI director, laid out the following scenario to kick off a recent Cattle Chat podcast about evaluating the…

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