by Morgan Boecker, Certified Angus Beef LLC When it’s hot and sunny, cattle seek shade. If they can’t find any, it could cost you money. In 2003, scientists estimated heat stress cost the U.S. beef industry $369 million a year. The condition occurs when an animal can’t dissipate heat as fast as it’s incurred. Providing shade when needed is one way to mitigate stress and produce high-quality beef. Stress of any kind affects…

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – A flowering bush or plant in full bloom looks beautiful in the landscape, but when the flowers begin to fade and wither, they should be removed to help other blooms take their place, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “This process is called deadheading and it’s good for the plant. Most annuals and many perennials will continue to bloom throughout the growing season if gardeners will…

Who Is Today’s Meat Consumer? | Beef Improvement Federation

DENVER, CO – The crown jewel of Denver and Colorado’s favorite western tradition, the beloved National Western Stock Show, is back in the saddle January 8 – 23, 2022.   After a year of postponement, Stock Show management, staff, and all of Denver are excited to welcome fans back to the best 16 days in January.  Preparations are in full swing for the biggest and best comeback in history.    The 2022 Stock Show promises to showcase…

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – The nose knows. Even the slightest hint of a skunk’s presence can send pet owners scrambling to find a way to get rid of the scent. But it isn’t just the odor that is cause for concern. Skunks are the primary reservoirs of rabies in Oklahoma, followed by bats, said Dr. Barry Whitworth, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian. When it comes to rabies, Whitworth said, “an ounce of prevention…

WASHINGTON –  A proposal to permanently slow down First-Class Mail delivery would be “catastrophic” for family farmers, National Farmers Union (NFU) indicated in comments submitted today to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Because rural areas often lack both services like banks, pharmacies, polling places, and supply stores as well as access to broadband internet and private delivery services, residents disproportionately depend on USPS to receive medication, vote, communicate with friends and family, cash checks, and conduct…

Families will be recognized at banquet during this year’s Kansas State Fair By Taylor Jamison, K-State Research and Extension news writer MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six couples will be honored during this year’s Kansas State Fair as the 2020 class of Kansas Master Farmers and Master Farm Homemakers in recognition of their leadership in agriculture, environmental stewardship and service to their communities. The statewide awards program is in its 94th year and is sponsored…

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of two new, competitive grant funding opportunities for small, regional, and independent meat processors using funds the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) worked to secure at the end of last year. After fighting hard for several key priorities for cattle producers in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, NCBA praised USDA for putting $55.2 million of those funds toward the critical need for greater beef…

Each summer, Oklahomans find themselves celebrating weekends with backyard barbeques, and while the grilled meats may be the main attraction, a summer cookout is incomplete without the perfect summer salad.  Just as there are safety protocols for handling meat, there also are recommendations for the proper handling of produce. Food handling misconceptions are threatening to consumers, said Ravi Jadeja, food safety specialist for Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center. According…