Resource Kit Available for Those Exploring a Meat Processing Business

This “Tool Kit” is designed to be intuitive as entrepreneurs move through the business planning process. A team of Ohio State business and meat science specialists have compiled a Meat Processing Business Tool Kit for people who are exploring the meat processing business. Designed as a decision making aid for people exploring investing in or expanding a meat processing facility, this online tool kit can help entrepreneurs evaluate the business and navigate business planning. The…

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Hay Quality; What a difference a year makes, or does it?

Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County (originally published in Farm and Dairy) We can certainly say this past year has had its challenges. However, quality of forages made in 2020 was much better for most compared to the previous two years.  Weather conditions were more favorable especially for first cutting. The late frost in May set our forages back and for many first cutting forage yields were extremely low. Second, third and four…

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Recipe: INSTANT POT TAMALES

The best beef tamales made in a fraction of the time with an Instant Pot. Follow this step-by-step recipe for an authentic Mexican dish your family will love. INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 - 3 pounds Certified Angus Beef ® boneless chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes16 corn husks3 teaspoons adobo seasoning1 teaspoon canola oil4 dried guajillo chilies, seeded, stems removed and torn apart3 bay leaves1 cinnamon stick2 teaspoons coco powder2 teaspoons coffee2 teaspoons dried oregano1 teaspoon garlic…

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Managing Cow/Calf Pairs With Excess Spring Moisture

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Written collaboratively by Taylor Grussing, former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist and Olivia Amundson. Rain, snow and warming temperatures are making their way again this winter as future forecasts indicate another wet spring. However, with last year’s flooding we’re a little wiser on how to tackle the predicted flooding. Last year’s flooding, blizzard conditions and excess snow wreaked havoc on livestock producers in South Dakota. While…

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Dealing With Spring Mud and Flooding

Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Winter in South Dakota is often not for the faint of heart, especially for livestock producers. The good news is that eventually there will be some signs of spring. The bad news is we there are often significant challenges to overcome. As the snow melts, we are going to be left to deal with mud at a minimum and extensive flooding as a possible worst-case…

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How Often Should You Check Cows During Calving Season?

Russ Daly Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian The routine “calving check” is one of the most important tasks on the list of beef cattle producers during calving season. Most producers have their own plan for how often they give their calving herd the once-over, but some may have not considered how their animals’ physiology should guide this schedule. Incredible advances in technology have made it easier for producers to perform…

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Winter Cow Supplementation and Cold Stress

Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Cold temperatures coupled with wind chill and precipitation make it challenging to meet a cow’s nutrient requirements during the winter months. A Polar Vortex is set to bring below normal temperatures to much of the country for the next week. With these below normal temperatures come challenges of ensuring adequate nutrition and protection for livestock, including being prepared to provide additional feed and shelter. There are…

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New prescribed burning findings are part of upcoming K-State Cattlemen’s Day research reports

Kansas State University is involved in a six-year study to compare the effects of prescribed burning of the Flint Hills later in the summer versus the traditional early spring burning. | Download this photo. March 5 event will be online this year MANHATTAN, Kan. – Two years into a sweeping six-year study on prescribed burning in the Flint Hills, Kansas State University researchers already have take-home messages about cattle performance and plant response when…

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Kansas net farm income climbed in 2020 despite COVID-19; 2021 looks promising

Economists give early estimate and projections for 2021 MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas farms appear to be moving out of the shadow of the global pandemic, according to two Kansas State University agricultural economists. Ad hoc government payments made because of the pandemic and higher than expected grain prices since last summer boosted average estimates for 2020 Kansas net farm income to $137,000, a 7% increase over $128,000 the previous year. Even though 2020…

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Cattle needs rise as temperatures drop

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Cattle producers need to follow recommended livestock-care checklists to mitigate significant dangers that arctic blasts bring to animal health and production, said Oklahoma State University experts.  Ranchers might not typically think about frozen water sources during a mild winter, for example.  So it’s important to remember that cattle in southern Great Plains states are relatively naïve when it comes to the presence of ice in the field,…

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