Dr. Michelle Arnold, UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Every year, the UKVDL receives calves that died suddenly in the first week of life, usually with few or no symptoms. Often the owner will describe the situation this way: “calves will nurse, be 2-3 days old and found dead” or “calf was 3-5 days old, lying around more than normal and nursing very little, found dead the next day”. At necropsy (an animal “autopsy”), the…
Self-paced course for ag producers can fulfill FSA borrower requirements MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University has launched a new self-paced online course, Finances and the Farm, now available to Kansans and others. “It is important, especially during these challenging times, to be proactive with your farm financial management,” said LaVell Winsor, agricultural economist with the K-State Research and Extension Farm Analyst Program. “Making this training online and self-paced means individual producers or…
(Washington, D.C., December 21, 2020) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and feedback on a contemplated regulatory framework that would modernize our system into a scientifically-sound, risk-based, and predictable process that facilitates the…
K-State experts share treatment options for common foot issues in beef herds MANHATTAN, Kan. — Anyone who has ever walked barefoot through the yard can attest to how painful it is when the foot accidently gets cut on a rock or stick. In much the same way, cattle crossing the rocky terrain of the Flint Hills can experience hoof issues from time to time. Recognizing common hoof ailments and treatment protocols was the…
(Washington, D.C., January 4, 2021) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase an additional $1.5 billion worth of food for nationwide distribution through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. In total, USDA has distributed more than 132 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This new round of Farmers to Families Food Boxes will go…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension kicks off a new year of Missouri Woodland Steward programs to help natural resource enthusiasts learn more about how to preserve woodlands. MU Extension state forestry specialist Hank Stelzer and natural resources field specialist Sarah Havens will teach the webinars Tuesday evenings in January and February. Topics include basic tree identification, planting native trees and shrubs, selling timber, managing woodlands for timber and wildlife, and invasive…
2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot (mailchi.mp)
Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Key Takeaways Bedding cattle during extreme cold conditions dramatically reduces maintenance energy costs and improves gain and feed efficiency with potential carryover effects to the end of the feeding period.Bedding during more moderate weather conditions also improved cattle performance, but to a lesser degree.Proving bedding is a viable management strategy to mitigate the impacts of winter on cattle performance, especially under severe conditions. Feeding cattle…
Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, PAS, Associate Extension Professor My forage colleagues and I seem to get bombarded with questions on forage quality and interpreting forage test results this time of year. The timing coincides with folks starting to feed hay and looking at developing supplementation programs for the cattle receiving the forage. Getting the forage tested for nutrient content is the first step. Proximate analysis allows for separating a forage/feed into various macronutrient categories…
(Washington, D.C., December 16, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the accomplishments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the past year.“While this was a tough year with the coronavirus, historic wildfires, and weather damage, USDA met these challenges with a multitude of programs and services to support Americans and keep our agricultural sector running and responsive to the country’s needs,” said Secretary Perdue. “We salute our mission…