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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Ah, Rats! Reports of rodents have increased during pandemic

K-State wildlife specialist shares tips on keeping rats out of the home MANHATTAN, Kan. – A study released in July by researchers at three universities indicates that the number of people reporting rat sightings has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlie Lee, a wildlife management specialist at Kansas State University, says the increased contacts between human and rodents could be a result of people staying in place more often where…

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Farm Groups Launch Free Stress Management Course

The training course, geared toward farmers and ranchers, is open to the public and will help individuals identify signs of chronic stress and offer effective communication skills Following the December 2019 announcement of a new farm stress management online training course for employees and members of Farm Credit, Farm Bureau and Farmers Union, these organizations have supported the launch of a free online training available to the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension…

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USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Iowa Disaster Areas

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2020 – The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that low-income Iowa residents recovering from the effects of the derecho storm that hit the Midwest earlier this month could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said that households who may not normally be eligible under regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules may qualify for D-SNAP –…

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Farmers to Families Food Box Program Reaches 75 Million Boxes Delivered

(Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 75 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, President Trump announced an additional up to $1 billion will be added to the Farmers to Families Food Box Program while the economy continues to reopen. “The…

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21st K-State Beef Stocker Virtual Field Day scheduled for October 1

This year's Stocker Field Day moves to virtual event. MANHATTAN, Kan. – Making alternative ration ingredient changes work, beef cattle market outlook and nutrition, management, and economic aspects of limit feeding are among topics planned for the 2020 Kansas State University Beef Stocker Virtual Field Day on Thursday, Oct. 1. The conference will be hosted on the Zoom webinar platform. "Due to increasing concerns around this evolving situation and standing by our commitment…

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Urban Foods Systems Symposium sessions will be online Wednesdays in October

Community engagement, food production, distribution and security among highlights OLATHE, Kan. – An educational opportunity focused on growing food for and in urban areas will be held Wednesdays in October this year. The 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium will be online, with sessions planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT every Wednesday in October. The event typically draws community leaders, urban planners and growers, not-for-profit administrators and educators, researchers, students and anyone interested in…

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Ag economist: Farmers increasingly turning to non-traditional lenders

Some farmers are turning to non-traditional lenders to finance their business. (File photo) K-State’s Ifft says the trend is toward alternate ways of seeking funding MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University agricultural economist says that non-traditional lenders are becoming a bigger part of doing business in farm country. Jenny Ifft spoke recently at the Risk and Profit Conference, hosted by K-State Research and Extension and the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics. Her…

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K-State teams with state agencies to seek solutions to blue-green algae

K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and other state and local agencies are conducting a study focused on using barley straw to mitigate the effects of blue-green algae in farm ponds and lakes in northeast Kansas. | Download this photo. Study in northeast Kansas ponds shows promise HOLTON, Kan. -- In her day-to-day work as an extension agent in northeast Kansas, Jody Holthaus often gets calls from landowners looking for…

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