Caring for bulls during the breeding season

K-State experts share tips on how to manage the bulls for optimum performance MANHATTAN, Kan. – Just as an athlete can experience an injury in competition, so too can a bull when he is turned out in a breeding pasture where his athleticism is going to be tested. “Bulls will be the busiest in the first month of the breeding season when there are a lot of females coming into heat (estrus),” said…

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“Managerial Tools and Tips in an Uncertain Climate and Market” webinar will be hosted on Zoom June 4.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Registration is now open for a webinar that will help Kansas beef cattle producers make management decisions in light of the current weather patterns, ranging from flooding to drought, in Kansas and calf market volatility following COVID-19.   The webinar will be hosted by the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Department and K-State Research and Extension via Zoom on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at noon CDT. “This webinar…

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Kansas net farm income rose in 2019; government support again a big factor

KFMA data showed 9% net farm income increase from previous year MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas net farm income rose again in 2019, largely owing to government support payments meant to buffer the effect of trade disputes amid lackluster commodity prices, according to the annual summary by the Kansas Farm Management Association. Net farm income among KFMA members averaged $110,380 in 2019, up from $101,274 a year earlier and well above the five-year average…

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BIF Online Symposium Registration Open

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The 52nd Annual Beef Improvement Federation Symposium — Online will be hosted the week of June 8 starting at noon CDT each day. The conference will be hosted on the Zoom webinar platform. Online registration is now open at http://www.beefimprovement.org/symposium. The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) board of directors, along with the Florida 2020 BIF Research Symposium and Convention committee, announced on April 2 the decision to transition this year’s conference to…

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Set Yourself Up for Grazing Success

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator Wayne County Like any resource, pastures respond to management.  Grazing offers economic benefits as compared to producing and feeding stored forages as livestock harvest the forage directly. Capture the benefits of grazing and set yourself up for success by using the 4-R’s to manage pastures.  We typically hear of the 4-R’s in relationship to water quality and fertilizer management, but pasture management has its own set of 4-R’s.  Those…

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Tips to conserve water in the landscape

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Just as water is vital for human life, the plants, trees, shrubs and grass in any landscape also require hydration. However, how much water is used and what watering strategies gardeners choose can have a direct impact on their wallets. “Nobody likes to waste money, but it easily can happen in the landscape if you’re not careful,” said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “Gardeners…

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USDA Extends Flexibilities, Paves the Way for Meals for Kids to Continue through Summer

(Washington, D.C., May 15, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the extension of three nationwide waivers, giving child nutrition program operators the flexibility they need to continue to feed children while promoting social distancing and keeping families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.      “USDA has been extremely aggressive in expanding flexibilities to ensure Americans who have been impacted by the coronavirus continue to receive the food they need for themselves…

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K-State beef cattle experts share tips for treating calves

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Spring branding and processing day is often a time when community members and families join together to administer vaccinations, castrate, implant calves and apply hide identification before summer pasture turnout. But this spring’s COVID-19 pandemic may require some changes, said experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. They offered up some advice during a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “It is critical to have the right labor on hand to…

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Container garden is a great place to start for novice gardeners

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – For some folks, gardening is a mystery – perhaps even intimidating. Some want-to-be gardeners may believe they don’t know enough about it to try, or are simply convinced they don’t have a green thumb. For those who don’t know a rose bush from a tomato plant, there is still hope. David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist, said anyone can garden, no matter their skill level…

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2020 National Junior Angus Show Relocates West to Tulsa, Okla.

In response to Covid-19 guidelines, the 2020 National Junior Angus Show changes locations. In light of the state of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 guidelines, the American Angus Associationâ has decided to move the 2020 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) to July 19-25, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Although events will be much different than typical, the American Angus Association is continuing with the Eastern Regional Junior Show planned for June 25-28, 2020, in Lebanon, Tennessee, and…

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