Ag economists warn against overreaction to meat industry structure in face of COVID-19

Disruptions in the meat supply chain linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has cut industry processing capacity by 40%. Now is not the time, however, to make sweeping changes to the industry structure itself, K-State agricultural economists say. Ag economists warn against overreaction to meat industry structure in face of COVID-19 ‘Be cognizant of how we got here,’ one specialist says MANHATTAN, Kan. – Tumultuous times in the meatpacking industry linked to the current…

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Managing Through Feed Supply Disruptions

Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Key Takeaways Availability of distillers grains may be limited in some locations because of production slow-downs related to COVID-19 and changes in the supply-demand picture for fuel.Alternative protein sources are available, including oilseed meal, commercial supplements with and without urea, and high-protein roughages.Cattle feeders should visit with their nutritionist or Extension specialists to make sure that all the implications of changing supplemental protein sources are…

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USDA Increases Monthly SNAP Benefits by 40%

Emergency Benefits Prompted by COVID-19 (Washington, D.C., April 22, 2020) –Today, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced emergency benefit increases have reached $2.0 billion per month for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households across all 50 states and 3 territories to increase food security during the coronavirus national emergency. These emergency benefits represent a 40% increase in overall monthly SNAP benefits, significantly increasing food purchasing power for American families.   “These are…

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Be wary of fraudulent COVID-19 supplement claims

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – While many people are doing their part by social distancing in an effort to remain healthy and protect the community, there are others looking to make a quick buck. Those fraudulent marketers are popping up and promoting various products that claim to help prevent or treat COVID-19, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist. “Fraudulent COVID-19 products can come in many varieties, including dietary supplements…

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Fire, mixed-species grazing enhances livestock production in $10 million research project

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Researchers from Oklahoma State University are partnering with university scientists and researchers in two other states on a project using fire and mixed animal species to graze in an effort to enhance livestock production and more sustainable rangelands. Enhancing Livestock Production from Rangelands in the Great Plains is a research project funded through a five-year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of…

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BCI: Beef Prices Up, Cattle Prices Down, Grazing Management and Pasture Turnout, Top Recommendations for Transitioning Cows to Grass, Grass Tetany

https://ksubci.org/2020/04/17/beef-prices-up-cattle-prices-down-grazing-management-and-pasture-turnout-top-recommendations-for-transitioning-cows-to-grass-grass-tetany/

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Swine producers adjust to meet challenges created by pandemic

DeRouchey says plant closings have put a time crunch on industry MANHATTAN, Kan. – The recent closing of meat packing plants and processing facilities in the Midwest and other parts of the U.S. due to the global pandemic  is having a trickle-down effect on swine producers, says Kansas State University livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey. “Plants and processing facilities closing or cutting back on the number of shifts they are running is putting pressure…

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Spring grazing management for beef cattle

Experts offer ways for producers to best prepare pastures ahead of spring grazing   MANHATTAN, Kan. – Beef cattle grazing on lush, green pastures is a common sight when driving through the Kansas Flint Hills in the late spring. Experts from Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute discussed steps for managing the spring grazing season recently on the weekly podcast Cattle Chat. K-State beef cattle extension specialist Bob Weaber advised producers to begin…

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K-State plant expert outlines best way to control moles in home lawns

Rows of raised ground are a sign of problems MANHATTAN, Kan. – They may spend much of their time underground, but it’s the tell-tale signs that moles leave above the ground that irks many homeowners. Known to be efficient foragers, moles make meandering paths of upheaved soil on home lawns as they hunt for earthworms and other sub-surface delicacies. The tunnels serve as a travel lane for a period of time, but once…

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Angus Election Under Way

Delegate nominations due June 12. The American Angus Association® is making preparations for the 2020 Annual Convention of Delegates, hosted in conjunction with the Angus Convention Nov. 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. In accordance with the Association bylaws, forms have been mailed to every eligible voting active life and regular Association member who qualified as an eligible voting member to nominate delegates to the annual meeting. The nomination period is April 13 to June…

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