K-State experts advise beef producers on ways to minimize this expense MANHATTAN, Kan. – When asking cow-calf producers what it costs to raise cattle, often they will list feed and equipment as two of the largest expenses they have. Others might include labor on the list. But experts at Kansas State University say that one cost not often thought of or accounted for is the decreasing value of the cow over time. “Labor,…
Project is one of seven funded by the Irrigation Innovation Consortium MANHATTAN, Kan. – A project led by a Kansas State University agronomist that uses technology to study microclimate data is among seven ideas to be funded by the Irrigation Innovation Consortium, the group has announced. Eduardo Santos, an associate professor in the Department of Agronomy, is the lead researcher in a project titled Deployment and Maintenance of Flux Towers in Kansas to be…
Christine Gelley, Ohio State University Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, Noble County The benefits of utilizing cover crops in both grazing and agronomic crop production are numerous. However, each cover crop system is unique. There is no blanket “yes” or “no” answer to the question- Do cover crops need fertilizer? Incorporating Cover Crops Each farm is different and therefore the way you use cover crops can differ too. Whether you are a…
Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator, Wayne County I have received several phone calls recently where the caller describes their hay; date baled, whether or not it got rained on before baling, general appearance, and sometimes smell. The question is how to best use this hay, is it suitable for horses or cows or sheep to eat? Physical evaluation of hay is useful to sort hay into general categories such…
Oklahoma is no stranger to cold and ice. When the temperature drops and leaves a layer of ice on everything, getting from one place to the next can pose a hazard. This is the time of year when public safety is a high priority. In order for roads and sidewalks to be safe for motorists and pedestrians, the use of deicing compounds is a must. While these deicing compounds make it safer for…
NCBA Honored to Be Part of Process From Day One to White House Signing Ceremony WASHINGTON (Dec. 4, 2019) - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston today issued the following statement in response to Japan's final approval of a trade deal that will lower tariffs for U.S. beef exports to that nation: "There's just no other way to say it: this is a tremendous victory and a great day for America's…
Tracey Erickson SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist Even though every producer tries their best to keep all animals born alive, there will always be death loss in livestock production systems. Thus, we need to keep in mind the regulations surrounding disposal. Why? Carcass disposal is crucial to preventing the spread of disease and protecting the environment as well as being regulated by South Dakota law with oversight provided by the South Dakota Animal…
With record low unemployment, USDA finalizes rule to promote work (Washington, D.C., December 4, 2019) – At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a final rule to move more able-bodied recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) towards self-sufficiency and into employment. The rule restores the system to what Congress intended: assistance through difficult times, not a way of life. “Americans are generous…
Managing feed and health costs while optimizing marketing strategies are keys to success MANHATTAN, Kan. – Cow-calf producers, stocker operators and feedlot managers all have the same end goal in mind: raise high quality beef profitably. Experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute say there are many ways that producers can do that successfully. Stocker cattle are typically newly-weaned calves weighing between 300 and 800 pounds. They are often co-mingled with…
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2019 – USDA announces details of the 96thAgricultural Outlook Forum program (PDF, 94 KB), which takes place February 20-21, 2020 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The 2020 Forum is themed The Innovation Imperative: Shaping the Future of Agriculture. The Forum’s plenary panel and several breakout sessions will focus on the central role science and innovation play in driving future growth and addressing challenges facing farmers. Speakers…