Conservation Advances Must Do No Harm

The American Farm Bureau Federation calls on the administration to act responsibly in conservation efforts. Specifically, President Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30% of our lands and waters by 2030, commonly referred to as “30x30,” is raising questions. Three key requests are outlined in a letter to President Biden: that the administration provide clarity on the initiative; that the effort recognizes voluntary conservation efforts already underway; and that the administration seeks input from farmers…

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USDA to Provide Critical Nutrition Assistance to 30M+ Kids Over the Summer

Builds on Proven Solution to Combat Child Food Insecurity WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a new effort funded by the American Rescue Plan to provide adequate nutrition to more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. Summer months are difficult for low-income children because they lack access to school meals that fill a nutrition gap during the school…

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Managing Orphaned Calves

Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Written collaboratively by Adele Harty and Taylor Grussing, former SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. No matter the circumstances, it seems that, for one reason or another, cattlemen end up with an orphaned calf or two every year. Situations, such as twins, a heifer or cow not claiming her calf, a sick or dead cow, or a weather event, such as a blizzard, can orphan calves. No…

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Lameness in Cattle: Causes Associated With Infections

Russ Daly Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian When lameness is identified in beef cattle, determining the cause of that condition is one of the first considerations. One way to classify the various causes of lameness in cattle is to group them into two different categories: bacterial infection and injury. Some lameness cases will bridge these two classifications, as lameness-causing infections sometimes are the direct result of injuries. This article will focus on causes…

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Study: Prescribed burns have little effect on snake populations

Researchers look at effect of Konza Prairie fires on snakes MANHATTAN, Kan. – A study on the impact of prescribed burns on the Konza Prairie showed that fire has minimal effect on the state’s snake populations, especially when there are adjacent unburned areas. Charlie Lee, a retired wildlife specialist with K-State Research and Extension, said the researchers trapped snakes before and after prescribed burns in the spring (May through June) and fall (August…

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Insecticidal ear tags can help protect cattle producer’s profits

https://youtu.be/dFSf_3RQjOc Insecticidal ear tags can help protect cattle producer’s profits In this video, Kansas State University veterinary entomologist Cassandra Olds explains the importance of insecticidal ear tags for fly control in cattle herds. She notes two common pests for cattle: horn flies and face flies. Insecticidal ear tags, she explains, work by releasing a small amount of insecticide on the cow’s hair as the animal moves. Then, the natural oils in the hair…

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The Grandest Show in Grand Island

The 2021 National Junior Angus Show to be hosted July 10-17, 2021, in Grand Island, Neb. Although there may not be a big red-and-white-striped tent, a ringmaster wearing a top hat or any, rest assured, there will be a grand show ring, ringmen wearing cowboy hats and the best of the best Angus cattle parading across the grounds in Grand Island, Neb. It’s the same thing, right? Grab your cotton candy, popcorn and…

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Get the most out of higher cattle placement weights in feedlots

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – The rising feedlot cost of gain in the southern Great Plains should have cattle producers considering economic opportunities for operations in forage-based stocker and backgrounding programs, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts.  Cost of gain, or the expense of gaining a pound of livestock bodyweight, involves several critical factors such as feed costs, flesh condition, animal genetics, weather and cattle health. When grain prices rise and cost of gain…

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What’s in a serving? Nutrition Facts labels get an update

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently served up the first major change in 20 years to Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods and drinks. Adjustments in serving sizes, calories, percent daily values and nutrients on labels are now required by the FDA due to updated scientific information, new nutrition research and feedback from the public. These changes to the labels are intended to help consumers more effectively and…

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Simple steps now can make recovering from emergencies easier

K-State specialist shares tech tips HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- With spring comes awareness of severe weather – plus the need to plan ahead – and this year is no exception, said Jan Steen, community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “We have insurance on our crops, vehicles and homes should disaster strike, but how are we protecting our important data? Digital photos and videos, documents, and spreadsheets can be gone in a blink…

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