K-State’s DeRouchey sees common thread among world’s livestock producers MANHATTAN, Kan. – They came from around the world, nearly 300 strong, to talk about raising farm animals safely and protecting natural resources. And when the participants of the annual meeting of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock left Kansas State University last week, there was a similar message they all shared. “What I was really intrigued by was the amount of people involved…

Global challenges and innovations discussed at international conference MANHATTAN, Kan. – A series of presentations from experts in animal health and welfare demonstrated the complexity of the topic during the third plenary session at an international livestock conference on Monday. The Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock brought nearly 300 leaders in industry, government, civil society and academia together at Kansas State University to discuss the present and future of topics including animal husbandry.…

Livestock producers, consumers can reap rewards MANHATTAN, Kan. – Innovation is the key which will unlock greater sustainability, economic growth, and nutritional security for the world’s livestock producers, as they face the challenges of a growing global population and ongoing challenges such as anti-microbial resistance. That’s the core message being discussed at Kansas State University this week. Delegates from 22 nations are here for the 9th annual Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL)…

New research aims to boost rainfed agriculture by improving efficiencies and soil health MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University is leading a multi-agency team focused on improving water and nitrogen use efficiencies and improving soil health in the semi-arid southern Great Plains. The nearly $10 million five-year research effort is led by K-State University Distinguished Professor Chuck Rice and includes a transdisciplinary team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Oklahoma…

Innovations have helped to shape safer, more efficient practices around the world MANHATTAN, Kan. – Like much of agriculture, the world’s livestock industry has seen its fair share of innovation over the past 20 years, dramatically changing the way ranchers raise their animals. Sometimes, said a group of industry leaders, that innovation creates a “positive disruption.” “The disruption that is on the horizon is real-time information,” said Nicola Shadbolt, a professor of farm…

Scientists and industry professionals gather in Manhattan for international meeting MANHATTAN, Kan. – A University of Florida animal scientist backed the importance of livestock agriculture Monday, saying it is a key component to improving the availability of nutritious food in countries that need it the most. Geoffrey Dahl was speaking at Kansas State University to a large gathering at the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a meeting that brought together scientists and other…

Focus is on working stock dogs at Oct. 8 meeting in Williamsburg LYNDON, Kan. – K-State Research and Extension Coffey County and the Frontier Extension District together will host a meeting, “Beef Production and the Working Cow Dog” Oct. 8 in Williamsburg, Kansas. The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Williamsburg Community Building. A complimentary meal will be served, thanks to sponsors, but participants are asked to register by Oct. 3 to…

Kansas Mesonet aids emergency planners, farmers and more ROSSVILLE, Kan. – Tucked away behind a business near Rossville, Kansas, an unassuming bit of equipment quietly goes about its business, detecting wind speed, precipitation, air temperature and more. The information automatically goes to the Weather Data Library at Kansas State University where it’s archived and available free to the public. The Rossville station is one of 62 weather stations across the state that make…

Kansas sorghum growers’ investment supports grant funds, industry participation in crop improvementMANHATTAN, Kan. – Many sorghum growers believe their crop can be a key to the future partly because of its drought-tolerant nature. Now they’re banding together in an unprecedented way to invest in that belief.The worsening reality of water scarcity means research and increased production of dryland crops such as sorghum, millet and other “ancient grains” is a race against time. Groundwater…