Preparation is key to successful calving season

K-State veterinarian reviews steps for cattle producers before and after calving By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University veterinarian Gregg Hanzlicek said being prepared ahead of calving season is the best way for producers to assure they will bring home the newborn calves successfully. “We're approaching the end of the second trimester and moving into the third trimester which means the metabolic demands of that cow…

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Cattle Chat: Record keeping priorities

Record keeping is an important part of beef cattle management. K-State beef cattle experts offer up the most important records to keep on the herd MANHATTAN, Kan. — Deciding what to keep or get rid of can be a challenge when sorting out clothes in a closet or clearing out relics from childhood because often there is an emotional factor influencing the decision. Emotional decision-making can also influence the beef cattle herd where…

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K-State plans sessions to help farmers better understand risk management tools

Volatility in markets hastens need for risk management strategies  MANHATTAN, Kan. – Registration is now open for a four-part workshop being held at three dozen locations in Kansas to help farmers and ranchers deal with the uncertainty of fluctuating grain and input prices.  Kansas State University officials said the program, Risk Management Skills for Kansas Women in Agriculture, will focus on numerous topics, including:  Determining costs of production. Utilizing crop insurance. Crop marketing plans. Government farm programs.  LaVell Winsor,…

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Cattle Chat: Vaccine handling tips

K-State beef cattle veterinarian shares best practices for vaccine management   MANHATTAN, Kan. — One of the many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of handling vaccines properly. That is true not only for this vaccine, but for all biologic products in both human and animal medicine, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast.   Many factors can interfere with a vaccine’s efficacy, according…

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K-State expert says cattle producers can save money with alternative sources of phosphorus

As prices rise, some alternatives may be better options for feeding cattle By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news service MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University beef systems specialist said cattle producers may have a few options available to them to offset the rising costs of adding phosphorus to their herd’s diet. Phosphorus is a common deficiency for cattle around the world, but the price of supplemental phosphorus mineral is increasing,…

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Cattle Chat: Heifer weight gain strategy

Kansas State beef cattle experts offer dietary tips for pregnant heifers MANHATTAN, Kan. — As the holiday season gatherings begin, many are seeing those bathroom scales numbers adjust in a less than favorable direction. However, for pregnant heifers that are too thin, late fall is a good time to make dietary adjustments ahead of spring calving, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, veterinarian Bob…

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Calving Schools Planned

K-State to host four events around Kansas focused on providing tips to help producer prepare for calving season. MANHATTAN, Kan. - In anticipation of calving season, Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension are planning a series of calving schools beginning in December and continuing through January. The program will outline overall calving management that includes stages of the normal calving process as well as tips to handle…

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Cattle Chat: Internal parasite management for calves

Kansas State beef cattle experts offer tips on ways to reduce parasite loads in young animals MANHATTAN, Kan. — Do the terms worms and life cycles bring back memories of biology class? Well in the case of beef cattle, understanding the life cycle of worms -- otherwise known as internal parasites -- is key to reducing health impacts in calves, say the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Joining in a…

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