Oklahoma welcomes backyard beekeeping trend

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Backyard adventures and DIY projects are all the rage right now, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted people to rediscover some of the joys of being at home and pass the time with new hobbies. First, it was gardening, then chickens, and now the latest backyard buzz is bees.  Courtney Bir, Oklahoma State University Extension farm management specialist, has studied how small-scale agricultural projects appeal to residents with extra space and time on…

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Agriculture and Forestry Coalition Moves to Defend Gray Wolf Delisting

WASHINGTON (May 21, 2021) – This week, a coalition of agriculture and forestry groups — including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Forest Resources Council, the American Sheep Industry Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Public Lands Council — filed motions in court in defense of delisting the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Three cases filed by environmental and animal welfare groups in the U.S. District Court for…

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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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NEXRAD radar used to predict bird collisions

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahomans are familiar with tornado warnings, but what about bird warnings? New research conducted by Oklahoma State University scientists and published in the “Journal of Applied Ecology” indicates weather radars are effective tools for not only predicting weather but also bird collisions.  As many as 1 billion birds die each year from colliding with windows or buildings, but the casualties are not those of pigeons or other invasive species most commonly found…

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Study: White-tailed deer favor crops high in crude protein

White-tailed deer prefer plants high in crude protein and digestibility, according to a recent study. Outdoor enthusiasts get new clues on designing successful food plots MANHATTAN, Kan. – A study of plants preferred by white-tailed deer is providing important information to outdoor enthusiasts who design food plots to encourage hunting or viewing opportunities. Charlie Lee, who recently retired as the wildlife specialist for K-State Research and Extension, said the study from Mississippi State University indicates…

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Gray Wolf Removed from Endangered Species List

The Department of the Interior announced it has removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list, signaling a successful recovery under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The gray wolf spent more than four decades on the endangered species list. The population is now thriving in the lower 48 states. State and tribal wildlife management agencies will now be responsible for the management and protection of the gray wolf. “This is an Endangered…

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Hunter Observations Can Help Manage Deer Populations

By Josh Gaskamp, Technical Consultation Manager and Wildlife and Range Consultantand Will Moseley, Wildlife and Fisheries Consultant Posted Oct. 1, 2020 As deer season approaches, many hunters and managers set up trail cameras in hopes of learning the whereabouts of a trophy buck. Calculated deer managers may even use this technique and other survey methods to monitor deer population parameters and keep records as a basis for harvest recommendations. We are often questioned on which…

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What’s that Buzz? Project aims to use computer vision to identify bumble bee species

Web-based AI program encourages users to submit photos of bees for identification MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University researcher’s effort to develop an artificial intelligence tool for identifying bees has created quite a buzz already. Brian Spiesman, an assistant professor in K-State’s Department of Entomology, launched the website, BeeMachine.AI, earlier this year to relieve a backlog of information needed to help track trends in bee populations across the world. “Bees can be very difficult…

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Research on lighting system could help reduce deer collisions

K-State wildlife specialist gives overview of emerging technology MANHATTAN, Kan. – Anyone who has ever driven on a highway or rural road in the early morning or after dark – especially in the fall – has a pretty good idea of an ever-present, lurking danger. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, nearly one in six vehicle crashes across the state in 2018 involved a deer. That year, there were 10,734 crashes that…

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Livestock Producers Celebrate Legislation To Protect Calves And Lambs From Vultures

WASHINGTON (Oct. 1, 2020) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) today released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives passing bipartisan legislation to protect livestock from predation, compensate livestock producers who experience depredation by federally protected species, and fund methods to reduce conflicts between humans and predators.Introduced by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.),…

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