Livestock production is key to food access and nutrition, experts say

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…

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OK-FIRE training workshops slated this fall

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – OK-FIRE is an interactive website that serves as a useful tool for wildland fire managers in Oklahoma. Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension is hosting several free workshops this fall to help those involved in wildland fire management learn how to use this tool. This weather based, decision support system of the Oklahoma Mesonet provides valuable information on fire danger, fire weather and more.  With applications to wildfire, prescribed…

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Dry Edible Beans as Livestock Feed When Hit by Drought and Hail

Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Dry edible beans impacted by drought and hail may have some salvage value for livestock feed. Photo credit David Ostdiek. Listen to a discussion of the content in this article on this episode of the BeefWatch podcast. You can subscribe to new episodes in iTunes or paste http://feeds.feedburner.com/unlbeefwatch into your podcast app. Dry edible beans such as pintos, great northern, and black beans are…

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Using Weaning Date as a Supplement Strategy

TL Meyer, Nebraska Extension Beef EducatorTravis Mulliniks, UNL Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Range Production Systems After weaning and prior to winter can be one of the most economical times to improve the body condition score (BCS) of a spring-calving cow. Photo credit Troy Walz. Many beef producers are preparing to wean, or at least thinking about it. After weaning and prior to winter can be one of the most economical times to improve the…

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USDA Resources Available for Farmers Hurt by 2018, 2019 Disasters

Signup Begins Sept. 11 for More Than $3 Billion in Aid WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 9, 2019 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will begin Sept. 11, 2019. “U.S. agriculture has been dealt a hefty…

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Silage Pad Construction

Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, UNL Biological Systems Engineering Many producers prefer a concrete pad for its durability and will look to surface coatings to provide protection from silage acids. Photo credit Troy Walz. “What material should I use for my new silage pad?” is probably a question most producers ask once a decade at most, but it is an important decision for maintaining an efficient feeding program.  Asphalt (e.g. ‘blacktop’) generally can be…

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The History of the Old West Abounds in Delano

“We are very pleased that Delano has committed to host this historic event in the famous Old Cowtown Museum.  There is not a better place to celebrate the history of the Chisholm Cattle Trail,” said D.R. Katzenmeier President of the International Chisholm Trail Association (ICTA). The 2019 Chisholm Trail Conference and annual meeting will take place in Wichita on September 12 -14.  “If you attend, we will educate you with top notch historians…

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Is Silage an Option for Corn Impacted by the Canal Breach?

Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Producers with a corn crop impacted by the canal breach may want to consider making corn silage out of this year’s crop. Photo credit Troy Walz. Listen to a discussion of the content in this article on this episode of the BeefWatch podcast. You can subscribe to new episodes in iTunes or paste http://feeds.feedburner.com/unlbeefwatch into your podcast app. On July 17 when the Gering-Ft.…

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Going to the dogs: ‘Beef Production and the Working Cow Dog’ meeting

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…

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Beef Quality Training from MU Extension set for Sept. 16 in Park Hills

By attending one evening of in-person training, farmers become certified in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA, a voluntary national program, is now offered in east-central Missouri. The Sept. 16 training starts at 6:30 p.m. with University of Missouri (MU) Extension veterinarian Craig Payne teaching food safety and quality cattle practices. “Beef quality assurance should be a staple in beef farm management,” says Kendra Graham, MU livestock specialist in Farmington. While BQA isn’t legally…

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