Beef Exports (again) a Key Factor to Watch in 2020

Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University The latest Monthly Trade data for November 2019 was released by USDA Economic Research Service last week. The report continued the recent trend of lower monthly exports as compared to 2018. After three consecutive years of double-digit increases (2016-2018) in beef exports, current data show January-November 2019 exports to be down 4.6 percent compared to the same period in…

Continue ReadingBeef Exports (again) a Key Factor to Watch in 2020

The Art and Science of Developing Heifers

Les Anderson, Ph.D., Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky The older I get the more I realize that heifer development is as much art as science. The art is understanding what type of female best fits your operation and your marketing scheme. What size cow best fits your management system? Which cows will produce the best replacements? The science is understanding the principles enabling the “right” heifers to succeed. The first week of…

Continue ReadingThe Art and Science of Developing Heifers

Match EPDs to Your Ideal Grazing Management Style

Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator (originally published in Farm & Dairy) As we move into January the grazing season is over for most and ended long ago for many, such as me, thanks to a dry fall.  Now is the time to start putting some thought into breeding decisions.  Is this the year to purchase a new bull?  What semen do I need to order so it will be…

Continue ReadingMatch EPDs to Your Ideal Grazing Management Style

USDA Announces School and Summer Meals Reforms

(San Antonio, TX, January 17, 2020) – Delivering on his promise to act on feedback from dietary professionals, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced two proposals today that will put local school and summer food service operators back in the driver’s seat of their programs, because they know their children best. Under the school meals proposed rule, school nutrition professionals have more flexibility to serve appetizing and healthy meals that appeal to…

Continue ReadingUSDA Announces School and Summer Meals Reforms

USDA Invests $7.1 Million in Broadband for Rural Arkansas Communities

YELLVILLE, Ark., Jan. 21, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Arkansas State Director David Branscum announced USDA has invested $7.1 million in two, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 1,250 rural households in north central Arkansas. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments. “Through USDA’s ReConnect Program, more than 1,250 Arkansans living in…

Continue ReadingUSDA Invests $7.1 Million in Broadband for Rural Arkansas Communities

Alternative Calving Considerations

Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist Structuring a calving program that best suites farm and ranch operations can be challenging. Of primary concern are: weather, labor, market timing, and animal health considerations, with weather possibly being the most volatile factor, as it ranges from challenging to catastrophic in some years. Evaluating alternatives that can improve calving conditions and quality of life, while also reducing financial and health risks is an important step…

Continue ReadingAlternative Calving Considerations

Testing Your Beef Cattle for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

Written collaboratively by Russ Daly, Christopher Chase, Travis Clement and Matt Dammen. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is among the most important pathogens affecting today’s beef and dairy cattle operations. Associated with reproductive, digestive, and respiratory illnesses in cattle, the virus can also create a congenital, persistent infection in calves, greatly aiding the virus’ spread within and between herds. Testing and removal of these persistently infected (BVDV-PI) calves is the hallmark of BVDV…

Continue ReadingTesting Your Beef Cattle for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

USDA Seeks Input on New Ethanol Sales Infrastructure Incentive Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input to help with the creation of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), a new program that will expand the availability of domestic ethanol and biodiesel by incentivizing the expansion of sales of renewable fuels. “Feedback from farmers, retailers and biofuels producers is critical to the success of this future program,” Agriculture Secretary Perdue said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA remains…

Continue ReadingUSDA Seeks Input on New Ethanol Sales Infrastructure Incentive Program

Balancing calving ease priorities in heifer matings

K-State beef experts weigh factors in breeding decisions MANHATTAN, Kan. – One of the most exciting times of the year on cow/calf operations is when the calves are born and producers can see the results of their breeding decisions. Experts from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University say it can also be stressful and costly if those mating decisions lead to calving difficulties, which is why much care needs to be…

Continue ReadingBalancing calving ease priorities in heifer matings

K-State eyes management, profit strategies for 2020 ranch management series

Kansas State University will host the 2020 Winter Ranch Management Seminar series in five Kansas locations beginning in late January. Seminars begin in late January at five sites in Kansas MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University officials will focus on strategies to enhance profits during the Winter Ranch Management Seminar series, which will be held at five sites in Kansas beginning in January. The meetings feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and…

Continue ReadingK-State eyes management, profit strategies for 2020 ranch management series