Swine producers adjust to meet challenges created by pandemic

DeRouchey says plant closings have put a time crunch on industry MANHATTAN, Kan. – The recent closing of meat packing plants and processing facilities in the Midwest and other parts of the U.S. due to the global pandemic  is having a trickle-down effect on swine producers, says Kansas State University livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey. “Plants and processing facilities closing or cutting back on the number of shifts they are running is putting pressure…

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Spring grazing management for beef cattle

Experts offer ways for producers to best prepare pastures ahead of spring grazing   MANHATTAN, Kan. – Beef cattle grazing on lush, green pastures is a common sight when driving through the Kansas Flint Hills in the late spring. Experts from Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute discussed steps for managing the spring grazing season recently on the weekly podcast Cattle Chat. K-State beef cattle extension specialist Bob Weaber advised producers to begin…

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K-State plant expert outlines best way to control moles in home lawns

Rows of raised ground are a sign of problems MANHATTAN, Kan. – They may spend much of their time underground, but it’s the tell-tale signs that moles leave above the ground that irks many homeowners. Known to be efficient foragers, moles make meandering paths of upheaved soil on home lawns as they hunt for earthworms and other sub-surface delicacies. The tunnels serve as a travel lane for a period of time, but once…

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Angus Election Under Way

Delegate nominations due June 12. The American Angus Association® is making preparations for the 2020 Annual Convention of Delegates, hosted in conjunction with the Angus Convention Nov. 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. In accordance with the Association bylaws, forms have been mailed to every eligible voting active life and regular Association member who qualified as an eligible voting member to nominate delegates to the annual meeting. The nomination period is April 13 to June…

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“Don’t buy the cheapest mineral out there”

The mineral content of forages is always a concern when feeding the brood cow, but it’s of even greater concern after wet weather and rapid forage growth like that which was experienced the past two springs and early summers. In this 4 minute excerpt from the 2020 Ohio Beef Cow/Calf Workshop, Dr. Francis Fluharty explains the benefits, and also his concerns for feeding the cow herd highly digestible minerals in the appropriate amounts.

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K-State researcher looking at ways to boost soybean quality

Kansas State University agronomist Ignacio Ciampitti is leading a project that involves seven U.S. universities that are aiming to maintain the protein in soybeans even as yields increase. | File photo Project aims to maintain protein as yields go up MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University researcher is on the hunt for ways to improve the quality of soybean seeds so that the crop continues to maintain high levels of protein as…

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Approaches for Reestablishing Hay Feeding Areas

Chris Teutsch, UK Research and Education Center at Princeton Figure 1. Excessive rainfall and high livestock concentration in and around hay feeding areas has resulted in almost complete disturbance. Wet conditions this winter have resulted in almost complete disturbance in and around hay feeding areas. Even well-designed hay feeding pads will have significant damage surrounding the pad where animals enter and leave. These highly disturbed areas create perfect growing conditions for summer annual…

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K-State researchers adapt to keep agricultural studies moving forward

Important university research has been slowed, but not stopped, by COVID-19 MANHATTAN, Kan. – While much of the world has hit pause due to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Kansas State University researchers are being tested to keep important agricultural studies moving forward. “Let’s just say that there have been challenges,” said Marty Draper, the associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and associate director of K-State Research…

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Beef Heifer Development series posted on-line

Heifers retained this year will impact the economic performance of the herd for at least the next decade! A six part presentation series discussing management strategies surrounding Beef Heifer Development has been posted on-line in the OSU Extension Beef Team Resource Library page. Most beef producers replace 10-20% of their mature cows each year with heifers. The unique challenge that each cow/calf producer is faced with is that they are anticipating the future…

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