Grass Tetany/ Hypomagnesemia –Start Preventive Measures Now

Dr. Michelle Arnold, Ruminant Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Lab; A special thanks to Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler for his contributions to this article. What is “Grass Tetany” and when are cattle most likely to have it? Grass tetany, also known as spring tetany, grass staggers, wheat pasture poisoning, winter tetany or lactation tetany, is a condition resulting from a low level of magnesium (Mg) in the blood. Maintenance of blood magnesium depends…

Continue ReadingGrass Tetany/ Hypomagnesemia –Start Preventive Measures Now

Managing Postpartum Anestrus in Beef Cows for a Successful Breeding Season

Kacie McCarthy, UNL Cow-Calf Specialist Beef cows must recover from the nutrient and physical demands of calving and lactation and will have 80 to 85 days to return to estrus after calving to potentially maintain a yearly calving interval. 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. As calving season…

Continue ReadingManaging Postpartum Anestrus in Beef Cows for a Successful Breeding Season

NCBA Welcomes Discussion on Cattle Market Transparency Act

WASHINGTON (March 2, 2021) – Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced the Cattle Market Transparency Act in the U.S. Senate. If enacted, this legislation would direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of the Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish regional mandatory minimums for negotiated trade of fed cattle. It would also direct USDA to establish a library of cattle formula contracts, amend the definition of “cattle…

Continue ReadingNCBA Welcomes Discussion on Cattle Market Transparency Act

USDA Invests $285 Million to Improve National Forest and Grassland Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2021 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $285 million to help the Forest Service address critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests and grasslands. This $285 million investment is made possible by the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act. These funds will allow the Forest…

Continue ReadingUSDA Invests $285 Million to Improve National Forest and Grassland Infrastructure

Cattle Chat: Keeping calves healthy

Providing a clean environment where calves less than a month of age are not in close-contact with older calves is the best way to keep scours from developing in the herd. | Download this photo. K-State veterinarians offer ways reduce risk of calves developing, sharing scours MANHATTAN, Kan. — The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” coined by Benjamin Franklin rings true for many of life’s situations. And…

Continue ReadingCattle Chat: Keeping calves healthy

Study: Consumers favor ground beef over plant-based alternatives

Ground beef at three fat levels is favored by consumers over plant-based alternatives for taste and flavor, among other areas, according to a study from Kansas State University. K-State meat scientist notes ‘stark’ differences MANHATTAN, Kan. – Consumers overwhelmingly chose ground beef over plant-based beef alternatives in a multifaceted study now being reported by Kansas State University researchers. Ground beef – offered with 10%, 20% and 30% fat -- was strongly preferred for…

Continue ReadingStudy: Consumers favor ground beef over plant-based alternatives

Access for All aims to boost access to Kansas extension programs

State’s agents help to bring programs that fit local community needs, learning styles MANHATTAN, Kan. – An official with Kansas’ extension network says that recent efforts to provide more equitable and accessible programs to local residents will likely be felt throughout the state. Aliah Mestrovich Seay, a 4-H youth development specialist for community vitality, noted that K-State Research and Extension recently formed Access for All, a committee that will provide education and support…

Continue ReadingAccess for All aims to boost access to Kansas extension programs

Basics of horse hay explained

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – The need for quality horse hay – shorthand for attributes desirable in hay fed to equines – has not quite lifted yet.  “We’re still in hay feeding season as pastures have not greened up as yet; now is not the time to cut back on horses having ready access to hay to meet their nutritional needs,” said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Extension equine specialist.  Attributes of desirable horse…

Continue ReadingBasics of horse hay explained

Study: Seed protein does not reflect key amino acid levels in soybeans released over the last four decades

Note: A Kansas State University study examined the composition of thirteen soybean genotypes released between 1980 and 2014, focusing on the levels of eighteen amino acids relative to protein and yield. They found that seed protein levels do not provide a complete characterization of relevant changes for critical seed amino acids, and that additional external nitrogen does not result in an improved amino acid composition. MANHATTAN, Kan. – From edamame to cooking oil…

Continue ReadingStudy: Seed protein does not reflect key amino acid levels in soybeans released over the last four decades

K-State studies effects of transporting cattle on prices paid at auction

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers have completed a large study of 211 livestock video auctions, analyzing the sale of more than 60,000 beef calf and feeder cattle lots to determine the effect of trucking distance on sale price of the calves. The K-State team accessed data indicating the sale price of 42,043 beef calf and 19,680 feeder cattle lots sold through Superior Livestock Auctions from 2010 through 2018. Then, they analyzed…

Continue ReadingK-State studies effects of transporting cattle on prices paid at auction