Make the Most of Your 2022 Cattle Industry Convention Experience

Opportunities to Get Involved Before February CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Sept. 14, 2021) – The 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show is just around the corner, and there are ways to get involved before the event. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) offers a variety of activities to get more engaged with CattleCon22, which will be held Feb. 1-3, 2022, in Houston. Event Influencer Program The Event Influencer program is designed to give social…

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Gear up for fall home energy management

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Given the unpredictability of Oklahoma weather, homeowners may still be running air conditioners and fans for several more weeks. However, energy management adjustments should begin now. Nearly half the energy used in the home goes to heating and cooling, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist and interim associate dean. “Making smart decisions regarding your home’s heating and cooling system can have a big impact on…

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K-State vet shares tips for handling vaccinations, maintaining effectiveness

Vaccines are less effective if not kept within accepted temperature range By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news writer MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University veterinarian is reminding producers that properly handling bottles containing livestock vaccinations is crucial so that it remains effective for the animal. Gregg Hanzlicek, director of the Production Animal Field Investigations at K-State, said that keeping the vaccination bottles between 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit and out of UV…

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Cattle Chat: Factors influencing cow supplementation pre- and post-weaning

Cow body condition important in planning the herd's post-weaning management MANHATTAN, Kan. — A well-balanced diet is important in human’s overall health plan. Similarly, just as our caloric needs adjust throughout the life cycle, nutritional fluctuations happen in the beef cow, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “Right after weaning, the beef cow’s energy requirements are low,” said veterinarian and BCI director Brad White. Fellow…

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Consider Growing-season Burns to Manage Rangeland

Consider Growing-season Burns to Manage Rangeland Research supports value of prescribed fire outside of traditional time frames. by Cassie Wandersee, Kansas Forest Service While most prescribed fires in the Plains are conducted during the dormant season — typically March through April — researchers and fire managers suggest growing-season burns done between July and September can provide benefits for land managers and public safety. Dennis Carlson, an assistant state fire management officer with the…

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Testing of hay and pastures key to offsetting high feed grain prices

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – High feed grain prices have been an area of concern for livestock producers this year, leading many to look for more cost-effective alternatives to meet the nutritional needs of their cattle during fall and winter months.  There has been a steady increase in cost of gain in cattle going back to the summer of 2020. To combat this and assure the continued well-being of his livestock, Kent…

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Plant wildflower gardens in the fall

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Driving across Oklahoma, it’s not unusual to see patches of wildflowers along the highway. The variety of colors and textures makes these patches appealing to the eye. Wildflower gardens are also a great addition to any landscape and recreating this beauty in a public garden or home landscape can create a pleasing aesthetic – provided the right steps are taken in its establishment. Gardeners are concerned with…

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Test, Don’t Guess – sampling and testing hay

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Accurately testing hay takes time and money. Photo credit Troy Walz. Fall is here and the weather reminds us of the changing of the seasons. This is the time of year when many producers are hauling hay home for the winter as well as pricing and purchasing hay. There is a tremendous range in hay quality depending upon level of maturity, fertilization, growing conditions, harvest circumstances and…

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Making Soybeans as Hay or Silage

Steve Niemeyer, Nebraska Extension Educator Harvest soybean forage when leaves start to turn yellow; just before they drop off. Photo credit Steve Niemeyer. Some parts of the state are not getting the moisture for their soybean crop so the decision to salvage them for hay or silage may have to be made. Soybean hay or silage can have feed values very similar to alfalfa; but it is very important to put it up…

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What to do with High Nitrate Forage?

Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Drought stressed forages can be high in nitrates and may be potentially toxic to cattle. 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. Given the drought conditions in some locations this year, many producers may be asking themselves how to handle the annual…

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