2020 Angus Convention Simplified to 137th Annual Meeting

Annual event modified to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions in Kansas City The American Angus Association® has made the difficult decision to reformat the 2020 Angus Convention originally scheduled for Nov. 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. Considering the current gathering restrictions created by COVID-19, modifications were necessary to balance the health of attendees and the need to conduct the business of the Association. The event will be a two-day meeting on Nov. 8-9 and will continue…

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K-State researchers study wheat for grazing, grain

Researchers at Kansas State University have studied the performance of 28 wheat varieties in a dual-purpose system. (File photo) Year-long study helps identify varieties ideal for dual-purpose system MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers have released findings of a study to identify the best-performing varieties when producers are growing wheat for grain and grazing, known as a dual-purpose system. K-State Research and Extension wheat specialist Romulo Lollato said he and his colleagues…

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Safety is key when canning food at home

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Many gardeners across the state are finding themselves with excess fresh fruits and vegetables. Although the family can consume a fair amount of the garden bounty before it spoils, canning that food is a great way to reduce waste and preserve that summer-fresh taste all year long. Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Extension food specialist, said there are several safe methods of canning food at home. “The key to…

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Determining record keeping priorities

Maintaining accurate records can be an important component of any beef cattle operation. | Download this photo. K-State beef cattle experts advocate for data as a valuable decision-making tool MANHATTAN, Kan. — Humans consume data daily, from knowing the latest COVID-19 counts to learning which baseball pitcher threw the most strikeouts from the mound. In sports, that data can determine which player gets called up to play. Likewise, data can also help beef producers…

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Kansas Forest Service tree, shrub seedling sale opens Sept. 1

Program offers species suited for Great Plains states  MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The Kansas Forest Service Conservation Tree and Shrub sale opens Sept. 1, providing landowners with a source for low-cost tree and shrub seedlings.  “Large conservation plantings can become very costly when several hundreds or thousands of plants are needed to meet the conservation goals of the landowner,” said Aaron Yoder, conservation trees specialist.  Conservation plantings may function as wildlife habitat, windbreaks, wood…

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Economist reviews shocks to beef industry with implications for cattle, beef prices ahead

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the beef supply chain and consumer beef demand but the industry is working through a backlog of market-ready animals. | Download this photo. K-State’s Tonsor spoke at virtual K-State Risk & Profit Conference MANHATTAN, Kan. – The beef cattle industry has already experienced three big “shocks” this year and the effects are ongoing, but have been blunted to some extent, according to a Kansas State University agricultural economist. The first…

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OSU research seeks soil pH answers for wheat producers who also grow cotton

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Ongoing Oklahoma State University research into soil pH is providing insights for wheat producers looking at planting cotton in their crop rotation.  Many producers already recognized that the lack of agricultural liming in traditional wheat fields could be a challenge with growing cotton, but specifics as to how different soil pH levels might affect the second crop’s performance was an unknown factor, said Brian Arnall, OSU Extension precision crop…

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Valuing Bred Beef Heifers

Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee Several weeks ago, there was a discussion on rules of thumb for valuing bred beef heifers. This led to a question this week about rules of thumb related to valuing bred cows and their appreciation and depreciation. There are no rules of thumb, but there was some research performed at Oklahoma State University that can be helpful in determining…

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Rural vet practice and beef sustainability webinar series begins

By Brian Brus STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University Extension and animal medicine experts are launching a series of Thursday evening webinars to explore rural veterinary practice issues and beef sustainability. Each Zoom-based session, hosted jointly by the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Extension faculty, is approved for one hour of continuing education by the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Producers as well as vets are welcome to bring their…

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