Trump Administration Invests $462 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities

Funding will Improve Rural Water Infrastructure for 467,000 Rural Americans in 44 States WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 3, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $462 million to modernize critical drinking water (PDF, 367 KB) and wastewater infrastructure across rural America.“Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,”…

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Strong Turnout of Cattle Producers Sets Important Policies for the Future

Live Cattle Marketing Committee Unanimously Passes Policy to Increase Cash Trade Levels DENVER (July 29, 2020) - A capacity crowd of cattle producers worked for more than six hours today to identify a policy that would help resolve concerns about live cattle marketing issues and lead the industry to more robust price discovery. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Live Cattle Marketing Committee considered several proposals, each aimed at encouraging greater volumes of cash cattle…

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Check Alfalfa for Blister Beetle Activity

Patrick Wagner SDSU Extension Entomology Field SpecialistAdditional Authors: Amanda Bachmann,Philip Rozeboom,Adam Varenhorst Blister beetles are becoming more common as we progress through the growing season. Recently, there have been multiple reports of blister beetles showing up in alfalfa fields. The larvae of these beetles are beneficial because they feed on grasshopper eggs. However, the adults feed on the leaves and blossoms of plants, including alfalfa, and contain a toxic chemical called cantharidin. They can…

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Be Safe and Smart Around Silage

Tracey Erickson SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist Corn silage making season will soon be upon us. It is important to take the time to communicate with employees proper protocols while making silage, along with safe practices around silage piles or silos. A few years ago, I had the privilege to travel with Keith Bolsen, professor emeritus for Kansas State University, for the I-29 Moo University Winter Workshops as we discussed forages. Dr. Bolsen…

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K-State unveils Wheat Variety Disease and Insect Ratings 2020

Kansas State University has just unveiled its new Wheat Variety Disease and Insect Ratings 2020 publication Ratings are a tool to help with wheat variety selection MANHATTAN, Kan. — One of the most important decisions wheat growers make each year is deciding what varieties to plant. Some have greater resistance to certain diseases than others. Some yield well despite pressure from some pests and diseases. So gathering information about how different varieties have performed…

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NCBA Addresses Checkoff Referendum Petition

DENVER (July 27, 2020) - Today, NCBA President Marty Smith, a Florida cattle producer, released the following statement about the Beef Checkoff referendum petition launched in July.  “In the 1980s, NCBA was instrumental in the initial passage of the Beef Promotion and Research Act and the resulting referendum that established the Beef Checkoff as we know it today. The Act makes it very clear that cattle producers have a say in the continuation…

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Adding Value to Cull Cows

Stephen Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist Approximately 10 to 20 percent of the returns to a cow-calf operation are from selling cull cows in the fall. There are four factors that need to be considered to obtain profit from feeding cull cows. First, the cows have to be thin but healthy. Second, the buy/sell margin should be positive. Third, cost of gain should be relatively cheap. The odds of a profit are increased…

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K-State vets: Watch for summer respiratory condition in calves

A close grouping of calves is one of the risk factors for pre-weaning pneumonia. K-State vets: Watch for summer respiratory condition in calves Experts discuss risk factors and treatment options for pre-weaning pneumonia MANHATTAN, Kan. — When talking to ranchers about cattle health concerns in the summer, fly control and pinkeye will often come to mind, but one condition that can lead to calf death is pre-weaning pneumonia. “Research has shown that pre-weaning…

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USDA Launches New Farmers.gov Features to Help Farmers Hire Workers

(Washington, D.C., July 27, 2020) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced new features on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers.gov website designed to help facilitate the employment of H-2A workers. “My mission from the beginning of my time as Secretary was to make USDA the most effective, most efficient, most customer-focused department in the entire federal government – these changes to Farmers.gov are doing just that. USDA’s goal is to help farmers navigate the complex…

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