USDA Makes it Easier to Feed Kids and Those Who Need Food During the COVID-19 National Emergency

Nationwide waivers grant states the flexibility to allow parent pick-up of meals for kids, ease burdens on local meal provider WASHINGTON, March 26, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced additional flexibilities to make it easier for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to get food during the COVID-19 national emergency and remove administrative roadblocks for the dedicated local staff who serve them. These changes are in line with USDA’s commitment…

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Alternative Pasture Weed Control

Gared Shaffer SDSU Extension Weeds Field Specialist The term ‘weed’ can be broadly applied to any plant that is undesirable at any given time and place based on certain criteria. It is important to understand that the word ‘weed’ has become a general term with no universal definition, and many plants are considered to be weeds, depending on location. For example, a corn plant in a soybean field is considered a weed although both plants are major…

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Ensure Herd Bulls Are Ready for the Upcoming Breeding

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Spring calving for some is underway, while for others is approaching quickly. This indicates the next breeding season is right around the corner. Percent of calf crop weaned on any operation is the single largest factor influencing profitability. Subsequently, herd bulls influence herd fertility more than any other single animal. Soundness and fertility of these animals is essential to the future calf crop and profitability of…

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Grass Tetany: Now Is the Time to Prepare

Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist The warmer spring temperatures have been a welcome reprieve from the cold experienced across the region in 2019. With warmer temperatures and significant soil moisture, ranchers need to be proactive in mitigating grass tetany risk. Cool season grasses are beginning to green up, posing a risk for cows with young calves. As the temperatures continue to increase, cool season grasses, such as crested wheatgrass will grow…

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2020 Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit set for May 7-8 goes virtual

March 24, 2020 – The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced today that its 2020 Stakeholders Summit is going virtual in response to ongoing public health concerns around hosting large events. The Virtual Summit, still being held May 7-8, will include the same exciting speaker lineup that was planned for the in-person event with sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics. “The Alliance team has been closely…

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Twins need special care, say beef cattle experts

K-State beef experts discuss reasons why twins occur and how to care for them MANHATTAN, Kan. – The goal of every cattle birth is a live, healthy calf, but every so often ranchers find a surprise: a second calf. Understanding how twins develop and best practices for managing their care was a topic recently discussed by the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute during their weekly podcast. “It is estimated that…

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2021 BQA Award Nominations

The National BQA Award recognizes outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.  A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program. National BQA award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef…

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Feeding Minds Press Announces Release of New Children’s Book

At a time when consumers of all ages are growing in curiosity about where their food comes from, a new children’s book introduces readers to the round-the-clock work and ingenuity of dairy farming. “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” is now available from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture. “‘Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish’ is a delightful and educational story that we hope will engage…

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Grass Cover Crops; Bargain Feed or Bedding?

Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Crawford County, AgNR Educator and Stan Smith, OSU Extension PA, Fairfield County (originally published in the Ohio Farmer on-line) With somewhere around 1.5 million acres that were not planted last spring to the intended crops of corn or soybeans due to the extraordinary weather, today, Ohio farmers likely have more acres of cereal rye planted for cover than at any time in previous history. At the same time, cattlemen…

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Immune system tips offered

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – While medical researchers worldwide race to develop a cure for COVID-19, people can work to strengthen their immune systems and stay as healthy as possible, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist. A few easy and practical habits might make a big difference in the long run – emotionally as well as physically. “The immune system is actually made up of a network of cells,…

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