K-State researchers test fertilizers for best results in Kansas, other soils

Liquid fertilizers are best in calcareous soils, they say MANHATTAN, Kan. – Ganga Hettiarachchi knows that farmers want to be good stewards of the environment. And as a soil scientist at Kansas State University, she is in a good position to help them along the way. Hettiarachchi and former doctoral student Jay Weeks recently completed a study of how phosphorus – an important nutrient for growing farm crops – reacts in alkaline farmland,…

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USDA Improving Services to Provide More SNAP Participants the Dignity of Work

New rule encourages more robust services and opportunities to gain skills for today’s job market (Washington, D.C., March 5, 2020) – In light of President Trump’s historic economic expansion - with a 3.6% unemployment rate and 6.4 million job openings across the nation - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule that will strengthen the way states serve SNAP recipients through Employment and Training. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants…

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State Veterinarian Encourages Vaccination Against Anthrax

The State Veterinarian of Texas encourages livestock owners to have their animals vaccinated against anthrax this spring. “Following last year’s outbreak in southwest Texas, we encourage livestock owners in the previously affected and surrounding area to consult with their veterinarian about vaccinating animals before warmer weather arrives.” said Andy Schwartz, Texas state veterinarian and executive director. “The anthrax vaccine is dependable and proven to protect livestock from the disease.” To be effective, the…

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Cattlemen’s Day highlights new advances in beef industry

More than 600 attend 107th annual event at K-State MANHATTAN, Kan. – A leading official for one of the United States’ leading providers of cattle genetics told producers Friday that the future is very bright for their industry. Lorna Marshall, vice president of beef programs for Select Sires of Plain City, Ohio, gave a lively, one-hour talk during the 107th annual Cattlemen’s Day, held at Kansas State University. Officials said there were more…

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Fire season returns to Kansas

Kansas Forest Service, K-State Mesonet advise Kansans to prep for potentially active fire season MANHATTAN, Kan. – Rising temperatures and breezy conditions are quickly drying fuels across the state, increasing concerns for an active fire season in Kansas. “Despite recent moisture, Kansas's primary fuel – grass -- is abundant due to last year's above normal precipitation,” said Chip Redmond, Kansas State University assistant meteorologist. The timing of future precipitation between dry frontal passages…

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K-State experts offer advice on beef cattle breeding

Success in cattle breeding starts with cycling females in good body condition MANHATTAN, Kan. – Creating a great cake starts with quality ingredients mixed together by a talented baker. The same can be said of cattle breeding, only in this case the ingredients include cycling females, quality bull semen and a knowledgeable producer who can plan for a timed breeding through artificial insemination or natural exposure. In a recent podcast from Kansas State…

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Prune during the dormant season to protect oak trees

Prevent the spread of oak wilt, a fatal disease to oak trees, by pruning now MANHATTAN, Kan. – Oak wilt, a fatal disease spread by a fungus, has been found in a few sites in the eastern third of Kansas over the last decade. While the spread is often slow and sporadic, Kansans should be mindful of the fungus to prevent the spread of the fatal disease. If infected, rapid death can come…

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Don’t Let Your Cows Eat the Profit

By Robert Wells, Ph.D.Livestock Consultant Intentional beef producers will develop a winter feeding strategy and calving season that reduces the cost of winter feed. The bulk of the cost of cow ownership typically occurs during the winter when additional supplementation is required. University and industry data indicate that annual cow costs range from $500 to $600. Nutritional supplementation makes up 40-60% of this total annual cost; thus, ranging from $200 to $360 per…

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Foreign Animal Disease: Implications for Traceability

Elliott Dennis, Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Economist Photo credit Troy Walz. Two statements commonly spoken by market analysts and producers are: 1) beef is a differentiated product and 2) global beef supply impacts domestic prices. These are so frequently quoted that we might forget how these two statements imply modifications in local risk management and production practices. So, how do these statements apply to a hypothetical Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) situation…

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Value Added Fed and Feeder Cattle Practices: Are they Paying?

Elliott Dennis, Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Economist A commonly asked question is whether premiums observed between the feedlot and packing plant are passed down to cow-calf producers during auctions. Photo credit Troy Walz. A lot of time is spent on analyzing trends and movements in the quality and yield grade of slaughtered cattle and for good reason. These premiums indicate whether the market is willing to pay for producing a higher quality…

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