Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, PAS, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky Last winter we had a dramatic increase in the number of cattle deaths compared to previous winters. Excessive rain contributed to these losses and led to wet haircoats and mud conditions in the fields. In the midst of last year’s muddy conditions, we did a series of meetings discussing the effects of rain and mud. I discussed the impacts of wet haircoats on…
Chris Penrose, Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resources, Morgan County (originally published in the Ohio Farmer online) Stockpiled fescue can be an excellent place to accomplish early turnout, and begin calving. One goal I have had with livestock grazing over the years is to start as soon as I can. I put spring calving cows on stockpiled grass in early March to calve with the hope of not having to feed any more…
By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Those interested in soil health and composting should mark their calendars for March 10 and attend the Community Soil Health and Compost Workshop. This event will feature industry specialists and experts who will provide the latest, research-based information on these topics. The workshop is free and open to the public. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Great Plains Technology center, 4500…
Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County, OSU Extension Lactating animals are at greater risk of mastitis infections when it is muddy! We finally got some snow and freezing temperatures! At our house, we didn’t get snow a single day that our Christmas decorations were up, but snow on Valentine’s Day was appreciated. Fresh snow provides a refreshing look to the landscape when it covers up all the muck and brown…
WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2020) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today joined 20 other national agricultural groups in kicking off Farmers for a Sustainable Future, a coalition of ag organizations committed to environmental and economic sustainability. The coalition was introduced at a news conference on Capitol Hill today. “Today’s launch of the Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF) is a defining moment,” said NCBA Vice President, Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, who spoke…
Temple Grandin, the world-renowned professor in Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and autism advocate, didn’t have an easy road in life. Far from it. “High school was a disaster for me,” she said. “I was always getting picked on.” She recalled the day she reached her breaking point when a student called her a derogatory term. “I chucked a book at her,” Grandin said. ‘Horses saved my life’ That incident got…
The Agriculture Innovation Agenda is a Solution for Farmers, Consumers, and the Environment (Washington, D.C, February 20, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40 percent…
In response to northern New Mexico cattle growers need for access to veterinarians and cattle working facilities to perform Trichomoniasis tests, a bull management workshop will be held in three counties. Learn more about Trichomoniasis, a bovine sexually transmitted disease, at a bull management workshop Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, in Abiquiu. Producers may bring their bulls to be tested for the disease and fertility. The workshop is hosted by New Mexico State…
Tamarisk competes with native vegetation reducing available forage for livestock and reducing water quality.| Download this photo. Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees March 19 workshop aims to help landowners improve livestock forage, water quality and wildlife habitat MANHATTAN, Kan. – Landowners and managers in southwest Kansas are invited to a free workshop and field demonstration focused on the management and removal of tamarisk, also known as saltcedar. The workshop is Thursday, March 19,…
By Ryon Walker, Ph.D.Livestock Consultant Significant emphasis has been placed on the importance of fertility in the female, whether in the cow or a developing heifer. When we address fertility in one female, we are affecting one offspring. When we address fertility in one male, we could be affecting up to approximately 35 offspring, in a single year. Is this oversight on bull fertility because bulls are overlooked until it is time to…