Reducing Hay Storage and Feeding Losses

Jessica A. Williamson, Ph.D., Extension Forage Specialist, Penn State Storage losses of uncovered hay can be upwards of 30%! On most livestock operations, the greatest operational cost is stored and harvested feed, so it only makes sense that striving to reduce storage and feeding losses of harvested feeds as much as possible can help improve forage quality, quantity, and overall profitability of an operation. Reducing waste, even by a few percent, can have…

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Doug Hixon Recognized as 2020 Friend of the National Western Stock Show

In recognition of his contributions to the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) and the University of Wyoming for more than three decades, the Red Meat Club of Denver has named Doug Hixon the 2020 Friend of the National Western. Hixon will be honored at the group’s annual meeting in the National Western Club on Jan. 16, 2020. “Dr. Hixon exemplifies the character and passion for the red meat industry, as well as any…

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Secretary Perdue Statement on House Passage of USMCA

(Washington, D.C., December 19, 2019) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a bipartisan vote of 385-41.   “I’ve long said that support for USMCA crosses political parties, the bipartisan passage of the agreement today is proof of that,” Secretary Perdue said. “I am pleased the House finally brought this agreement to a vote and encourage quick passage…

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K-State Corn Production Schools scheduled for Winter 2020

Six schools across the state will focus on each region MANHATTAN, KAN. – K-State Research and Extension, in partnership with Kansas Corn, is hosting six one-day Corn Production Schools at locations across Kansas this winter. Three Corn Management Schools will be offered in early January 2020 in Montezuma, Parsons and Wichita. Three will be held in February in Oakley, Salina and Olathe. Each school is free to attend and will provide in-depth training…

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Economics of Traceability

While no beef producer ever wants to experience a catastrophic disease outbreak in the herd, in seeing the BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and FMD (food and mouth disease) outbreaks that have occurred in the world, cattle raisers must prepare for that possibility. One way to minimize the risks to the herd is to adopt a cattle tracking system such as CattleTrace. With that system cattle are given an ultra high radio frequency tag…

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Applications Open for Women Connected Conference

American Angus Auxiliary-sponsored event registration closes Jan. 15, 2020. American Angus Auxiliary invites women in the Angus industry to apply for the fifth Women Connected Conference. Sponsored by the Angus Foundation, it will bring together Angus cattlewomen, Auxiliary members and other women involved in the Angus industry. Twenty women will be selected from applications to join the 10-member Auxiliary executive committee March 4-6, 2020, in Wooster, Ohio. Women 21 and older are eligible to…

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Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Jackson County, Kansas

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in Jackson County, Kansas. On November 13, 2019,  EAB adults and larvae were recovered from a girdled tree trap near Denison by KDA in cooperation with local citizens, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ), and the Kansas Forest Service. KDA sent the specimens to a laboratory with…

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U.S. Farmers Eager to Return to Global Competitiveness

The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “America’s farmers and ranchers are eager to get back to business globally.  Progress restoring our ability to be competitive in China is a key component of that and this development is welcome news. We appreciate the administration’s initiative and look forward to further progress toward resolving this trade battle. China went from the second-largest market for U.S. agricultural products…

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Top 12 Things to Consider Before Building a Cattle Handling Facility

By Robert Wells, Ph.D.Livestock Consultant The cattle handling facility is at the heart of most every ranch. The quality of the facility and its ease of use can determine the enjoyment or frustration of use and dictate how often you work cattle through it. Properly designed and thought-out facilities will be safe for the producer and animal, handle cattle with ease, require a minimal number of personnel and allow for cattle to be…

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NCBA Welcomes First Phase In U.S./China Trade Deal

WASHINGTON (Dec. 13, 2019) - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall issued the following statement regarding today's announcement that the U.S. and China have agreed to a phase one trade deal: “The announcement of a phase one deal with China is welcome news for the U.S. beef industry. While we wait to learn more about the details of the agreement, we are optimistic that this positive news will bring long lasting…

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