K-State beef cattle experts share considerations for retaining females in the herd

Decision often is based on priorities of the operation MANHATTAN, Kan. – Late fall is the time many cattle producers are weaning spring born calves and making selections for replacement females. Trying to decide if replacement heifers should be kept and, if so, the best way for making that decision was a recent discussion topic for Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute professors Bob Larson and Bob Weaber. Larson, a veterinarian, said the…

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MU Extension releases winter feed cost dashboard

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Beef producers will soon spend a lot on hay and supplement. Just how much can vary and depends on many moving factors, say two University of Missouri Extension specialists. Agricultural business specialist Brent Carpenter and livestock specialist Gene Schmitz looked at how current prices affect winter feeding costs for several different diets. “Winter feeding is a critical time for herd health and production. It’s also the most expensive time on…

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New Bill Will Help Preserve Family Farms

A bill introduced today (11/22) to help more farm families continue their livelihoods after the death of a loved one has the full support of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Preserving Family Farms Act of 2019 is sponsored by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.). “Farm and ranch families often face a significant financial burden when they have to pay estate taxes,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farm families should be…

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Robots, drones becoming workhorses for agriculture

K-State engineers testing capability of small vehicles to help farmers MANHATTAN, Kan. – The small, rolling vehicle looks a bit like something out of a science fiction film as it moves slowly across a barren patch of land on Kansas State University’s North Agronomy Farm. It rolls on treads similar to an Army tank, but the complicated array of attachments suggests something else. The machine, which measures 2 feet tall and 3 feet…

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Surviving to Thriving: Care for Yourself to Care for the Farm

Workshop in Hays will focus on mental health, farm crisis, nutrition and more MANHATTAN, Kan. — Women involved in agriculture should make plans to attend the “Surviving to Thriving: Care for Yourself to Care for the Farm – Women in Ag Workshop” to be held on Monday, Dec. 9 at the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays, 1232 240th Avenue. Registration and supper begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program will be from 6:00…

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The Cost of Overwintering Open Cows

Jordan Buerck, Research Assistant and Brenda Boetel, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls As winter in the Midwest begins in full force, one of the more important decisions for producers is whether or not to continue feeding open cows throughout the winter period in hopes of attaining higher market value for that animal in the spring. This decision must be analyzed based on each individual’s location and access to feed…

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Gather ‘Round the Drool Log with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. This Holiday Season

DENVER, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for the holidays, Beef. It's What's For Dinner. is releasing a new craveable Beef Drool Log video sure to "spice up" any gathering and celebration. The Beef Drool Log is a two-hour video featuring a beautiful Prime Rib Roast cooking to perfection on a rotisserie over open flame. The video pays homage to the iconic Yule Log but puts a tasty spin on it like…

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It could be time for some new (food safety) traditions

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – The holiday season is upon us and in full swing. Menus are being planned and long standing family favorite recipes will likely grace the table as family and friends gather to celebrate. This time of year can be nostalgic for some old family holiday traditions. While some of these traditions are perfectly fine, it may be time to change things up just a bit in an effort…

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Honing skills: K-State to host ‘Farm Financial Skills for Women in Ag’ workshop series

Program will be presented in 31 locations across the state MANHATTAN, Kan. – On farms large and small across the United States, the number of women making the decisions is growing. Against that backdrop and especially in view of the current struggling farm economy, Kansas State University will host a four-part series of workshops focused on helping women sharpen their farm financial management skills. More than 25,500 women are decision makers on Kansas…

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USDA Invests $41.6 Million in Rural Broadband for Missouri and Southern Iowa Families

BETHANY, Mo., Nov. 15, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce today announced USDA has invested $41.6 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for rural households and farms in Missouri and Southern Iowa. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s Reconnect Pilot Program investments. “In Missouri and across the country, technology and innovation are…

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