Should we plan for another long, wet, muddy winter?

Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist Whether winter predictions are correct or not, it’s time to start preparing! The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released their forecast for this winter. “Mild, with soakers” is how Indiana is labeled. I don’t put a lot of weight on these forecasts, but they often line up with other forecasts and occasionally are completely correct. If this forecast holds true, I think we all need to prepare for…

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Animal welfare involves different meanings and approaches

Global challenges and innovations discussed at international conference MANHATTAN, Kan. – A series of presentations from experts in animal health and welfare demonstrated the complexity of the topic during the third plenary session at an international livestock conference on Monday. The Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock brought nearly 300 leaders in industry, government, civil society and academia together at Kansas State University to discuss the present and future of topics including animal husbandry.…

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GASL meeting: Innovation key to livelihoods, economic growth

Livestock producers, consumers can reap rewards MANHATTAN, Kan. – Innovation is the key which will unlock greater sustainability, economic growth, and nutritional security for the world’s livestock producers, as they face the challenges of a growing global population and ongoing challenges such as anti-microbial resistance. That’s the core message being discussed at Kansas State University this week. Delegates from 22 nations are here for the 9th annual Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL)…

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K-State and collaborators double down on making water, nutrients go further on Southern Plains farms

New research aims to boost rainfed agriculture by improving efficiencies and soil health MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University is leading a multi-agency team focused on improving water and nitrogen use efficiencies and improving soil health in the semi-arid southern Great Plains. The nearly $10 million five-year research effort is led by K-State University Distinguished Professor Chuck Rice and includes a transdisciplinary team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Oklahoma…

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Feed Bunk Management

Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate When it comes to nutritional management of growing and finishing cattle, the scientific aspects tend to get the most attention. Hours are spent getting the formulations right and debating the merits of different ingredients and additives. In truth, feeding cattle successfully is as much art and judgment as science. Judgment is required to balance between over- and under-feeding. Under-feeding limits performance and possibly Quality Grade.…

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Trade takes center stage during panel discussion at international conference

Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock conference at K-State MANHATTAN, Kan. – The meaning of the word “sustainability” in livestock production varies from person to person and country to country which adds a layer of difficulty when governments are negotiating trade agreements, according to Tom Vilsack, president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack was a panelist during the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock annual conference held Sept.…

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The Cull Cow Market is Looking Up

David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Cull cow prices continued their slow increase into September. Prices in the Southern Plains reached their high of the year, so far, at $54.36 at the end of August. That was 12.5 percent higher than a year ago. There is some good reason to think that prices may continue to be above a year ago. Cow slaughter hit some multi-decade highs…

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Spring Forage; Looking Beyond Cereal Rye

Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Crawford Country, AgNR Educator Winter wheat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye planted in the fall can produce high quality forage in the spring when harvest is in the boot stage. These forages are not equal though in there speed of maturity or quality in the soft dough growth stage. Rye grows and matures faster than the other cereals making it the ideal choice for double cropping with corn silage…

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Experts say ‘positive disruption’ good for livestock industry

Innovations have helped to shape safer, more efficient practices around the world MANHATTAN, Kan. – Like much of agriculture, the world’s livestock industry has seen its fair share of innovation over the past 20 years, dramatically changing the way ranchers raise their animals. Sometimes, said a group of industry leaders, that innovation creates a “positive disruption.” “The disruption that is on the horizon is real-time information,” said Nicola Shadbolt, a professor of farm…

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Secretary Perdue Statement on Farm Safety Week

(Washington, D.C., September 16, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded President Trump’s proclamation making September 15-21, 2019 National Farm Safety and Health Week. The theme for this year’s National Farm Safety & Health Week is “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear” as a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to prioritize safety on the farm and the rural roadways of America.   “America’s farmers, ranchers and producers work hard…

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