Windbreak Wisdom

Proper placement and construction of windbreaks can pay off. by Kris Kohl, Iowa State University Extension Winter is coming fast and bringing with it snow and wind. Cattle and farmsteads both can benefit from properly placed windbreaks. There are two main windbreak functions on a farm: livestock windchill protection and snow windbreaks. We’ll discuss how to use each one to its greatest benefit. Livestock windchill protection windbreaks are built to be 20% open…

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Farm analyst program helps Kansas producers make financial decisions

K-State’s Winsor reviews what the program can provide for landowners By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University farm analyst LaVell Winsor is hailing a program in the Department of Agricultural Economics that has a long history of helping farm families review their finances and make a financial plan. The university’s Farm Analyst program offers one-on-one consultation, using active farmers, ranchers and extension agents who are trained as K-State…

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Extend the life of a Christmas tree after the holidays

By Trisha Gedon By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma families looking for a fun activity after the holidays should look no further than the fresh-cut Christmas tree in their living room. The tree came into the home from nature and now, after the sound of jingle bells fade away, it can be returned to nature. “Once the ornaments and lights have been removed, consider using the fresh-cut tree to help the wildlife in your…

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Cattle Chat: Knowing when to feed hay

K-State beef cattle experts discuss ways to best meet the winter nutritional needs of the herd MANHATTAN, Kan. — When training for a sports competition, athletes often match their dietary requirements to the training regimen. In a similar way, a pregnant beef cow’s nutritional demands increase as she gets closer to the birth event, said the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “As the cows move…

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OSU news release: Rural water wrap-up: Infrastructure funding on the horizon

By Gail Ellis By Gail Ellis STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahomans in rural areas and small towns are searching for funding to support water and wastewater infrastructure. According to Kevin Wagner, director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center, more than $80 billion is needed to ensure the state has adequate drinking water and wastewater systems now and in the future. “Almost half of the 800 water supply systems in Oklahoma collectively serve less than 5% of…

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Herbicide-resistant weeds? K-State researcher hopes to crush them

Kumar studying system that destroys weed seed during crop harvest MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University researcher in western Kansas says he may have an innovative way to kill weeds commonly found in farmer’s fields: simply put, he wants to crush ‘em. That’s right, says Vipan Kumar, a weed scientist at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays: He’s studying a method known as Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC) in which weed seed…

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