OSU Extension offers Halloween safety tips

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – When children dress up as their favorite superhero, princess or goblin, they likely have one thing on their mind: trick-or-treating and filling their candy container to the brim. But parents know there’s more to celebrating the holiday than choosing a costume and ringing neighborhood doorbells. Taking precautions ensures Halloween is both fun and safe, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist and interim associate dean. “The…

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High Nitrates and Pregnant Cows

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Drought poses many challenges to the beef cow herd. Nitrates in feed is one of the challenges that producers need to be aware of, especially in the reproductive herd. Nitrates can be found in multiple forages and weeds, such as millet, oats, wheat, corn, sorghum, sudan, kochia, pigweed, lambsquarter, brome grass and orchard grass, to name a few. Nitrates are taken up from the soil by…

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Five Tips to Keeping Livestock Vaccines Viable on Farm

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Vaccines are crucial to keeping livestock healthy and productive. While vaccines do not provide absolute protection, the “added insurance” helps stimulate the animal’s immune system and increases its ability to fight off an infection or lessen the impact of disease if it should occur. However, with timing, labor constraints and the necessity for boosters, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Veterinarian and State Public Health Veterinarian Russ Daly says there are several factors…

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Prussic Acid Precautions

Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist During periods of drought, it is important to consider and be aware of the factors that can be a concern during these conditions, specifically nitrates and prussic acid. In normal years plant growth is normal, and these compounds do not accumulate to levels that could be toxic to livestock, but when plant growth is inhibited, the risk increases significantly due to the plant not developing at…

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OSU scientists develop new test for anaplasmosis in livestock

By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University scientists have developed a screening tool for anaplasmosis in livestock, which has the potential to save producers a lot of time and money. The current industry standard for anaplasmosis detection in cattle, sheep and goats is the cELISA, a diagnostic tool that tells producers their livestock are infected with a disease. However, the test does not specifically indicate anaplasmosis, a bacterial disease transmitted through tick bites. This…

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Researchers team up to look at benefits of ag technologies on quality of life

Automated systems score high in 15-year study MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University agricultural economist is taking a step-back approach while carving out a new way of looking at the returns of precision agricultural technology. “As an economist, I (normally) look at things like profitability – dollars and cents – and whether the benefits outweigh the costs,” said Terry Griffin, a precision agriculture economist at K-State. “But sometimes economists may take a step…

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GRILLED STEAK PIZZA

GRILLED STEAK PIZZA SERVES 4 CUISINE: AMERICAN CATEGORY: APPETIZERS, STEAKS, SANDWICHES & SALADS Share your great taste! Pizza takes on a delicious smoky accent when cooked on a grill. Grilled Steak Pizza is a go-to simple recipe for outdoor entertaining. PREP TIME 10 mins OTHER TIME 0 COOK TIME 20 mins TOTAL TIME 30 mins INGREDIENTS: 4 (8-ounce) Certified Angus Beef ® top sirloin, or top sirloin cap, steaks1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper1…

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Where is Value being created in your Ranch Operation?

Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Identifying where value is being created and costs are occurring can show where opportunities exist to change and improve the profitability of the ranch business. Photo credit Troy Walz. For many ranch operations multiple enterprises are a part of the overall business.  In addition to the cow-calf enterprise, land is owned, replacement heifers are developed, hay is harvested, and often, yearlings are wintered and grazed through the…

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