K-State ag economist looks at impact of energy produced on U.S. farms

Researchers have found that income gained from energy produced on U.S. farms has neither a positive or negative effect on agriculture. (File photo) Findings indicate little effect on farm business MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University agricultural economist has published findings from a study looking at the impact of income gained from energy produced on the farm. Jenny Ifft, an agricultural policy specialist with K-State Research and Extension, said while energy income…

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Insect control key to successful double-crop soybean management

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Insect control will play a major role in the management of double-crop soybeans after wheat harvest is completed, said an Oklahoma State University Extension expert.  Experienced farmers know soybeans planted after wheat are vulnerable to several insect pests, but most especially defoliating caterpillars and grasshoppers. Three caterpillar defoliators commonly occur in soybeans.  “It’s important to correctly identify the type of caterpillars infesting the crop and estimate defoliation levels before…

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Learn the Myths About Ticks to Keep Yourself Tick Safe

Tim McDermott DVM, OSU Extension Educator, Franklin County (originally published in Farm and Dairy) Myth #3: It’s common to believe that ticks such as this deer tick are only present during spring or summer. I remember one day back when I was in private practice when a client brought in their dog for their examination and vaccinations and when he set his pup up on the examination table I noticed that the dog’s entire top…

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Open and Late Calving Cows: The Conundrum

Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, OSU Extension Figuring out why we have a late calving female is important when deciding to keep or cull. Being that most of the spring calving cow herds in Ohio and beyond have calved, and breeding season is upon us, there is a cow conundrum that we need to discuss. In the 9 or months that I have been in this position, my favorite questions to answer…

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Hot Days Ahead and the Need for Water

Robin Salverson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Hot summer days are still ahead, and we need to account for water. We all know water is the most-important nutrient to the animal, but we are always concerned about protein, energy, minerals and vitamins; even though water is required for regulation of body temperature, digestion, absorption of nutrients, waste removal, fetal growth and lactation. All the grass in world means nothing without water. The amount…

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Horses need up-to-date West Nile virus vaccinations

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Horses account for about 97% of reported non-human mammalian cases of West Nile virus encephalitis, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, underscoring the need for horse owners to employ sound animal-health-management strategies.  West Nile virus can cause encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain. The virus can also cause meningitis, an inflammation of the lining in the brain and spinal cord, in people and horses. The…

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USDA Expands Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program for Meat Processors to 9 States with Addition of South Dakota

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the State of South Dakota have finalized a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) agreement, which provides an opportunity for selected state-inspected meat and poultry processors to ship their products across state lines. Under the CIS agreement, the State of South Dakota may inspect meat in selected establishments for shipment throughout the United States. The CIS program was…

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No 17-year cicadas for Oklahoma this summer

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Like a total eclipse of the sun or rare blood moon, the mass emergence of periodical cicadas is a natural phenomenon that piques interest worldwide. While the 17-year cicada is crawling aboveground now on the East Coast and in the upper Midwest, state Extension specialists say Oklahoma is in the clear.  Eric Rebek, Oklahoma State University entomology professor and Extension specialist, said the Brood X species of periodical cicada making headlines this summer is…

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