Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management There are several options cattle producers may want to consider to conserve grass in dry areas of the state. Photo credit Troy Walz. Hot, dry conditions in early summer have taken a toll on grass growth in much of the Great Plains this year. There are several options cattle producers may want to consider to conserve grass in these dry areas. Every producer should…
Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Cattle mineral nutrition is complex and often confusing, but one strategy to help ranchers better evaluate their mineral program is to monitor mineral consumption. This goes back to the old adage, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Mineral supplement tags provide the recommended daily intake based on specific product formulations. Recommended intakes can vary widely depending on the brand and type of product, with the…
Findings are important for times when markets are disrupted, such as pandemic MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University swine researchers are reporting results of a study in which they were able to help producers slow the growth of pigs during the COVID-19 pandemic while they waited for packing plants to re-open. Their findings, they say, could be important any time markets are disrupted, whether that be for a global pandemic or other industry…
K-State forage expert talks about how teff grass is being used for cattle grazing in Kansas MANHATTAN, Kan. – Anyone with a gluten sensitivity may be familiar with teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal crop from Ethiopia that is gluten free and often used in cooking. But they may be surprised to know that it is also gaining popularity as a grass grown for hay production and cattle grazing. “Teff is a warm season…
Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator Brad Schick, Nebraska Extension Educator Silage should be harvested at 60-70% moisture. Photo credit Brad Schick. Developing cattle rations without distillers products to provide moisture and protein is an issue on many producers’ minds. One option this summer is to cut fall planted rye or spring oats, wheat, triticale, or barley for silage. Small grain silage can add moisture and some protein to rations and help fill the…
Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Additional Authors: Ken Olson COVID-19 and the energy economy has had a dramatic negative impact on the ethanol industry, resulting in limited availability of corn distiller’s grains. This has changed availability and pricing of protein feeds. As cow/calf producers consider how this affects their feed purchases currently and into the future, there are some key points to consider and evaluate. In South Dakota grazing operations, many…
K-State beef team outlines feeding options during online workshop MANHATTAN, Kan. – Several members of Kansas State University’s extension beef team hosted an online workshop Thursday to help producers with looming decisions on managing their herds in light of unique challenges in the market. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed Kansas’ beef supply chain to as much as 40 percent capacity, though the state has rebounded in recent days, according to K-State agricultural economist…
Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist People are currently investigating methods to control rate of gain. Anna R. Taylor and Robbi H. Pritchard, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD; and Kelly W. Bruns , University of Nebraska-Linclon, West Central Research & Extension Center, North Platte, NE, looked at backgrounding rate of gain on carcass characteristics. Steer calves weighing an average of 690 pounds were backgrounded until they weighed an average of 880 pounds.…
Warren Rusche SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate Key Takeaways Availability of distillers grains may be limited in some locations because of production slow-downs related to COVID-19 and changes in the supply-demand picture for fuel.Alternative protein sources are available, including oilseed meal, commercial supplements with and without urea, and high-protein roughages.Cattle feeders should visit with their nutritionist or Extension specialists to make sure that all the implications of changing supplemental protein sources are…
Experts offer ways for producers to best prepare pastures ahead of spring grazing MANHATTAN, Kan. – Beef cattle grazing on lush, green pastures is a common sight when driving through the Kansas Flint Hills in the late spring. Experts from Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute discussed steps for managing the spring grazing season recently on the weekly podcast Cattle Chat. K-State beef cattle extension specialist Bob Weaber advised producers to begin…