K-State beef expert lauds cool-season grasses, cover crops for grazing

K-State beef systems specialist Jaymelynn Farney said there are economic benefits to allowing cattle to graze on cover crops; it's also beneficial to soil. (File photo) Cover crops allow cattle producers to put weight on cattle, add organic matter to soil By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news service MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University beef systems specialist Jaymelynn Farney knows that every cattle producer has different herds and goals, but cool…

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K-State: Wheat genomics discoveries have the potential to improve bread quality

University researchers report key breakthrough as part of global project MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers have published recent findings that highlight their discovery of a gene in ancient wheat that gives superior strength and elasticity to bread dough. Liangliang Gao, a post-doctoral scientist in K-State’s Wheat Genetics Resource Center, said the work is part of a larger project involving research groups worldwide and spanning more than 50 years of collecting 242 unique…

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Cattle Chat: Grazing fescue requires close monitoring

Kansas State beef cattle experts talk about the toxins that fescue pastures present to cattle  MANHATTAN, Kan. — We all have that one friend who eats the spiciest food and doesn’t seem bothered by it, while the rest of the people at the table break out into a sweat from the heat of the food. That friend has adapted well to the spice and they handle it with ease. Much like humans, beef…

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K-State expert says cattle producers can save money with alternative sources of phosphorus

As prices rise, some alternatives may be better options for feeding cattle By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news service MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University beef systems specialist said cattle producers may have a few options available to them to offset the rising costs of adding phosphorus to their herd’s diet. Phosphorus is a common deficiency for cattle around the world, but the price of supplemental phosphorus mineral is increasing,…

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Cattle Chat: Heifer weight gain strategy

Kansas State beef cattle experts offer dietary tips for pregnant heifers MANHATTAN, Kan. — As the holiday season gatherings begin, many are seeing those bathroom scales numbers adjust in a less than favorable direction. However, for pregnant heifers that are too thin, late fall is a good time to make dietary adjustments ahead of spring calving, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, veterinarian Bob…

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Calving Schools Planned

K-State to host four events around Kansas focused on providing tips to help producer prepare for calving season. MANHATTAN, Kan. - In anticipation of calving season, Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension are planning a series of calving schools beginning in December and continuing through January. The program will outline overall calving management that includes stages of the normal calving process as well as tips to handle…

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Cattle Chat: Internal parasite management for calves

Kansas State beef cattle experts offer tips on ways to reduce parasite loads in young animals MANHATTAN, Kan. — Do the terms worms and life cycles bring back memories of biology class? Well in the case of beef cattle, understanding the life cycle of worms -- otherwise known as internal parasites -- is key to reducing health impacts in calves, say the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Joining in a…

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Price Discovery in Cattle Markets

Researchers look at 20 years of data to determine effect of trends, future of industry. by Pat Melgares, Kansas State University Agricultural economists say short-term disruptions in the fed-cattle and beef industries have not changed longer-term motivations for how buyers and sellers establish prices for cattle. They have finished an exhaustive review of price discovery in the fed-cattle and beef industry during the past 20 years, which explains current ways of doing business…

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USDA grant supports new K-State hotline for diagnosing toxic animal emergencies

Researchers in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine will use a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create impactful and innovative outreach tools to help veterinarians address toxicology problems in food animal livestock. MANHATTAN — Rapid response to animal health emergencies has prompted the creation of a new veterinary toxicology training program at Kansas State University. A $248,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will enhance the ability of researchers…

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Cattle Chat: Planning for upcoming pregnancies

Caring for cows well in mid-pregnancy influences future breeding success Kansas State beef cattle experts share fall cow management tips for spring calvers MANHATTAN, Kan. — Most would agree that planning ahead is one of the best ways to meet a goal and that is true of the cow herd as well, say the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, veterinarians Bob Larson and Brad White shared…

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