Cattle Chat: Factors influencing cow supplementation pre- and post-weaning

Cow body condition important in planning the herd's post-weaning management MANHATTAN, Kan. — A well-balanced diet is important in human’s overall health plan. Similarly, just as our caloric needs adjust throughout the life cycle, nutritional fluctuations happen in the beef cow, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “Right after weaning, the beef cow’s energy requirements are low,” said veterinarian and BCI director Brad White. Fellow…

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Consider Growing-season Burns to Manage Rangeland

Consider Growing-season Burns to Manage Rangeland Research supports value of prescribed fire outside of traditional time frames. by Cassie Wandersee, Kansas Forest Service While most prescribed fires in the Plains are conducted during the dormant season — typically March through April — researchers and fire managers suggest growing-season burns done between July and September can provide benefits for land managers and public safety. Dennis Carlson, an assistant state fire management officer with the…

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Cattle Chat: Preventing injury with good flooring

Well-designed cattle handling facilities take into account the terrain the cattle will be walking on MANHATTAN, Kan. — When walking across a wet or icy sidewalk, people sometimes can take a tumble. Just like humans, without solid ground to walk on, cattle can also get injured. To keep that from happening, the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute offered some advice during a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “Without the right type of…

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K-State: Risk associated with leasing land

By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news writer MANHATTAN, Kan.-- Leasing land is important for landlords and tenants, but there are risks when it comes to leasing, said a Kansas State University graduate student who is conducting research on the topic. Agricultural economics student Chelsea Arnold said 3,600 Kansas landowners recently completed a survey to gauge what their leases look like, risk preferences and attitudes towards young producers. The average Kansas landowner…

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Fall Forestry Field Day showcases working forestry management

Oct. 13 event highlights forestry management, best practices  ERIE, Kan. – Participants can share collective experiences and learn the latest research for the holistic management of Kansas woodlands and related natural resources at the 26th annual Fall Forestry Field Day on Oct. 13 near Erie, Kansas.  The event, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will be held at River Farms, which is owned by Ted Cambren and family. River Farms showcases examples of…

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Cattle Chat: Anthrax impacts on the herd

Beef cattle veterinarians discuss signs of this disease and how to manage it   MANHATTAN, Kan. — For many hearing the term anthrax immediately brings to mind stories of people being poisoned via biological warfare. However, this disease occurs naturally and may impact the beef herd when the soil is disrupted say the veterinary experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.   “Anthrax is bacteria that lives in the soil and…

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It was a good year for Kansas canola

Cool weather in April and May helped to extend canola's bloom period in 2021. K-State’s Stamm says cool temps helped lead to extended bloom By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension student news writer MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas farmers know well that having a bountiful crop year is pretty exciting. So, a Kansas State University agronomist said this year’s winter canola likely brought a few smiles.  Mike Stamm said that the combination of…

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Cattle Chat: Considerations for allowing cattle in ponds

Ponds allow cattle to cool off on a hot summer day. Beef cattle experts talk benefits, drawbacks of giving cattle access to ponds MANHATTAN, Kan. — On a hot summer’s day, there is nothing like a cool dip in the pond to leave a person refreshed. Not only do people enjoy a swim, cattle do too, said veterinarians at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute On a recent Cattle Chat podcast, they discussed the…

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Cattle Chat: Experts share tips for managing health outdoors

Rabies and blackleg are two deadly diseases that cattle are exposed to living outdoors MANHATTAN, Kan. — Just as nature-loving humans can experience anything from a twisted ankle to a bug bite when they are in the outdoors, living in nature can also come with risks for illness in cattle. On a recent Kanas State University Cattle Chat podcast, three veterinarians discussed two rare diseases that can impact cattle – rabies and blackleg. Rabies “Rabies…

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Cattle Chat: Timing of vaccinations for calves

Marketing strategies influence the timing of immunizations MANHATTAN, Kan. — With the year we’ve all been through, most would agree that everyone have an increased awareness of how vaccinations and immunity are connected. Not only is this true for people, but it is for cattle as well, and the timing of when calves should be vaccinated will be somewhat dependent on when they will be marketed according to the experts at the Kansas…

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