Innovations have helped to shape safer, more efficient practices around the world MANHATTAN, Kan. – Like much of agriculture, the world’s livestock industry has seen its fair share of innovation over the past 20 years, dramatically changing the way ranchers raise their animals. Sometimes, said a group of industry leaders, that innovation creates a “positive disruption.” “The disruption that is on the horizon is real-time information,” said Nicola Shadbolt, a professor of farm…

Scientists and industry professionals gather in Manhattan for international meeting MANHATTAN, Kan. – A University of Florida animal scientist backed the importance of livestock agriculture Monday, saying it is a key component to improving the availability of nutritious food in countries that need it the most. Geoffrey Dahl was speaking at Kansas State University to a large gathering at the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, a meeting that brought together scientists and other…

Focus is on working stock dogs at Oct. 8 meeting in Williamsburg LYNDON, Kan. – K-State Research and Extension Coffey County and the Frontier Extension District together will host a meeting, “Beef Production and the Working Cow Dog” Oct. 8 in Williamsburg, Kansas. The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Williamsburg Community Building. A complimentary meal will be served, thanks to sponsors, but participants are asked to register by Oct. 3 to…

Kansas Mesonet aids emergency planners, farmers and more ROSSVILLE, Kan. – Tucked away behind a business near Rossville, Kansas, an unassuming bit of equipment quietly goes about its business, detecting wind speed, precipitation, air temperature and more. The information automatically goes to the Weather Data Library at Kansas State University where it’s archived and available free to the public. The Rossville station is one of 62 weather stations across the state that make…

Kansas sorghum growers’ investment supports grant funds, industry participation in crop improvementMANHATTAN, Kan. – Many sorghum growers believe their crop can be a key to the future partly because of its drought-tolerant nature. Now they’re banding together in an unprecedented way to invest in that belief.The worsening reality of water scarcity means research and increased production of dryland crops such as sorghum, millet and other “ancient grains” is a race against time. Groundwater…

Farmer uses agricultural technology to plant image of popular K-State logo KISMET, Kan. – Folks across the country find all kinds of ways to celebrate their favorite universities and sports teams. This summer, Rocky Ormiston may have just out-done them all. The co-owner of Ormiston Farms used precision agriculture technology to plant a hybrid of corn in the shape of the Kansas State University Powercat, which -- at 2,000 feet wide -- is…