Differences Between High-, Medium-, and Low-Profit Cow-Calf Producers: An Analysis of 2016-2020 Kansas Farm Management Association Cow-Calf Enterprise – A Review

Differences Between High-, Medium-, and Low-Profit Cow-Calf Producers: An Analysis of 2016-2020 Kansas Farm Management Association Cow-Calf Enterprise – A Review | UNL Beef

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Windbreak Wisdom

Proper placement and construction of windbreaks can pay off. by Kris Kohl, Iowa State University Extension Winter is coming fast and bringing with it snow and wind. Cattle and farmsteads both can benefit from properly placed windbreaks. There are two main windbreak functions on a farm: livestock windchill protection and snow windbreaks. We’ll discuss how to use each one to its greatest benefit. Livestock windchill protection windbreaks are built to be 20% open…

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Farm analyst program helps Kansas producers make financial decisions

K-State’s Winsor reviews what the program can provide for landowners By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University farm analyst LaVell Winsor is hailing a program in the Department of Agricultural Economics that has a long history of helping farm families review their finances and make a financial plan. The university’s Farm Analyst program offers one-on-one consultation, using active farmers, ranchers and extension agents who are trained as K-State…

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Preparation is key to successful calving season

K-State veterinarian reviews steps for cattle producers before and after calving By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension news MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University veterinarian Gregg Hanzlicek said being prepared ahead of calving season is the best way for producers to assure they will bring home the newborn calves successfully. “We're approaching the end of the second trimester and moving into the third trimester which means the metabolic demands of that cow…

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Cattle Chat: Record keeping priorities

Record keeping is an important part of beef cattle management. K-State beef cattle experts offer up the most important records to keep on the herd MANHATTAN, Kan. — Deciding what to keep or get rid of can be a challenge when sorting out clothes in a closet or clearing out relics from childhood because often there is an emotional factor influencing the decision. Emotional decision-making can also influence the beef cattle herd where…

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K-State plans sessions to help farmers better understand risk management tools

Volatility in markets hastens need for risk management strategies  MANHATTAN, Kan. – Registration is now open for a four-part workshop being held at three dozen locations in Kansas to help farmers and ranchers deal with the uncertainty of fluctuating grain and input prices.  Kansas State University officials said the program, Risk Management Skills for Kansas Women in Agriculture, will focus on numerous topics, including:  Determining costs of production. Utilizing crop insurance. Crop marketing plans. Government farm programs.  LaVell Winsor,…

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Cattle Chat: Vaccine handling tips

K-State beef cattle veterinarian shares best practices for vaccine management   MANHATTAN, Kan. — One of the many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of handling vaccines properly. That is true not only for this vaccine, but for all biologic products in both human and animal medicine, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute on a recent Cattle Chat podcast.   Many factors can interfere with a vaccine’s efficacy, according…

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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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