OSU scientists develop new test for anaplasmosis in livestock

By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University scientists have developed a screening tool for anaplasmosis in livestock, which has the potential to save producers a lot of time and money. The current industry standard for anaplasmosis detection in cattle, sheep and goats is the cELISA, a diagnostic tool that tells producers their livestock are infected with a disease. However, the test does not specifically indicate anaplasmosis, a bacterial disease transmitted through tick bites. This…

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Take a proactive approach to wildfire season

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – The 2021 wildfire season is here, and while fires rage out west, Oklahomans also need to stay alert. Oklahoma’s official wildfire season runs from November through March when plant life and vegetation lay dormant across the prairie. March is historically the state’s windiest month of the year, but with most counties currently in a drought, drier air and lower humidity levels could fuel a fire across Oklahoma’s parched landscape at any…

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OSU and K-State agricultural roots run deep together

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – The Sept. 25 football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Kansas State University Wildcats is a competition that has a long and historic tradition, but a cooperative partnership between the two universities has been providing benefits throughout the region for just as many years.  The agriculture and natural resource sectors of Oklahoma and Kansas have many similarities, so it’s not surprising that a close working relationship…

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OSU mum sale begins with tips for front porch decor

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Chrysanthemums get their 15 minutes in the spotlight every fall, but most won’t make it past the month of November. The annual mum sale at The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University is underway, and organizers have some tips when purchasing the perennial flower. Tip No. 1: Don’t buy mums in hot weather. Big box stores begin selling mums in September when Oklahoma temperatures can still reach 100 degrees. Lou Anella, director of The Botanic…

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Testing of hay and pastures key to offsetting high feed grain prices

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – High feed grain prices have been an area of concern for livestock producers this year, leading many to look for more cost-effective alternatives to meet the nutritional needs of their cattle during fall and winter months.  There has been a steady increase in cost of gain in cattle going back to the summer of 2020. To combat this and assure the continued well-being of his livestock, Kent…

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Plant wildflower gardens in the fall

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Driving across Oklahoma, it’s not unusual to see patches of wildflowers along the highway. The variety of colors and textures makes these patches appealing to the eye. Wildflower gardens are also a great addition to any landscape and recreating this beauty in a public garden or home landscape can create a pleasing aesthetic – provided the right steps are taken in its establishment. Gardeners are concerned with…

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Test for nitrate toxicity in forage plants

By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Livestock producers need to continue to test their pastures for nitrate toxicity levels, even though they may have done so weeks ago and the results showed no reason for concern, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts. “Oklahoma has experienced a relatively mild summer but now we’re seeing hotter, drier conditions that can lead to nitrate issues in forage plants for areas that receive a sudden rainfall event,” said Alex…

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Don’t fumble food safety while tailgating

By Kirsten Hollansworth STILLWATER, Okla. ­– The college football season is back, and everyone enjoys getting together for tailgating, but you won’t want to pass on these food safety tips. Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center recommends closely following these guidelines when participating in tailgating activities. Whether you cook alongside your car in a stadium parking lot or come with prepared food, this popular pastime requires careful planning. Since tailgating…

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Fall isn’t just for pumpkin spice – it’s for planting trees, too

By Trisha Gedon By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – The October 2020 ice storm and frigid temperatures in February took a toll on trees in Oklahoma. The sound of chainsaws filled the air as homeowners and parks employees cleared debris. Many trees were too damaged and had to be removed. Others will take years to fully recover, said Mark Bays, urban forestry coordinator with the Oklahoma Forestry Services. While people often take them for…

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The magic of fall is found in the garden

By Gail Ellis   STILLWATER, Okla. – When summer begins to fade, don’t hang up that gardening trowel just yet. A renewed season of fall vegetables awaits in your own backyard.  Oklahoma’s mild climate is ideal for fall gardening, and Oklahoma State University Extension provides educational opportunities for both experienced and novice gardeners to extend the growing season.  “Small farmers and producers have figured out there’s a successful cool season in the fall, and they’ve really upped their production with…

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