Wildlife biologists gain valuable information from smartphone app

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – A smartphone app is helping wildlife biologists learn new information about the annual reproduction of gamebirds in Oklahoma. Wildlife specialists at Oklahoma State University joined forces with experts from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation just two years ago to develop the Gamebird Brood Observation application. Information entered by app users was intended to help specialists gain a better understanding of gamebird reproduction in Oklahoma, said Dwayne Elmore, OSU Extension wildlife specialist and…

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OSU Extension helps launch community grocery store

By Brian Brus STILLWATER, Okla. – A new community grocery store is bringing healthy produce to a food desert in northeast Oklahoma City, in a private-public partnership supported by Oklahoma State University Extension agricultural expertise. The Market at Eastpoint, 1708 NE 23rd Street, opened recently with the target of improving food security. In the process, it’s also developing new jobs, transportation infrastructure, urban agriculture education and long-term goals for the community, said Caylee Dodson, executive director at RestoreOKC. RestoreOKC,…

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Know your quality grades to get the most out of steak season

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Grocery meat counters are filled with beef steaks labeled Choice, and while many consumers rightfully associate the label as a good choice for grilling or the stovetop, they might not be familiar with industry quality standards behind the designation.  A beef steak’s tenderness, juiciness and flavor all affect its palatability, or the degree to which food and fluids are deemed desirable and satisfying to a person’s palate,…

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OSU scientists make wheat gene discovery

By Alisa Boswell-Gore  STILLWATER, Okla. – A gene discovery in a wheat variety developed at Oklahoma State University could mean larger yields for Oklahoma wheat producers, researchers said.  After more than a decade of research, Liuling Yan, the Dillon and Lois Hodges professor of wheat molecular genetics and breeding in OSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, has discovered and cloned the TaOGT1 gene in the popular Billings wheat variety.  The full study on this topic is available…

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Pest control vital for overall pet health

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – There’s more to caring for a pet than choosing the right food. Protecting pets from fleas, ticks and other parasites is vital to good health. The first thing pet owners need to do when deciding on a pest control regimen is to contact their veterinarian, said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian and director of continuing education for the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Choosing a plan of…

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Get the most out of higher cattle placement weights in feedlots

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – The rising feedlot cost of gain in the southern Great Plains should have cattle producers considering economic opportunities for operations in forage-based stocker and backgrounding programs, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts.  Cost of gain, or the expense of gaining a pound of livestock bodyweight, involves several critical factors such as feed costs, flesh condition, animal genetics, weather and cattle health. When grain prices rise and cost of gain…

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What’s in a serving? Nutrition Facts labels get an update

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently served up the first major change in 20 years to Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods and drinks. Adjustments in serving sizes, calories, percent daily values and nutrients on labels are now required by the FDA due to updated scientific information, new nutrition research and feedback from the public. These changes to the labels are intended to help consumers more effectively and…

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Squash bugs put damper on successful gardening

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Gardeners know that as the weather improves and temperatures rise, they’re getting closer to fresh produce such as squash, melons and cucumbers. Unfortunately, that excitement can be “squashed” when the squash bugs arrive, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “You certainly didn’t invite them into your garden, but they’ve moved in and are wreaking havoc, which can be extremely disappointing,” Hillock said. “The squash bug is…

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Producers save money, boost yields with OSU soil testing

By Gail Ellis   STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University is a national leader in soil, water and forage testing. The commercial laboratory processes more than 60,000 samples a year and is accessible to the public through OSU Extension.  From cattle ranchers to urban gardeners, the state testing facility helps producers save money, increase yields and protect the environment. In Tulsa County, the OSU Extension office is a seasonal hot spot for vegetable growers and lawn care specialists seeking nutrient analysis of…

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Market recovery found among COVID-19 concerns, report finds

By Brian Brus STILLWATER, Okla. – The agricultural industry has proven more resilient to pandemic disruptions than many had hoped, according to the latest market research by Oklahoma State University Extension experts. “The Oklahoma region is doing better than expected,” said Courtney Bir, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and OSU Extension specialist. “People are still concerned about travel, but they’re not so concerned about finding meat, milk, eggs and other food items at their local grocery…

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