Honey bees are famous, but native bees are powerful pollinators

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – The world’s fascination with honey bees is linked to a population decline during the past decade that threatens the production of fruit, nut, forage, vegetable and other crops that rely on pollination. The permanent disappearance of pollinators would be detrimental to society. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture report not only bees but also wasps, butterflies, other insects and birds are all responsible for pollinating more than 100…

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OSU research examines how to improve cattle selection practices

By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University researchers have hopes of offering future insight to cattle producers regarding selection practices. What could this mean for the cattle industry? “We’re hoping this will be the first steps in being able to find some selection criteria for immune response and robustness traits, along with the growth, carcass and feed efficiency traits that are currently being emphasized in selection,” said Paul Beck, animal and food sciences associate…

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OSU on the forefront of developing higher quality wheat

By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Wheat harvest is underway in Oklahoma, and as an appropriate prelude, members of the OSU Wheat Improvement Team are working on stronger, higher quality wheat varieties. Oklahoma State University wheat genetics chair Brett Carver shared with wheat producers at the recent Lahoma Field Day that his team of OSU wheat researchers have been breeding wheat varieties with exceptionally high gluten quality, excellent yield and reliable disease resistance. “With wheat, we can look at…

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How to treat a tick bite and when to see a doctor

By Gail Ellis  It’s the season of ticks, and while most Oklahomans know how to ward off the creepy crawlers, tick bites are a common occurrence that can cause serious health implications. Justin Talley, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock entomologist and head of the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, said the reproductive cycle of ticks becomes more prolific when temperatures and humidity levels rise. To avoid ticks during the summer months, he recommends applying a…

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How to attract hummingbirds to the landscape

How to attract hummingbirds to the landscape By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Hummingbirds seem to have the precision, speed and appeal of a U.S. Air Force fighter jet, and these quick-winged feathered friends are fun to watch in the landscape. Typically appearing in the U.S. from April through August, hummingbirds are the smallest of all bird species. But despite their tiny stature, hummingbirds play an important role in the ecosystem, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State…

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Successful calving begins now with sound spring breeding

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Many cattle ranchers are turning bulls in with their cows and heifers this time of year, and Mark Johnson, beef cattle breeding specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension, has some tips for a successful breeding season. “It’s always a good idea to do breeding soundness evaluations on bulls prior to breeding season,” Johnson said. “BSEs are a general rule of thumb and good management practice.” Once bulls are determined sound,…

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OSU Extension websites provide valuable toolkits for all things gardening

With gardening season preparation underway, three new websites have been developed that pertain to home landscapes and gardening, home lawn care and pond management. In addition, the Oklahoma Proven and Oklahoma Gardening websites have been completely updated, featuring beautiful color photos and the most up-to-date, research-based information. Home Landscape and Gardening This site features a Frequently Asked Questions section covering fruit, houseplants, ornamentals and trees, turfgrass and vegetables. David Hillock, OSU Extension consumer horticulturist,…

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Get a leg up on gardening with Oklahoma Proven selections

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Gardeners know the challenges of selecting plants that will thrive in Oklahoma’s extreme growing conditions. Fortunately, the Oklahoma Proven plant program can assist with selection. “Oklahoma Proven is a plant promotion program to help guide gardeners toward appropriate garden selections that have been proven to grow well in Oklahoma’s diverse climate and soil types,” said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “Each year, a tree, shrub, perennial and annual are selected.…

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OSU wheat varieties remain most popular for winter wheat crops

By Alisa Boswell-Gore STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University is responsible for the top eight hard red winter wheat varieties planted in Oklahoma this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Statistics Service’s March report. Doublestop CL Plus is the number one wheat variety planted for the 2022 wheat crop in Oklahoma, with Gallagher in second place, followed by Green Hammer, a newer variety placing in the top three for the first time.…

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Spring highlights morel mushroom hunting

By Gail Ellis  STILLWATER, Okla. – Mushroom hunters will be out in full force during the next few weeks, and the most popular species on their radar is the morel. It’s the thrill of the chase for morel mushroom foragers, and locations are kept top secret. Stephen Marek, associate professor of entomology and plant pathology in the Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture, specializes in fungal biology, and he said morels are one…

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