Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management There are several options cattle producers may want to consider to conserve grass in dry areas of the state. Photo credit Troy Walz. Hot, dry conditions in early summer have taken a toll on grass growth in much of the Great Plains this year. There are several options cattle producers may want to consider to conserve grass in these dry areas. Every producer should…
Brent Plugge, Nebraska Extension EducatorBrian Vander Ley, DVM Epidemiologist, Great Plains Veterinary Education Center Efforts to prevent pinkeye are directed at reducing transmission and minimizing irritation. Photo credit Dave Boxler. Driving or riding through a pen or pasture of cattle is a favorite chore for many producers. Making sure our cattle have plenty of clean water, access to feed or forage and monitoring herd health are important aspects of daily care. When examining…
Robin Salverson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Water is the most important nutrient to all livestock animals and is sometimes overlooked. Poor quality water can have a negative effect on growth, reproduction, and general productivity of the animal. In some cases, death could occur within days or hours after consumption of contaminated waters or water deprivation. Therefore, continuous monitoring of water quality and quantity are important to maintain a productive livestock program. What…
Krista Ehlert Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Range Specialist Written collaboratively by Krista Ehlert and Pat Johnson. The best businesses are the ones that are properly managed in ways that result in profit. However, if you’re a livestock producer this is probably where you’re thinking, “easier said than done.” At the core, though, livestock production is no different than any other business out there – effective management requires good metrics, and metrics come…
Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Cattle mineral nutrition is complex and often confusing, but one strategy to help ranchers better evaluate their mineral program is to monitor mineral consumption. This goes back to the old adage, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Mineral supplement tags provide the recommended daily intake based on specific product formulations. Recommended intakes can vary widely depending on the brand and type of product, with the…
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present an online rangeland workshop on the Zoom platform on June 30 at 9 a.m. The cost is $10, and three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units are available for participants with a pesticide applicators license, one in laws and regulations, and two in integrated pest management. The workshop will cover the latest herbicide products and resources available for rangeland brush and weed control efforts.…
K-State forage expert talks about how teff grass is being used for cattle grazing in Kansas MANHATTAN, Kan. – Anyone with a gluten sensitivity may be familiar with teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal crop from Ethiopia that is gluten free and often used in cooking. But they may be surprised to know that it is also gaining popularity as a grass grown for hay production and cattle grazing. “Teff is a warm season…
https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/2020/june/understand-these-8-grazing-metrics-to-make-better-decisions-on-the-ranch/
https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/2020/june/track-annual-changes-in-range-vegetation-with-online-tool/
Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Educator Musk thistle flower. Photo credit Gary Stone. Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept to identify potentially invasive species prior to or just as the establishment of the invasive is taking place. An Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further. This will avoid costly, long-term control efforts. Musk Thistle a.k.a. –…