Why Consider Backgrounding a Calf?

Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County OSU Extension The recent packing house fire in Kansas has the potential to cause a backlog in feedyards that pressures feeder calf prices this fall. Backgrounding calves for later sale is an alternative. Typically, when feed prices go down, we see feeder calf prices begin to climb as a corresponding move. That is, unless fed cattle prices are unstable or declining. A fire in a Kansas cattle packing…

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Recipe: Bacon Meatballs with Bourbon Sauce

Ingredients 8 bacon strips 1 pound Certified Hereford Beef ground beef 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup red onion 2 tablespoons parsley  1 large egg 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil Sauce: 1 cup barbecue sauce 1/2 cup water 3 tablespoons bourbon Instructions Heat oven to 400°F. Place uncooked bacon and onion into a food processor and chop until bacon and onion are finely ground.Combine ground beef,…

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Report: Farmers Prevented from Planting Crops on More than 19 Million Acres

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2019 – Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time last year.  Of those prevented plant acres,…

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Prescribed burn workshop slated for Aug. 29 at Stark Ranch

GAINESVILLE — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Noble Research Institute will host a free Growing Season Prescribed Burn Workshop on Aug. 29. There may be a possible date change to Aug. 30, pending weather conditions being more suitable for a prescribed fire.  The event will start at 9 a.m. at the Stark Ranch; from Interstate 35 take exit 501 to County Road 137. The location is behind the Glenn Polk AutoPlex…

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20th K-State Beef Stocker Field Day scheduled for September 19

Event will provide practical information to help producers make decisions in today’s dynamic beef industry. MANHATTAN, Kan. – Health management of high-risk calves, humane euthanasia practices, beef cattle market outlook and a panel discussion on beef parasite control are among topics planned for the 2019 Kansas State University Beef Stocker Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 19.  “We are excited to host the 20th annual edition of the KSU Beef Stocker Field Day,” says Dale…

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K-State crop entomologist advises patience when considering sorghum treatments

Whitworth says spraying for worms will also eliminate beneficial insects MANHATTAN, Kan. – A crop entomologist at Kansas State University is urging sorghum growers to be patient as they consider options for protecting this year’s crop from damaging pests. Jeff Whitworth says that using insecticides on sorghum can be a “balancing act” between choosing to treat for headworms or the sugarcane aphid – both of which can severely stunt the crop’s growth. “If…

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Understanding Feed and Forage Test Results

Steve Boyles, OSU Beef Extension Specialist Properly interpreting a forage sample analysis report may be the most important thing you can do for your cows this winter! Previous articles in this publication have established the critical need for forage analysis on the various timings and cuttings of forages that have been made throughout Ohio this year. Once the forage analysis report is received back from the laboratory, the information below will help with…

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Adding Value to Your Feeder Calves This Fall

Garth Ruff, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Henry County A recent CattleFax survey indicates that calves weaned for 45 days return almost $100/head more. As summer slips past us yet again and with fall rapidly approaching it is time to discuss how to maximize the value of feeder calves that will be hitting the market in late September and October. If you have been following the cattle futures…

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Industrial hemp test plots flourishing across the state

Researchers intend to answer questions about new crop to help farmers avoid risks MANHATTAN, Kan. — The distinctive smell of hemp now wafts through certain test plots at multiple K-State Research and Extension sites across Kansas. The end goal is to find out whether it’s also the smell of money for farmers seeking a valuable new rotational crop. The first test crops of industrial hemp have been growing for about two months at the…

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Farm Bill meetings planned in August, September

Sessions will focus on decisions to consider, tools to help MANHATTAN, Kan. – With every new farm bill come new decisions for farmers to make that can have lasting implications for their businesses. The most recent legislation is no exception. To help agricultural producers determine the best course of action, Kansas State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics will host 10 Farm Bill meetings around the state, starting in late August. The meetings will…

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