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Author: Jessica Jensen

What’s Your Talent Management Strategy

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Do you have a “Talent Management” strategy? This is the strategy which an organization or business uses to hire, manage, retain, and develop current employees for leadership roles. Many businesses, organizations and even universities lose exceptionally talented employees because their strengths and talents were not recognized. Additionally, an effective talent management strategy provides a mechanism to develop future leaders and managers. Managers play a key role in an organizations talent management strategy, as they must identify talented, exceptional employees. Managers also serve as mentors, providing coaching and feedback to develop employees. Research conducted by the American Society for Training and Development documented that those organizations with the most successful talent management systems, asked managers to discuss the talents and skills of their most talented employees with other managers and leaders. Discussing the organizations most talented employees creates an internal talent pool that various departments can draw from to fill current positions. Do you have exceptional employees in your organization? What is your talent management strategy? Are you at risk of losing your best employees?

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Management Considerations for November 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

  • For spring-calving cow herds:
    • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
      • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
      • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
    • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
      • Record scores with the BCS Record Book (https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Item.aspx?catId=562&pubId=19320) from KSRE!
      • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
      • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
    • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
      • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
      • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
    • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
  • For fall-calving cow herds:
    • If not already done, review your calving health protocols as needed.
    • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
    • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
    • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
  • Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
    • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
    • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
    • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
  • Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall and winter service.
    • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls.
    • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.

CALF MANAGEMENT

  • Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
  • If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
    • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
    • Be aware of possible presence of molds and other anti-nutritional compounds in hay harvested at higher than typical moisture levels.
    • Test for nitrates and prussic acid when appropriate.
  • Use the forage inventory calculator (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator) to balance forage inventories with fall/winter grazing acres.
  • If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep the following in mind:
    • The bottom 1/3 of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
    • Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.
    • High amounts of down grain will require a change in management.
  • Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/beef/tools.html) to plan key management activities for your cowherd for the rest of the year.
  • With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.
  • Begin preparing for cold weather (i.e. tank heaters, windbreaks, bedding.)

Let’s Talk About Calf Revenue

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Many producers are weaning and will be marketing calves in the coming weeks and months. Margins in the cattle industry are often narrow and maximizing calf revenue is important for cow calf producers every year. Calf revenue from my academic perspective is driven by three factors, 1.) the number of calves sold, 2.) sale weight of calves and 3.) price received.

Cow calf producers to some extent have control over the number of calves sold and sale weight. The number of calves sold is essentially a function of stocking rate, cow fertility and/or reproduction on an operation. The sale weight of calves is more complex but is a multi-factorial combination of genetics, calving distribution, calf age, nutrition, management and technology use (implants). Price received is likely the most influential of the three factors that drive calf revenue and is the factor that cow calf producers often believe they have the least ability to control. Once a set of calves, enters the sale ring, or appears on the video screen their value is determined by what two prospective buyers are willing to pay. Although it is impossible for producers to directly influence what buyers are willing to pay, I would argue that they are not completely helpless. Cow calf producers directly control what they will sell (weaned calves, value-added calves or feeders), and when they sell. These are difficult, complex decisions, that shouldn’t necessarily be made based upon weekly cattle sale reports or the thoughts of your favorite livestock market commentator. I am not saying that keeping informed about current market conditions isn’t important. However, that information when used with resources like Beef Basis (www.beefbasis.com) that use data to evaluate different market scenarios, from selling 6 weight calves the first week of December, to seven weights in February helps producers make an informed data-driven decision for their operations.

Producers also control what information or data they pass along to the new owner. Data has value in today’s world. I compare marketing calves to selling a beautifully restored pickup. If you were selling a classic pickup, you would share with a prospective buyer every bit of information you had, parts invoices, repairs etc. Why should selling a set of calves be any different? Value added programs and certified sales offer potential buyers some degree of assurance that cattle were managed within the guidelines of a specific program. If you don’t participate in a defined program, providing the auctioneer or sales representative with as much information as possible about your cattle only helps them do their job better.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Building Successful Teams in the Workplace

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Most of us have had some experience with being part of a team or different groups of individuals. Some teams of individuals are highly successful and some are not. What makes some teams more successful than others? The tech giant “Google” has invested a great deal of time and resources into studying teams and reported their most successful teams have the following traits.

The most successful teams at “Google”

  • Establish psychological safety within the team. The team creates an environment where all members of the team feel free to bring new ideas forward to the group.
  • Are dependable. The team holds its members accountable, getting things done on time and up to the standards of the group.
  • Have structure and clarity. The members of the team know their role in the team and have a clear vision of the team’s structure and the expectations associated with their role on the team.
  • Have a purpose. The team members believe that what they are doing matters.

A wealth of information on building teams and characteristics of highly successful teams can be found with a simple internet search.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Management Considerations for October 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

  • For spring-calving cow herds:
    • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
      • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
      • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
    • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
      • Record scores with the BCS Record Book from KSRE!
      • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
      • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
    • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
      • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
      • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
    • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
  • For fall-calving cow herds:
    • If not already done, review your calving health protocols as needed.
    • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
    • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
    • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
  • Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
    • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
    • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
    • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
  • Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall service.
    • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls
    • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0 after summer breeding, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into fall.

CALF MANAGEMENT 

  • Schedule any pre-weaning vaccination or processing activities if not already done.
  • Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
  • If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
    • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
    • Be aware of possible presence of molds and other anti-nutritional compounds in hay harvested at higher than typical moisture levels.
    • Test for nitrates and prussic acid when appropriate.
    • Use the forage inventory calculator (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator).
    • Balance forage inventories with fall/winter grazing acres.
  • If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep the following in mind:
    • The bottom 1/3 of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
    • Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.
    • High amounts of down grain will require a change in management.
  • Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
  • With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.

Silage Harvest; Now is the time to have a conversation about SAFETY

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist

Silage harvest is underway. Cutters and choppers in the fields, trucks racing from the field to the pile or bunker, multiple tractors pushing and packing silage. The speed of silage operations today is impressive, but we should never allow speed to compromise safety. In the infamous words of Dr. Keith Bolsen “Every silage accident could have been prevented.” Now is the time to remind everyone, not just those directly involved with silage harvest on our operations about safety. Below are a few things to consider during this year’s silage harvest.

  • Don’t become complacent. Stay aware of the surroundings. There are numerous highly repetitive operations in putting up silage and in agriculture in general. One of the number one factors that leads up to an accident is almost always complacency or a lack of situational awareness. Equipment operators should avoid distractions and should be allowed to take routine breaks to reduce operator fatigue.
  • Truck drivers should always slow down when approaching houses and intersections, every time. Those houses along the road belong to our neighbors and friends, some of which have children. The increased traffic on gravel roads creates dust, and the crops are tall, both of which reduce visibility at intersections. Our neighbors should not fear going to their mail box due to our silage trucks.
  • People (especially children) should never be allowed near a drive over pile or bunker silo during filling. If people have to approach the area, get on the radio inform the drivers/operators. Those on the ground in the area should always wear bright colored orange safety vests or clothing and should always make direct eye contact with equipment operators before approaching the area.
  • Never inspect or make repairs to equipment near the bunker or pile. Equipment should be removed from the area as soon as possible. Repairs almost always involve people on foot and people who may not be familiar with silage activities and the associated risks.
  • Never fill higher than the top of the bunker wall. This happens more than it should and creates a dangerous situation from the day the silage is packed until it is removed. The pack tractor cannot see the edge of the bunker well if at all. The silage does not get packed well (which leads to poor silage) and the edge of the silage is unstable and more likely to collapse. Don’t do it!
  • Be aware of steep slopes, to reduce the risk of tractor roll-over a minimum slope of 1 in 3 on the sides and end of piles should be maintained.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Active Listening

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist

Communication is essential in the workplace, but it’s not just about speaking. Listening is an important aspect of communication that is often overlooked and listening is more than just hearing what is being said. The process of active listening means that you are fully engaged in the speaker, not only listening to what is being said, but acknowledging the non-verbal cues and providing the speaker with feedback. So how can you become a better listener? Pay attention to the speaker, give them your undivided attention and try not to focus on what you are going to say while they are speaking. Don’t judge, enter and leave the conversation with an open mind. Ask questions; asking open-ended or clarifying questions is a great way to engage the speaker. Don’t be afraid to take a few seconds and reflect on what has been said before responding to the speaker. It also important to summarize the key points or central issues addressed by the speaker. Most importantly be genuine. Becoming a better listener and practicing active listening isn’t easy. There are a number of great resources available online just enter the terms “active” “listening“ in your search engine of choice.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu

Management Considerations for September 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COWHERD MANAGEMENT

  • For spring-calving cow herds:
    • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
      • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
      • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
    • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
      • Record scores with the BCS Record Book from KSRE!
      • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
      • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
    • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
      • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
      • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
    • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
  • For fall-calving cow herds:
    • The final 60 days prior to calving represents the last opportunity to add BCS economically.
    • Ensure mature cows are ≥ 5.0 and 2–4-year-old females are ≥ 6.0 at calving.
    • Review your calving health protocols as needed.
    • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
    • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
    • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
  • Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
    • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
    • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
    • If using fly control products, continue to use them until recommended times (based on date of first frost) for your area.
    • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
  • Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall service.
    • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls.
    • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0 after summer breeding, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into fall.

CALF MANAGEMENT

  • If you are creep feeding spring-born calves, continue to closely monitor intake and calf condition/fleshiness going into the fall until weaning.
  • Schedule any pre-weaning vaccination or processing activities if not already done.
  • Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
  • If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
    • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

  • Employ multiple strategies, chemistries for late-season fly/insect control.
  • Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
  • If planning to harvest corn or sorghum silage:
    • Prepare your pile/bunker site and equipment.
    • If using a custom harvester, communicate with them well in advance.
    • Closely monitor whole plant moisture levels.
    • Have silage tarps in place and ready to cover once harvest is complete.
  • Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
  • With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.
  • Visit with your local FSA and extension office if you plan to utilize CRP acres for emergency forage use or for information on other assistance programs.

Calf Revenue; Time to Start Thinking About Marketing Those Calves This Fall

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist

Maximizing calf revenue is important for cattle producers, it’s how they get paid! Just like any business understanding what drives how you get paid is important. Calf revenue from my academic perspective is driven by three factors; 1) the number of calves sold, 2) sale weight of calves and 3) price received.

Cow/calf producers to some extent have control over the number of calves sold and sale weight. The number of calves sold is essentially a function of stocking rate, cow fertility and/or reproduction on an operation. The sale weight of calves is more complex but is a multi-factorial combination of genetics, calving distribution, calf age, nutrition, management and technology use (implants). Price received is likely the most influential of the three factors that drive calf revenue and is the factor that cow/calf producers often believe they have the least ability to control. Once a set of calves enters the sale ring, or appears on the video screen their value is determined by what two prospective buyers are willing to pay. Although it is impossible for producers to directly influence what buyers are willing to pay, I would argue that they are not completely helpless. Cow/calf producers directly control what they sell (weaned calves, value-added calves or feeders), and determine when they will sell. These are difficult,complex decisions, that shouldn’t necessarily be made based upon weekly cattle sale reports or the thoughts of your favorite livestock market commentator. I am not saying that keeping informed about current market conditions isn’t important. However, that information when used with resources like Beef Basis (www.beefbasis.com) that use data to evaluate different market scenarios, from selling five weight calves the first week of October, to seven weights December helps producers make the best decision for their operations.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.

Managing and Leading Change

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist

As the saying goes, “the only constant is change” and most people are often resistant to change in general. Change is often viewed as negative, although it can and is often a good thing. The process of initiating, and leading an organization or a group of co-workers through Change can be difficult. Experts suggest that the best way to lead an organization through any type of change is to clearly communicate the “Why” and the vision for “Where are we headed” first and then focus on the “How are we going to get there.” It is also important to recognize informal leaders who can serve as “Change Agents” to champion the process and engage others in the organization at many different levels. Organizational change affects everyone and thus everyone has to be engaged. Lastly, it’s critical to reinforce and reward individuals or teams that are embracing the change. Change is a process and it’s the role of the leader to guide people through the process. Leading through change requires communication, feedback and most importantly letting people be a part of the process.

For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.