Kansas State University beef extension specialists and agents will be hosting several cow-calf production focused meetings throughout the state in January and February. The programs are a joint effort between state specialists and local extension units and aim to address various topics pertinent to local needs and conditions experienced by producers. Specific program details will be made available at KSUBeef.org and county/district websites as events draw nearer, but dates and locations include: Continue reading “K-State Research and Extension holding Cow-Calf Production Clinics across state in January, February”
Author: Sandy Johnson
Can Common Management Strategies Work for Sustainability Markets?
Logan Thompson, sustainable grazing systems & Carlee Salisbury, graduate student
Sustainability is a topic that has been commonly discussed, sometimes at a frustrating frequency, as something the beef industry needs to make progress on, on several fronts. Today, the aspect of sustainability that is brought up by consumers, policymakers and industry members is greenhouse gas emissions. Really, what the conversation is about is carbon. Either carbon in the soil as a result of sequestrated carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4) produced as a byproduct of rumen fermentation. This is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential of 28 times that of CO2 over a 100-year time horizon and is responsible for 30% of the methane budget in the U.S. Continue reading “Can Common Management Strategies Work for Sustainability Markets?”
Have a Plan for Lice Control this Winter
AJ Tarpoff, DVM, extension veterinarian
Lice negatively impact the health, performance, and wellbeing of our cows, stockers, and feedlot cattle during the winter months. The months of greatest lice infestations generally range from December through March. Not only can lice be the cause of direct animal performance losses, but also increases wear and tear on our facilities and fences. The direct losses to cattle come in forms of decreased average daily gains (documented 0.25 lbs/day reduction in growing calves), skin infections, and potentially blood loss and anemia. Continue reading “Have a Plan for Lice Control this Winter”
Managing Beef Cows During Cold Stress
Jason Warner, cow-calf specialist & Justin Waggoner, beef cattle specialist, Garden City
Cow-calf producers generally recognize that severe winter weather is a stressor which increases cow nutrient requirements. The practical questions that must be asked when managing cowherds through cold stress events are “What is cold to cow?”, “What nutrients increase and by how much?”, and “How should the feeding program be adjusted to offset the increase?”. Continue reading “Managing Beef Cows During Cold Stress”
Choose the Right Hay Feeder to Reduce Waste and Cut Cost
Emma Briggs, Beef Production Systems, Hays
Reducing hay waste is one of the simplest ways to improve the efficiency and profitability of cattle operations. Every operation is different, but the type of hay feeder you choose can significantly impact how much forage is wasted during feeding. Some feeders are designed to hold hay securely and keep it clean, while others allow for more spillage and contamination. By understanding how feeder design influences hay loss, you can make the best choice for your operation and see the benefits in your bottom line. Continue reading “Choose the Right Hay Feeder to Reduce Waste and Cut Cost”
Briggs joins the Western Kansas Agricultural Research and Extension Centers as Beef Production Systems Scientist
Dr. Emma Briggs is the new Beef Production Systems Scientist (70% research and 30% extension) and assistant professor at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center in Hays, Kansas. In this role, she collaborates with range scientists and agronomists, leveraging a cow herd and feedlot to conduct applied research that directly supports Kansas cattle producers. Continue reading “Briggs joins the Western Kansas Agricultural Research and Extension Centers as Beef Production Systems Scientist”
Considerations for Replacement Heifer Management
Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby
Heifer development is an expensive enterprise for which the return on investment does not begin until the first calf is weaned. The management decisions made during that development period can have a major impact on her productive lifespan and correspondingly cow herd profitability. Costs of production continue to increase and are one of several items of consideration when producers are making plans for raising or purchasing replacement females. Continue reading “Considerations for Replacement Heifer Management”
Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture
In case you missed it, the recording of the 2024 Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture by Peer Ederer, Founder and Director of the Global Observatory for Accurate Livestock Sciences is now available. His talk was entitled Scientific Evidence Behind the Role of Livestock and Meat Production in a Global Society
Continue reading “Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture”
Making the Most of Grazing Grain Sorghum Residue
Jason Warner, extension cow-calf specialist
Fall is a wonderful season for agriculture and a time to, hopefully, reap the bounty of the year’s production. With grain harvest, weaning calves, and pregnancy checking all in full swing, combine that with a little Wildcat football and volleyball and there’s no shortage of things to do. If producers have access to crop residue fields following grain harvest, then preparing to turn cattle out to graze such acres is one task that deserves to be near the top of the priority list. Grain sorghum or milo residue represents an excellent opportunity to extend the grazing season into the winter thereby reducing the need to feed harvested forages. However, there are several important management considerations that need to be kept in mind with grazing sorghum residue. Continue reading “Making the Most of Grazing Grain Sorghum Residue”
Johne’s Disease: No Longer Just a Dairy Disease!
By Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
In a 2017 USDA NAHMS survey, cow-calf producers were asked about their knowledge of Johne’s disease. Over 70% reported “never hearing of it” or “recognized the name, but not much else”. Veterinarians have been discussing Johne’s disease with dairy producers for many years. This is not true concerning cow-calf producers.
Johne’s disease (pronounced Yo-knees) was first discovered in the U.S. in 1908. It is caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, known as MAP. In cattle and small ruminants, this organism causes chronic, non-treatable bowel disease. Continue reading “Johne’s Disease: No Longer Just a Dairy Disease!”
