K-State Research and Extension

search

Beef Tips

Author: Sandy Johnson

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP): A Tool for Managing Price Risk in Today’s Market

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jenny Ifft, Agricultural Policy Extension Specialist

What is LRP? Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) is an insurance product designed to help cattle producers manage downside price risk. It functions similarly to a put option: producers pay a premium to set a floor price for their cattle. If the national cash price (based on futures markets and reported by USDA) falls below that insured price at the end of the coverage period, the policy pays an indemnity. If the price stays high, no indemnity is paid, but the producer benefits from strong market prices. Continue reading “Livestock Risk Protection (LRP): A Tool for Managing Price Risk in Today’s Market” →

Does Kansas need to worry about the New World screwworm outbreak in Mexico?

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Cassandra Olds, extension livestock entomologist

Spurred on by the New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak in Mexico, fears about a reintroduction into the United States are mounting. Here we discuss the risk to Kansas cattle and what to do if you suspect an outbreak. Continue reading “Does Kansas need to worry about the New World screwworm outbreak in Mexico?” →

They are Back! Warming Weather Brings Ticks Out Early

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Cassandra Olds, extension livestock entomologist

Ticks and the pathogens they transmit are a significant concern for both humans and animals alike. Controlling tick populations can be difficult because a large part of their lives are spent off the animal host or are on hosts we have little control over like deer, rabbits and other animals (Figure 1). Continue reading “They are Back! Warming Weather Brings Ticks Out Early” →

Be Aware of Cattle Rabies

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

Over the last nine years, there have been 17 cases of bovine rabies in Kansas  (See map below). In several of those years, cattle were the most common domestic species diagnosed with rabies in our state. Any bovine observed to have neurologic problems: head pressing, constant vocalization, choking, staggering, etc. should be considered rabid until other diseases are ruled out. Continue reading “Be Aware of Cattle Rabies” →

Cautionary Note on Beef Demand – Public Financial Sentiment Matters

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Glynn Tonsor, livestock and meat marketing specialist

On Friday, April 11th the University of Michigan released mid-month Surveys of Consumers information (https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu) indicating U.S. consumer sentiment has declined by historic magnitudes so far in April.  Reaching pessimistic levels last seen in the early 1980s, consumers hold elevating expectations for inflation (6.7% year-ahead now expected, up from 5.0% in March) and unemployment (double the November 2024 level and the highest since 2009). While differences in consumer sentiment can often vary across demographic cohort, Continue reading “Cautionary Note on Beef Demand – Public Financial Sentiment Matters” →

Shade Allocation is Important for Growing Cattle Comfort and Efficiency

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Dale Blasi, stocker, forages, nutrition and management specialist & AJ Tarpoff, DVM, extension veterinarian

Heat stress events across the Central Plains region can be devastating to finishing beef cattle. The use of shade has been evaluated as a mitigation strategy to improve animal comfort and growth performance, with very positive outcomes for the feed yard sector. However, limited information on animal comfort and growth performance for growing cattle when shade is provided is available. To address this lack of information, Continue reading “Shade Allocation is Important for Growing Cattle Comfort and Efficiency” →

Managing Your Breeding Season for a Uniform Calf Crop

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Emma Briggs, beef production systems, Hays

As spring arrives across Kansas and breeding season draws near, many cow-calf producers find themselves rethinking traditional calving dates. While we can’t control the weather, we can manage when calves hit the ground by setting a defined breeding window. A well-planned breeding season can better align with labor schedules, feed availability, and marketing goals – and ultimately strengthen the long-term success of your operation. Continue reading “Managing Your Breeding Season for a Uniform Calf Crop” →

Blue-Green Algae: Plan to Monitor this Grazing Season

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

AJ Tarpoff, DVM, extension veterinarian

Blue-green algae blooms (or Harmful Algal Blooms) are an issue that usually occurs  during the spring and summer. Calm, sunny, dry, and hot days of summer create ideal conditions for blue-green algae to thrive in our livestock ponds. Blue-green algae occurrence is sporadic making its threat unpredictable. Despite its name, these blooms are not algae, but a cyanobacteria. Some (not all) of these cyanobacteria can produce and release dangerous toxins that are of major concern for our livestock. Continue reading “Blue-Green Algae: Plan to Monitor this Grazing Season” →

Make 2025 your year to finally beat flies!

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Cassandra Olds, extension entomologist

With warming weather and cattle going out onto pasture soon, many of you may be considering your fly control options. Every year, stable and horn flies cause significant economic losses, but a good fly control program can minimize this impact. Although often grouped together, these are very different flies that need different control approaches. Continue reading “Make 2025 your year to finally beat flies!” →

Effects of Late-Summer Prescribed Fire on Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, and Forage Production in Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland in the Kansas Smoky Hills

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Introduced for forage and soil-conservation properties, old world bluestems began establishing and spreading through the Great Plains to the great detriment of native flora populations. While they are grazable grasses early in the growing season, rapid rates of maturation lead to unpalatability and decreased nutrient profiles much earlier than native warm-season grasses. Grazing, mowing, and spring burning seem to promote old world bluestem populations. When decreased cover of yellow bluestem was reported following late-summer prescribed fire treatment, our goal was to determine if similar effects could be found in Caucasian bluestem. Continue reading “Effects of Late-Summer Prescribed Fire on Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, and Forage Production in Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland in the Kansas Smoky Hills” →