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Beef Tips

Author: Sandy Johnson

Coping with Rascally Raccoons

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

 Drew Ricketts, wildlife management and control specialist

Raccoons are very intelligent, resourceful animals that often live around farmyards in hollow trees, holes created by other animals, brush piles, abandoned vehicles and farm machinery, and buildings. Raccoons are omnivorous, meaning that their diet is very diverse and can include plant material such as fruits and nuts, animal matter from earthworms and insects to reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds. While raccoons are fascinating animals, their broad diet, intelligence, and willingness to live close to humans can lead to conflicts with people and pets and the need for some form of control. Continue reading “Coping with Rascally Raccoons” →

Share/Lease Agreements for Cow-Calf Operations

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

Individuals may look to enter into a share or lease agreement for cows for several reasons.  For example, a cow owner may wish to transfer ownership over time or to retain income without the labor of cow care.  Advantages to the operator may include a way to get started in cow/calf production or to utilize available labor more fully. Trust between parties is the foundation of any agreement followed by clear communication. Continue reading “Share/Lease Agreements for Cow-Calf Operations” →

Upcoming learning opportunities

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

We hope you will take advantage of various opportunities to engage K-State Research and Extension Beef Specialists, county and district agents and other professionals at the meetings planned in the coming months. KSUBeef.org is one source of those details in addition to county/district websites and social media outlets. For programs hosted by KSU Ag Economics department and various county/district meetings see the upcoming events at AgManager.info.

Feeding Cows in a Drought
Jan. 3 – Yates Center
Jan. 10 – Severy

Calving Schools
Jan. 4 – Stafford County Annex, St. John
Jan. 9 – Haskell County Fairgrounds, Sublette
Jan. 11 – Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, Holton
Jan. 18 – West Elk School, Howard

Hoxie Calving Clinic
Jan. 10

Check back at KSUBeef.org as more information becomes available for meetings Jan. 10th in Hays, Jan 29th in Larned, Feb. 5th in Seneca, Feb. 6th in the Post Rock District and Feb. 20th in Eureka.

Grid Pricing Improves Fed Cattle Profits and Consumer Beef

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Katy Doumit, graduate research assistant and Ted Schroeder, agricultural economist

Premiums and discounts for US fed cattle have evolved over time in response to changing consumer demand for beef. Cattle producers have benefitted from grid pricing by receiving elevated prices for higher quality beef. Consumers have benefitted from having exceptional beef quality they prefer. Grid pricing refers to valuing a lot of cattle based on carcass merit, including premiums or discounts for traits such as quality grade, yield grade, preferred weight, special branded programs, and more. Continue reading “Grid Pricing Improves Fed Cattle Profits and Consumer Beef” →

Disease Concerns with New Herd Introductions

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

AJ Tarpoff, DVM, Extension Veterinarian

Most Kansas producers have been impacted in one way or another by the drought over the past few years. With El Nino on its way, many producers are weighing the ins and outs of restocking as forage conditions allow. Anytime new additions are brought in from an outside source, disease introduction potential control should be a key part of any rebuilding plan. Continue reading “Disease Concerns with New Herd Introductions” →

Evaluating Alternative Feedstuffs for Cattle

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Justin Waggoner, Beef Systems Specialist, Garden City

The term “alternative feedstuff” conjures images of a variety of post-production food products (i.e. bakery waste, potato products, candy remnants, brewery waste etc.) that can be fed to livestock. However, I would contend the term would also apply to a variety of specialty or vegetable crop residues (dry beans, chili peppers etc.). Alternative feedstuffs can provide economical sources of nutrients in cattle rations. Continue reading “Evaluating Alternative Feedstuffs for Cattle” →

Supplementation Considerations for Bulls Following Breeding

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jason Warner, extension cow-calf specialist

For cow-calf producers that limit the length of the breeding season, the period of rest after removal from females is key for management of herd bulls.  During this time, it is not uncommon for bulls to be observed less frequently and attention to them often falls, albeit unintended, to the bottom of the priority list.  As with females, the time in between breeding seasons represents the opportunity to regain body condition and weight if needed, and this length of rest is certainly reduced when bulls are used in multiple breeding seasons. Continue reading “Supplementation Considerations for Bulls Following Breeding” →

Planning for the Third Trimester

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

The third trimester of pregnancy is a crucial period because of the rapid growth the fetus undergoes and because it is our opportunity to improve cow body condition prior to calving if needed. It is easy to forget those things when we can’t see the growing fetus and a growing winter coat may be deceptive when it comes to body condition.

The table below is a simple reminder of when the 3rd trimester begins based on various dates for the start of the spring breeding season. Continue reading “Planning for the Third Trimester” →

Central Kansas Beef Summit Program to be Held in Beloit, Kansas

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Make plans to attend the Central Kansas Beef Summit on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023, from 9:00 am – 3:15 pm. The event will be highlighted by a presentation on marketing strategies for beef cattle by Lynn Langvardt of JCCC Livestock Sales and a Market Outlook and Update from K-State specialist, Dr. Glynn Tonsor.   Continue reading “Central Kansas Beef Summit Program to be Held in Beloit, Kansas” →

Weed Control on Native Pastures Program for Northwest Kansas

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

A variety of moisture conditions can increase undesirable weeds and grasses in our pastures from more than normal moisture to dry conditions with enough sporadic rain to set off weeds. If cattle won’t graze these plants, it is a problem.

K-State Research and Extension Golden Prairie District and Rawlins County will host a Weed Control on Native Pastures program on November 29th, at the American Legion in Bird City and November 30th at Western Cooperative Electric in WaKeeney. Both programs begin with a meal at 6pm and conclude around 9 pm. Continue reading “Weed Control on Native Pastures Program for Northwest Kansas” →