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Beef Tips

Author: Sandy Johnson

How Does Estrus Synchronization Work?

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

As we go through each breeding season, questions arise about changes, intentional or otherwise, regarding various synchronization protocols. What if I gave X rather than Y, or did something on day W rather than day Z; will it matter? In order to understand how estrus synchronization works and the importance of what happens in each step, a basic understanding of the tools used and how they influence the components of the estrous cycle is needed. Continue reading “How Does Estrus Synchronization Work?” →

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detections in Livestock

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

AJ Tarpoff, DVM, Extension Veterinarian

News reports and updates have been published over the past several weeks about the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) impacting dairy herds in several states. Investigations are ongoing and information continues to surface about this evolving situation. To stay up to date on the current scenario, USDA has created a landing page that can be found here:   https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock Continue reading “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detections in Livestock” →

Managing Drought Risk with Annual Forage Insurance

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jenny Ifft, Agricultural Policy Extension Specialist

Nearly all of Kansas is currently experiencing abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. For producers who grow annual crops for the purpose of feeding cattle or other livestock, Annual Forage Insurance (AFI) is a tool to manage drought risk.  Continue reading “Managing Drought Risk with Annual Forage Insurance” →

Managing Production Systems for the Future

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jason Warner, extension cow-calf specialist

The term “sustainability” has been used a lot in recent years in nearly every industry.  It seems that it has become more common for companies and organizations to have a claim that a product or service has been produced “sustainably”, and this usually is in reference to the environment.  Keeping in mind the environmental impact on how goods are produced and working to better understand and subsequently minimize our footprint on the environment is certainly a good thing for society.  Continue reading “Managing Production Systems for the Future” →

How Does Western Ragweed Impact Pasture Production?

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Keith Harmoney, range scientist, Hays

Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) is one of the most common native forbs found throughout Kansas rangelands.  Western ragweed is a perennial plant that can form dense colonies from growth of lateral creeping rootstalks.  It’s used by wildlife for cover and for food, and the high protein content of western ragweed seed makes it a valuable staple of bobwhite quail and other grassland bird diets. Cattle also graze on western ragweed and utilized up to 50% of the western ragweed produced in moderately stocked pastures when measured in a long-term grazing trial at the Ag. Research Center in Hays. Continue reading “How Does Western Ragweed Impact Pasture Production?” →

Long-Term Effects of April, August, or October Prescribed Fire on Yearling Stocker Cattle Performance and Native Rangeland Plant Composition in the Kansas Flint Hills

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Objective: The objective of our experiment was to determine if prescribed fire applied in April, August, or October influenced stocker growth performance or plant community characteristics in the Kansas Flint Hills over a 6-year period. Continue reading “Long-Term Effects of April, August, or October Prescribed Fire on Yearling Stocker Cattle Performance and Native Rangeland Plant Composition in the Kansas Flint Hills” →

K-State Hosts 30-hour OSHA Course for Agriculture Workers

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Agriculture is a high-risk industry, where “near misses”, accidents and even fatalities unfortunately occur. Many agriculture employers believe they are exempt from OSHA regulations and standards.  However, agriculture falls within the scope of OSHA per the “General Duty Clause” (Section 5.a.1., OSHA 1910) which states that “Each employer shall furnish to each of his/her employees employment and place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his/her employees”.  K-State will be hosting an OSHA-30-hour course for agriculture workers this spring in Garden City, KS. I would highly encourage anyone who is not familiar with OSHA and your role and responsibilities as an employer or supervisor to take an OSHA course.

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

A Novel Approach of Using Electrostatic Field to Reduce Thawing Time and Improve Frozen Beef Quality

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of applying an electrostatic field (EF) on thawing characteristics, such as thawing speed and purge loss, as well as its impact on quality attributes during subsequent aging and retail display of beef. Continue reading “A Novel Approach of Using Electrostatic Field to Reduce Thawing Time and Improve Frozen Beef Quality” →

GreatO+ Supplementation Leads to Greater Proportions of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Small Intestines of Holstein Steers

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Objective: This study aimed to determine if supplementation of GreatO+, an extruded blend of flaxseed and microalgae (NBO3, Manhattan, KS), in Holstein steers would lead to greater amounts of fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, in the small intestines. Continue reading “GreatO+ Supplementation Leads to Greater Proportions of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Small Intestines of Holstein Steers” →