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”
Category: January 2025
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”
Historical Perspective on Feedlot Exit/Market Weights
Justin Waggoner, KSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Garden City, KS
Currently, one of the common discussion items in the feedlot industry is cattle exit weights. Feedyard managers have continued to market both steers and heifers at greater exit weights in recent months. Data from the October 2024, K-State Focus on Feedlots reported an average final weight 1497 lbs. for steers and 1342 lbs. for heifers. The recent increase in marketing cattle at greater exits weights has been attributed to feedlot managers retaining cattle on feed longer as a means of managing cattle inventories.
Continue reading “Historical Perspective on Feedlot Exit/Market Weights”
