K-State Research and Extension

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Beef Tips

Tag: animal comfort index

Current Weather Trends and A Look into the Forecast

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Chip Redmond, Meteorologist and Kansas Mesonet Manager

Just wait a few minutes and the Kansas weather will change…is a common phrase I hear as a meteorologist in the Great Plains. Sometimes it is true, but in times of a drought, those changes usually aren’t good changes. When we have moisture, we tend to under appreciate the timeliness and benefit it has, especially in Kansas summer, where we are always two weeks away from a flash drought. Continue reading “Current Weather Trends and A Look into the Forecast” →

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” →

Preparing for Winter Weather Extremes

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby

It is hard to prepare for extreme winter weather when December in Kansas may be one of the warmest on record. However, variability seems to be a characteristic of our weather lately and a drop in temperature with or without above normal precipitation could create some very stressful conditions for livestock. Animals adapt to colder weather as we go through the fall into winter, but if there is an abrupt change, without acclimation, the stress is compounded. Planning ahead can lessen some of the challenges. Continue reading “Preparing for Winter Weather Extremes” →