Livestock & Forage Media
Dealing with Foot Rot in Livestock Article
During the summer months we often treat lame livestock. The effects of lameness may show itself by decreased fertility, weight loss, decreased performance, and increased labor and medicine costs. It has been estimated that 88-92% of lameness stems from the foot.
- October 15, 2019
Soil Sampling Article
If you are considering planting a winter food plot, knowing the nutrient levels of the soil before planting will help you determine if you need to add nutrients to the soil or not. Soil tests provide a scientific base for evaluating the available plant nutrients in a field, garden, lawn, pasture, or food plot.
-October 9, 2019
Selecting a Winter Feeding Site Article
Winter feeding of cattle is a necessary part of nearly all cow-calf operations. The feeding site is the area that a producer will feed the cattle regularly, providing hay and sometimes grain or other supplements to provide the nutrients cattle need.
- September 25,2019
A Year for Baleage Article
There is likely going to be a lot more silage chopped this year. Many acres that were enrolled in prevented planting with their insurance or Farm Services Agency (FSA) after the last planting date needed a cover crop.
- September 9, 2019
Feed Sampling Standard Operating Procedures Article
Feed sampling is critical to proper nutritional management of cattle. The following is a list of standard practices to ensure an accurate, representative sample of stored forages and mixed diets.
- August 28, 2019
Preparing Sheep and Goats for Breeding Season Article
Fall is quickly approaching and with fall comes breeding season for sheep and goats. August is a good time to start making plans for breeding season, if you have not done so already, and to evaluate your does and ewes to make sure they are in good condition before breeding.
- August 13, 2019
Questions of Organic Matter Article
Soil organic matter is one of the oddest components of soil. Although it comprises a small percentage of total soil volume and weight, it completely changes the color, nutrient transfers, cation exchange capacity and water holding capacity.
- August 9, 2019
Blue- Green Algae Article
The high summer temperatures combined with the increased amount of runoff from rain has increased the risk of blue-green algae in ponds and lakes. Blue-green algae can occur in a pond as a result of runoff that carries nitrogen or phosphorus into the pond.
- July 15, 2019
Are forage Tests Important? Article
For nearly four decades, scientists have been refining the ability to test forages for quality. This research is being done in an effort to improve animal nutrition and, consequently, animal production.
-July 3,2019
Effective Weed Control Article
Thanks to the influx of rain our area has received, there are a lot of weeds everywhere. A weed is only a plant that is out of place. Bermudagrass may be a weed in a flower garden, but not in a pasture. Corn can be the desired plant in a field, but in a rock garden; it’s a weed.
-June 3, 2019
Defense of the Fence Article
Like all the other things that need to get done this time of year, so do fences often need to be built and repaired. It is a good idea to keep in mind Kansas fence laws when doing so.
- May 21, 2019
Avoid a Winter Hangover This Breeding Season Article
Winter has been long and difficult. Cold and wet weather increased energy demands. Cows could be thinner than normal after calving and winter conditions could have negatively influenced bull fertility as well.
-May 13, 2019
Making Beef Management Calendars Easier Article
Technology has been developed that makes many things in our lives much easier. Some of you may remember when you were the “remote control” when your Dad was watching TV. Now, new homes have heating, alarm and lighting systems throughout that can be controlled remotely with a smart phone.
-May 10, 2019
Scoring Meat Goats on Body Condition Article Audio
Every goat producer has animals that are either too thin or too fat. Failure to recognize these animals and take corrective actions will cost dearly in terms of decreased fertility, increased disease or internal parasite incidence, decreased milk production, and increased operating costs.
-April 10, 2019
