Livestock & Forage Media
Risky Business Prevented Article
The impact of the cold weather experienced in the southeast Kansas area in early February will not be soon forgotten and will leave lingering effects. Livestock producers commonly prioritize more sensitive life, like newborns, over the pen of prized sires. But, if the pasture housing the sires lacked adequate bedding or wind protection, scrotal frostbite may not have been prevented.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- March 5, 2021
Calf Scours Audio
Calf diarrhea, also called scours, is a very costly problem for many producers.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- March 5, 2021
Frostbite and Fertility Audio
During normal winter conditions, frostbite is not a common problem in our area, but prolonged exposure to extreme cold and wind increases the occurrence of frostbite and could be a fertility problem.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- Febuary 26, 2021
Strategies For Working Cattle in the Cold Audio
Did you know that there is a strategy for dressing in layers to prevent cold stress?
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- Febuary 19, 2021
The Importance of Bird Feeders Article
Birds are commonly seen flying through backyards, occasionally perching in a tree or on a fence and some may even choose to build nests in your backyard. Birds can be entertaining to watch and some people may desire to attract more birds to their yard or encourage birds to stay longer in their backyard for the enjoyment of bird watching.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- Febuary 11, 2021
Cold Temperature Management for Pigs Audio
Pigs have a small range of comfortable temperatures. Outside of this range, stress occurs; reduced feed efficiency, stunted growth rates, or weight loss.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- Febuary 12, 2021
White Muscle Disease Audio
White Muscle Disease can affect the skeletal and cardiac muscles.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 5, 2021
Cattle Handling Audio Article
To get cattle to do what you want, it takes knowledge of animal behavior, access to good facilities, and proper handling techniques. All of this together adds up to cow sense!
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 29, 2021
Growing Replacement Heifers Audio
Growing heifers intended as beef herd replacement females need their nutritional needs met. Typically, the goal is for these heifers to reach puberty by the time they’re a yearling.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 22, 2021
More Energy Needed When Cold Audio
Most livestock producers appreciate that cold weather increases nutrient requirements. However, the more common questions are “When or under what conditions should we respond to a cold weather event?” or “How should we respond?”
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 15, 2021
Preparing for Kidding Season Article
It’s a new year and kidding season is right around the corner, or for some breeders it may have already began. If kidding has not already started for you, now is a good time to go through your supplies to make sure you have everything you may need and are ready for kidding season. Preparing for kidding season can vary a little bit depending on herd size.
Adaven Scronse, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- January 15, 2021
Mud Management Article Audio
Taking preventative measures to manage mud can save time. Bacteria thrive in mud, especially when organic materials are present, like manure, hay or old feed. Problems like footrot and scours run rampant in muddy conditions, even in low temperatures.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 8, 2021
Winter Feeding Sites Audio
Winter feeding of cattle is a necessary part of nearly all cow-calf operations. The area where cattle are fed hay or grain regularly should be given consideration.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- December 29, 2020
Cattle Facial Recognition Audio
The motivation behind finding a way to recognize and trace individual calves, through facial recognition, boils down to disease traceability. Contact tracing is not just for those with a Covid-19 positive test result.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- December 23, 2020
Raising Kids and Lambs Artificially Audio
One of the outcomes of having a high lambing or kidding percentage is that you will likely end up with some bottle babies.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- December 18,2020
Land Lease Surveys Audio Article
Recognizing the need for reliable, local lease information, the Wildcat District is conducting pasture and cropland lease surveys. These surveys will give us a closer look at the average dollar amount for lease agreements, as well as some of the arrangements that are working for landowners and renters.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- December 12,2020
Winter Water Systems Audio
There is nothing like a refreshing drink of water to hydrate the body, but what happens when the only available water is frozen?
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- December 4,2020
How to Forage Sample Audio
Predicting forage quality values from standard books often grossly overestimates or underestimates feeding value. A better way to determine feeding value is to have a representative forage sample tested by a laboratory.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- November 20,2020
Cull Cows Audio
In most cattle herds, around 18% of the annual income is generated from cull cows. Removing select cattle from a herd can improve herd performance and profitability.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- November 20,2020
Tapeworms Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- November 13,2020
Grazing Management Audio
Grazing management is a strategy to optimize forage use and sustain animal performance. How often and how short individual plants are grazed will directly affect the health of forage species.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- November 6,2020
Cold Temperature Management for Pigs Audio
Cold Pigs are high maintenance
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 30,2020
Body Condition Scoring Method Audio
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a standardized method to gauge the condition of cattle?
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 23,2020
Feeding Pumpkins to Livestock Article
As it nears the end of October, you may be starting to think of what you can do with pumpkins that have been used for decorations once you are done with them or what to do with the pumpkins that were left sitting in the garden because they did not quite make the cut to be used as decorations or made into pie.
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- October 23,2020
Chute-Side Cost Savings Article
A strong vaccination program can have a sizable impact on a herd, both in dollars spent and on the herd’s health. We expect a vaccine to protect animals from detrimental health problems due to infectious diseases. Given the importance of vaccines in an animal health program, proper handling is vital to ensure the product remains effective. Improper handling can render the product useless.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 15,2020
Raising Lambs and Kids Artificially Audio
One of the outcomes of having a high lambing or kidding percentage is that you will likely end up with some bottle babies.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 15,2020
Prussic Acid Audio
The onset of the first killing frost is getting nearer. We see the highest levels of prussic acid in new growth, new regrowth and within the first week of this frost. Prussic acid, also known as cyanide, is a concern with forage like sorghums and other related species, like johnsongrass or even corn stalks.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 9,2020
Copper Toxicity in Sheep Audio
Sheep are unique in that they accumulate copper in the liver more readily than other animals. So, they are very susceptible to copper poisoning.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- October 3,2020
Fall Liming Process Audio
Lime reactions in the soil is a time-dependent process. Fall applications take advantage of winter rainfall and allow 90-150 days for buffering of pH to occur within the soil profile.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- September 25,2020
Grazing Corn Stacks Article Audio
Advancements in equipment and technology have made it easier than ever to take livestock to feed instead of bringing feed to them.The husk and leaf diet of a harvested corn field will provide around 50 percent total digestible nutrients and about 5% crude protein.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- September 18,2020
Weaning Strategies Audio
Weaning is very likely the most stressful time in a calf’s life. We know the calf will have all it needs to survive, but the calf doesn’t know that yet. Two methods have rose to the top of the list of best weaning strategies to reduce stress; fenceline weaning and 2-stage weaning.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- September 11,2020
Planning A Horse Pasture Site Audio
Let’s discuss establishing a horse pasture today, something that takes time, patience and resources.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- September 4,2020
Creep Feeding Calves Audio
The overall income of cow calf enterprises is partially dependent on calf weaning weight. Outside of changing weaning dates, there are management strategies that can increase this factor.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- August 25,2020
Preparing Sheep and Goats for Breeding Season Audio 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. Does and ewes that have good body condition are more likely to breed and successfully have lambs or kids in the spring.
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- August 25,2020
Benefits of Cereals for Pastures Article
Bermudagrass is a common warm-season perennial forage found in southeast Kansas. It can be very productive for summer grazing, however, it has a relatively long period of winter dormancy and is often invaded by annual, weedy species. While these weedy species produce some forage, their production is sporadic and their quality short-lived.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- August 19,2020
Record Keeping for Sheep and Goats Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- August 19,2020
Winter Annuals With Bermuda Audio
Winter cereal crops, such as wheat or rye, produce high-quality forage during the time period that Bermudagrass is dormant. Because of higher utilization, cattle gains from rye interseeded into Bermudagrass are comparable to gains from rye grown in clean-tilled conditions, even though less forage is produced.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- August 19,2020
Meat Labeling Audio
What is the difference between ‘Organic’ and ‘Natural’ on our meat labels?
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- August 14,2020
Feeding Grain to Small Ruminants Audio
The decision to feed grain should be based on the nutritional needs of the animals and the economics of including grain in the feeding program.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- August 7,2020
How to Forage Sample Audio
Predicting forage quality values from standard books often grossly overestimates or underestimates feeding value. A better way to determine feeding value is to have a representative forage sample tested by a laboratory.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- July 24,2020
Wet Brewers Grain Audio
All breweries create byproducts, regardless of their size. Wet Brewers Grain byproducts cannot be used for human consumption but could be used as a protein and energy source for livestock.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- July 24,2020
Blue Green Algae Article
With the high summer temperatures, now is the time to be on the lookout for Blue-green algae in ponds. Blue-green algae can occur in a pond as a result of runoff that carries nitrogen or phosphorus into the pond. When the temperature reaches 75 degrees or higher the algae will grow and bloom.
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- July 17,2020
Aquatic Weeds Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- July 17,2020
Keeping Pigs Cool Audio
Mature pigs are most comfortable when air temperatures are between 50-75°F. Once temperatures exceed 80°F, pigs over 100 pounds can very quickly move into a life-threatening level of heat stress.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- July 17,2020
Ponds Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- July 10,2020
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Article Audio
Vesicular stomatitis virus was first confirmed in Butler County, KS on June 16, and it has spread to other counties, including Montgomery.Vesicular stomatitis does not normally kill affected animals, but it can cause economic losses for livestock producers by preventing animal movements and impacting international trade.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- July 9,2020
Weaning Lambs and Kids Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- July 2,2020
Summer Fly Control Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- June 2,2020
Round Bale Storage Losses Article Audio
Dry matter losses in large round bales can reach 50% depending on bale quality, storage conditions and length in storage.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- June 26,2020
Managing Aquatic Plants Article
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- June 19,2020
Blue Green Algea Audio
Adaven Scronce, diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- June 19,2020
Pasture Management By Season Audio
Pasture management can be a lot of work. Whether you want to improve your pastures or simply maintain them so that they stay lush and green for years to come, there are many steps to take.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- June 19,2020
Horse Hoof Care Audio
Horses are numerous throughout the area. Some are helpful ranch horses, some are companions for floks, and others are for recreation. Regardless of your horses' occupation, their feet need attention.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- June 12,2020
Aquatic Weed Control Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- June 11,2020
Sericea Lespedeza Audio
Across the Wildcat Extension District, sericea lespedeza is in a vegetative growth stage and is rapidly gaining size. By the end of June, plants will begin to branch and become woodier.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- June 5,2020
Extending The Grazing Season Article Audio
There are basically eight management practices to creating a longer grazing season: stockpiling a cool season forage, stockpiling a warm season forage, growing legumes, growing summer annual forage, growing winter annual forage, reducing hay losses in storage and reducing hay losses during feeding.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- May 28,2020
Goat Diseases Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- May 22,2020
Managing Internal Parasites in Sheep & Goats Article
Spring and summer are critical management periods for sheep and goat producers, with the warmer weather and increased rainfall making the perfect combination for internal parasites to thrive. This is also the time of year when spring lambs and kids are weaned, a stressful time for kids and lambs when they are more susceptible to internal parasites.
Pinkeye is a growing concern with summer heating up. Providing good fly control, preventing stress and overcrowding and separating infected animals from healthy ones will help prevent the spread of disease.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- May 22,2020
Raising Small Groups of Swine Audio
When done correctly, you can put pork in your freezer at a lower cost than what you would pay in the grocery store. Let’s go through some of the things you’ll need think about.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- May 15,2020
Internal Parasites Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- May 15,2020
Grazing Rules of Thumb Audio
Some rules of thumb have scientific data to support them; however, some of the rules of thumb may be unfounded and lack informational backing. Take Half and Leave Half; probably the most common and most important rule of thumb for rangeland managers to follow.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- May 8,2020
Anaplasmosis Audio
Anaplasmosis is a parasitic organism that is transmitted through blood by biting insects and ticks. This disease can be devastating to some herds if not treated properly or in a timely manner.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-April 30, 2020
Cleaning Feeding Sites Audio
Fecal bacteria present on winter feeding sites or in confined pens can survive in the manure and wasted feed sludge for several months.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-April 24,2020
Preparing to Raise Chickens Article
Spring is here and you may have heard the sound of chicks peeping the last time you were at the feed store. You may even be thinking about getting a few chicks yourself. Before going out and purchasing chicks there are a few questions you should first consider.
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
-April 24,2020
Grass Founder in Horses Audio
One of the most common causes of founder can be the presence of lush, fresh grass in horse pasture.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-April 16, 2020
Grass Tetany Audio
Grass Tetany is a serious condition in cows and ewes, caused by low blood levels of magnesium, a problem when forages are growing quickly.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-April 17,2020
Chicken Coops Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- April 6, 2020
Livestock and Coronaviruses Article Audio
Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- April 1,2020
Chickens Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
-March 30, 2020
Safety At Birthing Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- March 20,2020
Feeding Market Goats and Lambs for Show Article
One of the most important parts of raising a successful market goat or lamb project for the county fair is the feed program. Not every feed program will work for every animal. Just like people, every animal is different. When determining the type of feed program that is right for your animal, you need to take into consideration; the weight limits of your show, the animals age, and the animals frame size.
Adaven Scronce, diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- March 16, 2020
Rabbits Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- March 9,2020
Spring Pasture Thoughts Audio
To combat pests like weeds, the first step is sometimes the hardest, identification of the problem. Proper ID is paramount to good (and cost effective) control.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- March 5, 2020
Livestock Gardians Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- March 2,2020
Horse BCS Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 28,2020
Vaccine Handling Audio
To protect your animals against infectious diseases, it is important to vaccinate not only at the right time, but with the right product. Properly handling the vaccine from the time it’s purchased to the time it’s given to the animals will ensure the best immunity.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 26, 2020
Meat Rabbits Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- March 24,2020
Horse Body Conditioning Scoring Audio
A body conditioning scoring system has served to provide a standard scoring system for the industry which can be used across breeds and by all hourse people
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 18, 2020
Burn Workshop Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- February 17,2020
Calf Scours Audio
Several pathogens can cause severe scours in calves. The impact of the germs is determined by the calf’s age and the integrity of its immune system.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 12, 2020
Controlled Burning Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- February 10, 2020
First Milk Important to Successful Birthing Experience Article Audio
There’s no better sight than watching a newborn get up and begin to nurse their mama. However, difficult deliveries, inexperienced dams and babies born without vigor sometimes keep that connection from happening.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- February 7, 2020
Cool Season Forage Intake Audio
Maximizing the forage that livestock managers have available is important for profitability.
- January 31, 2020
Lamb & Kidding Workshop Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- January 27,2020
Nutrient Deficiencies of Calf Vitality Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 24, 2020
Forage Analysis Audio
Greater profit is the primary reason livestock producers need to know the quality of forages they are feeding. Not knowing the forage's exact quality acts as a two-edged sword that can cut into profits either way it swings.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 23, 2020
Preparing for Kidding Season Article
It’s a new year and kidding season is right around the corner, or for some breeders it may have already began. If kidding has not already started for you, now is a good time to go through your supplies to make sure you have everything you may need and are ready for kidding season.
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent
- January 17, 2020
More Energy Needed When Cold Audio
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-January 17, 2020
Colostrum Audio
Adaven Scronce, Diversified Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
- January 13,2020
More Energy Needed When Cold Audio
Most livestock producers appreciate that cold weather increases nutrient requirements. However, the more common questions are “When or under what conditions should we respond to a cold weather event?” or “How should we respond?”
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
- January 7, 2020
Feeding Moldy Hay Article
We are still seeing consequences from such a wet summer and difficult haying season. No matter how hard producers tried, hay was likely baled a little too wet and now has some mold.
Wendie Powell, Livestock Production Agent
-December 16,2019
Determining Pasture Lease Pricing Article
Perhaps the most popular question I receive throughout the year involves pasture leasing. Land is changing hands, landowners and tenants want to make sure they have up to date information to leasing arrangements, and frankly, there’s a lot of money that can be tied up in these situations.
- November 22, 2019
Recycling Pumpkins Article
Leaves are changing color, the air has gotten cooler, and some parts of Kansas have already gotten snow. October has turned into November and depending on the day it may seem like fall is already giving way to winter.
- November 11, 2019
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
A body conditioning scoring system has served to provide a standard scoring system for the industry which can be used across breeds and by all horse people.
