K-State Research and Extension - Livestock, Meat Production and Marketing

Workshops Planned to Help Communities Prepare for Agriculture-Affected Disasters

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

LIBERAL, Kan. -- K-State Research and Extension is teaming up with the Extension Disaster Education Network to host two Strengthening Community Agrosecurity Planning (S-CAP) workshops in Wichita, March 22-23 and Liberal, March 25-26 for individuals in Sedgwick, Seward and nearby counties.

K-State veterinarian Mike Apley...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

K-State veterinarian Mike Apley discusses the broiling issue of antibiotic use in livestock production, and the purported links to antibiotic resistance in human health: he testified before lawmakers in Congress last week about the importance of antibiotics in cattle
health management, as a bill is now being considered that would limit the use of antibiotics in livestock, particularly as a growth promotant...Mike talks about what the bill specifically calls for, and whether sound science will trump politics in this debate.

K-State veterinarian Mike Apley (Part 2)...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

More from K-State veterinarian Mike Apley on antibiotic use in livestock production, and the purported links to antibiotic resistance in human health. Mike testified before lawmakers in Congress last week about the importance of antibiotics in cattle health management, as a bill is now being considered that would limit the use of antibiotics in livestock, particularly as a growth promotant.

Steve Meyer, KSU Swine Profitability Conference...

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

More comments from the featured speaker at K-State's Swine Profitability Conference earlier this week: commodities analyst Steve Meyer talks about the overall outlook for the U.S. swine industry in the wake of several bad economic years in a row.

Upcoming K-State Horticultural and Agricultural Events

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University Research and Extension and/or its Extension Master Gardeners are participating in the following area and statewide horticultural events, available to all interested persons. For more information about these, as well as more localized events, check with your local K-State Research and Extension office.

K-State Cattlemen’s Day Set for March 5

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University’s Cattlemen’s Day is set for March 5 in Manhattan.

K-State Beef Quiz Bowl Team Earns Championship at National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Kansas State University’s Beef Quiz Bowl Team won the national championship at 2010’s National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention. Displaying the honors that the student team earned are, from left, Dave Nichols, teaching coordinator; Bain Wilson, Oak Hill, N.C.; Anna Pesta, Locust, N.C.; Hyatt Frobose, Pemberville, Ohio; Clem Neely, Chanute, Kan. and Ken Odde, head, Departmen

Steve Meyer, KSU Swine Profitability Conference...

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Steve Meyer, a featured speaker at the 2010 KSU Swine Profitability Conference, talked to producers about the challenges facing the industry and what the future holds for the U.S. swine industry.

MAINTAINING CALF GROWTH...

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It’s essential that dairy heifer calves get off to a good nutritional start, according to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). That sets the stage for their milk productivity on down the road. This week, Mike talks about attaining the necessary growth rate for those calves during the first two months of their lives.

Last Call for Women's Ag Conference

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. – Women who plan to attend the 2010 Women Managing the Farm Conference scheduled Feb. 5-6, 2010 in Wichita, Kan., should get their registration in, said conference coordinator Kristy Archuleta.

K-State College of Agriculture Students Have Options in Coursework, Careers

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Plenty has changed over the years, and educating students for careers in agriculture has changed right along with global agriculture, said Don Boggs, Kansas State University’s associate dean of agriculture.

Don Boggs speaks to students on K-State's campus.

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis talks about planning for the spring breeding season, by checking out the condition of the herd bulls. This includes: examining sires for possible winter injury; accounting for their body condition score; assuring they are getting the right mineral intake, including vitamin A; and putting them through the pre-breeding vaccination schedule.

Livestock economist Darrell Mark...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Livestock economist Darrell Mark of the University of Nebraska provides this week's cattle market commentary: he sizes up the impact of last Friday's USDA cattle-on-feed report, and talks about his analysis of the upward trend in bred cow and bred heifer prices.

K-State Announces Planned Construction of O. H. Kruse Feed Mill and BioRefinery

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

A new feed mill at Kansas State University will soon become a reality.

Finnup Foundation Provides Major Gift to Kansas Ag Leaders Program

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The Finnup Foundation Trust of Garden City, Kan. has joined a growing list of special investors in the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program with a donation of $50,000 to the KARL Foundation. The foundation fund is part of the permanently endowed gifts for KARL, Inc.

ASSESSING FORAGE PROGRAM...

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Dairy producers: are there shortcomings in your winter forage program that need to be addressed? Now is the time to identify those and plan to make changes during the upcoming forage production season. This week, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook) shares some specifics toward that end, especially with respect to silage management.

Growing Growers Program Announces its 2010 Sustainable Farming Apprenticeship Program

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

OLATHE, Kan. -- As the Kansas City metro area’s appetite for local and sustainably-grown food grows, farmers and growers are in demand too. The Growing Growers Apprenticeship Program matches aspiring growers with local host farms where they gain work experience and training in the day-to-day operation of a small farm. Workshops, farm tours and written resources augment on-farm learning and connect apprentices to the resources and support of the small farm community.

K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute to Host 2010 International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Amid consumers’ growing interest in how their food is produced, Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute will host the 2010 International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare May 19-21 on the K-State campus in Manhattan.

Safety Around Livestock is Imperative

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University animal scientist Chris Reinhardt has a saying: “The good ol’ days never were.”

K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson...

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson talks up the importance of having forages tested for their energy content before feeding them to spring-calving cows over the next few weeks...that content may come up short because of substandard harvesting conditions last year.

Market analyst Erica Rosa, LMIC...

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Market analyst Erica Rosa of the Livestock Marketing Information Center is featured on this week's cattle market segment: in addition to reviewing last week's trends, she offers projections on the upcoming USDA cattle-on-feed and cattle inventory reports.

MAXIMIZING MILK LETDOWN...

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Optimizing milking herd productivity is an absolute must in these difficult economic times for dairy producers. One thing to focus on there is maximizing the milk letdown from each cow. Three steps will help achieve that, as covered this week by K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook).

Scholarships Available for Women's Ag Conference

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The USDA Risk Management Agency is making money available for scholarships for the Women Managing the Farm Conference Feb. 5-6, 2010 in Wichita, Kan.

Beef Cattle Reproductive Strategies Workshop Planned for Jan. 28-29 in San Antonio

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

COLBY, Kan. – The Beef Reproduction Task Force and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are offering the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop at the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio Jan. 28-29, 2010.

2010 Swine Profitability Conference Set for Feb. 2 in K-State Union

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Kansas State University’s 2010 Swine Profitability Conference will be Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Forum Hall in the K-State Union.

With the theme “Staying Competitive in the Swine Industry,” the program’s purpose is to provide producers and allied industry members with information on the production management, marketing, and business decisions that relate to capital investmen

Jim Robb, director of the LMIC...

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Jim Robb, director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, supplies this week's cattle market commentary.

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010...

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

2009 was a dismal year economically for most dairy producers. There are signs that 2010 may be a bit better, according to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook). For individual producers, the emphasis remains on seeking efficiency in one’s milk production. This week, Mike offers a couple of suggestions in that respect.

Women's Ag Conference Scheduled

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. – Partners in agriculture, business managers, producers, farm homemakers, absentee landlords and helpers are encouraged to attend the Women Managing the Farm Conference Feb. 5-6, 2010, in Wichita, Kan.

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis...

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis talks about improving the chances of newborn calf survival in the midst of harsh winter conditions like we've been experiencing of late, along with advice on minimizing scours problems in newborn calves.

DAIRY STARLING DAMAGE...

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Their unsanitary habits are more than just a nuisance…starlings can actually lead to dairy production losses. This is the time of year when they tend to roost around dairy facilities, feeding where the dairy herd does, and potentially leading to problems, as outlined this week by K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook).

END-OF-YEAR MAINTENANCE...

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a good time to take stock of the state of your milking system, says K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). It’s one of several facets of the dairy operation that deserve an end-of-year review. Mike talks about some of the potential trouble spots to check in that milking system.

K-State and eXtension Offer Financial Planning, Other Help for Ag Producers

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Even at this time of year when American farm families are typically looking forward to planning for the new year, some are struggling. A spouse may have lost an off-farm job, a family member may not fully know his place in an operation and others have been hit by low prices for what they produce.

Livestock economist Derrell Peel...

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Livestock economist Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University comments on the fed and feeder cattle trades this week, remarking on the bullish indicators from last Friday's USDA cattle-on-feed report.

MAINTAINING TEAT CONDITION...

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the many challenges dairy producers face during winter months is maintaining teat condition in the herd, says K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). There are a number of options for producers that may help alleviate this problem. This week, Mike reviews those methods.

‘Feeding the Cowherd for Maximum Profit’ School Set for Jan. 13-14

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

An intensive two-day school on Feeding the Cowherd for Maximum Profit will be held Jan. 13 and 14, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day at the Colby Community Building in Colby, Kan. This hands-on program is designed to help producers refine their understanding of cow nutrition and find the most cost effective means to achieve optimal cow performance with today’s rising feed costs

Upcoming K-State Horticultural and Agricultural Events

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

K-State swine specialist Mike Tokach...

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State swine specialist Mike Tokach talks about the state of the hog production industry right now, and what he thinks swine producers can do to weather the ongoing economic challenges...emphasizing forward pricing opportunities for selling hogs.

Livestock economist Darrell Mark...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Livestock economist Darrell Mark of the University of Nebraska provides this week's cattle market commentary: in addition to talking about the current fed cattle price trend, he covers an analysis he conducted on advance pricing strategies for cattle feeders to consider for their corn purchases.

DRYING NEWBORN CALVES...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping newborn dairy calves in good health during cold winter weather is a big challenge, concedes K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). That task starts by making sure those calves are kept dry, and this week, Mike reviews several effective methods of accomplishing that.

Kansas Hay and Grazing Conference Set for Jan. 13 in Manhattan

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

CHANUTE, Kan. – The 2010 Kansas Hay and Grazing Conference is scheduled for Jan. 13 at the Kansas Farm Bureau building in Manhattan.

Time Growing Short to Register For Jan. 11 Ranch Management Seminar

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The registration deadline for the Jan. 11, 2010 K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar is Jan. 6.

Upcoming K-State Horticultural and Agricultural Events

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

K-State livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey advises cow-calf producers about rotating winter feedings sites, for herd health as well as environmental reasons...he also previews the upcoming 4-State Beef Conference co-sponsored by K-State in January.

Market analyst Erica Rosa, LMIC...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Market analyst Erica Rosa of the Livestock Marketing Information Center supplies this week's cattle market commentary: she remarks on recent signs that the general economy is on the mend, and what those suggest about improved consumer demand for beef in 2010.

MUD AND DAIRY HERD...

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dairy producers in the central plains have been fighting mud problems for the better part of 2009. Muddy conditions around the dairy can lead to a litany of problems, as outlined this week by K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). He’s advising producers to be thinking about ways of resolving those mud issues before next spring’s rains come.

Upcoming K-State Horticultural and Agricultural Events

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Jim Robb, director of the LMIC...

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, Jim Robb, provides this week's cattle market commentary. In addition to analyzing last week's market activity, he shares new information on carcass weight trends and beef and pork exports which could prove supportive of the cattle trades.

MOLDS IN CORN...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Prolonged wet weather caused extensive corn harvest delays this fall. As that crop stood in wet field conditions, the possibility of mold development on the grain became greater. Though not always, molds can sometimes lead to toxin problems which, when consumed by dairy cows, can show up in the milk. Producers should be alert to this, as discussed this week by K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk.

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis...

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis offers input on controlling parasites in the cow herd through the winter, which can make a major difference in eventual breeding performance. He also previews the series of K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminars taking place around the state in early January.

K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson looks at K-State research into feeding light test-weight grain sorghum to beef cattle...findings that are supportive of using such grain in the growing and finishing rations.

Oklahoma State livestock economist Derrell Peel...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Livestock economist Derrell Peel of Oklahoma State University shares his insight on the fed and feeder cattle markets...focusing in part on an unusual situation in the feeder cattle market that may make it more economically feasible for producers to purchase and graze
stockers on late-planted winter wheat stands.

Kent Bang, Liz Wagstrom; K-State Swine Day...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two featured speakers at the K-State Swine Day yesterday: a regional vice president for Bank of the West with a long career in swine operation financing, Kent Bang, talks about what the hog production sector must do to assure its future economically. And, the assistant vice president for science and technology with the National Pork Board, Liz Wagstrom, talks about the challenge in convincing international markets to fully open back up to U.S. pork, in the wake of the H1N1 flu issue..

POOR HAY QUALITY...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A number of dairy producers will have to get along with sub-par alfalfa quality this winter...a result of poor harvesting conditions this past growing season. One can compensate by strategically using other feedstuffs, according to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). He comments on several options that will allow the producer to use that lesser-quality hay without hurting milk production.

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State beef veterinarian Larry Hollis looks at the recent cold and muddy conditions and what those may portend for beef calf health, with a special emphasis on possible pneumonia outbreaks in the calf herd.

K-State beef cattle specialist Dale Blasi...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State beef cattle specialist Dale Blasi talks about utilizing unharvestable row crops as a grazing resource for cattle this fall, stressing that limited grazing is the management approach of choice. Dale also talks about roughage and mineral supplementation for
cattle turned out on standing corn, grain sorghum or soybean crops.

K-State agricultural economist Kevin Dhuyvetter...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K-State agricultural economist Kevin Dhuyvetter covers a recent analysis he conducted of beef cow enterprises and the reasons why cow herd profits are highly variable from producer to producer, based on Kansas Farm Management Association data from the last several years.

Market analyst Erica Rosa, LMIC...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Market analyst Erica Rosa of the Livestock Marketing Information Center provides this week's insight on the cattle market trends, and shares the latest L-M-I-C analysis of cattle feeding returns in 2009...she also looks ahead to the next U-S-D-A cattle-on-feed report
coming out later this week.

DAIRY OPERATING PLAN...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It’s common for a business to establish a formal set of standard operating procedures for all employees to follow. There’s value in setting up “S-O-P’s” for the dairy farm as well, according to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). Making sure that all employees are following the same management guidelines will make a difference in the operation’s productivity and efficiency.