KSUBeef.org: Your resource for beef information
2018 Cattlemen’s Day report
May 17, 2018 Agriculture Today Radio - Livestock Forage Disaster Program: K-State agricultural economist Monte Vandeveer goes over the eligibility requirements and the payment structure of the USDA's Livestock Forage Disaster Program, as a large part of Kansas either currently qualifies or is on the path toward qualifying in the coming weeks...he explains how this assistance is linked to the severity and duration of drought, as indicated by the official drought monitor.
USDA FSA Livestock Forge Program website
Forage options for drought-stressed wheat
The dry conditions that have prevailed over much of Kansas since the fall of 2017 have left some wheat growers with relatively dim prospects for grain production for the summer 2018 harvest. An alternative use for that wheat is as a forage crop – silage or hay – which may still have considerable value at a time when pasture grazing prospects and hay supplies may be uncertain. This article briefly looks at some issues producers should consider as they contemplate their options for their drought-stressed wheat. >> Read more
Wheat graze-out decision during the 2017-18 growing season
The development of the Kansas wheat crop is behind this year as compared to historical values due to a delayed sowing, colder-than-average winter and spring seasons, and the extreme drought conditions experienced. Thus, there are parts of the state in which the crop is still approaching first hollow stem, such as northwest, west central, parts of southwest, and into north central Kansas. Producers who currently have cattle grazing the crop are faced with the decision of whether to graze it out or to remove the cattle and harvest the grain. >> Read more
Tally Time: Management Minder outlines your production year
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. Cattle producers use electronic IDs to automate many data collection activities. Computer applications seem to only be limited by our imagination.
Our beef extension educational efforts have often pointed out timely management topics. For example, now is the time to sample harvested forages and get an analysis of the quality. Some of those items would relate to time of year, while others would depend on the individual operation’s calving and breeding dates. So, while those suggestions are timely for most (we hope), they certainly do not fit everyone.
>> Read more
Focus Areas
Feed & Water- Health
- Reproduction & Genetics
- Cost of Production & Marketing
- Employee Management
- Legal/Regulatory
The K-State beef extension team strives to address all phases of beef production from "farm to fork".
