KSUBeef.org: Your resource for beef information
Kansas Mesonet launches Cattle Comfort Index
The harsh conditions in Kansas this past winter have prompted one of the state's leading weather agencies to develop a tool that will help cattle producers in the future.
Officials with the Kansas Mesonet, a Kansas State University-based network of weather monitoring stations across the state, has announced the release of the Cattle Comfort Index, a tool that they say will help cattle producers better monitor the needs of their herds during normal and extreme weather conditions.
The tool is available at mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal.
No hemp or hemp-derived products currently approved for use in pet food, animal feed
Industrial hemp is the new buzzword in Kansas agriculture, but the message is clear: No hemp or hemp-derived products, including CBD oil, are currently approved for use in animal feed, including pet food.
That was the word from Kansas Department of Agriculture officials during a May 23 webinar with K-State Research and Extension agents and specialists.
Kansas State University's Animal Sciences and Industry Department hosted Cattlemen's Day 2019 on Friday, March 1 at Weber Hall in Manhattan. Dr. Brad Morgan, Performance Food Group senior director of protein, kicked off the event by discussing the potential for plant-sourced "meat" and laboratory-produced "meat" to take market share from the meat industry.
Ranching Summit
The KSU Beef Team hosted the 2018 K-State Ranching Summit, Aug. 15 at the Alumni Center in Manhattan, KS. The theme of the program was Beef 2030 – Pursuing technology, transparency and profitability. Watch playlist of presentations here:
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>> Ranching Summit 2018 Proceedings
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.
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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".
