Backyard Poultry Backyard poultry can offer families the opportunity to raise their own meat and eggs. There are basics for purchasing and raising new chicks that will make up your backyard flock.

Cow-Calf Checklist for April 2023 Cowherd management Evaluate Body Condition Score (BCS) and adjust nutrition for spring-calving females going into breeding. Ensure thin (BCS less than 4.0) females are on an increasing plane of nutrition. Females in a BCS greater than 6.0 should not be losing condition. Record cow BCS and use it as a guide for future management. Start lactation rations after the first calving cycle. Pregnancy check fall calving cows and make culling decisions. How were pregnancy rates relative to last year? Do we need to re-think the fall/ winter nutrition program? Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming spring and summer. Measure your cows’ intake and adjust it as needed. If using fly control products, start them at recommended times for your area. Properly store bagged mineral and avoid damaging bags and pallets. The risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements, particularly for cows grazing the following: wheat, rye, triticale, oats, brome grass, and other cool-season forages. Use the estrus synchronization planner from KSUBeef.org to help plan synchronization protocols. Schedule breeding soundness examinations on bulls well prior to turnout. Allow yourself plenty of time to find a replacement bull if needed.

Establishing a Wildflower Area Native grasses and many native wildflowers do well within a wide pH range. Any pH between 5.5 and 8 should work.

Leaching Houseplants Everyone knows that someone stranded in the ocean should not drink the water. This is because the salt content of that water will make a bad situation worse. However, many people don’t realize this principle can harm plants.

It’s farm bill time again. The discussions are beginning to happen and starting to heat up. Over the past couple of months, the talks have switched from continuing on with a farm bill with similar policies as the 2018 version or options that are dramatically different. What will happen is really anyone’s guess, and that is both a challenge and an opportunity for Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture in general.

Start Trees off Right Research from K-State’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center has quantified the effect of controlling grasses around newly planted trees.

For many producers, calving season is already underway. Here are a few tips from K-State Research and Extension Beef Veterinarian, A.J.

ARC/PLC Decisions for 2023 Farmers are now entering the last election decision of the 2018 Farm Bill before a new farm bill is developed by September 2023, or an extension of the current farm bill is passed. The decision between Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) needs to be made by March 15, 2023, and will be for the crop harvested in 2023, with payment being made (if any) in October of 2024.

Design Your Landscape The dark, cold days of winter are a good time to dream and plan for the upcoming growing season. Have you always wanted to landscape your home but didn’t know where to start? K-State Research and Extension offers a number of publications available to help you accomplish your dream.

Beef Cattle Management Considerations for Feb. 2023 Cowherd management— Target Body Condition Score (BCS) at calving for spring calving cows: 5 for mature cows and 6 for young females. Be ready to start your post calving nutrition program for spring-calving cows. Evaluate fall calving cows for BCS: adjust nutrition program as needed relative to weaning date. If conditions allow, keep grazing crop residues and dormant pastures but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed. Increase energy content 1% for every degree F below the lower critical temperature (LCT). Put down bedding, remove snow, and ensure cattle have access to wind protection. Supply adequate water volume and space in freezing conditions.