Looking at my large paper calendar prominently on display in the mudroom, I know January has 31 days. However, after wickedly cold temperatures, a hefty dose of snow and an equally hefty dose of strong winds that drifted shut roads and kept our kids from going to school for many days this month, I’m convinced the January on my calendar is missing some days.

A blast of bitterness and cold Greg Doering, Kansas Farm Bureau Despite living my entire life in Kansas, I’ve never fully acclimated to the blasts of polar weather we occasionally receive. I’m fully prepared for cabin fever to set in these next few days as another round of bone-chilling cold sweeps across the landscape.

Monitor Livestock Conditions using the Animal Comfort Tool The winter of 2023-2024 has been mild thus far, but much colder conditions are impacting the area. These much colder conditions will likely negatively impact cattle, particularly calves.

On a cold and soggy Saturday and not feeling 100 percent, I decided to spend the day cocooned in my pajamas, snugging with my KitCat on the couch. My restful day was interrupted when Marc called to inform me my “cowgirl” services were needed.

Beef Cattle Management Considerations for January Cow Herd Management— Body condition score (BCS) for both spring and fall calving cows. Target BCS for spring calving cows at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females. Adjust the nutrition program before calving as needed. Ensure fall-calving cows maintain BCS through winter if still nursing calves. Continue grazing crop residues and dormant pastures as available, but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed as conditions dictate. Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects on cow nutrient requirements by providing additional feed. Review nutrition program and test harvested forages for the following: moisture/ dry matter, crude protein, energy (NEm, NEg, and/or TDN), fiber components (ADF, NDF), macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and salt), nitrates when appropriate and starch for silage crops. Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls are BCS of at least five before the next season of use and have adequate winter protection.

For most of us, Christmas Day is a pause in our regular routine, whether it’s as brief as the day or stretched over the course of several to travel and visit. The incessant barrage of emails will fall in direct proportion to the number of out of office messages set.

Basic Care of Houseplants Most of the plants we use for houseplants come from the tropical rainforest. What we’re trying to find are houseplants that, when they’re in their native environment, are growing in a level of light that’s equal to what we have in our homes.

The first significant snow arrived well before winter this year. Thankfully, it fell over Thanksgiving weekend, which meant I could savor the landscape’s transition to white from the comfort of my living room. This was fortunate because I hadn’t yet taken the proper precautions for cold, snowy weather.

Disease Concerns with New Herd Introductions Most Kansas producers have been impacted in one way or another by the drought over the past few years. With El Nino on its way, many producers are weighing the ins and outs of restocking as forage conditions allow. Anytime new additions are brought in from an outside source, disease introduction/ potential control should be a vital part of any rebuilding plan.

Beef Cattle Management Considerations for December Cow Herd Management— If not already done, take inventory of and test harvested forages for the following: moisture/ dry matter, crude protein, energy (NEm, NEg, and/or TDN), fiber components (ADF and NDF), macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and salt), nitrates and/or prussic acid, when appropriate starch for silage crops. Calculate forage needs based on herd inventory, cattle weight, and days, and develop a plan to ensure adequate harvested forage is available if grazing is limited. (https://www. agmanager.info/hay-inventory- calculator.) Body condition score cows to develop informed supplementation strategies (spring and fall-calving herds.) Targeted BCS at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females (2, 3, & 4 year olds). Record scores with the BCS Record Book from K-State Research and Extension. (https:// bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/ Item.aspx?catId=562&pubId= 19320) Consider utilizing crop residues for late-fall and winter grazing needs. Assess down grain in the field and be aware of nitrates and prussic acid (around the time of frost for sorghums.) For spring-calving cow herds: Schedule pregnancy checking if it is not already done. How were pregnancy rates relative to last year? Do we need to rethink the fall/winter nutrition program? For fall-calving cow herds, plan to adjust your nutrition program to match the needs of lactating cows. Use the estrus synchronization planner (https:// www.iowabeefcenter.org/ estrussynch.html) to help plan synchronization protocols. Review your marketing strategy for culling cows. Cows with a BCS greater than 6.0 will likely sell well with current market prices. Look for opportunities to increase value by adding weight before market. Ensure bulls undergo breeding soundness exams before fall/ winter service. Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls have a BCS greater than 5.0 prior to the next season of use.