Extension News & Insight

Looking at my large paper calendar prominently on display in the mudroom, I know January has 31 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.

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.

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.

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.

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,...