K-State agronomist says farmers could sustain higher yields and maintain profitability

A Kansas State University agronomy professor is part of an international team that is calling for a new approach to estimate crop yield potential and gaps – information that is critical in planning how to meet the world’s growing demand for food.

Romulo Lollato said the research will challenge conventional ways of predicting yields for many farm crops, which could have implications regarding future policies related to agricultural commodities.

The study was published online April 8 in the journal Nature Food. The article is titled, ‘Statistical approaches are inadequate for accurate estimation of yield potential and gaps at regional level.’

“We defended a method that is ‘bottoms-up’ in that it considers the yield potential of current crop varieties, predominant local agricultural soils in each region of the country, cropping system and sequences that our growers currently have, and long-term local weather data,” Lollato said.

For context, Lollato said that wheat grown after wheat in Kansas has a higher yield potential compared to wheat that is double-cropped after soybeans.

“While this is one example that is clear to growers in the region, past projections of yield potential have surprisingly not accounted directly for differences such as this, or other differences that are accounted for in an approach that considers the local context,” Lollato said.

“At a local level, this is important because we demonstrated...........

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K-State beef cattle scientist explains shortening the calving window for beef cattle herds

Timing is the key to a successful calving season, but beef cattle producers often wonder how they can narrow the calving window, or the timeframe in which cows will be giving birth.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State beef cattle scientist Bob Larson said a wide calving window poses two main challenges for producers:

• Aligning calving with forage seasons, because forage must be adequate for the lactating cows.
• Calves born early in the season have higher weight and value, thus a tighter calving season can produce more of these calves.

Larson said producers’ goal should be reproductive efficiency and notes that it can be very difficult to move late calving cows to calve earlier in the season.

“I would probably focus on developing replacement heifers so that all of my replacement heifers calve early, and over time cull the late bred cows,” Larson said.

When determining the length of the calving window, Larson suggests capping it at 70 days.

“Herds can have high reproductive efficiency within 65-70 days, which is the goal,” he said. “By breeding heifers early, turning out fertile bulls and aligning with forage seasons over a couple of years, producers can narrow that window.”

“In general, give yourself four or five years to move from that long window to a shorter calving window.”

Larson and others also discussed......

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K-State beef cattle experts share tips on how to make sure the handling facilities meet the objectives of the operation

Many people will agree driving a manual transmission vehicle is much more challenging than driving an automatic, leading them to opt for the easier driving experience when making a vehicle purchase.

As with the driving experience, moving cattle through the on-farm processing facilities is best done with a well-maintained pen and chute system that allows for the easy flow of the animals, say the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute, joined recently by guest K-State beef cattle extension veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, the group recommended evaluating the current processing facilities before moving animals or making adjustments.

“Before processing, start with basic preventative maintenance, such as making sure the gear teeth are in order, that the movable points are well-oiled, and similar chores,” K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said. “Also, walk through the alleyways to make sure they are safe and are free of loose, sharp edges.”

He added: “By doing this, we can reduce the likelihood of injuries for the people and the cattle.”

Another tip is to make sure that the facilities are set up in a way that works best for the size of the cattle that are being handled.

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K-State beef cattle experts share management and decision-making recommendations regarding cows that did not rebreed post-calving

Managing a successful business often involves making a series of decisions with the end goal of providing a quality outcome at a profit.

In the beef cattle business, one of those decisions is what to do when a cow doesn’t rebreed and is considered open, said the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.

“Every cow needs to have a calf every year or it is a loss to the operation, but even with those losses it is possible to recoup some value to the operation,” K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said cows that don’t rebreed or that calve late often are sold because they no longer fit into the management program of the operation.

Yet, while they may no longer fit into the management program for one producer, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for a different operation, Larson added.

“I’ve known more risk-tolerant producers who buy open or late-bred cattle and add value to them through the way they manage those cows,” Larson said.

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Gaffield shares how adding soybean byproducts back into meal affects nursey pigs

Swine producers commonly use soybean meal as one of the largest protein sources in diets, so over the years, researchers have examined soybean meal quality thoroughly.

However, K-State assistant research professor in swine nutrition Katelyn Gaffield said her research team took a new approach to investigating soybean meal quality by evaluating novel factors like the impact of adding back soybean byproducts into meal when feeding pigs.

“I studied this during my doctoral research with the team, and these are – specifically – the byproducts from oil refineries; we can get soybean gums or soybean soapstocks,” she said. “We conducted a large industry survey, and with the help of the United Soybean Board, we sampled from 15 different processing plants to look at the variation.”

The most interesting findings from the survey were how large variation was in color and viscosity, according to Gaffield, noting this piqued her team’s interest.

“When we evaluated those samples of gums and soapstocks, we found large differences in the fat content, which was important when adding it back to diets and the moisture content.”

Even though Gaffield saw an increase in fat in the soybean meal when those byproducts got added back, she did not observe a change in crude protein levels.

“Essentially, those plants add those byproducts back until they either hit their limit or until they're worried about getting too low of a crude protein content in the soybean meal,” she said.

With the thought...........

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K-State horticulture expert explains mowing frequency and height

It is time to resume lawn maintenance as spring weather arrives and grass begins to grow more quickly.

Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini says proper maintenance is a proactive approach to reduce weed growth and other stresses to the lawn while minimizing costs and the environmental impact.

Mowing

The optimal mowing height for a home lawn depends on the type of grass, lawn use and time of year, Domenghini said.

“Mow at the high end of the recommended range for each species to improve drought resistance by encouraging deeper roots,” Domenghini said. “Only one-third of the grass leaf should be cut at a time.”

Removing more by lowering the mowing height results in physiological stress and possible heat or cold injury. If the lawn has become overgrown and needs more than one-third removed it will need to be done gradually with a few days between each mowing.

“Mowing frequency should be based on the growth rate of the lawn,” Domenghini said. She suggests not following a set schedule that may result in excessive clippings left on the grass.

“Proper timing of mowing means the grass clippings are shorter and can be returned to the lawn,” Domenghini said. “This contributes nitrogen back to the lawn.”

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K-State horticulture expert shares tips to set you up for success

If you’re planning to plant a tree in your yard this spring, there are some steps you can take to make sure your new landscape has its best chance of success.

Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini shares the following 10 rules for planting trees:

Select the right tree for the site.

To avoid serious problems, choose trees that are adapted to your location. Consider whether the tree produces nuisance fruit or if there are disease-resistant varieties available. For example, there are a number of crabapple varieties that are resistant to apple scab and rust diseases. Also consider the mature size of a tree to be sure you have enough room. Your local extension office and garden center can make tree recommendations for your region.

Keep the tree well watered and in a shady location until planting.

When moving the tree, lift it by the root ball or pot and not by the trunk.

Before planting, remove all wires, labels, cords or anything else tied to the plant.

If left on, they may eventually girdle the branch to which they are attached.

Dig a proper hole.

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K-State expert offers advice on protecting home lawn

Considering they spend most of their time underground, it may seem surprising the damage that moles do above ground.

As they forage for food, moles are known to make travel lanes that cause meandering paths of upheaved soil in home lawns and farmsteads. Moles do not feed on plant matter, but they can still cause damage by disturbing roots and uprooting small plants.

Some tunnels may be abandoned soon after they’re built, while others are used for a period of time.

Kansas State University wildlife expert Drew Ricketts said homeowners have come up with many remedies – chewing gum, noisemakers, broken glass, bleach, windmills and human hair among them – but none have provided consistent or reliable control.

“Poison baits also fail to work because moles feed on earthworms and grubs, not vegetable matter,” Ricketts said. “Even grub control products are ineffective because they do not control earthworms,” which are an important food source for moles.

Grim as it may sound, traps are the best control method for moles, according to Ricketts.

“There are three types of traps: harpoon, choker and scissor-jawed,” he said. “Each can be effective but may take some time to master.”

He offered the following advice:

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K-State entomologist provides tips for preventing tick diseases in humans and animals

‘Tis the season for warmer temperatures, getting outdoors and playing in green, grassy fields – all fun, but also conditions that favor a blood-sucking parasite that preys on humans, pets and livestock.

Due to the early warming weather, Kansas State University entomologist Cassandra Olds said ticks have already been found around Manhattan in mid-March.

Many tick bites are harmless, but some ticks can transmit pathogens causing diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Olds said that avoiding tick bites is the first level of defense.

“Be careful when you’re outdoors, especially when you’re in an area with long grass,” she said. “Ticks need to be protected from the elements, so they like to be in the grass and leaf litter, but then they come out looking for a meal.”

When in tall grassy areas, Olds suggests tucking pants into socks, and shirts into pants to limit tick access to your skin. You can even duct tape shirt sleeves to skin.

“You just really want to limit the entry points where a tick can get in,” she said. “Then, once you’re back indoors, take off your clothes, put them in the wash and do a full body check.”

If a tick is found on the body,..............

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Scratching could promote a secondary infection, Cloyd says

Warmer days may lead many to itch for spring and summer, but a Kansas State University entomologist cautions against a small mite that is likely to give you a less-pleasing seasonal itch.

Chiggers are active beginning in April, says K-State’s Raymond Cloyd, and are usually found in areas with unmanaged vegetation, as well as parks, golf courses, sports fields and other grassy areas. The larvae attach themselves to humans, pets and other animals.

“Chiggers do not suck blood,” Cloyd said. “Rather, chiggers burrow and feed on dissolved skin. The larvae inject a saliva that causes the skin tissue to dissolve, and that is what the chigger larvae feed on.”

According to Cloyd, the larvae are difficult to see with the human eye. Humans often notice the presence of chiggers by a reddish-rash and itchy skin.

Cloyd cautions humans to resist the urge to scratch.

“You want to avoid scratching too often because..........

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Hope to see you all next week!!

March

April 16: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Training for 4-H/FFA Youth.

April: 20: Happy Easter

April 24-26: MdC Extension Master Gardeners Plant Sale @ MiCo Fairgrounds - Bld #2

May 3: Battle at Bull Creek Spring Livestock Show @ MiCo Fairgrounds

May 4: Miami County Fair - 4-H/FFA Small Livestock Weigh & Tag-in

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact Katelyn Barthol two weeks prior to the start of the event at 913-294-4306 or kbarth25@ksu.edu.  Requests received after this date will be honored when it is feasible to do so. 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

 K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.