Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews
May 12, 2021 | 6:24 AM
Extension beef cattle specialists from South Dakota State University (SDSU), North Dakota State University (NDSU), Montana State University and the University of Wyoming are now accepting registrations for the educational series, Mineral Nutrition for the Beef Cow Herd.
The webinar sessions will be held June 8, 10, 15, 17 and 22 from 6:30–8pm MT (7:30–9pm CST). Additional webinars will be held in the fall, with dates to be announced.
Started in South Dakota in 2017 and extended to North Dakota in 2018, the program was spurred by an increased interest in grazing mineral nutrition.
“I am excited about the opportunity to expand this program into Montana and Wyoming to reach a larger number of beef cattle producers and help them make positive changes to their mineral program, health of their cattle and the profitability of their operations,” says Adele Harty, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. “This program has evolve
Bloat in ruminant livestock ranges from mild cases of animal discomfort to a life-threatening situation. Bloat occurs when gases are trapped in the rumen of livestock.
Normally, these gases produced by gut microbes escape from the rumen by traveling up the esophagus during the processes of cud chewing and belching. In a recent Forage Focus video, Dr. Steve Boyles, OSU Beef Extension Specialist, and Christine Gelley, OSU Extension Educator in Noble County, discussed the causes, symptoms and treatment of bloat.
This video can be found on the OSU Beef Team website: beef.osu.edu.
Bloat is observed most often during the spring flush and in pastures with a high legume content (over 50%), especially forage species like clovers and alfalfa. The early flush of grass also can lead to bloat. This type of bloat is often called “frothy bloat” as the gases are trapped in many small bubbles mixed with rumen fluids and partially digested forage material.
The Economic Development Corporation Michigan City seeks to solve the food desert problem in parts of Michigan City where fresh, healthy food isn t easily accessible to residents.
The economic development agency is partnering with the Purdue Extension to do a study that will collect data and gather community input to come up with evidence-based solutions to improve access to good nutrition, such as by bringing in co-ops or grocery stores to deprived neighborhoods.
âWe are grateful for our partners on this project, which is necessary to identify solutions that will best address the food access issue. Horizon, Centier and Franciscan Alliance are all helping support this study,â EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse said. âThe study will utilize community meetings, surveys and data breakdowns to really dig deep to identify issues and possible solutions for bringing food to the table of those most in need.â
By M. Luginbuhl, Extension Specialist in Goats and Forage Systems, North Carolina State UniversityAs winter feed supplies run low and with producers eager to turn livestock out to pasture this spring, do yourself and your stock a favor by scouting for poisonous plants in your pasture this spring.Factors contributing to plant poisoning are starvation, accidental eating, and browsing habits of animals. Starvation is the most common reason.