May 22, 2023

 

US beef specialists to conduct webinars in Kansas during late-May, early-June

 

 

 

Kansas State University beef extension specialists plan to host a series of four producer-oriented webinars in late-May and early-June to address production challenges amid ongoing drought throughout Kansas, the United States.

 

The webinars are scheduled on May 24, May 31, June 7 and June 14.

 

The topics addressed are as follow:

 

    - "Using Basis and Margin Tools for Making Real World Ranch Management Decisions During Drought" by Brett Crosby, Custom Ag Solutions, May 24;

 

    - "Use of KSU’s Beef Replacement Decision Aide in Assessing Herd Expansion and Contraction" by Glynn Tonsor, K-State Department of Agricultural Economics, May 31;

 

    - "Strategies for Feeding Cows with Limited Forages" by Jason Warner, cow calf specialist at K-State Extension, June 7;

 

    - "Feeding and Managing Early Weaned Calves" by Justin Waggoner, beef systems specialist at K-State beef systems, June 14.

 

As of May 11, all but 11 counties in Kansas are abnormally dry or classified in some degree of drought. Many counties have experienced persistent severe drought since late 2021. Not only have producers dealt with forage shortages, high forage and feed ingredient costs, and toxic forages, but water quality and availability is also an issue for some.

 

While many producers have responded by liquidating, questions remain on how to best manage cattle going forward in difficult environments.

 

The goal of the webinars is therefore to provide information that will aid producers in making informed decisions to manage the near-term challenges and enable them to be well positioned when conditions improve.  

 

- The Fence Post