There are two excellent programs that will be held at the end of September that I wanted to highlight this week. Both programs will be in Manhattan, and I am planning on leaving early from Hoisington both mornings and coming back after the programs. If you are interested in attending either of the programs, contact me at 620-793-1910 to carpool. You will need to register ahead of the programs. For any questions, contact the Great Bend office before the registration deadlines.
Beef Stocker Field Day
Quality stocker production strategies, cattle pain management, livestock theft and a panel discussion on how silage fits in growing diets are among topics planned for the 2018 Kansas State University Beef Stocker Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 20.
“We are excited to host the 19th annual edition of the KSU Beef Stocker Field Day,” said Dale Blasi, K-State Animal Sciences and Industry professor and beef cattle extension specialist. “Like all the other events in the past, we bring the latest information on marketing, nutrition, health and technology for attendees to apply to their operation.”
Hosted at the K-State Beef Stocker Unit, 4330 Marlatt Avenue, Manhattan, the event starts with registration and coffee at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:15 a.m. A barbecue lunch is provided and the day ends with an evening social, the “Cutting Bull’s Lament 2018” at 5:30 p.m. featuring prairie oysters and Call Hall ice cream. Attendees will also have a chance to tour the new student housing at the Beef Stocker Unit and observe some of the new products from Moly Manufacturing Inc.
Topics for this year’s agenda include:
• The Role of Stocker Producer Expectations in Cattle Buying Decisions
• Producer Panel: Why Silage Fits in my Growing Diets
• An Update on Pain Management in Cattle
• Quality Stocker Production Considerations
• The Tech Revolution, Wall Street, Baseball and the Cattle Industry
• Rethinking BRD Diagnosis
• Livestock Theft in Kansas
• Treatment Failures that are not BRD Related
This year’s event is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Preregistration fee for the Beef Stocker Field Day is $25 if paid by Sept. 13. More information and online registration is available at KSUbeef.org. After Sept. 13, attendees must pay $35 at the event. For more information, contact Lois Schreiner, 785-532-1267 or lschrein@ksu.edu.
Stress Management
Stress levels continue to climb in agriculture: Several years of low commodity prices, slipping farmland values and potential trade disruptions take a toll not only on balance sheets but farmers’ wellbeing.
To help farmers, family members and others manage stress, K-State Research and Extension is hosting two one-day workshops in Dodge City and Manhattan.
North Dakota State University extension specialist Sean Brotherson will present “Managing Stress and Pursuing Wellness in Times of Tight Margins” on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Western State Bank Expo Center, 11333 U.S. 283, in Dodge City. Lunch will be provided.
The next day, Friday, Sept. 21, Brotherson will present the workshop in Manhattan at Kansas Farm Bureau, 2627 KFB Plaza. Lunch will be provided.
“You don’t have to be a farmer to benefit from this workshop,” said Debra Bolton, K-State human ecology extension specialist based in Garden City. “All are welcome, including farm family members, businesses, extension agents and anyone who wants to learn about managing stress.”
Each workshop day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $20, which covers meals and materials.
Online registration is available.
Alicia Boor is the agriculture and natural resources agent for Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.
