Ag News and Views: April 2014
Download Issue (PDF)
Cattle sorting skills facilitate management
Sorting cattle is one of the real arts of animal husbandry. Sorting can be done for many reasons and by many methods.
Economic calculations determine acceptable cow price
Since recent droughts have caused a lack of available forage in many areas, the incentive to retain heifers and purchase cows has been very low. Cattle inventory has declined to levels not seen since the 1930s and 1940s, and the value of heifer calves has risen to all-time record highs.
Helpful tips reduce risk of pesticide drift
As long as pesticides have been used, off-target spray drift has been a potential problem. As we move into the busiest time of year for pesticide applications, it is a good time for a brief review of the primary types of pesticide drift and some tips on how to minimize them.
Key steps facilitate formation of associations
With the increased publicity regarding controlled burning and wildlife management associations, some people have expressed interest in forming an association but do not quite know where or how to begin.
Keys to Establishing Summer Forages
The window of opportunity to plant summer annual forages is at hand while it is closing for most perennial warm-season forages. It is usually recommended that perennials be planted by mid-May.
Water resources serve agriculture, energy, society
Ben Franklin wrote, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." Unfortunately, the "well" is running dry in many parts of the world. Rivers are running dry prior to reaching the seas because we are over-allocating and overusing them.