Kansas State

While U.S. beef cattle numbers remain at lows not seen in over 50 years, the industry has not seemed to shift into full-blown expansion mode yet. This year the USDA canceled its usual July cattle inventory report due to budget cuts, so the department will not provide an official update on national cattle numbers until the next Jan. 1 inventory report.

Cattle expansion has not started

You harvest 40 acres of an 80-acre cornfield in mid-September to take advantage of a premium for early delivery. But since the corn is at 27% moisture, you wait to harvest the second 40 acres until the first week of November. The entire field was planted to one hybrid and treated the same. Will corn yield the same in November as in September?

Does corn yield really drop as you harvest later?

While a cow grazing in a field isn’t typically remarkable, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have identified potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across U.S. western rangelands. As recently published in the scientific journal Ecosphere, the collaborative research effort among Agricultural Research Service (ARS)...

Strategic livestock grazing can benefit sagebrush

Wisconsin State

Hay and haylage crops are under plastic or in storage. For many forage growers across the U.S., the quality has been less than stellar due to growing conditions and challenges with maintaining a high-quality forage cutting schedule. Coupled with uncertainty on the horizon in the 2024 corn silage crop, it makes sense to think outside the box and consider stretching out your higher quality feed inventory.

Manage silage proactively this year

Farmers know that organic practices can bring a greater price in the marketplace. But how does organic farming affect their soil? U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service researchers are helping to answer that question, by using large longitudinal data sets to tease apart the complex issues involved in decisions about how to farm.

Dig for answers on soil

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Herbie J Pilato

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announces changes to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs, effective Sept. 25, 2024 — changes that are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, demonstrate USDA’s commitment to improving farm profitability through farm loans designed to provide important financing options used by producers to cover operating expenses and purchase land and equipment.

Changes coming to USDA’s FSA Farm Loan Programs

Imagine this: You get a call today from your video sale rep, and they say, “We can offer you $275.93 per hundredweight (steers and heifers) for your 2025 calf crop.”. Back of the napkin math gets you to about $1,650 an animal, regardless of steer or heifer. That’s not too shabby, you might think. And the next thought that comes to your mind is the question back to your rep, “Well, what’s the catch?”

Calf prices today for summer 2025

The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Colorado State

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

New Jersey State

Morristown Minute

A new initiative aims to provide housing for vulnerable Medicaid members, enhancing community wellness and support. MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - In a significant move to tackle housing instability among Medicaid recipients, New Jersey's Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, along with Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, today announced the availability of $95 million in funding for developers. This initiative, part of the Healthy Homes program, is designed to create affordable housing opportunities for NJ FamilyCare members who are either homeless, at risk of homelessness, or currently living in institutional settings.

$95 Million for Healthy Homes: Housing for Medicaid Members

A-Z-Animals

These erratic fliers hold special spiritual significance for many and those drawn in by them have learned to hold still with a handheld feeder to watch these gorgeous birds enjoy some nectar. When the sun sets, where do they go? Discover the three most common places hummingbirds go at night! What Are Hummingbirds? Hummingbirds are […]

Discover The 3 Most Common Places Hummingbirds Go at Night

Los Angeles County, CA

[Note: The quotes and commentary that appear in this article are from an interview the author conducted with David White in 1989.]. Actor David White, who died in 1991, found great success for his best-known and likable performance as the devious advertising executive Larry Tate on the classic TV sitcom,Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972).

'Bewitched' Actor David White Forever Mourned the Tragic Pan Am/Lockerbie Death of His Son

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Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Chloe, a 9 to 10-week-old puppy, is the last of her litter and is eagerly looking for a forever home. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently shared Chloe's story and her endearing qualities.

Meet Chloe: The 10-Week-Old Puppy Who Is The Last Of Her Litter Looking For Love

LOVING HUSBAND QUIT FARMING TO GROW A FLOWER GARDEN FOR HIS BLIND WIFE. The shibazakura is in full bloom in the garden of Toshiyuki Kuroki's house in Shintomi-cho, Miyazaki Prefecture. On many days, up to 7,000 people come to see the bright pink flowers. Twenty-five years ago, his wife, Yasuko,...

Husband spends years planting thousands of fragrant flowers for his blind wife

Lakeside, NE

There’s a really good chance for rain the end of the week, and we are pretty desperate for any amount. Pastures are looking sick. Even the swarms of grasshoppers are soon going to be dying off because of the lack of vegetation, which is something I’m not going to be very upset over.

Gorging on grasshoppers - help yourself!

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

NewsBreak

Got Hay? A guide to purchasing forage

According to the U.S Drought Monitor, approximately 20% of Kansas presently faces drought conditions, while 40% remains abnormally dry. Many issues arise from this lack of...

Got Hay? A guide to purchasing forage

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