Response of grassland forage to climate variability

The study will also see whether plants experiencing drought stress can adapt and use other water sources instead of the ones they are used to. That flexibility in accessing water in a time of stress could help to identify which forage crops are best for Montana’s increasingly variable climate and precipitation patterns. If a particular plant is less adaptable, it may not be a good option for producers.

Felton plans for this initial NIFA funding to establish a long-term research program at MSU involving graduate and undergraduate researchers, potentially leading to the creation of resources and recommendations for Montana producers who rely on forage crops to feed their livestock.

“The information this will produce could be of use to folks who are managing their systems within unpredictable and variable weather patterns,” he said. “Summers are expected to get drier, and if you know the types of vegetation that are most flexible and the types of water they use, you can select for using that vegetation when you’re grazing on forage.”

While the funding is new and Felton himself is a recent addition to MSU’s faculty –he arrived in fall 2022 – he can already see the potential for a far-reaching project to benefit students, scientists and agricultural producers around the state and region.

“The investment of the USDA in this grant will hopefully return dividends not only in the research but also in the training of new young scientists,” he said. “What I really like about the project is that it’s very integrative. It combines field, lab and remote sensing approaches. It’s facilitating these collaborations across the western U.S. and it’ll help me build my lab here at MSU. I’m really excited about the idea, and I think it will help facilitate a lot of wider success.”

National Thrift Shop Day

This holiday is always observed on August 17

Do you consider yourself a thrifty person? Are you looking for a great deal? National Thrift Shop Day is a day for a real bargain. On this August 17 holiday, fight inflation and the high cost of living by shopping at discount stores, flea markets, and other thrift shops.

A “Thrift Shop” is an old term for stores that sell items deeply discounted merchandise. Typically, thrift shops are often outlets of charitable organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Vietnam Vets. These organizations accept donations of gently used clothing and household items. After checking them over, many donated items make their way to the organization’s thrift store. The proceeds from the sale of these goods are used for charitable purposes.

Also, there are for-profit thrift shops. Examples include flea markets, farmer’s markets, outlet shops, and discount department stores. Some of these businesses sell new items at discounted prices. And others sell used goods. It’s not always the highest quality, but the price is right.

Watch for sales and specials today at Thrift shops in celebration of National Thrift Shop Day. If you are a store owner, hold a sale around this special day, and watch your August sales sizzle!

How to avoid getting hired

Your resume is a carefully crafted sales pitch about how indispensable you’ll be to prospective employers, that’s what it’s supposed to be anyway. This list is of real-life resume bloopers:

“I’ll demand a salary commiserate with my extensive experience.”

“I’ll have lurnt word Perfect 6.0, computor and spreadsheat progroms.”

“Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.”

“Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.”

“Wholly responsible for two failed financial institutions.”

“Let’s meet, so you can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over my experience.”

“You will want me to be Head Honcho in no time.”

“Marital status: single. Unmarried. Unengaged. Uninvolved. No commitments.”

“Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 every morning. Could not work under those conditions.”

“Note: Please don’t misconstrue my 14 jobs as ‘jobhopping.’ I have never quit a job.”

“I am loyal to my employer at all costs….Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.”

“I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant.”

“As indicated, I have over five years of analyzing investments.”

“Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.”

“Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”

“The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.”

“Finished eighth in my class of ten.”

“It’s best for employers that I not work with people.”

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Bulbs

When buying bulbs, always select carefully. Good bulbs are plump, firm, and free from blemishes. They should also be a good size (for the type); if they are too small, they may not flower the first year.

Bulbs should be planted in clusters. They look good under a tree, in a tub or in window boxes.

If planting bulbs in grass, remember to choose low-growing varieties. To achieve a random look, scatter the bulbs onto the lawn and plant where they fall. Remember, bulbs planted in lawns make mowing more difficult.

Bulbs not planted deep enough do not thrive well. As a general rule, they should be planted at three times the depth of the bulb. If the bulb measures 2” from top to bottom, they should be planted 6” deep.

If you need to remove the bulbs to make way for other planting, carefully lift out the blubs and replant them in a corner of your garden with wire netting beneath them. Lift and replant in autumn.

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When the flowers are finished, the dead flower heads should be cut off before they turn to seed to prevent the plant being weakened for the next year. Leave the stems to turn brown and die off naturally. This will allow nourishment to be returned to the bulb for next year’s flowers. Don’t trim the leaves off or tie them down.

Daffodil bulbs should be in before the end of October. Small varieties developed from wild daffodils should be planted in holes 3” deep, other varieties at 6” deep.

Tulips can be planted from October until the end of November in holes about 4” deep.

Don’t plant tulips in the same spot two consecutive years. Never plant tulips and lilies together, as they suffer from the same diseases.

After tulips flower pull away leaves as soon as they are yellow and withered to

Single or Double Rollers

prevent disease entering the bulbs. Apply a liquid fertilizer to build the bulbs up so they’ll be ready for next season. Feed once a week for a month.

Snowdrops can be planted as bulbs before the end of September in holes 3”-4” deep. If possible, plant them immediately after flowering while still in leaf.

To give bulbs a boost, apply a light feed of a general fertilizer once they have flowered and the leaves have started to die down.

Crocuses should be planted before the end of September at about 2”-3” deep.

When planting blubs indoors for Christmas flowerings, buy “prepared” bulbs as these have been treated to speed up their development. The middle of September is generally considered to be the best time for planting to ensure flowers for Christmas. Put some well-soaked bulb fiber or potting compost into a pot, leaving enough space to allow the bulbs to be placed inside with the tips just below the rim of the container. They should be placed close together but not touching. Cover with bulb fiber or compost and water well. The container should then be placed in a cool spot–in a shed, or bury it in a shady corner of the garden. Darkness is not necessary but coolness is. Do not put it in a black plastic sack as this encourages mold.

After ten to twelve weeks, young green shoots should appear (these will be paler if the pot has been kept in the dark). When the shoots have reached about 2” in height, bring the pot into a cool room and they should flower in time for Christmas.

Plant bulbs in the garden in a buried flowerpot. This can then be easily lifted when bulbs have finished flowering. When storing bulbs over the winter make sure to separate them into different colors and label the boxes to make it easier for planting arrangments in the spring.

Water quality

By Ben Beckman, UNL

When cattle are on pasture, both forage and water quality are important for healthy animals. Surface water is particularly prone to quality issues, such as blue-green algae, salinity, mineral concentrations, or nitrate.

Several factors can cause livestock water to be less than ideal for quality, which can impact animal productivity and health. While not common in Nebraska, salinity or minerals can cause animals to limit or refuse consumption in some locations. In some circumstances concentrations can become high enough to be toxic. Dissolved salt and mineral concentrations increase with dry conditions as water evaporates.

Tandem rollers

Fisher and Senior 4-H Sheep Lead contestants were (from left to right) Sydni Ringenberg, Lexington; Wesley Thompson, Lexington; Leah Sauer, Lexington; Greta Rickertsen, Lexington; Maya Soria, Kearney; Joslynn Lans, Lexington; and Lorelai Rickertsen, Lexington. The lambs used for the contest were owned by 4-H’ers Samual Winter, Cozad; Taylor Kramer, Elm Creek; Cadey Wolf, Cozad; Trina Pearson, Brady; and the Walahoski family, Overton. Extension Photo.

Another issue more common in Nebraska surface water is high nitrates. While elevated nitrates from groundwater sources feeding a pond may be a cause, more common is runoff from other sources of nitrate contamination. Cattle can deal with nitrate levels in water that are unsafe for human consumption, but the real danger comes from elevated nitrate levels in water coupled with feed sources that are also high in nitrates. The compounding effect can push a borderline ration into toxic levels or accelerate nitrate toxicity that is already occurring.

Blue-green algae is a very common occurrence in still water during the summer months. If the conditions are right, a bloom of growth can occur quickly, contaminating the water. Consumption can kill livestock within 24 hours. Algae blooms have traditionally been treated with copper sulfate following proper instructions for rates and exclusions. However, when booms become more frequent, repeated copper treatments can cause a buildup of the element in the environment and animal management becomes our preferred response.

Assuring water is good quality will go a long way toward making summer grazing better and healthier cattle.

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Meat goat production

Goat meat is consumed widely throughout the world, especially in developing countries. However, it is not usually sold in traditional marketplaces in the United States. Sheep and goat meat is the fourth most consumed meat, following pork, poultry, and beef. Meat goat production, like any other animal production enterprise, requires that good husbandry practices be followed in the areas of sanitation, health, feed, water, and shelter. These are all integral parts of managing a successful goat enterprise.

In the United States, goat production increased by about one-third in the past decade because of their economic value as efficient converters of low-quality forages into quality meat, milk, and hides for specialty markets. There are several reasons for the growing popularity of goats in this country. A big factor is the larger number of ethnic groups that have settled in this country and have a preference for goat meat, milk, and cheese products. Another factor is the determination of many Americans to be self-sufficient. Where resources are limited, a small herd of goats may be the only livestock that a small, part-time farmer can raise to achieve self-sufficiency. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) meat goats account for over 80 percent of the total of goats produced in the United States. Pennsylvania produces more than 40,000 meat goats annually.

Markets for Goat Meat

Goat meat is unique in flavor and palatability. It is leaner than many other red meats and usually less tender. However, its leanness has a place in today’s market for meats with less fat. Cabrito stands for roasted meat from goat kids 4-8 weeks of age. Its main use is for barbecue meat, and it is highly sought after by certain ethnic groups. Chevon is meat from goat kids 48-60 pounds or 6-9 months old. Of these two types, cabrito is the most tender. The higher collagen content and lower solubility of goat meat, compared with lower levels of the same features in lamb, reduce the overall palatability and tenderness of goat meat. Breeding and slaughtering techniques appear to be key in improving the tenderness factor of goat meat.

Marketing options include direct marketing off the farm, supplying goat meat for specialty markets (particularly holiday sales to various ethnic groups), or producing kids for commercial marketing firms. Success is often a reflection of how well a producer tends to all aspects of breeding, health, management, and marketing. All these factors have their respective roles in producing and marketing a quality product.

Along with direct marketing to ethnic groups, there are two other potential niche markets for goat meat: targeted markets serving health-conscious consumers wanting lowfat diets and the restaurant trade serving ethnic or gourmet foods featuring goat meat.

These markets are largely untapped and may provide real opportunities, especially for producers within close proximity to the market.

Goat Production Characteristics

Goats are intensely curious and will investigate anything that sparks their interest. Coupled with curiosity, their jumping and climbing ability can present some real management challenges. Goats can climb through a new “goat-tight” fence, pull the wash off the line, nip the rosebuds, or bounce onto a parked vehicle.

Female goats are called does or sometimes doelings if they are less than a year old. Males are called bucks or bucklings. Young goats are called kids. Bucks tend to be aggressive and emit strong urine-like odors, which is most offensive during the breeding season from September to early January. Does do not secrete strong odors from their scent glands. Goats adapt well to hot environments because of their small size and higher ratio of body surface area to body weight. Also, their ability to conserve body water, their limited subcutaneous fat cover, and their hairy coats are good survival traits under a wide variety of climatic conditions.

The foraging preferences of goats encompass a wider spectrum of plants than those of other small ruminants. Goats are inclined to forage or browse from the top of a plant downward, making them an effective control for many undesirable plants and shrubs. Goats are called “nonselective browsers” because of their desire to choose from a large variety of vegetative types. This grazing behavior enables them to survive harsher climates and more marginal grazing conditions than either sheep or cattle.

Goat Breeds

More than sixty recognized or “official” breeds of goats exist in the world. These multipurpose breeds produce milk, meat, fiber, and skins. In the United States there are three

Meat goat production

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C2 primary types: the Angora or Mohair breed of approximately 185,000 head, and the meat and dairy breeds estimated at over 2.9 million head.

In many small-herd dairy goat enterprises, not all does must be milked, so meat is often the main product. Along with meat, the sale of breeding stock from small herds of dairy goats may be an important income source. This versatility allows the producer to plan and operate a more stable economic production unit. In some parts of the world, all breeds may be raised for fiber, meat, and milk and cheese production. Kids of all breeds can be used for meat. However, meat goat carcasses are generally leaner and more muscular than dairy goat carcasses.

Angora goats originated in central Turkey, a mountainous area with a dry climate and extreme temperatures. Both sexes are horned and open faced, with long locks of hair over the rest of the body. Mature bucks weigh from 125 to 175 pounds and mature does 80 to 90 pounds. Angora goat hair is called mohair. The fiber quality of mohair from goats raised under more rainy or high-humidity conditions usually does not match that of mohair produced in more arid regions.

Spanish meat goats are larger than Angora, have less hair, and come in a variety of colors. They are very hardy and require a minimum of management and labor. Their unique feature is their reproductive physiology. Unlike dairy goats, which breed only in the fall to winter months, Spanish goats are polyestrous (they can breed throughout the year). This allows for year-round kidding and yearling meat production.

Another meat breed, the Boer, was introduced from South Africa. Boer goats are also polyestrous. Under good management, many does are known to rebreed while still nursing. Boer goats are highly versatile in their ability to adapt to various climates and production systems.

The Kiko breed of goats originated in New Zealand and the breed was selected for survivability and growth rate; consequently, there is no common coat color or pattern. Kiko goats consistently produce a lean, well-muscled goat of large frame and exceptional survivability under a wide range of climatic conditions.

Breeding

and Selection

Important considerations in a selective breeding program are multiple births, twice-a-year kidding, rapid growth, good conformation (sound feet, legs, and mouth), and attention to color standards for certain breeds. Because income is derived primarily from the sale of kids, multiple births should be a high priority in the selective breeding program. Give preference to early born kids for replacements, and select doe kids from does that kid twice each year.

Good reproductive performance can be an indicator of a breed’s compatibility with the environment. Meat goats have a reputation for high fertility, averaging 98 percent of does bred under good management and nutrition. Given proper care, the does should be capable of maintaining a birth rate of 1.9-2.3 kids per doe.

Although meat goats are polyestrous, peak sexual activity occurs during the autumn months. The apparent decline in male libido during late spring and summer can lower reproductive rates during these times. To improve herd management, bucks should not be allowed to run with the does throughout the year. A planned breeding season also allows you to better manage does during pregnancy. Kids will also be more uniform in size at weaning, which is preferable for marketing as well as raising doelings as replacements. A continuous breeding season is discouraged because it subjects underdeveloped replacement doe kids to the buck. These factors can have a negative influence on overall profitability. A well-planned breeding program is highly recommended for any producer interested in expanding to a sizable commercial operation of greater than fifty head of breeding-age does. Focus your breeding schedule to take advantage of the best marketing opportunities for your area.

The gestation period for does varies from 148 to 152 days. If does are bred two times per year, kids should be weaned at 2-3 months of age. The weaning period is a good time to accustom future replacement stock to a supplement feed should the need arise to provide a limited amount of a concentrate feed. These replacement doe kids can return to the breeding flock when they reach desirable size (two-thirds their mature weight) or are one year old.

Fencing and Facilities

Goats require tight fencing. Electric netting fence can provide a temporary enclosure, but goats will eat through such a fence if it is used as a confinement structure and not continuously electrified. Woven wire fencing may be used, but the goat’s horns may become entangled in the fencing

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