MANHATTAN, Kan. – Strategies to mitigate environmental factors impacting reproduction is the theme of the 2019 Kansas State University Winter Ranch Management Seminar Series. Hosted at four sites across the state of Kansas, the meetings will feature presentations and comments by extension educators on profit-enhancing strategies.

The meetings will also feature a popular ‘town-hall’ style, question-and-answer session between Kansas cattle producers and extension specialists. The series has a history of being a successful stretch of meetings, which are hosted throughout the state of Kansas, said Bob Weaber, K-State Research and Extension cow-calf specialist. Weaber, along with other state, district and local extension staff, will take part in the series to help answer producers’ questions. The specialists will answer a wide range of questions on beef cattle issues including animal health, nutrition, management, genetics and reproduction.

“The previous year’s variable weather across Kansas presented many challenges for farmers and ranchers. Our extension team continues to field questions from beef producers related to environmental effects and their impact on cow-herd reproduction,” Weaber said. “The Winter Ranch Management series provides another great opportunity for state and local specialists to take our expertise out in the country for a series of impactful face-to-face meetings. Our extension team has a breadth of experience in beef cattle management, reproduction, genetics, animal health and nutrition. We’re here to help solve and prevent production problems with reliable information.”

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Topics to be discussed are environmental factors affecting conception rates and forage quality and availability impacts on beef cow nutrition during late gestation and pre-breeding.

“Early in the year is a great time for producers to think and plan for the coming year.” he said. “Many producers have a number of experiences in 2018 to reflect upon. As producers approach the calving season it is a good time of year to consider opportunities to improve management to reduce costs and enhance revenue streams.”

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2019 Winter Ranch Management locations and contacts include:

Minneapolis

Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2019; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Minneapolis Grade School (North Gymnasium Entrance)

312 Delia Ave

Minneapolis, KS 67467

RSVP by January 29, 2019 to:

Cade Rensink, Central Kansas District

785-392-2147; crensink@ksu.edu

Barrett Simon, Post Rock Extension District

785-378-3174; barrett8@ksu.edu

Brett Melton, River Valley District

785-243-8185; bmelton@ksu.edu

Clint Laflin, Midway Extension District

785-483-3157; cllaflin@ksu.edu

Jetmore

Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2019; Noon – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Hodgeman County 4-H Building

1005 Atkin

Jetmore, KS 67854

RSVP by February 12, 2019 to:

DeWayne Craghead, Hodgeman Co. Extension

620-357-8321;dcraghea@ksu.edu

Rush Center

Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2019; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Township Hall,

220 Union Street

Rush Center, KS

RSVP by February 12, 2019 to:

Alicia Boor, Great Bend Office, Cottonwood Extension District

620-793-1910; aboor@ksu.edu

Jared Petersilie, LaCrosse Office, Walnut Creek Extension District

785-222-2710; jaredp11@ksu.edu

McPherson

Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2018; 12:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Location: McPherson County Extension Office

600 W. Woodside

McPherson, KS 67640

RSVP by February 19, 2018 to:

Terra Regehr, McPherson Co. Extension Office Professional

620-241-1523; tregehr@ksu.edu

For more information:

Shad Marston, McPherson Co. Extension Agriculture Agent

620-241-1523;smarston@ksu.edu

Meeting times and registration fees vary by location, but all will include a meal. Participants are asked to RSVP for a selected location by the close of business one week prior to the event. Interested participants should contact their local host contact for registration and RSVP details.

More information about the K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar Series is available at KSUBeef.org.