Preparing your Herd’s Ultimate Athlete

Bull prep is this weeks topic. As we turn the calendar year, producers are thinking about their bull battery and making decisions for the spring breeding season. We are joined by Marty New, SW Area Extension Livestock Specialist to talk about how we get bulls ready for the breeding season, cow to bull ratios, and bull rotation.

Postweaning Evaluation Programs for Beef Bulls ANSI-3002

Check out our Chapter on Bull Managmenet in the Oklahoma Beef Manual – This can be purchased from local OSU County Extension Office or you can order a Oklahoma Beef Manual here

Educator Spotlight: Marty New

This week, we have another episode highlighting one of the extension educators in the OSU Cooperative extension system. It was our honor to speak with Marty New, SW Area Extension Livestock Specialist. Marty is a Comanche County Native that has had a long history in OSU Extension as a county educator and now as an area specialist. His programming through 23 years of service has been extensive, offering ag and 4H programs to youth and producers across Oklahoma.

Christmas Tree Psychology

Nothing is more Christmas than the iconic Evergreen Christmas Trees. Trent digs into the family psychology of Christmas trees. Josh talks native trees and Dana digs into their history. Join us for this unique holiday episode!

P.S. Sorry about the audio quality on this one, COVID distancing isn’t ideal for pristine recording conditions.

Selection and Care of Christmas Trees

Is your wheat hungry?

This episode focuses on nitrogen application of wheat. Nitrogen done right! – right source, right place, right time, and right place.

Dana also announced the Heifer Development Program on the Weekly Ranchers Lunchtime webinar series. Register for the weekly webinar here

Does Wheat Pasture Work for Mature Cows?

This week your hosts discuss how to use wheat pasture for mature cows. Scenarios of full access to wheat and limit grazing are discussed along with the economics of this unique grazing option.

OSU Weekly Ranchers Lunchtime Series YouTube Video: Supplementing Cows on Wheat

Supplementing Beef Cows Factsheet: Using High Quality Pastures to Supplement Low Quality Forage

Thanksgiving Conundrum (Is Turkey Still King?)

In this episode Dana, Josh and Trent dive into the epic experience that is the feast of the year. We all know that turkey is the staple but Josh and Dana try to make a case against it. If you want to hear more about tradition, side dishes and the ever popular desserts then tune in! We are very thankful to our listeners and hope you have a safe, fun and happy Thanksgiving!

History of Wheat Pasture

The week, we invited Greg Highfill back to enlighten us on the history of wheat pasture grazing in Oklahoma. Greg started his career in the 1980’s when a great deal of wheat pasture research was first coming to light. In response, Greg developed many valuable programs over the years to help producers be more successful with this resource. Grazing, agronomy, and supplementation on wheat pasture is all discussed. Don’t miss the great dose of OK Ag History!

Grazing Crop Residues

This week we talk about the nutritional value of crop residues for cattle. These acres are valuable but have a limited “shelf-life”. Tune in to find out the basic on this alternative grazing option.

The Potential of Grazing Grain Sorghum Residue Following Harvest PSS-2607

Nitrate Toxicity in Livestock PSS-2903

Prussic Acid Poisoning PSS-2904

Late Planted Wheat

This week we lean on Josh to guide us through the territory of late planted wheat. Josh talks about the adjustments in management needed if you plan to plant now through the end of November. As usual, if we talk about drought it rains! Some of our perspectives in this podcast were made based on the fact that it had not rained yet. We hope the moisture, albeit in the form of ice for many, will allow you to have a successful finish to wheat planting.

Beef Cow Mineral Overview

This week your hosts talk about minerals for beef cows. We cover a variety of topics including mineral consumption, limiting mineral intake, mineral forms and feeders, and the four main minerals needed for beef cows.

Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition of Grazing Cattle E-861

Thoughts on Fall

This week Trent, Josh, and Dana dive into the season of Fall. Harvest, planting, pumpkins, cooking, and cooler weather are topics that drive the conversation this week.

Insights into CFAP

This week your hosts give a general overview of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Details for livestock and crops are covered with some insights into specialty livestock and sales commodities. Be sure to visit you local county FSA office for more information and for assistance signing up.

Check out the CFAP Website for more details

Farm to Market with Dr. Derrell Peel

This week we has the pleasure of visiting with Dr. Derrell Peel, OSU Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist. We of course discuss livestock markets but dive into many other facets of Dr. Peels career and life. His continued love of learning and fascination with global agriculture has lead him on trips all over the world. We also dive into one of his newest ventures, the Farm to Market Podcast.

Episode Resources:

Farm to Market Podcast with Dr. Derrell Peel and Charlie Amos

On mobile devices, you can find the Farm to Market Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcast, and Stitcher

Preconditioning & OQBN with Jeff Robe

This week our guest is Jeff Robe, Oklahoma Quality Beef Network Coordinator. We visit with Jeff generally about the benefits of weaning and preconditioning calves in addition to discussing the OQBN program and the upcoming fall sales season.

Episode Resources:

OQBN website – To enroll, producers can order tags and provide their information during that process. Look at the right handside of the the home page – big orange letters “Order Tags Online”. Avoid using internet explorer as the browser when ordering tags. Contact the OQBN office or a county extension office if you have difficulty ordering and we will be happy to help you out.

Hot Topics about Fall Wheat Fertility

This week Trent, Josh, and Dana address the very timely topic of fall wheat fertility. As the drills begin to run across Oklahoma, it is very timely to consider fertility aspects of wheat and other small grains. Are you growing wheat for forage or grain? Fertility will vary depending on your goals of the wheat crop.

Episode Resources:

SWAFL Services and Prices (L-241)

How to Get a Good Soil Sample (PSS-2207)

OSU Soil Test Interpretations (PSS-2225)

Fertilization Based on Sufficience, Build-up and Maintenance Concept (PSS-2266)

Forage and Pasture Fertility Guide (E-1021)

Soil Fertility Handbook (E-1039)

Small Grains Fall Forage Production (CR-2141)

Educator Spotlight: Rick Nelson

This week, we have another episode highlighting one of the extension educators in the OSU Cooperative extension system. It was our honor to speak with Rick Nelson, the Garfield County OSU Extension Ag Educator. Rick hails from the tiny town of Canton, OK. Devoted to the service of agricultural producers, Ricks career spans the extension system in both Kansas and Oklahoma. We had a great discussion with Rick about his experience in many facets of the ag industry. Tune in for this informative discussion.

Weed Control with Dr. Manuchehri

This week we invited OSU Extension Weed Scientist, Dr. Misha Manucherhri to discuss weed control in small grains. Dr. Manucherhri hails from the state of Oregon, but has come to feel at home in the Southern Plains after post graduate education at Texas Tech followed by a extension and teaching position here at OSU.

Episode Resources:

Find Dr. Manucherhri on twitter @OSUWeedScience

OSU Weed Science Website

Grass Weed ID, L-316

Mustard ID & Herbicide Options, PSS-2787

Herbicide Options for Wheat, PSS-2786

Ryegrass Control, PSS-2791

Cheat Control, PSS-2774

Resistant Weed Submission Form, PSS-2779

Beef Nutrition: Fall to-do List

Your hosts are back to summarize some simple things to get a jump start on fall and winter nutrition for the beef herd. Identify the target (Cows or calves), get a forage test, local feed and supplement options, supplement for cows, and feed for back-grounding calves for wheat or sale are all on the docket for today.

Show notes:

Nutrition and Management Considerations for Preconditioning Home Raised Beef Calves ANSI-3031

Nutrition Requirements of Beef Cattle E-974

Testing Services and Price List for OSU Soil, Water,& Forage Analytical Lab

Collecting Forage Samples for Analysis PSS-2589

Planning for Canola?

Since the development of winter-tolerant canola, Oklahoma producers have had this crop as an option for rotation within the traditional wheat system. This episode will include a variety of options producers have for canola production in Oklahoma.

The deadline to sign up for Canola Insurance in many places is the end of August.

Show notes:

Managing Winter Canola in Oklahoma PSS-2130

Great Plains Canola Production Handbook, KSU MF2734

Choosing a Wheat Variety

This week Josh gets the hot seat by giving us the low-down on wheat variety selection. So many factors go into the selection of a wheat variety that works best for each operation. Soil pH, planting date, first hollow stem, soil temperature are all discussed, along with the aspects of graze out, dual purpose and grain only management styles.

Educator Spotlight: Greg Highfill

This week we get the pleasure of interview, Greg Highfill, Woods County Ag Extension Educator. Greg has an extensive history in OSU Extension. From his initial role in extension as a 4H Educator in Woodward County to Area Livestock Specialist in Enid and then on to Woods County, Greg has wore many hats over the years. Join us for a conversation with one of OSU Extensions most experienced educators.

Episode Resources:

Woods County OSU Extension Website

Alfalfa Establishment and Maintenance

This week your hosts will focus on the establishment and maintenance of Alfalfa. We invited Tommy Puffinbarger, Alfalfa County OSU Extension Educator, back to give us his perspective on alfalfa production. Tommy has lifelong experience in alfalfa production and hails from a county that is often the top hay producer in the state of Oklahoma.

Show notes:

Alfalfa Stand Establishment PSS-2089

Selecting Alfalfa Varieties PSS-2062

Alfalfa Autotoxicity PSS-2061

Alfalfa Production Guide for the Southern Great Plains E-826

Educator Spotlight: Tommy Puffinbarger

This week we had a fun conversation with the Alfalfa County OSU Extension Educator, Tommy Puffinbarger. Tommy is an Ag/4H educator in Alfalfa county, where he was born and raised. Tommy has a vast knowledge of agronomy, animal science, and youth development. We discussed some of Tommy’s highlight programs in his career and dove into some of his personal interests. Sit back and enjoy this entertaining conversation!

Show Notes:

Alfalfa County OSU Extension Website

Double Crop Talk: Weed Control and Grazing

This week your hosts discuss weed control in double crops. Herbicide selection and management were the main topics with some tips about application in hot conditions. How does stress play a role the effectiveness of a herbicide? What is the value of these crops as forage? What are the implications of grazing a crop that was meant to produce grain? Nitrate Toxicity and prussic acid poisoning are reviewed as timely topics for summer grazers.

Episode links:

Nitrate Toxicity in Livestock (PSS-2903)

Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock (PSS-2904)

Understanding Herbicide MoA (PSS-2778)

Soybean Weed Management (PSS-2794)

Soybean Herbicide Options without Dicamba (PSS-2195)

Soybean Pre-Mix Herbicides (CR-2781)

Dr. Brent Bean, Sorghum Checkoff: Sorghum Yield Loss

Grazing Sorghum after Harvest (PSS-2607)

Fly Control: 5 Things to Know

In this episode, your hosts discuss fly control in beef cattle. Topics that are covered include 1) Identification of the insect, 2) Why control and what are the impacts of no control?, 3) When are flies a problem?, 4) What methods of control are available?, and 5) Resistance Prevention.

Episode Resources:

Recent Livestock and Horn Flies Sunup segment

OSU Livestock Bugs Website featuring information on flies that affect beef cattle

Beef Cattle Ectoparasites Factsheet

Vet PestX is an educational resource for all people dealing with livestock. This resource lists all available insecticide chemicals and their active ingredients of each product which helps to ensure chemical rotation can be achieved.

Harvest Memories

In this episode, Trent, Josh, and Dana reminisce about crop harvests of the pasts. Dana recalls memories from Nebraska fall corn and soybean harvest while Josh and Trent lend their experiences from a variety of crops grown in Oklahoma. Josh highlights unique perspectives from picking watermelons and Trent recalls fighting his brother for the best piece of equipment. Harvest isn’t all fun and games but in the end it’s often a family affair.

Forage Management in Dry Times

In this episode, your hosts discuss ecological variability across Oklahoma, forage production, and forage management. Areas of Oklahoma have slipped into a drier period and forage production has been affected. The hosts cover the difficulty of managing stocking rate for dry times.

Hot Shot Episode: Dicamba Update & Beef Webinar Series

Welcome to the first Hot Shot Episode where we cover hot topics of interest. In this episode, Dana highlights an upcoming webinar series by the OSU Beef Extension Team based on Forage Management. Josh follows with a summary on the recent rulings about dicamba use.

Links of Interest:

Rancher’s Thursday Lunchtime Series on Forage Management

Herbicide Options for Soybeans

Herbicide Options for Cotton

Warm Season Crops

In this episode, your hosts talk about summer crops. What are the differences in true summer crops or those put in after a wheat crop? What are the pros and cons to these planting decisions? Do temperatures matter? How about day and nighttime length? These questions and more are covered by Josh, Trent, and Dana.

Episode Resources:

Understanding Soybean Nodulation and Inoculation

Cover Crops for Weed Management in Oklahoma

Meshing Soybean Weed Management with Agronomic Practices in Oklahoma

New Soybean and Cotton Herbicide Technology Considerations

Components and Ratios of Pre-mix Herbicides for Use in Soybean

Finishing Beef Basics

In this episode, your hosts talk about finishing beef on a small scale. Trent gives great insight why consumers have renewed interest in farm raised butcher beef. This clip is heavy on “things to consider” before buying a calf to butcher. Dana gives her insight on management and nutrition and Josh provides context from the consumer. This episode only scratches the surface on this topic so stay tuned for more finishing beef wisdom in the future.

Episode Resources:

OSU Sunup segment focused on Direct Marketing Beef

Buying Beef for Home Freezers

Regulatory Landscape for the Direct Marketing of Meat and Poultry in Oklahoma

Summer Forages

Your hosts discuss a variety of options dealing with summer forages. Varieties are discussed as well as the Okie term of Summer Feed. Josh gives his agronomic view of a variety of summer crops and thoughts dealing with planting and fertility. Dana gives her insight of summer forages from the livestock nutrition perspective of both grazing and haying. The hosts all talk about the control, prevention and testing of nitrates in summer forages. Trent rounds out the conversation with realistic perspective from his operation.

Episode Resources:

Collecting Soil and Forage Samples for Analysis

Nitrate Toxicity in Livestock

Summer Ag Thoughts

In this episode, Dana explains the importance of vaccine handling as temperatures climb and beef producers work cattle before turning out to summer pastures. Josh give us an update about local freeze damage in wheat and how damage may be more severe in some areas than what was previously thought. Trent rounds out the conversation with some insight on crop insurance and reporting crop damages in a timely manner.

Episode Resources:

DIY Chute Side Vaccine Cooler

Estimating Wheat Grain Yield Potential

Wheat Hay

This episode highlights all things dealing with wheat. Josh gives insight to the reason behind cutting wheat for hay rather than taking it to grain. Dana adds her thoughts about wheat hay quality and Trent includes his thoughts about valuing and the market for wheat hay.

Covid-19 Challenges

In this episode, the Dana, Josh and Trent give insight to how the Covid-19 era has changed how they do extension work. They talk about challenges with the new ways of education but also the positive things that are coming from this crazy time.

About Us

This episode highlights the backgrounds of each of the co-hosts, Dana Zook, Trent Milacek, and Josh Bushong.

New Endeavors

In this episode, we dive into our reasons behind creating the Extension Experience Podcast. Dana, Trent, and Josh each share their personal perspectives on podcasting and why they feel it will work for their perspective areas.