April 1, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 10

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Agriculture (is Wednes: > April 1, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Ag secretary applauds state department’s H-2 decision Washington, D.C. — U.S. Sec- in-person interviews for eligible certainty,” said Secretary Perdue. with the State Department and the this critically important program. retary of Agriculture Sonny Per-H-2 visa applicants. “Temporarily “H-2 labor is vital to the economy Department of Homeland Security These flexibilities will allow our waiving in-person interviews for and food security of America — our to ensure minimal disruption in farmers and ranchers to utilize due issued the following statement in response to the Department H-2 visa applicants streamlines the farmers and producers depend on H-2A and H-2B visa applications workers they have used in the past, of State and the Department of application process and helps pro- these workers to continue to feed during these uncertain times. This or those who are already in the Homeland Security’s decision to vide steady labor for the agricul- and clothe the world.” Administration is doing everything US. , to get our food from the farm authorize temporary waivers for ture sector during this time of un- USDA has been directly engaged possible to maintain continuity of to our tables. Giving overlooked canned foods new life SIUM NLN bas on juice or ketchup to create Communications Services piste rin a completely new dish. | 405-744-3625 | trisha.ge- Tf those tips are still un- [email protected] palatable, consider smaller Oklahoma State Univer- bites. Brown said when the food is cut into small pieces, sity, as an equal opportu- nity employer, complies with it is easier to swallow more quickly. She urged caution all applicable federal and to not swallow too much at state laws regarding non- atime. Or alternate between tak- discrimination and affirma- ing a bite of the less-desired tive action. Oklahoma State food with a food that is more University is committed to a The canned food left in the pantry may require some imagination to make a tasty meal. Photo by Todd well liked. Be sure to have a policy of equal opportunity Johnson, Agricultural Communications Services. beverage to help wash down for all individuals and does the food, she said. “Probably the best take- not discriminate based on By Trisha Gedon sion food specialist, said it ing a way to hide food in other canned fruits, consider away from this experience race, religion, age, sex, col- STILLWATER, Okla. — is possible consumers will recipe is a great way to help blending the ingredients into is the next time you restock or, national origin, marital Not all Oklahomans were have to get creative with ensure you make the most of a smoothie along with a ba- your emergency food sup- status, sexual orientation, able to get to grocery stores what is still on their shelves what already is on the pantry nana, fruit juice and ice. ply, make sure you’re adding gender identity/expression, to stock up on favorite foods or available from food pan- shelf.” Brown said another way to not only healthy versions of in preparation for home tries. For example, many disguise the flavor of a not- foods with a long shelf life, disability, or veteran status quarantines ahead of COV- “First, think about the canned vegetables mix well so-favorite food is to pre- but foods you actually en- with regard to employment, ID-19. Budgets and opportu- foods and recipes you do into soups and stews. She pare it with other foods with joy.” Brown said. “Emer- educational programs and nities likely feel even more like. Then, consider how you said those underappreciated strong flavors of their own. gency foods should bring activities, and/or admis- constrained now with an- can incorporate these less- flavors and textures easily Foods can be sautéed with people comfort and peace of nounced business closures. liked foods into new dishes blend in with the other in- flavored oil and garlic, for mind, not more stress.” sions. For more informa- Barbara Brown, Oklaho- with other ingredients you gredients. For those who are example. Add some salsa or MEDIA CONTACT: Tri- tion, visit https:/I[eeo.ok- ma State University Exten- prefer,” Brown said, “Find- not a fan of fruit cocktail or low-sodium soy sauce, lem- sha Gedon | Agricultural state edu. Cow-calf producers may find two-stage weaning process useful By Donald Stotts but it has been improved of time and determine the STILLWATER, Okla. upon over the years,” Ward best available option.” = Cattle producers with said. “Replacing the milk Post-weaning _perfor- fall-calving herds who are mance is greatly dependent with a nutrient-dense diet contemplating upcoming prior to placement of a nose on the quality and quantity weaning choices have sev- flap will help manage weight of the feed or forage sup- eral options to reduce animal loss and allow the animal to plied to the animal. If for- stress. transition faster. Producers age is low in either quality “Many people eat a lot should monitor their calf or quantity, the addition of when they are stressed, but nutrition programs once the supplemental protein or en- calves tend to do the op- nose flaps are in place.” ergy may be necessary. posite,” said Earl H. Ward, Typically, it is recom- “Tf hay will be the primary Oklahoma State University mended a nose flap be in- forage option, a producer’s Extension area livestock stalled five to seven days first step would be to evalu- specialist for northeastern prior to weaning. ate forage quality using a Oklahoma, “This can lead “Be sure to inspect the forage test,” Zook said. “A to health concerns such as flap to eliminate any sharp forage test will remove the depressed immune systems edges before installation so guesswork and help a pro- and an increase in the num- as to lessen the likelihood ducer determine what addi- ber of diseased animals post- of nose sores in a calf,” said tional feed options are need- weaning.” Dana Zook, OSU Extension ed. OSU Extension county Oklahoma is typically the nation’s fourth- or fifth-leading producer of cattle There are a variety of area livestock specialist for offices can help a producer and calves on an annual basis, according to USDA National Agricultural Sta- ways to reduce stress during northwestern Oklahoma. through the process.” tistics Service data. Photo by Todd Johnson, Agricultural Communications Ser- weaning. Popular options in- Zook added it is important Zook and Ward stressed vices. clude but are not limited to to remember that while two- forage options should be working calves a few weeks stage weaning will reduce a relatively high in nutritional the transition if a producer they provide a high-quality time and make the best pos- prior to weaning and fence- calf’s stress level, the pro- quality and palatable. Calves is planning to turn weaned mineral that will offset any sible decision based on spe- line weaning. Both give ducer needs to keep a close should have access to this calves out onto small-grain gaps that may exist in the cific operational needs.” calves time to recover with eye on the animal’s nutri- forage prior to weaning. pastures during the precon- mineral profile of their ani- OSU Extension is one of the dam. tion to ensure animal perfor- “Tf a producer has access Ward reminded producers mance is maintained. to some high-quality pas- ditioning period.” mals’ diet. two state agencies admin- not to overlook two-stage “Producers should evalu- tures such as wheat or rye Fall-calving herds have “Weaning is often the most istered by the university's weaning. In a two-stage ate post-weaning nutrition in vicinity of the cow-calf an opportunity to. utilize stressful time in a calf’s life Division of Agricultural Sci- weaning process, the calf is options prior to weaning,” herd, he or she might con- high-quality cool season while also being among the weaned from milk before it she said. “Producers need to sider using a creep gate to grasses present in native riskiest for a cow-calf pro- ences and Natural Resourc- range or small-grain pas- ducer,” Zook said. “This es and is a key part of OSU's is weaned from the cow. A protect their operation’s fi- allow calves access to some nose flap is used to prevent of this growing forage while tures in graze-out situations. nancial return and take care is not a time for short cuts. state and federally mandated the calf from nursing. not to feed away all their they are still nursing,” Ward Regardless of forage type, Practice due diligence, do all teaching, research and Ex- “This is not a new concept, profits. Do the math ahead said. “This can help with producers need to make sure the necessary work ahead of tension land-grant mission.