Ag News and Views: August 1999

August, 1999 Table of Contents News & Views Archive Issues

Economics
Why Financial Statements? by Dan Childs
It is time consuming and often painful to prepare financial statements. A financial look at the business at a given point in time reveals the financial health of the business at that time. Analyze them and use them to detect early signs of financial stress so appropriate strategies can be implemented to ensure the long-term survival of the farm.

Forage
Why Are We Supplementing our Livestock? by Rob Self
Livestock producers spend a great deal of money putting up hay and buying feeds to see their stock through the winter. What if we didn't have to haul hay and feed all winter? There are cost saving incentives built into managing on a year-round basis.

Horticulture
Strawberry Fields Forever by Steve Upson
In Oklahoma, strawberries have traditionally been a popular fruit for fresh use and freezing. Unfortunately, local production of this crop meets only a small percentage of this consumption.

Livestock
When It's Hot It's Hot and When It's Not, It's Still Hot! by Clay Wright
Anytime an animal's heat load exceeds its ability to dissipate it, heat stress occurs. The comfort zone for beef cattle is between 41 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Increasing relative humidity adds to the potential for heat stress.

Plant of the Month
Creeping Water Primrose

Wildlife
Summer Stress by Russell Stevens
Most enthusiasts might not think about the summer months posing a nutritional hardship to deer. Sure, the lush months of April, May and June can provide more nutrition than deer need under good habitat conditions. But what about July and August?