October 27, 2011
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Winter feeding areas for livestock
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Strategies for controlling weight: the “plate method”
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Factoring in the costs of pet ownership
Winter feeding areas for livestock
Source: Steve Higgins, director of environmental compliance
As we move closer to cold weather, it is a good time to think about strategies for winter feeding of livestock, since it is a necessary part of nearly all operations. Choosing the right place for winter feeding can improve production and reduce threats to nearby water resources. A poorly chosen site for winter feeding can have negative impacts on soil and water quality.
A significant amount of pollution can occur if winter feeding is conducted around streams, water bodies or other environmentally sensitive areas such as flood plains and creek bottoms. Storm-water runoff from these areas can carry mud and manure into nearby water bodies, creating water quality problems. If these contaminants can be traced to a specific operation, the owner could be subject to fines from regulatory agencies.
To reduce water pollution and avoid fines, producers can follow a few simple steps. First, place winter feeding areas in well-drained locations. These areas should not allow runoff containing mud and manure to drain into neighboring properties, streams or sinkholes. The farther away a feeding area is from surface or ground water resources, the less likely water pollution is to occur.
Next, producers should consider using confined winter feeding that allows cattle to access a structure or paddock for feeding and then return to a larger forage pasture. Smaller “sacrifice” pastures reduce the area damaged from winter feeding and can be used as central hubs for multiple pastures as part of a rotational grazing system. By placing water and mineral supplements away from the structure, cattle will be enticed to eat in the structure and then move out and way. The volume of manure will be easier to manage because the animals will spread it throughout the fields.
Finally, heavy-use area pads around winter feeding areas can greatly reduce mud and rutting from tractor and hoof traffic. These pads are constructed using geotextile fabric, crushed stone and dense grade aggregate.
By making these considerations for winter feeding of livestock, producers can greatly reduce the potential to contaminate water resources and can improve production.
For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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Strategies for controlling weight: the “plate method”
Source: Ingrid Adams, UK extension food and nutrition specialist
Better health through weight control can reduce the risk of developing chronic health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers. One strategy for weight control is to use the “plate method,” which is a food-awareness tool that helps change habits and attitudes toward food and eating.
The plate method helps you to:
· Make healthy choices
· Eat more high fiber foods
· Control carbs
· Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you consume
Start by downsizing. Your plate, that is. Oversize plates encourage oversize servings, making it virtually impossible to prevent overeating. Choose a dinner plate that is no more than 9 inches in diameter.
Rethink how you fill your plate. Instead of loading up with large, equal portions of meat, starch and vegetables, fill half of your plate with vegetables and/or fruit. Choose non-starchy veggies, and eat both raw and cooked. Opt for salad greens, trying new varieties that are carried in major stores now, including arugula, baby spinach and mixtures of herbs and greens. Belgian endive, chicory and frisee are very tasty greens that add an element of exotica to a meal. Give all of them a try! In the winter, kale, collard greens and turnip greens are hearty, cost-effective choices that fill the plate. Other non-starchy vegetables include broccoli, carrots, green beans and cauliflower.
Fill only one-fourth of your plate with grains, which includes starchy foods such as rice, potatoes or pasta. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas and grits are examples of grain products. Grains are divided into two subgroups, whole grains and refined grains. Choose whole-grain foods over refined, making at least half of your daily intake whole grain.
Add variety and increase your nutrient intake by choosing wisely. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and offer a change from white russet potatoes. Choose brown rice, or if your family strongly prefers white rice, select jasmine or Basmati rice, both of which are readily available in area grocery stores and are more interesting than white rice.
The remaining one-fourth of your plate can be filled with a low-fat protein. Aim for 3 to 4 ounces of protein twice a day, choosing options such as chicken, turkey, fish, beef, pork, eggs or cheese. Avoid frying or sautéing meat, as this adds unnecessary and unhealthy calories. Bake, steam or broil for the best health benefits.
As an alternative to meat, healthful cooked beans count as protein. Try the panoply available in every grocery store: lentils, navy, split pea, garbanzo, lima and black-eyed peas, to name a few.
Cooking dried beans is easy. They do take longer to prepare than canned beans, but it’s easy to soak and simmer them until tender. And if you cook with dried beans instead of canned, you’ll save money and reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
Replace sugar-filled soda with a glass of low- or non-fat milk. Calcium-rich dairy products include milk, cheese, milk-based desserts such as pudding, and calcium-enriched soymilk for those who cannot consume dairy products. Cooking with low or non-fat dairy products also increases consumption of healthful dairy products.
Eat fruit for dessert. Grocery stores carry a wide variety of fruit, so go beyond bananas. Apples, especially local apples, are a great choice right now, as they are in season and at their peak for crisp, delicious flavor. Ditto for late pears, blackberries and some grape varieties.
Rethinking your plate can take time, so don’t get discouraged. Changing habits accumulated over a lifetime will be challenging, but well worth the reward of improved health.
For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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Factoring in the costs of pet ownership
Source: Jann Burks, UK 4-H extension specialist
Ralph Hance, 4-H extension agent
Owning a pet is a valuable and rewarding experience for youth. However, youth and parents should understand both the financial cost and commitment required for different animals. Before acquiring a pet, you should thoroughly consider the demands of owning different pets to be sure your choice will fit in to your family’s lifestyle and budget realistically and without undue hardship. A fish fits neatly on a counter top; a Great Dane needs a big yard.
Animals feature prominently in 4-H programs because they provide youth with outstanding experiences for virtually unlimited learning. Pet ownership teaches youth critical life skills, increasing critical thinking, decision-making and communication.
The goal of the 4-H Dog program, while specific to dogs, indicates some of the benefits youth will enjoy with virtually any pet. Youth can expect to:
· Learn about the animal and be able to identify their characteristics
· Study the responsibilities of ownership
· Demonstrate care and management, feeding, care, handling, and grooming
· Keep record of all costs and management practices
· Learn and follow health regulations, including first aid and simple treatments for ailments not requiring veterinary attention
· Train animal to follow simple commands
· Understand the role of scientific research in animal husbandry
· Develop sportsmanship, cooperation, decision-making ability, and public speaking skills through participation in demonstrations, tours, judging, and/or exhibits
· Practice leadership skills and roles, take part in community affairs, and demonstrate citizenship responsibilities
· Explore career, job and productive leisure opportunities
But despite the great value of animal ownership, you need to need to make the decision carefully. Initial costs, such as neutering/spaying and puppy/kitten vaccinations, for dogs and cats are not insignificant. Pets also require steady purchases throughout the year, in addition to routine yearly vaccinations and exams. You should factor in emergency and unplanned veterinary visits as well.
Consider that you will need to purchase all or some of the following for a dog: yearly vaccinations, monthly flea and heartworm treatment, grooming, dog food and treats, leash and collar, water and food bowls and toys. Cats will need similar purchases. An indoor cat requires a litter box and litter. Another, less expensive option is fish, which require a tank and accoutrements to decorate the tank.
Pet ownership costs per month will vary depending upon location, stores in the area and personal buying decisions. You should carefully consider your family’s financial situation to be sure you can readily absorb those costs, especially during this economy. However, having limited means is not always a barrier to pet ownership. Adopting from a local animal shelter or using free or reduced-cost resources can lower expenses. Often, veterinarian clinics or shelters will offer routine care, such as rabies shots, at specific times of the year. In some situations, family financial circumstances may lead to purchasing a different pet, which will still provide youth with the rewards of ownership.
For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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