Novus International Inc. on Oct. 20 launched a new interactive sustainability website enhancing visibility for the company’s sustainability initiatives worldwide. The easily navigable website www.novusint.com/sustainability/ takes visitors through Novus’ extensive and detailed sustainability program.

RENO, Nev. -- A panel of experts chosen to spend two years generating the definitive study on wild horse management in the West is kicking up controversy before it even gets out of the chute.

The list of those opposed to a new government dairy supply control program that House and Senate Ag Committee Chairs will attempt to sneak into the super committee bill is growing. Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens Against Government Waste and the National Taxpayers Union have joined together to urge the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to oppose a controversial dairy program that will increase milk prices for consumers.

Producers and outdoor enthusiasts will soon have another weapon in the fight against the Gulf Coast tick thanks to a two-year grant recently awarded a Texas AgriLife Research entomologist at College Station. Dr. Pete Teel received $132,589 in funding to identify weather patterns that signal tick population outbreaks. He said once the weather patterns behind tick outbreaks are identified,  integrated pest management treatments using the best and safest methods available could be modified for use in pastures and areas frequented by people and pets.

Cattle feeders are going to use more corn than previously expected according to USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report that showed five percent more cattle in the nation’s feedlots. The real surprise was the higher number of placements in September that has resulted in over one-half million more cattle being fed than a year ago. Feed grains used by cattle in feedlots from the 2011 crop will now likely be more than five percent higher than was fed from the 2010 crop.

Have you struggled with winter annual weeds getting in the way of spring planting? Many farmers are fighting off these weeds with fall herbicide applications. Applying a herbicide now may help you save time next spring, said Aaron Hager, University of Illinois Extension weed specialist.

Johnsongrass is common along roads in the Ozarks but there is a lot about the species that people don’t know.

Johnsongrass has been in America since a South Carolina farmer named William Johnson promoted it in the South during the 1840s. Since then it has moved north and west and is commonly seen in pastures, hayfields and along roads.

Get ready: The fall harvest season is nearly upon us. The so-called “lazy” days of summer will undoubtedly give way to a very busy harvest for farmers across the county, increasing the likelihood for fatigue and risk of injury for tractor operators logging extra hours in the fields.

The U.S. Small Business Administration says disaster assistance being made available for counties in Missouri because of the drought and excessive heat also will be available to counties in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

A third-generation meat industry veteran with more than 36 years experience, Edward (Eddie) Troutman, the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Distinguished Service Award winner for 2011, began his indoctrination to the industry at age 12, working for $1 per hour.