Livestock Wala'au

We share fast, practical updates for livestock producers across Hawaii and Nebraska, from hands-on calving and grazing education to new tools for hiring, land decisions, and disaster recovery. We also point to flood and fire support resources and outline ways to stay connected with Extension as conditions change. • Free calving and grazing management workshop at Mealani Research Station with hands-on learning and calving season decision points • Women in Ranching and Education activities and BQA certification opportunity at Parker Ranch • Flood recovery livestock health webinar • Survey for documenting livestock impacts and veterinary care needs to support recovery • Hawaii Department of Agriculture Emergency Farmer Relief Grant link and other reporting options for agricultural losses • University of Hawaii associate dean of extension candidate stakeholder meetings with Zoom options • Nebraska Agricultural Labor Guidebook for ag hiring laws, templates, and compliance basics • Nebraska fire meeting dates with Extension, USDA partners, counseling resources, and rural response hotline • Upcoming webinars on land values, rental rates, stocking rates, and land management updates • Next episode Glennis McClure on the ABC Livestock Calculator Episode Resources & Links: Calving and Grazing Management WorkshopANCW (American National CattleWomen) Region VI Meeting plus a WIRED (Women In Ranching Education & Development) Hawaii EventLivestock Health After The Flood-WebinarAssociate Dean of Extension UHM CTAHR Stakeholder Meeting Schedulehttps://cap.unl.edu/labor/ https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YFn9cppUQrCFNISOhw6i7w https://events.unl.edu/CAP/2026/04/20/198754/ Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We catch up with Alexia Akbe from Symbrosia on how limu kohu seaweed is moving from promising methane research into real ranch use across Hawaii and the mainland. We talk performance-first economics, product forms for pasture and feedlots, and what new trials could prove next for animal health and efficiency. • Alexia’s background in environmental chemistry and greenhouse gases • Why limu kohu stands out for enteric methane reduction • Commercial pasture trials showing improved rate of gain and feed efficiency • Pricing the product around measurable ROI instead of carbon credits • FDA pathway, current use across beef cattle ranches and sheep producers • How Symbrosia farms, dries and processes seaweed in Kona • Mineral replacement potential, trace elements and bioavailability in a whole-plant matrix • Oil extract format for feedlots and why rations may need rebalancing • Species-specific needs including copper sensitivity in sheep • Upcoming research focus areas including cow-calf, weaning stress, parasite reduction and pinkeye Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We share Hawaii and Nebraska program updates that help producers tighten animal care, processing know-how, soil health, and lease strategy. • ANCW regional and WIRED meetings in Hawaii with BQA certification • Two-day on-farm processing workshops: regulations then hands-on practice • Dates and venues on Oahu and Maui with required registration • Guest lecturer Dr Lida Garcia on meat science and safety • Nebraska transition planning workshop in Curtis • Manure as fertilizer: soil health and yield benefits • Virtual landlord–tenant meeting on rates, values, and lease clauses Next month, join us as we talk with Randy Saner from the University of Nebraska about reproduction and biosecurity for small ruminant herds. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Jamie Miller from OISC explains why early detection beats eradication and how biocontrol could change the game. We learn about practical ways to protect Hawaii’s ranches and farms from devilweed on Oahu and the two-line spittlebug on Hawaiʻi Island, with clear ID tips, reporting tools, and prevention steps. • Defining invasive species and why funding targets early-stage threats • Devilweed ID features and fire risk profile • Toxicity to livestock and impacts on pasture recovery • Oahu hotspots, trail work, and volunteer efforts • Management shift from eradication to mitigation • Seasonal timing for removal and safe disposal • Decontamination for gear, trailers, boots, and feed • Reporting routes via 643pest.org and OISC resources • Two-line spittlebug signs, grass losses, and replacement by weeds • Apps, documentaries, and mapping to support response Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Quick updates on Hawaii and Western ag: WIRED and BQA in Hawaii, grazing for fuel reduction, Nebraska workshops on leases, budgeting, and Women in Ag, plus a preview of an invasive species guest. We share dates, links, and how each event can boost animal care, pasture health, and ranch profits. • WIRED and ANCW Region VI meeting in Hawaii - April 27-29, 2026 • Grazing workshop on fuel load reduction with Kailapa Community Association - February 20 & 21, 2026 *more details coming soon* • Nebraska land lease workshops and budgeting sessions in February • Women in Ag Conference in Kearney • Upcoming Guest -Jaime Miller from OISC Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Shade that actually pays for itself—this conversation digs into how silvopasture blends trees, forage, and livestock to reduce heat stress, build healthier soils, and diversify income in grazing systems. With Oahu Livestock Extension Agent Yunuen Bustamante, we unpack the nuts and bolts: how to pick the right tree for your goal, how wide to space rows to protect forage, and what it takes to guard young plantings from goats, cattle, and poultry without breaking the budget. We start with the why: in a warming climate, shade and windbreaks create a cooler microclimate that keeps animals grazing and lowers stress. Then we move to the how: selecting native species like milo, ulu, kukui, and hala for resilience, and layering in productive options such as citrus, cacao, or banana for extra revenue. Yunuen also share about upcoming workshops, field days, and hands-on support so you can see silvopasture in action and tailor it to your site, herd, and rainfall. Ready to turn heat into an advantage and make your pasture do more? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow producer, and leave a review to help more graziers find these tools. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

A fast January briefing on what matters now: PQA training in Honolulu, Nebraska land lease workshops, a weaned calf risk webinar, and a preview of silvopasture with our Oahu livestock agent. We share links, dates, and how each step builds animal care, market trust, and resilience. • PQA training on Oahu with date, time, and location • why pork quality assurance strengthens consumer trust and market access • Nebraska land lease workshops and what good clauses look like • weaned calf risk protection webinar and core tools to manage price risk • preview of silvopasture benefits and design considerations • links, email, and social accounts for updates • request for listener topic ideas and feedback Resource Links: Pork Quality Assurance Training - January 23, 2026 - Oahu Island Center for Ag Profitability - University of Nebraska Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread. • Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education • Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle • Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID • Prioritizing threats with Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment • Widespread pests education via Hawaii Ant Lab methods • Two line spittle bug impacts on pasture and spread • Queensland longhorn beetle damage to kukui, cacao, ulu, citrus • Nematode trunk injections as a targeted control • Devil weed toxicity to cattle and pasture takeover risk • Outreach in communities and training for frontline workers • Choosing non-invasive plants with PlantPono.org • How to report sightings with clear photos and samples Links: https://www.biisc.org/ Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We examine why hiring feels harder across agriculture and share a practical system to recruit, onboard, and retain employees on farms and ranches. We compare labor signals in Hawaii, Nebraska, and the U.S., then turn data into day-one checklists, mentorship, and culture that lasts. • Hawaii, Nebraska, and U.S. labor snapshots and trends • Why applications rise while qualified fits fall • Writing job titles, summaries, and clear duty lists • Separating required vs preferred skills for better fit • Building pipelines with schools and internships • Onboarding steps that speed productivity and trust • Safety as care: PPE, hazards, and procedures • Mentorship and monthly check-ins to reduce turnover • Seasonal expectations for overtime and schedules • Retention through culture, skills ladders, and flexibility Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

A quick tour of the month’s livestock calendar spans Hawaii’s backyard poultry workshop, a statewide brand re-registration reminder, and Nebraska’s lineup of ag outlooks, tax updates, land lease sessions, captive insurance training, and ranch succession planning. We point to the tools, dates, and choices that help producers manage risk and prepare for the next year. • Backyard poultry basics workshop in Waimanalo with live demos • Hawaii brand re-registration deadline and five-year cycle • Nebraska Ag Outlook meetings on markets, risk, and policy • Tax changes affecting deductions and planning for 2025 • ARC and PLC decisions and program updates • Land lease rate workshops and negotiation guidance • Captive insurance workshop to clarify benefits and risks • “Returning to the ranch” webinar on succession and ownership Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We lay out a practical, year-round plan to manage internal parasites in sheep and goats using selective treatment, better pasture use, and simple records that prevent resistance. Barber pole worm takes center stage as we share tools that cut losses and keep flocks productive. • why barber pole worm is the primary threat • signs like anemia and bottle jaw to watch • selective treatment using the FAMACHA scoring system • how the five-point check guides quick triage • using fecal egg counts and reduction tests • rotating by drug classes and safe combinations • withdrawal times for meat and milk compliance • record keeping that protects fertility and growth • rotational and multi-species grazing to lower exposure • supportive options like copper oxide and tannin-rich forages • building a farm-fit program with targeted deworming Check out past episodes about sheep & goat managment: S3 Ep. 6: Small Ruminant Herd Health w/ Randy SanerS2 Ep 05 Small Ruminant Parasite Management w/Susan Schoenian Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We share fast, practical updates producers can use now, from poultry health recordings and a five-part swine biosecurity series to finance tools, risk webinars, and a simple system to organize vital documents. Hawaiʻi and Nebraska resources align to protect herds, tighten budgets, and keep families prepared. • Poultry basics webinar recap with Dr Gregory Archer and YouTube recordings • 5-part webinar series: Safeguarding Hawaii’s Swine: Building Biosecurity and FAD Preparedness - Part 2 Registration Link • Safeguarding Hawaii’s Swine - Producer participation details. • Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council Convention • Brand re-registration window and five-year renewal reminder • Ag Smart Money Week dates, topics, and free recordings • Livestock risk management webinars, including Weaned Calf protection • Ag Budget Calculator access and October 20 how-to session • Online record-keeping options for Quicken and QuickBooks • Policy replay on federal ag issues with Dr Brad Lubben Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Mele and Shannon provide an update on essential concerns for producers and upcoming livestock events in Hawaii and Nebraska. • Three-day poultry basics webinar series (September 17-19) covering health, food safety, and environmental management with Dr. Gregory Archer from Texas A&M • Small ruminant health workshop in Hilo (September 20) featuring parasite control, grazing management, and hands-on emergency care training • Safeguarding Hawaii’s Swine: Building Biosecurity and FAD Preparedness: a program focused on biosecurity and foreign animal disease preparedness through a five-part webinar series • Hawaii Cattlemen's Council convention on Maui (November 13-15) including hands-on workshops at Ulupalakua Ranch • Critical reminder to re-register livestock brands between September 1 and December 31, 2025 • Alert about two-line spittlebug spread to new areas of Hawaii Island, affecting approximately 180,000 acres • "Returning to the Ranch" workshop in Nebraska (September 12-13) to facilitate family farm transition planning with professional mediators • Free livestock risk insurance webinars, Ag Budget Calculator, and online farm finance courses now available through the Center for Ag Profitability Email us at walaau@hawaii.edu with questions or comments about these topics. Follow us on social media and visit the UH-CTAHR Extension website for additional resources. Stay tuned for our next episode! Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Elizabeth Pickett of Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization shares her 17-year journey from marine conservation to wildfire prevention, explaining how post-fire erosion damages coastal ecosystems and the organization's evolution to address this connection. After decades developing resources with limited public engagement, the devastating 2023 Lahaina fire dramatically increased awareness and demand for HWMO's wildfire prevention and mitigation materials. • HWMO started 25 years ago when ranchers, farmers, and firefighters noticed increasing fires but found no existing organizations addressing the issue • Organization offers comprehensive resources from tracking fire patterns and community wildfire protection plans to residential safety measures and land management strategies • Provides different levels of support, from free workshops to affordable consultation services that help develop mitigation plans • Post-fire resources emphasize soil stabilization before replanting, honoring community safety and proper recovery sequence • Collaborative programs like Firewise Communities and Wildfire Resilient Landscapes encourage neighbors and adjacent landowners to work together • Fire management requires cross-boundary coordination across diverse groups rather than siloed approaches • Hawaii-specific resources address unique island challenges including limited native seed availability for post-fire restoration For more information and resources on wildfire prevention and mitigation in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization website or the Pacific Fire Exchange, a collaborative project with the University of Hawaii. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Dr. Lyda Garcia, Associate Professor and Extension Meat Specialist with The Ohio State University, shares her expertise on the science behind meat quality and how proper livestock management impacts the final product consumers enjoy. Quality means different things to different people - from marbling content and color to freshness and safety - but understanding the factors that influence it can help producers deliver better products. • Three types of stress affect meat quality: physiological, psychological, and nutritional • Bruising causes significant economic losses, especially in beef cattle and cull cows • Dark cutters (from long-term stress) and PSE meat (from short-term stress) are major quality issues • Show animals often experience more quality issues due to handling and environmental stress • Home processors should implement food safety practices including three-bucket cleaning systems • Use a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water as a final antimicrobial intervention • Proper cooling and temperature control are essential for both quality and safety • Common sense practices prevent cross-contamination during processing • Food safety shouldn't be compromised, especially considering vulnerable populations Reach out to your extension program with questions - that's what they're there for! Follow Livestock Wala'au and Livestock Extension Group on social media for more information. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

We share exciting updates from Hawaii and Nebraska in this quick mini-episode covering upcoming workshops, tax information, and educational opportunities for livestock stakeholders. • April 12: Calving Management and Grazing Management Field Workshop at Mealani Research Station in Kamuela, Big Island • All-day hands-on outdoor field workshop with no PowerPoint presentations • Registration required - email for more information or follow on Eventbrite • Preliminary information on the Ag Land Survey now available for Nebraska • Nebraska Department of Agriculture tax credit course available online through UNL • Grain marketing webinar series continuing through April and May • Dr. Lida Garcia from Ohio State University speaking next month about meat quality Show some love for your favorite podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen to this, and stay tuned for next month's episode. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Yunuen Bustamante is Oahu's newest extension agent, bringing a fresh perspective to Hawaii's livestock industry. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, her journey blends traditional wisdom with modern agricultural science. With a bachelor's in agronomy and a master's in agroforestry, in addition to her practical experience working as a veterinary technician and livestock specialist at a local ranch, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our Livestock Extension team. She aims to develop tailored guidance for local producers, focusing on sustainable practices in swine, poultry, and land management using sheep and goats while honoring Hawaiian cultural values. As Hawaii imports most of its food, she sees livestock production as key to food security. Currently connecting with industry groups, Bustamante is planning educational initiatives to help build a more sustainable, self-sufficient Hawaii. Follow her work @LivestockExtensionOahu on Instagram. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Dive into this episode of Livestock Wala'au, where we uncover exciting updates, workshops, and insights to support your livestock management practices. Our hosts, Mele Oshiro and Shannon Sand, will be discussing upcoming workshops focused on beef cattle management, ranging from on-farm food animal processing to grazing management strategies. Shannon shared about exploring the significance of succession planning, an essential element for family-operated farms. We highlight the upcoming "Returning to the Farm" workshop, designed to help families develop estate plans and management transitions. With expert guidance from attorneys and industry specialists, participants will engage in meaningful discussions aimed at confronting the challenges of inheritance and management. We will also introduce our new livestock extension agent, Yunuen Bustamante, who is set to enrich the extension programming on Oahu. Her initiatives promise to bring fresh perspectives and energy to the community, focusing on the specific needs of livestock producers in the region. Whether you're a seasoned livestock producer or just starting, there's something valuable in our conversation for everyone. We invite you to stay engaged and informed by following us on our social media platforms, where you can connect with the broader livestock community and contribute to ongoing discussions. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to stay updated with our latest episodes, filled with insights, tips, and resources for success in agriculture. Join us and take part in this exciting journey of livestock management! Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

Councilmember Heather Kimball details Hawaii County's agricultural tax program changes designed to prevent land speculation while supporting legitimate farmers and ranchers through targeted tax benefits. • New requirements for non-dedicated agricultural land programs include upfront documentation of legitimate farming activities • The current non-dedicated ag program is sunsetting in 2026, with two replacement options: a 10-year program (lowest tax rates) or 3-year program (more flexibility) • Farmers must submit documentation like organic certifications, farm plans, or NRCS agreements • Qualifying agricultural activities must generate $2,000 annual income or follow standard industry practices • New programs allow farmers who live on their land to receive both ag land valuation benefits AND homeowner tax class benefits (including 3% valuation cap) • Property owners must apply by September 1st each year for the following tax year • Application forms and information available on the Real Property Tax website • County is exploring creating a curated list connecting landowners with farmers seeking land to lease • Future initiatives aim to convert small subdivision ag lots to rural designation while maintaining tax benefits for those farming smaller parcels For questions about Hawaii County's agricultural tax programs, contact the Real Property Tax Department or email Councilmember Heather Kimball at heatherkimball@hawaiicounty.gov. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

What if there were simple steps you could take to safeguard your herd and secure food supplies from devastating diseases? Join us as Dr. Julia Herman, a respected beef cattle specialist veterinarian from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, shares her wealth of knowledge on livestock biosecurity. Dr. Herman's journey through the world of veterinary outreach and education reveals the importance of effective communication with producers and the creation of dynamic biosecurity plans tailored to the ever-changing landscape of agricultural operations. Discover the invaluable lessons Dr. Herman learned from her experience managing foot and mouth disease in Uganda, which highlight the power of straightforward yet effective biosecurity measures. We explore how continuous evaluation of biosecurity plans—accounting for factors like animal movement, visitor tracking, and environmental changes—can make a significant difference in preventing disease outbreaks. The critical role of biosecurity managers is underscored, along with the importance of leveraging external resources such as veterinarians and extension specialists for a comprehensive approach to disease prevention. Tune in to learn practical strategies for livestock producers, from cleaning and disinfecting equipment to protective gear usage and understanding the risks of common diseases like salmonella and E. coli. Dr. Herman emphasizes the necessity of controlling interactions between wild and domestic animals to mitigate disease spread, especially in the face of challenges like avian influenza. By focusing on proactive biosecurity measures, you can ensure the health of your herds and the safety of our food supply, one step at a time. Resources Mentioned: https://www.bqa.org/resources/biosecurity-resourceshttps://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-noncommercial-poultry-flock-ownershttps://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/fs-manage-wildlife-prevent-ai.508.pdfhttps://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certificationThanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!