Learning day planned at ranch
Staff writer
A Strong City family ranch will be the setting of a Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas State University ranch management field day Aug. 10.
Owners of Mushrush Ranch will present three educational sessions and give attendees tours of the ranch.
Joe Mushrush will talk about transition planning, including steps his family is taking to prepare for future generations.
His talk will highlight what his family has done so far and what challenges have been faced.
The 12,000-acres ranch with grassland and cattle has been in the family for three generations..
His parents started the ranch while his father also worked in town.
It became a full-time operation when Joe and his wife returned from Kansas State University in 1980.
Sons Cole and Chris Mushrush also work at the ranch.
“We have a bull sale every spring, and this year we’re going to have one in the fall,” Joe Mushrush said.
Cole Mushrush and Nature Conservancy Flint Hills Initiative manager Tony Capizzo will talk about the benefits and difficulties of virtual fencing on the ranch.
Use of virtual fencing is part of a joint study with National Park Service, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, and other local agencies.
The technology has great potential, Joe Mushrush said.
“There are some kinks, but they’re constantly making it better,” he said.
Operating on GPS, the fence starts beeping as cattle approach. It beeps faster as they get closer to the virtual fence. If they get too close, the cattle get a mild shock, which teaches them to turn around and walk away, he said.
Chris Mushrush will discuss converting cropland into stockpiled forage for winter use. Included will be a tour of converted cropland on the ranch and discussion of decision making behind the practice.
Hours for the field day are 3:30 to 7 p.m. A beef dinner will wrap up the day.
Livestock producers and others involved in the business are being invited to attend.