7 months ago
As wheat fields approach the boot growth stage in southeast Kansas and flag leaf stages in the north-central part of the state, stripe rust weighs on many growers’ minds. Stripe rust, a fungal disease, is an annual concern, and this growing season’s weather conditions provides a prime opportunity for it to cause havoc. It’s left growers ...

7 months ago
Each April, many business owners evaluate their annual spending at the time they submit their taxes. Like their fellow business owners, many cattle ranchers are seeing an increase in their input costs and looking for ways to minimize expenses. To offer some advice on how to manage the ranch expenses, K-State beef cattle extension specialist Jason ...

7 months ago
A year-over-year drop in oil prices is a sign that farmers may get a modest break in the price they will pay for diesel fuel this summer, says Kansas State University agricultural economist Gregg Ibendahl. “Last year about this time, oil prices were in the $70 range, but have since declined and now are in the ...

7 months ago
A scholarship for high school seniors pursuing careers in agriculture has been awarded. Cooper Rathbun’s earliest memories involve riding in the combine. Like many farm kids, he graduated from the buddy seat to driving the grain cart and eventually helping with equipment maintenance to make sure everything ran smoothly during one of the most critical times ...

7 months ago
Lush, green Kansas pastures, don’t happen by chance. Margit Kaltenekker, an agriculture agent with K-State Research and Extension’s office in Douglas County, said pastures provide a cost-effective food source for grazing animals – when managed correctly. “We often talk about managed rotational grazing to help landowners achieve optimum forage production and utilization,” Kaltenekker said. K-State Research and Extension ...

7 months ago
Saline of meet have reached a new record. According to the Kansas Livestock Association, the 2025 Power of Meat Report indicates a  new record for meat sales was achieved last year, reaching an all-time high of $104.6 billion. Not only did value rise nearly 5% year-over-year, but volume saw a 2.3% increase to 22.8 billion pounds ...

8 months ago
Before a student-athlete is allowed to join a sports team they have to complete an annual physical to make sure there aren’t any underlying conditions that could keep them from being able to fully participate. For beef producers who want their herd to be successful during the breeding season, that means an annual breeding soundness exam, ...

8 months ago
Drought conditions are forecast to either persist or develop for much of Kansas through June but wheat conditions currently remain good. The liklihood of at least a decent wheat harvest is high, which makes now a great time to begin developing your postharvest wheat marketing plan.  As of April 6, 51 percent of Kansas wheat was either in good or excellent condition, better than last year at this time, much better than the five-year average of 40 percent and the best overall condition since 2021 for this ...

8 months ago
The USDA's Farm Service Agency is offering a beginning farmer and rancher webinar later this week. According to the agency,  if you’ve operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years, you are invited to join the National BFR Team for an overview of special USDA assistance and resources that are available to you. This ...

8 months ago
While parts of wheat country received spotty rains overnight on Wednesday, an overall lack of April showers does not bode well for May flowers or for the Kansas wheat crop. The latest reports on crop conditions and weather, in addition to firsthand producer observations, indicate the 2025 wheat crop is showing clear signs of drought ...

8 months ago
Kansas corn farmer Chad Epler highlighted the importance of a key program that identifies new uses for corn in bio-based products. Epler is the chair of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Research and New Uses Action Team and represents southeast Kansas on the Kansas Corn Commission. NCGA is  launching the fifth Consider Corn Challenge, ...