3 years ago
Shallow depressions that hold water from rainfall and runoff to create small temporary lakes called playas dot the western Great Plains. When full, they’re transformed into mini-wetlands that are home to a variety of plants and wildlife not normally found in the region. They also serve as areas of recharge, meaning a portion of the ...

3 years ago
Early concerns for a tough year on Kansas farms linked to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 were ultimately alleviated by strong crop yields, dramatically improved grain prices and COVID-19-related government payments, according to the Kansas Farm Management Association. Net farm income for KFMA members climbed to $167,894 last year, up from $108,960 the previous year and ...

3 years ago
Fluctuating commodity prices, weather challenges and other factors mean farmers are used to a certain amount of stress. But the pandemic in the past year added that much more, according to a Kansas State University behavioral health specialist. “Farming is difficult in the best of circumstances, and to add a layer of stress such as the ...

3 years ago
Coming soon to a location near you: the opportunity to learn about the newest wheat varieties available, plus their agronomics and how they hold up to disease challenges. According to Kansas State University, after more than a year of virtual only events, they will host numerous wheat plot variety tours across the state starting this week ...

3 years ago
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The funds are in turn granted to projects and organizations to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market ...

3 years ago
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming ...

3 years ago
In late spring, especially after a rainstorm, the careful observer may notice alien-like orange, gelatinous objects attached to the branches of their eastern redcedar trees. A Kansas Forest Service official assures it’s not the fruit of a mutant cedar -- or Jell-O from Mars -- but the spore-producing body of cedar-apple rust fungus. “While a bit ...

3 years ago
In 2018, only 2.6 million tons of food scraps were composted, compared to 35 million tons that went into landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What are organizations doing to increase composting in the United States? This interview features insights with Frank Franciosi, executive director of the U.S. Composting Council Buzby: What’s the mission ...

3 years ago
The Animal Facilities Inspection program in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health will host a free informational webinar series focused on small animal facilities. The webinar series will take place virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout June. The webinars will cover a variety of small animal issues that are of interest to operators, ...

3 years ago
This summer Kansas Farm Bureau will be hosting the "Big Tent Reunion Tour". According to the organization, gatherings across the state will aim to reconnect with members after a challenging 2020. Plan on joining for food and fellowship with Farm Bureau members. Kansas Farm Bureau is a non-profit advocacy organization established in 1919. Almost 100 years later, ...

3 years ago
After months of hosting educational events virtually because of COVID-19, K-State Research and Extension will host its Spring Crops Field Day in person on Wednesday, May 19 at its Southeast Research and Extension Center, 25092 Ness Road in Parsons. Registration is 8:30-9 a.m. for the program, which includes: Tour of Wheat Variety Plots (41 varieties) – ...