Archive By Section - Agriculture
Our people, our policy
By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau Agriculture in Kansas has always been about people – farmers and ranchers who share the same vocation, although perhaps different commodity interests and sometimes with a slightly different political bent. Dedicated members of various farm organizations have always come together under the common bond of unity and spoken with strength on behalf of their ag industry while maintaining their independent farm and ranch lifestyle. Farm organizations, including Farm Bureau, ...
A rose by any other name
By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau Several years ago I heard it said that garbage is the ugly side of plenty. No matter what you choose to call it – solid waste, refuse or some other more politically correct phrase – garbage remains just that, garbage. You know the stuff I'm talking about, too. That awful pungent collection we set on the curb each week. Torn tennis shoes, moldy grass clippings, empty food packages, food ...
An Early Christmas Present
Dr. Victor L. Martin It's a day early but Merry Christmas. Even though Western Kansas had to struggle through some pretty nasty weather this past week, you didn't hear many complaints. After the drought conditions that marked the last half of 2010 and most of 2011, the moisture received over the last several weeks was certainly an early Christmas gift for everyone in this part of the country. In this area we received plentiful rain ...
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Sign-Up Period for Conservation Stewardship Pr
U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is January 13, 2012. Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces Energy Efficiency and Flexible Fuel Pump Grants in Kansas
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced loans and grants for agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. The funding is provided through USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
A Farmer’s Christmas Wish List
Dr. Victor L. Martin Christmas will arrive next Sunday. Most everyone is more interested in family, presents, food, a few days off, and hopefully church than a deadly serious agriculture article. Students at Barton are done for the semester so they likely aren't too focused on the challenges facing farming either. In keeping with the season, let's take a look at what might be on a farmer's or rancher's Christmas wish list in our area. ...
Use the gift of memory
If I could request but one gift during the holiday season, I'd ask for a book. Books abound with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. They provide hours of adventure and entertainment rarely found anywhere else in today's culture.
USDA announces ranking dates for four major conservation initiatives
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the ranking dates for the On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High Tunnel and Air Quality conservation initiatives. All four initiatives offer technical and financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Kansas Farmers Union voting delegates approve policy, by-law changes at 2011 Annual Convention
Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) voting delegates attended the 2011 KFU Convention at the Topeka Ramada on Dec. 2-3 to vote on policy, elect the 2012 Board of Directors and elect delegates to the National Farmers Union Convention.
Grading the 2012 wheat crop
As this is being written, students at Barton are finishing up the fall semester with their final exams. It is often hard to convince them the real purpose behind testing isn't just to assign grades and make them miserable but as a tool for instructors and for themselves to determine progress and skills obtained while also locating weaknesses needing to be addressed. It allows instructors and students to assess the state of each student's education. ...
Fat rats get cancer
It's holiday time and while Thanksgiving has passed, Christmas and New Year's Day are just around the corner. That means all sorts of good tasting food – roast turkey, bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, wine and pumpkin pie.
Sodbusters and Skyscrapers
Dr. Victor L. Martin On Dec. 1 a group of us gathered to dedicate the Breaking the Prairie Sod Memorial at the intersection of K-96 and 10th. Although a bit breezy, it was an appropriate dedication for a monument designed to honor those who settled here almost 150 years ago and serve as a constant reminder of our past. Several speakers emphasized that it is difficult for us to imagine the hardships these individuals faced ...
A Nation of Immigrants
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it's appropriate to consider all we have to be thankful for, even during these difficult times. All of us need to remember and thank our ancestors for having the courage to immigrant to this country and later spread out and settle from coast to coast since we are a nation of immigrants. We should also spend time thinking of the bountiful supply of food available in this country. There are always ...
Grassroots Farmer/Rancher strength on display at Kansas Farm Bureau annual meeting
Farmers and rancher voting delegates from the state's leading agriculture/rural advocacy organization have adopted their policy roadmap for 2012 and elected their leadership.
Unspoken values
By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau Think of farmers and ranchers and this old, often forgotten tribute comes to mind. It fits farmers like seed in the soil or ranchers like a new-born calf takes to its mother's udder. I've often heard friends, neighbors and family – my dad for one – quote bits and pieces of it. I've heard others refer to it at meetings, in church, at a sale barn, funerals and many ...
Articles by Section - Agriculture
Farm Service Agency County Committee nomination period begins June 17
Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Adrian J. Polansky announced today that the nomination period for local FSA county committees begins on Monday, June 17th.
Problems with tomato plants
It's that time of year again when everything is growing, and people are looking forward to be rewarded for all of their hard work in the garden. With the unseasonal low temperatures this year, your garden might be a little behind normal, but with our recent rains, the weather warming up, and a little bit of care right now, your garden should be getting into the full swing of things.
Lessons from the land
For Kansans June, July and August are months when some of us return to our roots and visit family in rural communities across the state. Some go back to help with wheat harvest, others go home to spend time visiting with friends they have grown up with. For all it's a time to reflect and remember.
Fathers’ Day and Agriculture
First here's wishing all the dads out there a Happy Fathers' Day. Since the wheat is rapidly ripening and harvest will soon be here, especially after the past week's heat, let's focus on something a bit more upbeat fathers, children, and agriculture.
Quarter-scale tractors, full-scale success: University teams win international competition
Kansas State University's quarter-scale tractor design teams are the winners of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers' 16th annual International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, May 30-June 2, in Peoria, Ill.
Conservation Stewardship Program applications due by June 14
The Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres enrollment this year.
Not so fast
Pre-packaged, vacuum-packed, just add water…
Caring for container plants
Sometimes, when you are taking care of your container plants, you might see a white or yellowish build up around the edges of the pot, or even on the soil itself. Many people wonder what this is, and want to either repot the plant entirely, or sadly, think that there is something wrong with the plant and just stop trying. The cause of this build up is actually very easy to explain, and easy to remove to be able to keep your plants healthy and looking great.
So You Want A Career in Agriculture
Everyone is waiting to see what the wheat crop will hold. Summer crops are pretty well planted until double-cropping. The area has been receiving fairly significant rain and overall temperatures, while a little cool for corn and sorghum, are great for wheat grain development. Let's take the opportunity to shift gears from crops to our most important agricultural resource – people. Specifically, let's take a look at the people out in the fields and feedlots ...
Patent issued for beneficial animal ‘candy’
A U.S. patent has been granted to a Kansas State University-developed "candy" that stimulates the growth, health and reproductive functions of cattle, bulls and other livestock.
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