Archive By Section - Agriculture
USDA provides disaster recovery assistance for two projects in Kansas
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced $19.7 million of financial and technical assistance to help communities rebuild and repair damages caused by flooding, drought, and other natural disasters. Funds are made available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program.
Thank a Farmer
Jennifer Carr - Barton County KSRE We all know that you go to the grocery store to buy food and most understand that many people have worked very hard to get that food there. But not everyone realizes that the majority of ingredients in good wholesome foods such as bread, cakes and hamburgers come from farmers. When we see those bumper stickers that say "If you ate today thank a farmer" we need to do ...
What our soils are
The last two weeks briefly described the process of soil formation and the role soils play in agriculture and our lives. Let's start to take that information and see what that means for soils in Kansas and more specifically in our area. First, where is our state in terms of the soil forming factors?
Kansas celebrates USDA’s 150th anniversary
At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, the Kansas-based agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a celebration for the 150th anniversary of the establishment of USDA. The event will also include the dedication of a new wind erosion research facility and wheat/sorghum milling laboratory.
Funding Opportunity for Forestry Projects
By Robert Atchison, Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Kansas Forest Service, Manhattan, Kansas A great opportunity exists for Kansas landowners statewide who are interested in financial assistance to manage or renovate older windbreaks, forests adjacent to streams (riparian), and woodlands. Through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI), financial assistance is available in 2012 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The application deadline for this year's funding is April 6, 2012. Landowners can apply for the ...
What a soil does
Last week featured an extremely condensed version on the formation of soils. Now let's briefly examine the roles of soil in our world. First, broad definitions of the soil are helpful. Soil can be defined as the skin of the earth or the area of exchange between the earth and the atmosphere. The soil is also defined as a dynamic, living organism consisting of organic and inorganic components. While soil profiles (the vertical extent of ...
Animal health breakthrough: Research uncovers genetic marker that could help control, eliminate Prrs
A collaborative discovery involving Kansas State University researchers may improve animal health and save the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars each year.
What If? Oh My! What Can I Do?
Jenni Carr, CEA Ag & Natural Resources K-State Research & Extension Barton County Are foreign animal diseases (FAD) a threat to Barton County? Have there been any outbreaks of FAD's in the United States within the last six years? The answer is yes. The United States has been hit with Exotic Newcastle in California, West Nile Virus from New York to California and a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Texas. You may wonder how ...
New laws and Agriculture Week
March has been the month for recognition of agriculture and water awareness. Governor Brownback proclaimed March 4-10 Kansas Agriculture Week."Kansas has a strong agricultural tradition that predates its statehood, and it continues today as a cornerstone of our state's economy," Governor Brownback said. "As we look towards the future, growing agriculture in Kansas is one of my top priorities." Kansas produces nearly $4.0 billion in agriculture exports a year. Kansas farmers provide food for Americans ...
Waiting for rain
By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau It's becoming an all too familiar refrain among western Kansas farmers, "We need rain." Last year's drought has continued into 2012. The wheat crop was planted late and many farmers doubled the normal planting rate and drilled 90 to120 pounds per acre versus 50 to 60 pounds per acre in a normal year. Because there was little to no subsoil moisture in the ground, the wheat crop started slowly ...
Jennifer Carr - KSRE
Good morning again. With the warm, windy days we have been having the past week or two I am sure everyone has gardening and yard work on the mind. Well I have a short to do list that you can consider for March.
Farm tour highlights improvements for winter livestock feeding options
By Tom Parker When Harry Moser first heard K-State Watershed Specialist Will Boyer's glowing reports on the benefits of feeder pads, he wasn't impressed. "I thought he was nuts," Moser said. Moser, co-owner with his wife, Lisa, of Moser Ranch, Wheaton, was skeptical. Still, past dealings with agents from a mixture of conservation groups had taught him to think outside the box, so he reluctantly gave the okay to construct a raised pad as an ...
Looking for Options?
Jennifer Carr, BT Co KSRE It has been drilled into every farmers' brain that you have to be diversified, you need to plant crops on a rotating basis, do this, do that. Well how do you know what the best options are? Most producers read industry magazines to get ideas, watch what their neighbors do or ask their crop consultant. How about checking out what K-State Research and Extension has to offer for insight. K-State ...
What Makes A Soil?
Last week's column asserted that soil is the foundation of our agricultural industry and a scarce resource. This week let's start to examine why. First, 70% of the surface of the earth is covered with water. Of the remaining 30%, only 11% is considered arable, suitable for farming, or approximately 3.3% of the total of the earth's surface. Of that total, well over half has been degraded to some extent. Often that degradation is due ...
Conserving the Ogallala
Speaking in the heart of irrigation country and the Ogallala Aquifer region, Gov. Sam Brownback signed two bills in southwestern Kansas that are intended to lengthen the life of this region's water resources. Brownback signed the bills March 5 at Garden City High School while students, community leaders, farm organization members and legislators watched.
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.
Page 1 of 1
