The 10th-annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference for crop producers and consultants will be held on Jan. 15-16 at the Gateway Conference Center in Oberlin. The conference, which typically draws more than 500 attendees from Kansas and other states, highlights the latest technology, methods, and conservation practices to improve crop production on the High Plains. This year it will feature university specialists and industry representatives discussing issues such as kochia control, cropping intensity and fallow efficiency, pre-season irrigation, wheat fertility: simple and effective, and use of corn residue by cattle. The same programs will be offered both days of the conference. Early registration is due by Jan. 9. To view the conference flier and for online registration, visit www.northwest.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=82 . For questions, call 785-462-6281.
• A K-State Leasing Workshop will be held Jan. 17 at Hutchinson. The registration deadline is Jan. 14. Price volatility in recent years, particularly in the grain markets, has led to difficulties for landlords and tenants to successfully determine and negotiate appropriate rental arrangements. This day-long workshop will assist participants in understanding the concepts, mechanics and implications of alternative forms of leasing land. For more information contact Cody Barilla at 620.662.2371(Reno County Extension) or cbarilla@k-state.edu
• The Ellis County Extension Office will be hosting RAM (Risk Assessed Marketing) I and II on Feb. 6 and 7 in Hays.
Changes in farm legislation, including the SURE and ACRE programs, expanded bio-fuels and ethanol, combined with volatile crop prices have caused many producers need to consider different methods for managing yield and price risk. This workshop will introduce producers to an integrated marketing/production management approach that combines government programs, crop insurance and alternative marketing techniques. Contact Stacy Campbell at 785-628-9430.
• Ag Profitability Conferences held in the area include one at McPherson on Feb. 5 and in Pratt on Feb. 7. Speakers at both include Troy Dumler, Glynn Tonsor, Gregg Hadley and Brian Briggeman. For information on the McPherson meeting contact Jonie James at 620-241-1523 and at Pratt contact Mark Ploger at 620-672-6121.
For further information about locations and topics, please visit: www.AgManager.info and click on “upcoming Events”
The position announcement for Barton County Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources has been posted to the K-State Research and Extension Job Opportunities website: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=31 For more information about the position contact Stacey Warner, Leader, Ext. Operations, 785-532-5790 or swarner@ksu.edu
Berny Unruh is the 4-H and Youth Development agent in Barton County. She is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at 620-793-1910 or bunruh@ksu.edu.