Unique Public-Private Research Maps the Future for Dryland Crops

Kansas sorghum growers’ investment supports grant funds, industry participation in crop improvementMANHATTAN, Kan. – Many sorghum growers believe their crop can be a key to the future partly because of its drought-tolerant nature. Now they’re banding together in an unprecedented way to invest in that belief.The worsening reality of water scarcity means research and increased production of dryland crops such as sorghum, millet and other “ancient grains” is a race against time. Groundwater…

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Federal Court Sends Illegal Water Rule Back to EPA

A federal court says the 2015 Waters of the United States rule is unlawful under the Clean Water Act because of its “vast expansion of jurisdiction over waters and land traditionally within the states’ regulatory authority.” The court for the Southern District of Georgia found the agency overstepped not just the CWA, but also the Administrative Procedure Act, which lays out the most basic rules governing how agencies may propose and establish federal…

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USDA Details Trade Damage Estimate Calculations

(Washington, D.C., August 23, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Chief Economist has published a detailed accounting of how estimated damage from trade disruptions was calculated for its support package for farmers announced on July 25, 2019. USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist developed an estimate of gross trade damages for commodities with assessed retaliatory tariffs by China, India,…

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K-State, KDA Equip Law Enforcement with Knowledge About Industrial Hemp

Researchers offer up-close education at recent, standing-room only research center tour HAYSVILLE, Kan. – More than 60 law enforcement officials from across Kansas packed a small room at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center recently to prep themselves for questions they may soon be getting about industrial hemp in the state. Kansas State University researchers are growing and testing their first crops of industrial hemp at research centers in Haysville, Olathe and Colby.…

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USDA Using Flexibility to Assist Farmers, Ranchers in Flooded Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. August 15, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced it will defer accrual of interest for all agricultural producers’ spring 2019 crop year insurance premiums to help the wide swath of farmers and ranchers affected by extreme weather in 2019. Specifically, USDA will defer the accrual of interest on spring 2019 crop year insurance premiums to the earlier of the applicable termination date or…

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A Powercat with Precision

Farmer uses agricultural technology to plant image of popular K-State logo KISMET, Kan. – Folks across the country find all kinds of ways to celebrate their favorite universities and sports teams. This summer, Rocky Ormiston may have just out-done them all. The co-owner of Ormiston Farms used precision agriculture technology to plant a hybrid of corn in the shape of the Kansas State University Powercat, which -- at 2,000 feet wide -- is…

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Secretary Perdue Statement on Japan Agreement

(Washington, D.C. August 25, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the new trade agreement between the United States and Japan: “Japan is a significant market for United States agriculture exports, making today a good day for American agriculture. By removing existing barriers for our products, we will be able to sell more to the Japanese markets. At the same time we will able to close gaps…

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Recipe: Bacon Meatballs with Bourbon Sauce

Ingredients 8 bacon strips 1 pound Certified Hereford Beef ground beef 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup red onion 2 tablespoons parsley  1 large egg 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil Sauce: 1 cup barbecue sauce 1/2 cup water 3 tablespoons bourbon Instructions Heat oven to 400°F. Place uncooked bacon and onion into a food processor and chop until bacon and onion are finely ground.Combine ground beef,…

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Report: Farmers Prevented from Planting Crops on More than 19 Million Acres

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2019 – Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time last year.  Of those prevented plant acres,…

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Prescribed burn workshop slated for Aug. 29 at Stark Ranch

GAINESVILLE — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Noble Research Institute will host a free Growing Season Prescribed Burn Workshop on Aug. 29. There may be a possible date change to Aug. 30, pending weather conditions being more suitable for a prescribed fire.  The event will start at 9 a.m. at the Stark Ranch; from Interstate 35 take exit 501 to County Road 137. The location is behind the Glenn Polk AutoPlex…

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