Fire season returns to Kansas

Kansas Forest Service, K-State Mesonet advise Kansans to prep for potentially active fire season MANHATTAN, Kan. – Rising temperatures and breezy conditions are quickly drying fuels across the state, increasing concerns for an active fire season in Kansas. “Despite recent moisture, Kansas's primary fuel – grass -- is abundant due to last year's above normal precipitation,” said Chip Redmond, Kansas State University assistant meteorologist. The timing of future precipitation between dry frontal passages…

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K-State experts offer advice on beef cattle breeding

Success in cattle breeding starts with cycling females in good body condition MANHATTAN, Kan. – Creating a great cake starts with quality ingredients mixed together by a talented baker. The same can be said of cattle breeding, only in this case the ingredients include cycling females, quality bull semen and a knowledgeable producer who can plan for a timed breeding through artificial insemination or natural exposure. In a recent podcast from Kansas State…

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Prune during the dormant season to protect oak trees

Prevent the spread of oak wilt, a fatal disease to oak trees, by pruning now MANHATTAN, Kan. – Oak wilt, a fatal disease spread by a fungus, has been found in a few sites in the eastern third of Kansas over the last decade. While the spread is often slow and sporadic, Kansans should be mindful of the fungus to prevent the spread of the fatal disease. If infected, rapid death can come…

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Kansas Forest Service plans wildfire mitigation project near Scott City

Annual event brings together professional firefighters, college students MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas Forest Service will remove vegetation and conduct prescribed burns March 21-28 at Lake Scott Park north of Scott City as part of the 16th annual Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project. The mitigation project is conducted in partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. State Forester Jason Hartman said the purpose of the project is to reduce the build-up…

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Study: Microplastics can be harmful to farm crops

K-State’s Kirkham says reducing use of plastics may benefit agriculture MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University crop physiologist has found that plastic products – which are well known to cause negative impacts on fish and other aquatic animals – also have an adverse effect on land-based organisms, such as farm crops. Mary Beth Kirkham, University Distinguished Professor in agronomy who specializes in the relationship between soil, plants and water, said that fact…

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Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees

Tamarisk competes with native vegetation reducing available forage for livestock and reducing water quality.| Download this photo. Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees March 19 workshop aims to help landowners improve livestock forage, water quality and wildlife habitat MANHATTAN, Kan. – Landowners and managers in southwest Kansas are invited to a free workshop and field demonstration focused on the management and removal of tamarisk, also known as saltcedar. The workshop is Thursday, March 19,…

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Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees

March 19 workshop aims to help landowners improve livestock forage, water quality and wildlife habitat MANHATTAN, Kan. – Landowners and managers in southwest Kansas are invited to a free workshop and field demonstration focused on the management and removal of tamarisk, also known as saltcedar. The workshop is Thursday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Community Building, 806 S. Main, in Syracuse. Morning sessions are followed…

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K-State’s Tarpoff: Plan now to assure successful calving season

Stocking supplies, cleaning equipment are among management strategies MANHATTAN, Kan. – Cattle producers who have not yet started the spring calving season still have time to plan ahead, and a Kansas State University veterinarian notes that could make a big difference in having a successful year. “This is the time for a pre-emptive strike,” said A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. “If you haven’t started calving yet on your…

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K-State, industry experts outline criteria for buying bulls

Genomic advancements mean more information is available than ever before MANHATTAN, Kan. – For cattle producers, bull sale season has arrived. Prospective buyers are flipping through the sale catalogs and studying the pedigree information, performance data and bull pictures trying to determine where they want to make their investment. As genomic advancements have progressed, cattle producers have more information than ever before to help with their selections. But for some, all that data…

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K-State vegetable research leads to food bank donation

University partnered with local organizations to provide more than 11,000 pounds to hungry families OLATHE, Kan. – The work that Kansas State University researchers do to determine the best and safest ways to grow tasty, nutritious fresh vegetables has yielded a bountiful benefit for hungry Kansas and Missouri families.   Fresh produce research at K-State’s Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center during the 2019 growing season resulted in a donation of 11,241 pounds…

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