Fungus takes aim at eastern redcedar trees in late spring

Kansas Forest Service health coordinator urges landowners to look for orange spots MANHATTAN, Kan. – In late spring, especially after a rainstorm, the careful observer may notice alien-like orange, gelatinous objects attached to the branches of their eastern redcedar trees. A Kansas Forest Service official assures it’s not the fruit of a mutant cedar -- or Jell-O from Mars -- but the spore-producing body of cedar-apple rust fungus. “While a bit unusual looking,…

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Is your pasture telling you it has a fertility problem?

Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator (originally published in Farm & Dairy) Knapweed can indicate soil low in calcium, and very low phosphorous. If plants could talk, we could learn a lot and our jobs as stewards of the land would be much easier.  When we go to the doctor because we are sick, we do not sit quietly and expect the doctor to know how we feel and then tell…

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USDA Announces Cooperative Agreements for Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of up to $2 million for local governments to host Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2021. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans and they are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture. USDA’s Office…

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Vertical gardening makes most of limited ground space

STILLWATER, Okla. – Things are looking up for gardening enthusiasts who want to think outside of the box – literally – and those with limited ground area for traditional gardens to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. Growing plants vertically expands possibilities for garden spaces, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. Although plants naturally reach vertically toward sunlight, vertical in this case refers to the surfaces they grow along. “Vertical gardening is a…

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Keep watch on obese horses eating green forage

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Obesity in horses is never a desired condition, but especially so for animals that have developed equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a condition similar to Type II Diabetes in people.  Springtime can be especially hard for horses that suffer from EMS because the disorder is associated with insulin deregulation that can promote increased fat deposition and a reduced ability to lose weight, said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Extension equine…

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Cattle Chat: Monitoring bulls in breeding season

K-State veterinarians caution that most injuries happen in the first three weeks MANHATTAN, Kan. — At any sporting event, it is easy to spot the trainers and medical personnel hovering on the side watching for a potential athletic injury. In much the same way Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute veterinarians Bob Larson and Brad White advise that producers need to closely monitor their bulls at the beginning of breeding season. “Just like…

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Kansas net farm income climbed in 2020, boosted by rising grain prices, government payments

2020 Kansas Farm Management Association data released MANHATTAN, Kan. – Early concerns for a tough year on Kansas farms linked to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 were ultimately alleviated by strong crop yields, dramatically improved grain prices and COVID-19-related government payments, according to the Kansas Farm Management Association. Net farm income for KFMA members climbed to $167,894 last year, up from $108,960 the previous year and the five-year average of $98,282. The data…

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Angus Genetics Inc. Announces Updates

The number of genotyped animals within the American Angus Association database has increased more during the last four years than it previously ever had. Such growth means the “single-step machine” is ready for maintenance as computing times get slower, according to Andre Garcia, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI). Regular maintenance of models, genetic parameters and algorithms helps ensure the data systems are accurate, efficient and up to date. On May 28, AGI will run…

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Rural areas of Kansas are ‘mental health deserts’

K-State team offers programs on mental health, connects Kansans with resources MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fluctuating commodity prices, weather challenges and other factors mean farmers are used to a certain amount of stress. But the pandemic in the past year added that much more, according to a Kansas State University behavioral health specialist. “Farming is difficult in the best of circumstances, and to add a layer of stress such as the pandemic makes it…

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