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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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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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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Cattle Chat: Understanding generic drug development

Generic drugs are an option for consideration when making animal health decisions. Kansas State beef cattle veterinarians discuss the process of creating generic drugs and their use in food animals MANHATTAN, Kan. — When going to the pharmacy, consumers are often faced with a choice to select the brand name drug for their ailment or opt for the less expensive generic product. Just as with humans, cattle producers and their veterinary partners make…

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K-State Crowned National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team

K-State has six place in top 10. MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team won National Champion honors at the 2021 Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest hosted in Manhattan, Kansas. The team was recognized Tuesday, April 27 following the three-day competition. The event, previously known as the AKSARBEN contest, now rotates between host institutions across the country. The competition includes live market animal carcass predictions and pricing, breeding animal…

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Practice patience as bagworms begin to appear on Kansas trees

Bagworms use debris from a tree to build a bag that provides protection while they feed. Experts say treatment could last 4-5 weeks MANHATTAN, Kan. – State forestry and horticulture experts are urging patience and persistence when trying to control bagworms, noting that multiple hatches of the caterpillars may emerge through late spring and early summer, depending on weather conditions. Ryan Armbrust, forest health coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service, and Raymond Cloyd,…

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The Real Deal

Consumers favor ground beef over plant-based alternatives. by Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension Consumers overwhelmingly chose ground beef over plant-based beef alternatives in a multifaceted study, report Kansas State University (K-State) researchers. Ground beef — offered with 10%, 20% and 30% fat — was strongly preferred for taste and flavor over plant-based alternatives, and less than one-third of the respondents say they would buy the plant-based alternatives in the store or retail…

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K-State researchers report shattercane resistance in grain sorghum

Studies show as much as five-fold resistant shattercane in northwest Kansas fields HAYS, Kan. – Kansas State University researchers are reporting that shattercane, a grass weed found in grain sorghum fields, is showing resistance to herbicides. Vipan Kumar, a weed scientist at the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays, said the findings are particularly important as producers decide on whether to plant three new grain sorghum hybrids this summer. “Three new herbicide-tolerant sorghum (varieties) –…

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Cattle Chat: Needle size and care recommendations

Kansas State beef cattle veterinarians offer advice on needle diameter and length MANHATTAN, Kan. — Anyone who’s ever received a vaccination will verify that needle size matters. And that is true with cattle as well. Kansas State University veterinarians Bob Larson and Brad White took up this topic on a recent Beef Cattle Institute Cattle Chat podcast. “Many animal health products given to cattle to prevent or treat diseases are injected with a syringe and…

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Study: Prescribed burns have little effect on snake populations

Researchers look at effect of Konza Prairie fires on snakes MANHATTAN, Kan. – A study on the impact of prescribed burns on the Konza Prairie showed that fire has minimal effect on the state’s snake populations, especially when there are adjacent unburned areas. Charlie Lee, a retired wildlife specialist with K-State Research and Extension, said the researchers trapped snakes before and after prescribed burns in the spring (May through June) and fall (August…

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