Plant growers, scientists invited to North American Summit, Oct. 27-29

Free, online event brings together ornamental plant experts from four continents Oct. 2, 2020 MANHATTAN, Kan. – The combined knowledge of plant growers, scientists and entrepreneurs from four continents will come together when Kansas State University hosts the International Plant Propagators’ Society’s North American Summit on Oct. 27-29. Cheryl Boyer, the K-State Research and Extension state leader for horticulture and natural resources, is the host and facilitator of the digital event. She said the Summit…

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Money does grow on trees

Harvesting black walnut seed provides opportunity to get outdoors and earn extra money MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Outdoor activities are almost limitless, and the cycles of nature provide a revolving door, constantly changing to create new and exciting opportunities throughout the year. Dave Bruton, utilization and marketing forester with the Kansas Forest Service, says one of those opportunities is harvesting black walnut seed. “Black walnut trees are commonly found throughout Kansas communities and woodlands,…

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Farm analyst develops ‘Eight Knows’ from years of working with farm families

Hund provides thoughts on current farm situation PAXICO, Kan. – Duane Hund spent a recent, beautiful fall day much as he always does, talking with a farmer about his costs of production and expense-to-income ratio. Not exactly light coffee shop talk but something Hund has done most days for the last 36 years – working with Kansas farmers to improve their operation’s bottom line. As director of the Farm Analyst program at Kansas State University,…

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Safety, design top priorities when designing cattle processing facilities

K-State experts say facilities should be safe for people and cattle MANHATTAN, Kan. — Many a rancher will say there is nothing that tests the bonds of a relationship more than processing cattle together. Between the quick movements of the calves and the short tempers of the humans it can be a trying experience for all. One way to help ease some of the potential for frustration is to make sure cattle are…

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K-State team eyes facial recognition technology for cattle

Smartphone app could boost biosecurity for the beef industry MANHATTAN, Kan. – If you’ve stared one cow in the face, you’ve seen them all … right? New technology being developed at Kansas State University is likely to debunk that thought, capitalizing on the power of artificial intelligence to build a database of facial recognition technology for the cattle industry. In other words, just like humans, each cow in the herd has a set…

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Weighing the alternatives

Beef cattle experts suggest factors for consideration when feeding co-products MANHATTAN, Kan. — Feed cost is often one of the most expensive inputs when trying to balance the beef cattle budget. To help reduce that expense, midwestern producers will sometimes look to alternative feed products such as wet corn gluten, corn dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS) or soy hulls, to name a few.  “Often alternative feeds are a by-product of some other…

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Study indicates rising temperatures will increase yield risk, crop insurance premium rates

In a different approach, agricultural economists use ‘cause of loss’ crop insurance data MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University agricultural economists have taken a different approach than most to determine the risk farmers face in growing crops under increasingly higher average temperatures. The results indicate that yield risk will increase in response to warmer weather, with a 1 degree Celsius increase associated with yield risk increasing by approximately 32% for corn and 11%…

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K-State beef experts offer advice for managing calves prior to weaning

MANHATTAN, Kan. — As college kids leave home for the first time, it is important that they transition with a plan that includes being current on immunizations, following good study habits, establishing self-control at the buffet counter and having financial support in place so they have the greatest chance for success in their new environment. In much the same way, calves are most successful in transitioning off the farm when they’ve had good…

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K-State research among first to analyze safety of industrial hemp as cattle feed

MANHATTAN — A pair of studies at Kansas State University is bringing new insight to farmers and producers seeking to incorporate industrial hemp in cattle feed. After the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production in the U.S., interest has grown in industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity, including as feed for animals. FDA approval, however, through the Association of American Feed Control Officials would be required before hemp could be fed to livestock or…

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K-State provides statewide data on 2020 winter wheat performance

Wheat names, average yields and test weights by county are included MANHATTAN, Kan. – With the next winter wheat crop planting just days away, Kansas farmers can be armed with information about how different varieties fared across the state in the last growing season. K-State Research and Extension has made available the 2020 results of its Winter Wheat Performance Tests for the crop harvested this summer, showing county by county yield, moisture, height, test weight…

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