K-State chosen as hub for improving U.S. winter wheat

University will lead $1M project to improve winter wheat varieties MANHATTAN, Kan. – The USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture has selected Kansas State University to serve as a center for efforts to improve U.S. winter wheat varieties. The university received $1 million to establish the International Wheat Yield Partnership’s (IWYP) Winter Wheat Breeding Innovation Hub. K-State will lead the effort to evaluate research findings from several IWYP projects that contribute to…

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K-State vet shares tips for managing cattle through heat

Temperature is only part of the challenge, Tarpoff says MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University veterinarian is urging cattle producers to beef up their plans for managing heat stress in their herds, a challenge that costs the U.S. cattle industry up to $370 million in losses each year. A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension, said cattle are resilient animals; they will often acclimate to hot temperatures. But an…

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Researchers seeking input about weed challenges for Kansas farmers

‘Help us to help you’ by completing survey, scientist says HAYS, Kan. – Every year Kansas farmers wage a silent but persistent battle with weeds that rob their crops of valuable moisture and nutrients in the soil and reduce crop yields. Compounding the problem is the fact that even as herbicides are developed to combat them, some weeds develop resistance to the herbicide, which then becomes less effective over time. At stake are…

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K-State Plans Webinar for Kansas Beef Producers — “Drought Preparedness for the Cow-Calf Producer” webinar will be hosted on Zoom July 9.

Registration is now open for a webinar that will help Kansas beef cattle producers prepare to manage and reduce the impacts of drought and reduced forage availability on cow herds. The webinar will be hosted by the Kansas State University (K-State) Animal Sciences and Industry Department and K-State Research and Extension via Zoom on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at noon CDT. “As the saying goes, failing to plan, is planning to fail.” says…

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K-State researchers test ways to slow pigs’ growth

Findings are important for times when markets are disrupted, such as pandemic MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University swine researchers are reporting results of a study in which they were able to help producers slow the growth of pigs during the COVID-19 pandemic while they waited for packing plants to re-open. Their findings, they say, could be important any time markets are disrupted, whether that be for a global pandemic or other industry…

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K-State beef cattle experts suggest best practices for storing round bales

Rain will often cause high nutrient losses in bales stored outside MANHATTAN, Kan. — It is hay cutting time in Kansas, and once all the grass is baled it must be stored for future use. Oftentimes that is outdoors, and many producers may not fully realize the nutrient loss that comes with weathering of large round hay bales stored outside, particularly in regions of the country with high rainfall. “Thirty percent of the…

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K-State distributes 15,000 pounds of fresh, Kansas flour

Event marks re-opening of Hal Ross Flour Mill MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University officials handed out 15,000 pounds of flour on Thursday during a drive-through event held at the recently re-opened Hal Ross Flour Mill, north of campus. Gordon Smith, head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry, said the event was held to help people who may be struggling to obtain basic food supplies. Shortly after the event began, a…

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A new grazing option on the horizon

K-State forage expert talks about how teff grass is being used for cattle grazing in Kansas MANHATTAN, Kan. – Anyone with a gluten sensitivity may be familiar with teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal crop from Ethiopia that is gluten free and often used in cooking. But they may be surprised to know that it is also gaining popularity as a grass grown for hay production and cattle grazing. “Teff is a warm season…

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Hays research center to release new hard red wheat

Variety improves disease resistance of previous western Kansas lines HAYS, Kan. – A researcher at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays has taken a good thing and made it even better. Wheat scientist Guorong Zhang announced in early June that he is ready to release a hard red winter wheat variety that is suited for the drier, western Kansas climate. The new variety does not yet have a name, but it builds off…

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Women Managing the Farm plans June 17 webinar

Women Managing the Farm, a program that helps prepare farm women to successfully participate in multiple roles, will host a webinar on June 17 to discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. and global economies. (File photo) Agricultural economist will outline strategies for successfully moving past global pandemic MANHATTAN, Kan. – A program that helps to equip women with resources to manage their farm interests effectively will be hosting a free…

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