3 years ago
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced loan interest rates for June 2021, which are effective June 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs. Operating and Ownership Loans FSA offers farm ...

3 years ago
The rows of cookies and muffins, rockets and cabinets and photographs and more may seem like interesting displays to passers-by at the county and state fairs. But for thousands of Kansas 4-H members who will put their efforts on display this summer, they represent nearly a year’s worth of work and trial-and-error learning. “The 4-H year begins ...

3 years ago
Just as agricultural economists advise beef producers to follow a risk management strategy when it comes to cattle marketing, those same principles are important when anticipating drought, said the experts at Kansas State University speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast. “Having both a plan and a contingency plan is important for mitigating the risk when ...

3 years ago
Kansas State University has announced that the annual K-State Dairy Days will be held June 2 in Seneca and June 3 in Whiteside. Organizers said the event is intended to update and inform dairy producers and allied industry on hot topics and research findings relevant to the Kansas dairy industry. “This event is a great opportunity to ...

3 years ago
In an effort to reduce accidents by developing "safety-minded" youth, Kansas Farm Bureau has sponsored a Safety Poster Program since 1950. According to the agency, each year, youth in grades 1 through 6 participate statewide. Posters are judged at the county level with the first place poster from each of the three divisions submitted for judging ...

3 years ago
A Kansas State University livestock specialist is encouraging the state’s swine producers to take the time to fill out a survey that they may be receiving in the next few weeks from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist with K-State Research and Extension, said the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting ...

3 years ago
Shallow depressions that hold water from rainfall and runoff to create small temporary lakes called playas dot the western Great Plains. When full, they’re transformed into mini-wetlands that are home to a variety of plants and wildlife not normally found in the region. They also serve as areas of recharge, meaning a portion of the ...

3 years ago
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 ...

3 years ago
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 ...

3 years ago
Coming soon to a location near you: the opportunity to learn about the newest wheat varieties available, plus their agronomics and how they hold up to disease challenges. According to Kansas State University, after more than a year of virtual only events, they will host numerous wheat plot variety tours across the state starting this week ...

3 years ago
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The funds are in turn granted to projects and organizations to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market ...