K-State Research and Extension

search

Harvey County

Tag: Agriculture

Night Time Temperatures Affect Corn Yields

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

High nighttime temperatures during the reproductive growth (at or after flowering) can reduce kernel number, and if later in the season, kernel weight. This effect can be explained as an increase in the rate of respiration, increasing the demand for sugar for energy and diminishing its availability for supplying the growing kernels.

In addition, as experienced in many parts of our state, high night temperatures tend to accelerate plant phenology, running more quickly but with overall lower plant efficiency in using available resources. This situation has been documented in many parts of the state as an earlier-than-usual (close to 2 weeks) flowering time. For example, a corn planted during the first week of May was flowering around the first or second week of July in 2017 (depending on the maturity) and a similar corn hybrid this year was reaching the same stage around the last week of June.

The effect of high night temperatures will be exacerbated as corn is entering into the most critical growth period (a few days before flowering to grain filling). The consequence of high night temperatures will be reflected in reductions in kernel number (if timing of the stress was around flowering) and/or kernel weight (if timing of stress was coincided with the grain filling period). In summary, high night temperatures will be impacting corn yields, but the final yield reduction is yet to be determined, clearly depending on the timing of the stress (duration) and the area of the state affected.

Corn Leaf Diseases

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

While scouting your corn fields after these rains are sure to be on the lookout for leaf diseases. If you don’t catch the diseases in time in can hurt your yields dramatically. These are some of the common corn leaf diseases to be watching for.

Common rust

It is typically less serious in Kansas than the other leaf diseases. Symptoms are small, round to elongated pustules that start out golden brown then turn darker later in the season. Common rust pustules commonly form on both sides of the leaf and are sparser than those of southern rust. This disease can occur wherever corn is grown. Infection is favored by moderate temperatures (60 to 77 degrees) and high relative humidity (greater than 95 percent for at least six hours).

Common rust is easily controlled by using resistant hybrids. Fungicides are not recommended for this disease alone since common rust causes only minimal yield loss. Continue reading “Corn Leaf Diseases” →

Harvey County Fair Market Wheat Show

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

The Harvey County Fair Board, along with the Extension Ag. PDC will be conducting a county-wide Market Wheat Show at the 2018 Harvey County Fair.  Producer participation in this event is strictly voluntary.  If a producer wishes to enter, just inform the scale operator at the participating elevator.  Samples will be collected right off the truck as it comes across the scales.

The sample will be tagged with the producer’s name, address and variety on it.  All  producers that are entered will be sent a postage-paid envelope with a Crop Data Card  following harvest.  Simply fill out the agronomic information section of the card and drop it in the mail.  If this is done prior to July 15th, you will be entered into the Market Wheat Show. All of the wheat entries will be judged by the Kansas Grain Inspection Service prior to the County Fair and displayed at the Fair. Continue reading “Harvey County Fair Market Wheat Show” →

Local Wheat Plot Tour

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Everyone is invited to attend and learn about the latest news on wheat varieties in our area. This year we will have two plot tours on one day, Friday June 1st.

The first tour stop will start at 3:00 pm at 8600 S Hillside. Directions – from the corner of K-196 and South Hillside, go South 1 ¼ mile, east side of the road.

At 6:00 PM will be the wheat plot dinner at Camp Hawk, 1801 SW 36th, Newton.  Then on to the KSU/DeLange wheat plot following dinner. That plot is located at SW 48th and Meridian ¾ south of the intersection.

The speakers from Kansas State University Extension for the tours will be Doug Shoup, KSU Crops and Soil Specialist; Eric DeWolf, Extension wheat and pathology specialist and Romulo Pisa Lollato, Extension wheat & forage production specialist.

The other speaker is Steve Ahring, agronomist from DeLange Seed.

They will provide information on wheat variety comparisons and much more information.

This in an excellent opportunity for you to see the new wheat varieties and compare the established varieties growing in Harvey County. Mark your calendars and plan on a fun time at out Wheat Plot Tour!

If you plan on attending the meal please give us a call at the extension office 316-284-6930 and let us know that you will be attending the event by May 29th.

Kansas State Fair Agriculture Challenge

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Agriculture is an important piece of our past and a critical part of our future. According to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, there are more than 60,000 farms in Kansas which generate more than $18.5 billion in Agriculture output. On average, Kansas is the largest wheat producing state, producing 333,600,000 bushels of wheat in 2017. Nearly one-fifth of all wheat grown in the United States is grown in Kansas. Additionally, one 60-pound bushel of wheat provides about 42 pounds of white flour, enough for about 70, one pound loaves of white bread.

The Kansas State Fair wants to encourage students to learn more about Kansas agriculture. Farmers feed and clothe the world. Farmers today are raising more food with fewer resources. It is estimated that by 2050, we’ll need to feed two billion more people. Understanding how and where your food comes from is important. The Fair wants to help students connect with the people who grow their food.

There are 12 agriculture adventure stops listed at this link https://www.kansasstatefair.com/p.aspx?pID=fair/education/669& . You choose 6 of these stops to visit between May 1 and August 15, 2018. You can mail, email or bring your completed adventure sheet to the Kansas State Fair. All adventure sheets turned in by August 15 will receive a KSF Agriculture Fun Pack. Your name will also be put into a drawing for a free Kids Club ticket package to attend the 2018 Kansas State Fair.

Harvey County Wheat Options

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

The dry conditions that have prevailed over much of Kansas since the fall of 2017 have left some wheat growers with relatively dim prospects for grain production for the summer 2018 harvest. An alternative use for that wheat is as a forage crop – silage or hay – which may still have considerable value at a time when pasture grazing prospects and hay supplies may be uncertain.

Wheat silage and hay can both be valuable feedstuffs for cattle producers. Wheat harvested at the dough stage should contain approximately 56-62 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 8-11 percent crude protein, on a dry matter (DM) basis. Wheat silage and hay may be used in the diets of feeder cattle, calves, replacement heifers, and beef cows. However, if the wheat is harvested post-heading, producers should grind the wheat hay if the variety has awns, since awns can cause health problems if fed unground.

Producers looking at these alternative uses for their wheat crops should also consider their options for marketing each type of feedstuff. For those who do not have their own cattle to feed, prospective demand for either silage or hay from nearby livestock producers could play an important role in their decision. Hay is more flexible in that it can be hauled farther and may be of use to a wider potential clientele.

Finally, insured wheat growers should check first with their crop insurance agent regarding insurance requirements to document potential grain yield losses before harvesting a forage crop. If producers believe they would have low grain yields and otherwise be entitled to an insurance indemnity, they may be required to leave small areas of uncut wheat to provide a way to estimate grain yields for the insurance loss calculation. Insurance agents can also inform producers of any other restrictions which may apply.

Small Predator Control

Posted on by Harvey County K-State Research and Extension

Small predator control can be a big deal for people that raise small farm animals like poultry, goats, and sheep.  Predators like coyotes and bob cats can cause a lot of dollars in damage very quickly if they are not held in check. The two best ways to keep predators out is a good fence or a good guard dog. If you have both of them it is even better.

For protecting goats and sheep the best way to keep them safe is having a good guard dog that lives in the pasture with the animals. Since the pastures the goats and sheep are in are usually fairly good sized it is not economical to build a tight enough fence that would keep a coyote out. So I would suggest getting a large breed guard dog like a Great Pyrenees, Komodor, or Ackbash.  The rule of thumb is it the guard dog needs to be two years old to be mature enough to its job successfully.

A lot of people raise chickens and enjoy having them run around the yard. Chickens are also liked by every small predator in the state and even some dogs. Having a very good fence for you poultry is the best way to go for keeping your birds safe. I think chicken wire is the best type of fence that keeps critters out of the chicken coop. It is also a good idea to burry a panel like a hog panel about a foot in the ground around the chicken coop to keep animals from digging under the fence. I would put a cover over the top of the outdoor chicken fence because raccoons and opossums are very good and climbing and will very easily get into a pen that doesn’t have a good protection over it.

If you have any questions about small predator control please call me at me office at 316-283-6930 and I will be happy to help.