K-State cattle experts offer management advice when feed supplies run low

When consumers are trying to extend their buying dollar at the grocery store, meal planning and shopping the sale items are two ways that they can manage their spending to get the most for their money.

In a similar way, some cattle producers are already looking at ways to extend their feed resources because of the lack of moisture that may have cut those supplies short, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/27/beef-dairy-cross-genetics-managing-hay-shortages-have-weaning-weights-improved/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster recommends turning out the cattle on crop residues as a way to extend the time before they need to feed them hay.

“Grazing corn or sorghum stalks are a good feed resource for cows in mid-gestation that have their calves weaned off already,” Lancaster said.

Another option he mentioned was the fall planting of cool-season annuals.

“Those cool season annuals should provide some early grazing options in the spring assuming we get enough moisture for them to grow,” Lancaster said.

If those strategies are not options, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson suggests producers limit the number of hours in the day that the cows are given access to hay. Larson said that cows given free choice access to the hay tend to eat the most appealing part of the hay and don’t as readily consume the less digestible parts.

“To waste less hay, make the cows eat all of one bale before they get the next one,” Larson said. “Another tip is to limit the cows’ access to the hay to 6-12 hours per day.”

In a situation where feed resources are even more limited, K-State Research and Extension beef cattle geneticist Bob Weaber said it may mean some voluntary culling to reduce the herd size.

“Anytime there is a short supply, changing the demand is an effective strategy, and that can be done through the early weaning of the calves as well culling some of the cows,” Weaber said.

He added: “If you are going into a feeding period where hay is elevated in price, you can decrease the demand for the hay by reducing the herd size down to the essential group of cows you want to preserve.”

He suggested producers look at the current market prices as a factor when deciding which cows to sell.

“If the choice is between selling a mature bred cow and a bred replacement heifer, think about which one will generate more value next spring when she calves,” Weaber said. “On average, the mature cow will raise a heavier calf than the bred heifer.”

The experts agreed that if feed resources are challenged and with the current favorable market prices, it may be better to sell now rather than feeding cattle through the winter and selling them in January.

“Most importantly, producers need to have a plan now for what happens when feed runs short,” Weaber said.

To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/06/whats-next-in-genetic-technologies-supplemental-protein-selecting-for-sustainability/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699186824403.jpeg" alt="Cattle Chat: Stretching feed resources " />
 <figcaption>Cattle Chat: Stretching feed resources </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State cattle experts offer management advice when feed supplies run low</h2>By LISA MOSERKSRE&nbsp;When consumers are trying to extend their buying dollar at the grocery store, meal planning and shopping the sale items are two ways that they can manage their spending to get the most for their money.In a similar way, some cattle producers are already looking at ways to extend their feed resources because of the lack of moisture that may have cut those supplies short, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/27/beef-dairy-cross-genetics-managing-hay-shortages-have-weaning-weights-improved/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster recommends turning out the cattle on crop residues as a way to extend the time before they need to feed them hay.“Grazing corn or sorghum stalks are a good feed resource for cows in mid-gestation that have their calves weaned off already,” Lancaster said.Another option he mentioned was the fall planting of cool-season annuals.“Those cool season annuals should provide some early grazing options in the spring assuming we get enough moisture for them to grow,” Lancaster said.If those strategies are not options, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson suggests producers limit the number of hours in the day that the cows are given access to hay. Larson said that cows given free choice access to the hay tend to eat the most appealing part of the hay and don’t as readily consume the less digestible parts.“To waste less hay, make the cows eat all of one bale before they get the next one,” Larson said. “Another tip is to limit the cows’ access to the hay to 6-12 hours per day.”In a situation where feed resources are even more limited, K-State Research and Extension beef cattle geneticist Bob Weaber said it may mean some voluntary culling to reduce the herd size.“Anytime there is a short supply, changing the demand is an effective strategy, and that can be done through the early weaning of the calves as well culling some of the cows,” Weaber said.He added: “If you are going into a feeding period where hay is elevated in price, you can decrease the demand for the hay by reducing the herd size down to the essential group of cows you want to preserve.”He suggested producers look at the current market prices as a factor when deciding which cows to sell.“If the choice is between selling a mature bred cow and a bred replacement heifer, think about which one will generate more value next spring when she calves,” Weaber said. “On average, the mature cow will raise a heavier calf than the bred heifer.”The experts agreed that if feed resources are challenged and with the current favorable market prices, it may be better to sell now rather than feeding cattle through the winter and selling them in January.“Most importantly, producers need to have a plan now for what happens when feed runs short,” Weaber said.To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/06/whats-next-in-genetic-technologies-supplemental-protein-selecting-for-sustainability/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

KSRE Cattle Chat: Stretching feed resources  

K-State cattle experts discuss what to expect if anaplasmosis is identified in the area

By LISA MOSER K-State Research and Extension

MANHATTAN, Kan. — When hiking, many know to check their bodies for ticks to avoid getting Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Many of these tick diseases are region-specific.

In the same way, ticks can also carry diseases that make animals sick, said the veterinarians at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State veterinarian Brad White said anaplasmosis is a blood-borne pathogen carried primarily by ticks and can impact cattle in certain regions of the country.

“Because it is a blood-borne pathogen, cattle with anaplasmosis become anemic and that can lead to spontaneous abortions and in some cases, death,” White said.

K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said this disease often impacts a certain group of cows the most.“Anaplasmosis typically impacts the older cows the hardest because they have a harder time with the anemia,” he said.

With anemia, the first sign is often that cattle hold their heads down and act depressed, according to White. Spontaneous abortions can also be a sign that anaplasmosis is impacting the herd, he said.

“The abortions are related to the cattle getting sick systemically, meaning they get the disease and become sick enough that they can’t maintain the pregnancy,” White said.

If anaplasmosis is suspected in the herd, Lubbers said it is important to test the sick animals for an accurate diagnosis. He said that with a blood sample, veterinarians have three ways to confirm the presence of it in the herd.

“We can test the blood sample by looking for parasites on the blood cells, but that doesn’t typically show up until the cattle are clinically sick,” Lubbers said. “Other options are a PCR test where we look at the parasite's DNA, or a serology test where we look for antibodies in the blood, which would indicate exposure to the disease.”

If the disease is suspected, the sick animals are typically treated with tetracycline antibiotics, Lubbers said.

Not all herds will come in contact with ticks that carry anaplasmosis, said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.

“This disease does have a geographic component to it, and the longer the disease is in the area the magnitude of the harm will decrease because the herd will build stability over time,” he said.

He also said that fall is the time of year when cases will peak in the Midwest.

“We tend to see peak cases a few weeks after the tick populations are at their highest, so that means September through November is often when the cattle show sickness,” Larson said.

White agreed, adding: “The delay of sickness results from the time it takes from the initial infection until when they show signs of illness from the infected blood cells.”

Because this disease is extremely difficult to keep out of the herd once the carrier ticks arrive in the area, White and the others agree it is important for producers to work with their local veterinarians to come up with a management plan ahead of anaplasmosis infecting the herd.

White said, “There is not a lot producers can do to prevent exposure to anaplasmosis, and so monitoring and control will be important in the management plan for this disease.”

To hear the full discussion, listen to the <a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/20/growing-your-operation-anaplasmosis-grazing-failed-beans/">Cattle Chat podcast</a> online or through your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698156287871.jpeg" alt="Older cattle are more susceptible to anemia caused by anaplasmosis. Image Courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Older cattle are more susceptible to anemia caused by anaplasmosis. Image Courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State cattle experts discuss what to expect if anaplasmosis is identified in the area</h2>By LISA MOSER K-State Research and ExtensionMANHATTAN, Kan. — When hiking, many know to check their bodies for ticks to avoid getting Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Many of these tick diseases are region-specific.In the same way, ticks can also carry diseases that make animals sick, said the veterinarians at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute.Speaking on a recent Cattle Chat podcast, K-State veterinarian Brad White said anaplasmosis is a blood-borne pathogen carried primarily by ticks and can impact cattle in certain regions of the country.“Because it is a blood-borne pathogen, cattle with anaplasmosis become anemic and that can lead to spontaneous abortions and in some cases, death,” White said.K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said this disease often impacts a certain group of cows the most.“Anaplasmosis typically impacts the older cows the hardest because they have a harder time with the anemia,” he said.With anemia, the first sign is often that cattle hold their heads down and act depressed, according to White. Spontaneous abortions can also be a sign that anaplasmosis is impacting the herd, he said.“The abortions are related to the cattle getting sick systemically, meaning they get the disease and become sick enough that they can’t maintain the pregnancy,” White said.If anaplasmosis is suspected in the herd, Lubbers said it is important to test the sick animals for an accurate diagnosis. He said that with a blood sample, veterinarians have three ways to confirm the presence of it in the herd.“We can test the blood sample by looking for parasites on the blood cells, but that doesn’t typically show up until the cattle are clinically sick,” Lubbers said. “Other options are a PCR test where we look at the parasite's DNA, or a serology test where we look for antibodies in the blood, which would indicate exposure to the disease.”If the disease is suspected, the sick animals are typically treated with tetracycline antibiotics, Lubbers said.Not all herds will come in contact with ticks that carry anaplasmosis, said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.“This disease does have a geographic component to it, and the longer the disease is in the area the magnitude of the harm will decrease because the herd will build stability over time,” he said.He also said that fall is the time of year when cases will peak in the Midwest.“We tend to see peak cases a few weeks after the tick populations are at their highest, so that means September through November is often when the cattle show sickness,” Larson said.White agreed, adding: “The delay of sickness results from the time it takes from the initial infection until when they show signs of illness from the infected blood cells.”Because this disease is extremely difficult to keep out of the herd once the carrier ticks arrive in the area, White and the others agree it is important for producers to work with their local veterinarians to come up with a management plan ahead of anaplasmosis infecting the herd.White said, “There is not a lot producers can do to prevent exposure to anaplasmosis, and so monitoring and control will be important in the management plan for this disease.”To hear the full discussion, listen to the <a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/10/20/growing-your-operation-anaplasmosis-grazing-failed-beans/">Cattle Chat podcast</a> online or through your preferred streaming platform.

KSRE Cattle Chat: Managing tick-related sickness in the herd

Beck's, the industry's third-largest seed brand and largest family-owned retail seed company, broke ground on a new distribution and research facility in Salina, Kansas. 

Joined by state leaders and key stakeholders, Beck's commemorated their expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 11, 2023.

The 140-acre property located on North Ohio Street next to Foley’s Equipment in Saline County is the location for Beck’s first permanent location in Kansas.

Plans for the new site include a 96,000-squarefoot distribution building and 100 acres dedicated to Practical Farm Research (PFR)® studies that will provide farmers with educational and localized agronomic support.

"We are excited to break ground and establish roots in Kansas," said Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck's. " 

This investment is a reflection of our commitment to farmers in the West, allowing us to serve them faster and more efficiently with the high-quality products and support they need to succeed.

The new facility is situated off I-70 and will serve as a resource for farmers to learn and make decisions from Beck’s PFR program. Designed with the farmer in mind, PFR highlights various management practices and inputs to help farmers make better decisions and increase profitability.

“The expansion of Beck’s into Saline County is an investment that will drive economic growth and support our critical agricultural community here,” said D. Mitch Robinson, executive director at Salina Community Economic Development Organization. “The support Beck’s provides to it’s customers will help our farmers maximize their operations that will ultimately provide new resources to our local community.”

To support growing demand, Beck’s continues establishing roots to support their western expansion. In August of 2023, Beck's celebrated the grand opening of their new distribution and PFR facility in Goehner, Nebraska, and their first-ever Nebraska Field Show with nearly 1,000 farmers in attendance. On January 1, 2022, Beck’s acquired the Hartung Brothers facility in Coon Rapids, Iowa, for corn and soybean production, processing, and distribution.

“Kansas has targeted the food and agriculture sector as key to growing the state economy,” Kansas Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Nadira Hazim-Patrick said. “Beck’s is a perfect example of the kind of company we were hoping to attract. Their impact will be felt not only in Salina but across the state.”

 In August 2021, Beck’s purchased a processing facility for soybean processing and production in Beaman, Iowa. In addition, Beck's has facilities in Colfax, Mount Pleasant, and Marshalltown, Iowa, to serve their customers in the West.

Beck's construction in Salina is expected to be completed in 2024 and create several new jobs in the Salina community. The facility will also host hundreds of farmers each year at Beck's Kansas Field Show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697837738873.jpeg" alt="Left to Right: Mitch Robinson, Tim Zimmerman, Bill Longbine, Sonny Beck, Scott Beck. Images courtesy Beck's Seed" />
 <figcaption>Left to Right: Mitch Robinson, Tim Zimmerman, Bill Longbine, Sonny Beck, Scott Beck. Images courtesy Beck's Seed</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedBeck's, the industry's third-largest seed brand and largest family-owned retail seed company, broke ground on a new distribution and research facility in Salina, Kansas. Joined by state leaders and key stakeholders, Beck's commemorated their expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 11, 2023.The 140-acre property located on North Ohio Street next to Foley’s Equipment in Saline County is the location for Beck’s first permanent location in Kansas.Plans for the new site include a 96,000-squarefoot distribution building and 100 acres dedicated to Practical Farm Research (PFR)® studies that will provide farmers with educational and localized agronomic support.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697838248857.jpeg" alt="Sonny Beck delivers remarks at the groundbreaking event." />
 <figcaption>Sonny Beck delivers remarks at the groundbreaking event.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We are excited to break ground and establish roots in Kansas," said Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck's. " This investment is a reflection of our commitment to farmers in the West, allowing us to serve them faster and more efficiently with the high-quality products and support they need to succeed.The new facility is situated off I-70 and will serve as a resource for farmers to learn and make decisions from Beck’s PFR program. Designed with the farmer in mind, PFR highlights various management practices and inputs to help farmers make better decisions and increase profitability.“The expansion of Beck’s into Saline County is an investment that will drive economic growth and support our critical agricultural community here,” said D. Mitch Robinson, executive director at Salina Community Economic Development Organization. “The support Beck’s provides to it’s customers will help our farmers maximize their operations that will ultimately provide new resources to our local community.”To support growing demand, Beck’s continues establishing roots to support their western expansion. In August of 2023, Beck's celebrated the grand opening of their new distribution and PFR facility in Goehner, Nebraska, and their first-ever Nebraska Field Show with nearly 1,000 farmers in attendance. On January 1, 2022, Beck’s acquired the Hartung Brothers facility in Coon Rapids, Iowa, for corn and soybean production, processing, and distribution.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697838357644.png" alt="Beck’s new facility in Salina will provide western farmers with sales support, distribution, and PFR" />
 <figcaption>Beck’s new facility in Salina will provide western farmers with sales support, distribution, and PFR</figcaption>
 </figure>“Kansas has targeted the food and agriculture sector as key to growing the state economy,” Kansas Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Nadira Hazim-Patrick said. “Beck’s is a perfect example of the kind of company we were hoping to attract. Their impact will be felt not only in Salina but across the state.” In August 2021, Beck’s purchased a processing facility for soybean processing and production in Beaman, Iowa. In addition, Beck's has facilities in Colfax, Mount Pleasant, and Marshalltown, Iowa, to serve their customers in the West.Beck's construction in Salina is expected to be completed in 2024 and create several new jobs in the Salina community. The facility will also host hundreds of farmers each year at Beck's Kansas Field Show.

Beck's breaks ground at new research, distribution facility in Saline County

Salina, Kan. –Tim VanDonge and Lindsay Garber, Farm Bureau Financial Services agents, and Saline County Farm Bureau are teaming up to fight hunger across Saline County. 

From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth, Salina, agents and their staff will be collecting non-perishable food items. In addition, until Wednesday, Nov. 15, community members can drop off non-perishable items at Farm Bureau Financial Services offices at 2740 Belmont Blvd or 145 N Ohio. 

All items collected will be donated to Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank - an organization that strives to serve everyone in Saline County and will be tracked in a state-wide competition.

The End Hunger Food Drive is a state-wide program that brings county Farm Bureaus, Farm Bureau Financial Services agents and Kansas State University Wildcat fans together to gather food donations and participate in a friendly competition with other agents and county Farm Bureaus.

“There are hungry people in our community and together we can provide help to those in need,” Les Berndt, Saline County Farm Bureau President, said.

The winning county will be recognized at the Saturday, Nov. 25 Iowa State University vs. Kansas State University football game in Manhattan. 

Besides non-perishable food donations, monetary donations are accepted online at www.kfb.org/endhungerfooddrive. For every dollar donated and tagged for the Saline County community, we will receive credit for one pound of food.

To see how the Saline County community is competing in the state-wide competition, go to www.kfb.org/endhungerfooddrive. Donations will be weighed and turned in on a weekly basis.

For more information, contact Leslie Manning at 785-312-7929. Donations will be accepted until Nov. 15 at Farm Bureau Financial Services offices at 2740 Belmont Blvd and 145 N Ohio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697831297392.jpeg" alt="Food collection station for the drive. Photo courtesy Saline County Farm Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Food collection station for the drive. Photo courtesy Saline County Farm Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSalina, Kan. –Tim VanDonge and Lindsay Garber, Farm Bureau Financial Services agents, and Saline County Farm Bureau are teaming up to fight hunger across Saline County. From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth, Salina, agents and their staff will be collecting non-perishable food items. In addition, until Wednesday, Nov. 15, community members can drop off non-perishable items at Farm Bureau Financial Services offices at 2740 Belmont Blvd or 145 N Ohio. All items collected will be donated to Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank - an organization that strives to serve everyone in Saline County and will be tracked in a state-wide competition.The End Hunger Food Drive is a state-wide program that brings county Farm Bureaus, Farm Bureau Financial Services agents and Kansas State University Wildcat fans together to gather food donations and participate in a friendly competition with other agents and county Farm Bureaus.“There are hungry people in our community and together we can provide help to those in need,” Les Berndt, Saline County Farm Bureau President, said.The winning county will be recognized at the Saturday, Nov. 25 Iowa State University vs. Kansas State University football game in Manhattan. Besides non-perishable food donations, monetary donations are accepted online at www.kfb.org/endhungerfooddrive. For every dollar donated and tagged for the Saline County community, we will receive credit for one pound of food.To see how the Saline County community is competing in the state-wide competition, go to www.kfb.org/endhungerfooddrive. Donations will be weighed and turned in on a weekly basis.For more information, contact Leslie Manning at 785-312-7929. Donations will be accepted until Nov. 15 at Farm Bureau Financial Services offices at 2740 Belmont Blvd and 145 N Ohio.

End Hunger Food Drive in Saline County

By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.

But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”

The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.

Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.

“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”

The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.

The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.

And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.

“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.

Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.

But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.

“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.

“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”

The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696870697157.jpeg" alt=" Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)" />
 <figcaption> Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.<h2>Worries over lack of progress&nbsp;</h2>Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

Farm bill stalled amid U.S. House speaker battle, delay of spending bills

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County Farmer and Rancher

Fall harvest is in full swing on our central Kansas farm.

Do you live to work or work to live? This question of mindset and philosophy has been a source of intergenerational tension for a while now. Baby boomers see working hard to provide for their families and millennials work to support a great life outside their working hours. In the end both groups are working to make a living.

In my world, neither of these is correct; work takes on many forms in my life — a career where my living is earned, jobs completed around the farm that keep the place running and time spent on community activities. They are work in function but don’t merely represent earnings to provide for a family or the pride in a job well done. These things are my work and my life.

For weeks our house has been in fall harvest mode which means non-stop action. Someone is likely driving a combine or grain cart, fueling or shuttling vehicles, farming to prep the soil, running a drill and sometimes all of these are happening at once. Our house feels like a rest stop where meals are eaten, and the shorter days mean leaving and coming home in the dark. We exercise communication and teamwork as we put the needs of the farm over our own comfort. It’s chaotic, exciting and exhausting.

Life off the farm doesn’t stop for harvest. Recently we helped run our local Oktoberfest to raise money for community philanthropy. One of the best things about this event is the group of 16 people who serve on the planning committee to make it happen. This group of working professionals and business owners is made up of parents to small children (including three sets of twins), leaders in churches or serving on community and civic boards, and we even have some pursuing advanced degrees. Everyone on the committee is stepping away from busy lives; we are making sacrifices and working because we take ownership in making our community a great place to live.

My “real job” is fairly exciting this time of year, too. Most of the cooperatives employees are focused on harvest and helping our members get wheat in the ground. My focus is on planting a different type of seeds. The start of the school year provides lots of opportunities for me to give tours of our facilities and classroom presentations about the value of cooperatives, working at the cooperative and making the decision to live rural by choice.

Farmers are often recognized for their work ethic which might be because to farmers work is more than just doing a job, it is our life. We aren’t paid by hours or jobs done; we spend months investing time, energy and resources not knowing how much or even if it will all pay off in the end.

This is the work-life philosophy that underlies my life. Much of what I do has little instant gratification or payoff. I have to have faith that my time, effort and skills will yield something great in the future.

They say that if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. I see it slightly differently, if you love what you do, you gladly work hard to make things happen. When you fill your life with work that you love or do it for people you love it becomes so much easier.

The question shouldn’t be living to work or working to live? It should be are you working to make a living or a life?

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County Farmer and RancherFall harvest is in full swing on our central Kansas farm.Do you live to work or work to live? This question of mindset and philosophy has been a source of intergenerational tension for a while now. Baby boomers see working hard to provide for their families and millennials work to support a great life outside their working hours. In the end both groups are working to make a living.In my world, neither of these is correct; work takes on many forms in my life — a career where my living is earned, jobs completed around the farm that keep the place running and time spent on community activities. They are work in function but don’t merely represent earnings to provide for a family or the pride in a job well done. These things are my work and my life.For weeks our house has been in fall harvest mode which means non-stop action. Someone is likely driving a combine or grain cart, fueling or shuttling vehicles, farming to prep the soil, running a drill and sometimes all of these are happening at once. Our house feels like a rest stop where meals are eaten, and the shorter days mean leaving and coming home in the dark. We exercise communication and teamwork as we put the needs of the farm over our own comfort. It’s chaotic, exciting and exhausting.Life off the farm doesn’t stop for harvest. Recently we helped run our local Oktoberfest to raise money for community philanthropy. One of the best things about this event is the group of 16 people who serve on the planning committee to make it happen. This group of working professionals and business owners is made up of parents to small children (including three sets of twins), leaders in churches or serving on community and civic boards, and we even have some pursuing advanced degrees. Everyone on the committee is stepping away from busy lives; we are making sacrifices and working because we take ownership in making our community a great place to live.My “real job” is fairly exciting this time of year, too. Most of the cooperatives employees are focused on harvest and helping our members get wheat in the ground. My focus is on planting a different type of seeds. The start of the school year provides lots of opportunities for me to give tours of our facilities and classroom presentations about the value of cooperatives, working at the cooperative and making the decision to live rural by choice.Farmers are often recognized for their work ethic which might be because to farmers work is more than just doing a job, it is our life. We aren’t paid by hours or jobs done; we spend months investing time, energy and resources not knowing how much or even if it will all pay off in the end.This is the work-life philosophy that underlies my life. Much of what I do has little instant gratification or payoff. I have to have faith that my time, effort and skills will yield something great in the future.They say that if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. I see it slightly differently, if you love what you do, you gladly work hard to make things happen. When you fill your life with work that you love or do it for people you love it becomes so much easier.The question shouldn’t be living to work or working to live? It should be are you working to make a living or a life?"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Insight: Working to make a life

On Wednesday Prairieland Market announced its new brand and logo designs in preparation for the new store to open in late spring. 

“Plans are moving forward – quickly – for the new store and in anticipation of the new ways we will be able to serve the community with greater access to local, healthy foods, we have developed a new brand that better signifies what we are in the community," said Executive Director&nbsp;Vickee&nbsp;Spicer.<a></a>

Spicer said the new brand incorporates an earthy sage green and beet red that give it energy and life. The beetroot shape doubles as a heart, relating to heart-healthy food and our love for the community that is deeply rooted.

“We also thought it was important to remind the community that, although we have only been a 501c3 organization for two years, we have been here for 45 years," Spicer said. 

The new brand will begin being incorporated into printed materials, <a href="http://Prairielandmarket.org">Prairielandmarket.org</a> website, digital and social media, and on the new store, which will be located in the historic York Building in Downtown Salina.&nbsp; to be located at 118 S. Santa Fe

Demolition in the new space has been completed, taking three former storefronts and opening them up into one 4,200-square-foot space. The new space will nearly quadruple the size of the current space located at 305 E Walnut, just a few blocks away.

The new store will provide Prairieland Market with the following:

Spicer added that the new commercial kitchen will serve as a demo kitchen for regular classes on cooking, baking, and preserving local food. 

A timeline and schedule for the completion of the new store will be shared on Prairieland Market's website. 

The completion of the new store will further enable Prairieland Market to pursue its mission:

"To encourage healthy food choices, provide nutritional food education, and access to local, organic, and craft foods, in order to promote enhanced well-being for the community."

Originally founded as Prairieland Food Coop in 1978, Prairieland Market became a 501c3 in February 2022, with a new board formed in 2020 that has a vision to provide access to local, organic, and craft foods as part of the Redevelopment of Salina downtown. Prairieland Market currently provides, locally grown produce, meat, cheese, eggs, prepared foods, organic bulk goods, and kansas-made food, non-food local items, and handcrafted gifts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696514307402.jpeg" alt="Images and renderings courtesy of Prairieland Market" />
 <figcaption>Images and renderings courtesy of Prairieland Market</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTOn Wednesday Prairieland Market announced its new brand and logo designs in preparation for the new store to open in late spring. “Plans are moving forward – quickly – for the new store and in anticipation of the new ways we will be able to serve the community with greater access to local, healthy foods, we have developed a new brand that better signifies what we are in the community," said Executive Director&nbsp;Vickee&nbsp;Spicer.<a></a>Spicer said the new brand incorporates an earthy sage green and beet red that give it energy and life. The beetroot shape doubles as a heart, relating to heart-healthy food and our love for the community that is deeply rooted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696515045994.jpeg" alt="Renderings for the new Prairieland Market. Spicer said a formal ribbon cutting will be in the spring of 2024" />
 <figcaption>Renderings for the new Prairieland Market. Spicer said a formal ribbon cutting will be in the spring of 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>“We also thought it was important to remind the community that, although we have only been a 501c3 organization for two years, we have been here for 45 years," Spicer said. The new brand will begin being incorporated into printed materials, <a href="http://Prairielandmarket.org">Prairielandmarket.org</a> website, digital and social media, and on the new store, which will be located in the historic York Building in Downtown Salina.&nbsp; to be located at 118 S. Santa Fe<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3107.6828866208834!2d-97.61188772435878!3d38.8397227501057!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bcc5f5c5f760c7%3A0xf58d86df4348d16a!2s118%20S%20Santa%20Fe%20Ave%2C%20Salina%2C%20KS%2067401!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1696514549923!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>
</div>Demolition in the new space has been completed, taking three former storefronts and opening them up into one 4,200-square-foot space. The new space will nearly quadruple the size of the current space located at 305 E Walnut, just a few blocks away.The new store will provide Prairieland Market with the following:<ol>
 <li>A complete commercial kitchen to enable freshly prepared foods every day</li><li>Seeting area for those who want to eat from the daily choices in the kitchen</li><li>Water dispensing system with reverse osmosis, deionized, High pH Alkaline water</li><li>Window for community supported agriculture share customers to pick up their weekly/bi-weekly produce subscriptions </li>
 </ol><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696515127013.jpeg" alt="Prairieland Market" />
 <figcaption>Prairieland Market</figcaption>
 </figure>Spicer added that the new commercial kitchen will serve as a demo kitchen for regular classes on cooking, baking, and preserving local food. A timeline and schedule for the completion of the new store will be shared on Prairieland Market's website. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696514966003.jpeg" alt="Prairieland Market will hold a ribbon cutting at its new location on Santa Fe Avenue in Spring 2024 according to Spicer.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Prairieland Market will hold a ribbon cutting at its new location on Santa Fe Avenue in Spring 2024 according to Spicer.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The completion of the new store will further enable Prairieland Market to pursue its mission:"To encourage healthy food choices, provide nutritional food education, and access to local, organic, and craft foods, in order to promote enhanced well-being for the community."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696515426532.jpeg" alt="Prairieland Market's new seating area. " />
 <figcaption>Prairieland Market's new seating area. </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More about Prairieland Market</h2>Originally founded as Prairieland Food Coop in 1978, Prairieland Market became a 501c3 in February 2022, with a new board formed in 2020 that has a vision to provide access to local, organic, and craft foods as part of the Redevelopment of Salina downtown. Prairieland Market currently provides, locally grown produce, meat, cheese, eggs, prepared foods, organic bulk goods, and kansas-made food, non-food local items, and handcrafted gifts.

Prairieland Market in Salina announces new branding, new store to open in spring 2024

By LISA MOSER KSRE The average age of the herd can be a factor to consider when making culling decisions There are times in life when tough decisions have to be made, and in the beef business that can come when feed resources are limited or a time of generational transition, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute during a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/29/how-do-i-prevent-pregnancy-loss-culling-decisions-at-preg-checking-infertility-vs-pre-loss/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.

“Cows that are not bred are often the first ones to leave the ranch when making a culling decision,” said K-State veterinarian Brad White. “But after that group has been eliminated, there are several factors that guide which group of cattle will be cut from the herd next.”

Some of these include the average age of the herd, pregnancy timing, long-term feed resource availability and market conditions, according to the experts.

“The first thing I want to know is if I’m making a culling decision for just this year or if it is a situation where I’m going to be reducing the herd size over multiple years,” said K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers. “If I am planning to get out of the cattle business over the next several years versus having a plan to build back my herd size after the drought, those are very different strategies.”

K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed and said that often this decision is more complex than a yes or no answer regarding a specific group within the herd.

“The first ones to be sold might be a young heifer or a bred first-calf heifer that was bred late in the breeding season because she doesn’t fit with my calving season very well and the market potential right now is good,” Lancaster said.

In contrast, White said that the decision for him depends on the average age of the herd.

“If I have an older herd, I don’t want to make the average age even greater by selling off the young females,” White said.

The performance of the calves the cows raise might also influence the culling decision, agreed the experts.

“While I typically don’t cull on calf performance alone, in a year when I must reduce the herd, I may move that cow higher on my list to sell if she raises a lower-performing calf,” said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.

The other factor to consider is the temperament of the cow, White said.

“If she has an attitude, she is the first to go down the road,” he said.

To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/29/how-do-i-prevent-pregnancy-loss-culling-decisions-at-preg-checking-infertility-vs-pre-loss/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696501338520.jpeg" alt="The average age of the herd can be a factor to consider when making culling decisions. Photo Courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>The average age of the herd can be a factor to consider when making culling decisions. Photo Courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA MOSER KSRE The average age of the herd can be a factor to consider when making culling decisions There are times in life when tough decisions have to be made, and in the beef business that can come when feed resources are limited or a time of generational transition, said the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute during a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/29/how-do-i-prevent-pregnancy-loss-culling-decisions-at-preg-checking-infertility-vs-pre-loss/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.“Cows that are not bred are often the first ones to leave the ranch when making a culling decision,” said K-State veterinarian Brad White. “But after that group has been eliminated, there are several factors that guide which group of cattle will be cut from the herd next.”Some of these include the average age of the herd, pregnancy timing, long-term feed resource availability and market conditions, according to the experts.“The first thing I want to know is if I’m making a culling decision for just this year or if it is a situation where I’m going to be reducing the herd size over multiple years,” said K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers. “If I am planning to get out of the cattle business over the next several years versus having a plan to build back my herd size after the drought, those are very different strategies.”K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster agreed and said that often this decision is more complex than a yes or no answer regarding a specific group within the herd.“The first ones to be sold might be a young heifer or a bred first-calf heifer that was bred late in the breeding season because she doesn’t fit with my calving season very well and the market potential right now is good,” Lancaster said.In contrast, White said that the decision for him depends on the average age of the herd.“If I have an older herd, I don’t want to make the average age even greater by selling off the young females,” White said.The performance of the calves the cows raise might also influence the culling decision, agreed the experts.“While I typically don’t cull on calf performance alone, in a year when I must reduce the herd, I may move that cow higher on my list to sell if she raises a lower-performing calf,” said K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.The other factor to consider is the temperament of the cow, White said.“If she has an attitude, she is the first to go down the road,” he said.To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/29/how-do-i-prevent-pregnancy-loss-culling-decisions-at-preg-checking-infertility-vs-pre-loss/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

KSRE Cattle Chat: Culling Priorities

Recent breakthrough may be another step toward nano uses in agriculture

By PAT MELGARESKSRE It has been said that dynamite comes in small packages, though not nearly as small as one nanometer.

And, as USDA and Kansas State University entomologists are finding out, not nearly as mighty.

The K-State researchers have published findings of a study in which they’ve tested nanomaterial – theirs is a product consisting of an agricultural waste product attached to a known antimicrobial – that is effective at killing mosquito larvae, while using far fewer insecticides in the process.

They’ve reported the breakthrough in the September issue of the American Chemical Society Omega Journal, which also features an image of their technology as one of the supplemental front covers of the month’s issue.

The work is part of the university’s larger vision to develop nanomaterial that researchers believe will not only reduce pesticide use in the environment, but also be a viable solution for many pests that affect agricultural production, such as Hessian fly, corn rootworm, grasshoppers, termites and more.

K-State’s program is funded for four years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“If nanotechnology can be employed to control pests, it will greatly reduce the use of pesticides in the environment,” said Jeff Whitworth, a field crop entomologist with K-State Research and Extension. “And if researchers can find the right carriers for these nano insecticides – products that may be considered organic waste – that may also reduce the amount of organic waste.”

In the current project, K-State researchers coupled silver – a known antimicrobial – with a corn protein known as zein (pronounced zee-inn) that is typically a waste product. As mosquito larvae filter food from water, they ingest the nanomaterial containing silver.

“We found that in mosquito larvae, silver apparently gets into their mid-gut and kills the microbes that are necessary for mosquito larval well-being,” said K-State nano-entomologist Amie Norton.

The concentration of pesticide in the nanomaterial developed by the USDA/K-State team is, by far, less than what would traditionally be used to combat mosquito populations. According to Norton, K-State’s product included just 1 part per million of pesticide – a proportion similar to 1 drop of water in a 10 gallon fish tank.

She said normal concentrations of pesticide range from 10 to 32 parts per million.

“The advantage of nanotechnology is that you have a larger surface area to work with, and nanomaterials have more bioavailability of active ingredients due to their size,” Norton said. “The increased loading of pesticides onto the surface of nanomaterials and their ability to increase the bioavailability of ingredients to targeted pests results in the use of less active ingredients (pesticides), which leads to lower costs for those using these products.”

Silver is not a typical pesticide used in mosquito control, Whitworth said. Future applications are expected to include a more common pesticide – spinosad – and a growth regulator, methoprene, “so that what doesn’t kill them will keep them from growing into adults,” Norton said.

Nanoparticles are considered part of a bright new future for science and technology. By definition, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, so small that it cannot be detected by electronic microscopes.

For perspective, however, consider that one sheet of standard copy paper is 100,000 nanometers thick; a period at the end of this sentence is approximately 1 million nanometers. Or, one nanometer compares to a standard tennis ball in equal proportion to how that same tennis ball compares to planet Earth.

“We are just one year into this area of research,” Whitworth said. “We are looking for ways to recycle agriculture waste and convert it to something useful. It’s a step-by-step process; it takes a while and we are learning as we go.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696248509702.jpeg" alt="K-State entomologists have developed a way to couple an antimicrobial (silver) with an agricultural waste product (zein) to kill mosquito larvae. Their study is published in the September issue of the American Chemical Society Omega Journal. The graphic above depicting the breakthrough was created by K-State entomology staffer Crystal Ly and appears on one of the journal's supplemental covers. (Graphic courtesy of Amie Norton) " />
 <figcaption>K-State entomologists have developed a way to couple an antimicrobial (silver) with an agricultural waste product (zein) to kill mosquito larvae. Their study is published in the September issue of the American Chemical Society Omega Journal. The graphic above depicting the breakthrough was created by K-State entomology staffer Crystal Ly and appears on one of the journal's supplemental covers. (Graphic courtesy of Amie Norton) </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Recent breakthrough may be another step toward nano uses in agriculture</h2>By PAT MELGARESKSRE It has been said that dynamite comes in small packages, though not nearly as small as one nanometer.And, as USDA and Kansas State University entomologists are finding out, not nearly as mighty.The K-State researchers have published findings of a study in which they’ve tested nanomaterial – theirs is a product consisting of an agricultural waste product attached to a known antimicrobial – that is effective at killing mosquito larvae, while using far fewer insecticides in the process.They’ve reported the breakthrough in the September issue of the American Chemical Society Omega Journal, which also features an image of their technology as one of the supplemental front covers of the month’s issue.The work is part of the university’s larger vision to develop nanomaterial that researchers believe will not only reduce pesticide use in the environment, but also be a viable solution for many pests that affect agricultural production, such as Hessian fly, corn rootworm, grasshoppers, termites and more.K-State’s program is funded for four years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.“If nanotechnology can be employed to control pests, it will greatly reduce the use of pesticides in the environment,” said Jeff Whitworth, a field crop entomologist with K-State Research and Extension. “And if researchers can find the right carriers for these nano insecticides – products that may be considered organic waste – that may also reduce the amount of organic waste.”In the current project, K-State researchers coupled silver – a known antimicrobial – with a corn protein known as zein (pronounced zee-inn) that is typically a waste product. As mosquito larvae filter food from water, they ingest the nanomaterial containing silver.“We found that in mosquito larvae, silver apparently gets into their mid-gut and kills the microbes that are necessary for mosquito larval well-being,” said K-State nano-entomologist Amie Norton.The concentration of pesticide in the nanomaterial developed by the USDA/K-State team is, by far, less than what would traditionally be used to combat mosquito populations. According to Norton, K-State’s product included just 1 part per million of pesticide – a proportion similar to 1 drop of water in a 10 gallon fish tank.She said normal concentrations of pesticide range from 10 to 32 parts per million.“The advantage of nanotechnology is that you have a larger surface area to work with, and nanomaterials have more bioavailability of active ingredients due to their size,” Norton said. “The increased loading of pesticides onto the surface of nanomaterials and their ability to increase the bioavailability of ingredients to targeted pests results in the use of less active ingredients (pesticides), which leads to lower costs for those using these products.”Silver is not a typical pesticide used in mosquito control, Whitworth said. Future applications are expected to include a more common pesticide – spinosad – and a growth regulator, methoprene, “so that what doesn’t kill them will keep them from growing into adults,” Norton said.Nanoparticles are considered part of a bright new future for science and technology. By definition, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, so small that it cannot be detected by electronic microscopes.For perspective, however, consider that one sheet of standard copy paper is 100,000 nanometers thick; a period at the end of this sentence is approximately 1 million nanometers. Or, one nanometer compares to a standard tennis ball in equal proportion to how that same tennis ball compares to planet Earth.“We are just one year into this area of research,” Whitworth said. “We are looking for ways to recycle agriculture waste and convert it to something useful. It’s a step-by-step process; it takes a while and we are learning as we go.”

USDA, K-State entomologists use nanotechnology to combat mosquitos

K-State cattle experts share management options for open and pregnant cows

When making an important decision, many people prefer to gather as much information as they can to make the most informed choice possible.

For cow-calf producers, knowing the pregnancy status of the cows is important information to have as they decide which animals they are going to keep and which ones they are going to sell, according to the experts at Kansas State Univeristy’s Beef Cattle Institute. This was the topic for a recent discussion on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/15/research-heat-impacts-goals-with-pregnancy-checking-how-to-best-handle-heat-stress/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.

“As forage availability becomes more limited, pregnancy checking in the first 60 to 90 days of gestation allows producers to make the culling decision sooner rather than later, and that helps keep the feed costs down,” said AJ Tarpoff, K-State Research and Extension beef cattle veterinarian.

Along with knowing if they are pregnant or open (not pregnant), K-State veterinarian Bob Larson also stresses the importance of knowing when the cows are conceived.

“I want as many cows as possible to get pregnant in the first 21 days of the breeding season because they will raise the biggest calves to sell at weaning,” Larson said. He also shared that the cows that calve early are more likely to resume their heat cycles on time for the next breeding season.

Another benefit of bringing the cows off the pasture for pregnancy checking is that producers can also evaluate the body condition of the cows, said K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster.

“Body condition scoring the cows at weaning allows producers to make decisions about how to manage the cows nutritionally ahead of the calving season,” Lancaster said. “At the start of the calving season, mature cows should be at a body condition score between five and six and first calf heifers should be at a body condition score of six.”

If the cows are thin at weaning, there is still time for them to add weight ahead of calving, Lancaster said.

“It is a lot cheaper and easier to put weight on the thin cows going through the fall than in the winter when bad weather can make it a challenge for them to overcome the additional maintenance requirements,” Lancaster said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695139687382.jpeg" alt="Body condition is one factor that can be evaluated when the cows are pregnancy-checked. KSRE Photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Body condition is one factor that can be evaluated when the cows are pregnancy-checked. KSRE Photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA MOSER KSRE<h2>K-State cattle experts share management options for open and pregnant cows</h2>When making an important decision, many people prefer to gather as much information as they can to make the most informed choice possible.For cow-calf producers, knowing the pregnancy status of the cows is important information to have as they decide which animals they are going to keep and which ones they are going to sell, according to the experts at Kansas State Univeristy’s Beef Cattle Institute. This was the topic for a recent discussion on the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/09/15/research-heat-impacts-goals-with-pregnancy-checking-how-to-best-handle-heat-stress/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.“As forage availability becomes more limited, pregnancy checking in the first 60 to 90 days of gestation allows producers to make the culling decision sooner rather than later, and that helps keep the feed costs down,” said AJ Tarpoff, K-State Research and Extension beef cattle veterinarian.Along with knowing if they are pregnant or open (not pregnant), K-State veterinarian Bob Larson also stresses the importance of knowing when the cows are conceived.“I want as many cows as possible to get pregnant in the first 21 days of the breeding season because they will raise the biggest calves to sell at weaning,” Larson said. He also shared that the cows that calve early are more likely to resume their heat cycles on time for the next breeding season.Another benefit of bringing the cows off the pasture for pregnancy checking is that producers can also evaluate the body condition of the cows, said K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster.“Body condition scoring the cows at weaning allows producers to make decisions about how to manage the cows nutritionally ahead of the calving season,” Lancaster said. “At the start of the calving season, mature cows should be at a body condition score between five and six and first calf heifers should be at a body condition score of six.”If the cows are thin at weaning, there is still time for them to add weight ahead of calving, Lancaster said.“It is a lot cheaper and easier to put weight on the thin cows going through the fall than in the winter when bad weather can make it a challenge for them to overcome the additional maintenance requirements,” Lancaster said.

Cattle Chat: Reasons to check for pregnancy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/madison-mcvan/">MADISON MCVAN</a>

As food prices&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2022/12/14/heres-why-food-prices-remain-stubbornly-high-even-as-inflation-cools/">rose</a>&nbsp;around the country, so did farmers’ take-home pay.

Net farm profits rose by 30% from 2021 to 2022, according to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the same time, food prices inflated by more than 10%.

The USDA predicts farm incomes will drop by about 20% in 2023 to levels still above pre-pandemic averages — and interest groups are already using the expected drop in profits to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/president-duvall-testimony-as-prepared-for-the-senate-agriculture-committee">lobby</a>&nbsp;for more money as Congress works on the next Farm Bill.

Farm incomes vary widely based on commodities and local weather patterns, so experts warn against making sweeping industry-wide generalizations. The record-high incomes last year were largely driven by high prices and good yields for the country’s biggest cash crops — corn and soy — according to Pauline Van Nurden, extension economist at the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-income-and-wealth-statistics/charts-and-maps-about-your-state/">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;was fifth in the nation in farm income last year, bringing in $9.7 billion, mostly through corn, soy, hog, cattle and dairy production.

Most of the income growth is concentrated among the industry’s biggest farms, according to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

In the warehouse of a St. Paul food nonprofit on Aug. 28, Vilsack announced the record-high income levels to a crowd of agriculture leaders and media before visiting the Minnesota State Fair.

He made a show of stepping away from the podium, removing his jacket and walking over to the whiteboard, where he started writing numbers.

Less than 8% of the country’s farms brought in more than $500,000 last year. Those farms made up 89% of the record-breaking farm profits last year, he explained.

Overall, farmers took home&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17833">$15 billion</a>&nbsp;in direct government payments, most of which go to the biggest farms, according to the Environmental Working Group, which tracks subsidy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://farm.ewg.org/progdetail.php?fips=00000&amp;progcode=totalfarm&amp;page=conc&amp;regionname=theUnitedStates">data</a>.

Vilsack pointed to the numbers representing large farms, and sent a strong signal the Biden administration has no interest in policies that would negatively affect the richest farmers.

“These folks are great people — good people, hard working people,” he said. “They have a lot of risk. They are providing food for our families and for the world’s families. I don’t think it’s a circumstance or a situation where you necessarily have to do something to this world.”

He pointed to the numbers representing the smaller farms that shared the remaining profits.

“But you sure as heck need to do something about these people,” he said.

Vilsack touted investments that would help create new revenue streams for farms, like paying them to use “climate-smart” farming techniques, opening up carbon markets and finding ways to get fresh produce directly into grocery stores and schools.

Farm groups across the political spectrum largely support voluntary programs that pay farmers for implementing climate-friendly practices.

Ahead of the Farm Bill, however, commodity groups have also prioritized&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cd49557a-ffe2-33e2-baa4-13cf24f355db/Testimony_Larew_05.02.2023.pdf">protecting and expanding crop insurance</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncga.com/stay-informed/media/in-the-news/article/2023/05/ncga-leader-highlights-importance-of-crop-insurance-at-senate-ag-subcommittee-hearing-on-farm-bill-priorities">lowering premiums</a>.

Jonathan Coppess, director of the Gardner Agriculture Policy Program at the University of Illinois, said the projected drop in farm income — from extreme highs in 2022 to above-average in 2023 — is to be expected given the ag sector’s volatility.

“There’s a temptation, if not a strategic mindset, to proclaim this as something drastic and bad,” Coppess said, referring to the farm lobby using the expected drop in income to influence the Farm Bill debate.

In a May 2 Senate hearing, American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/president-duvall-testimony-as-prepared-for-the-senate-agriculture-committee">presented</a>&nbsp;a bleak picture of U.S. agriculture, leaning on the USDA data that showed a projected decrease in farm income.

“Much uncertainty remains related to the ability for farmers and ranchers to access supplies, to manage volatile markets and to deal with regulation and weather-related challenges,” Duvall said.

Republican U.S. Senate Agriculture committee staff recently published a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/minority-blog/usda-forecasts-sharpest-decline-in-us-farm-income-in-history">blog</a>&nbsp;headlined “USDA Forecasts Sharpest Decline in U.S. Farm Income in History,” urging lawmakers to fund strong crop insurance and risk management programs.

The current Farm Bill will expire at the end of the month.

This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/09/12/farm-profits-reached-new-heights-last-year/">the Minnesota Reformer</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589039066122.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/madison-mcvan/">MADISON MCVAN</a>As food prices&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2022/12/14/heres-why-food-prices-remain-stubbornly-high-even-as-inflation-cools/">rose</a>&nbsp;around the country, so did farmers’ take-home pay.Net farm profits rose by 30% from 2021 to 2022, according to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the same time, food prices inflated by more than 10%.The USDA predicts farm incomes will drop by about 20% in 2023 to levels still above pre-pandemic averages — and interest groups are already using the expected drop in profits to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/president-duvall-testimony-as-prepared-for-the-senate-agriculture-committee">lobby</a>&nbsp;for more money as Congress works on the next Farm Bill.Farm incomes vary widely based on commodities and local weather patterns, so experts warn against making sweeping industry-wide generalizations. The record-high incomes last year were largely driven by high prices and good yields for the country’s biggest cash crops — corn and soy — according to Pauline Van Nurden, extension economist at the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/farm-income-and-wealth-statistics/charts-and-maps-about-your-state/">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;was fifth in the nation in farm income last year, bringing in $9.7 billion, mostly through corn, soy, hog, cattle and dairy production.Most of the income growth is concentrated among the industry’s biggest farms, according to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.In the warehouse of a St. Paul food nonprofit on Aug. 28, Vilsack announced the record-high income levels to a crowd of agriculture leaders and media before visiting the Minnesota State Fair.He made a show of stepping away from the podium, removing his jacket and walking over to the whiteboard, where he started writing numbers.Less than 8% of the country’s farms brought in more than $500,000 last year. Those farms made up 89% of the record-breaking farm profits last year, he explained.Overall, farmers took home&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17833">$15 billion</a>&nbsp;in direct government payments, most of which go to the biggest farms, according to the Environmental Working Group, which tracks subsidy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://farm.ewg.org/progdetail.php?fips=00000&amp;progcode=totalfarm&amp;page=conc&amp;regionname=theUnitedStates">data</a>.Vilsack pointed to the numbers representing large farms, and sent a strong signal the Biden administration has no interest in policies that would negatively affect the richest farmers.“These folks are great people — good people, hard working people,” he said. “They have a lot of risk. They are providing food for our families and for the world’s families. I don’t think it’s a circumstance or a situation where you necessarily have to do something to this world.”He pointed to the numbers representing the smaller farms that shared the remaining profits.“But you sure as heck need to do something about these people,” he said.Vilsack touted investments that would help create new revenue streams for farms, like paying them to use “climate-smart” farming techniques, opening up carbon markets and finding ways to get fresh produce directly into grocery stores and schools.Farm groups across the political spectrum largely support voluntary programs that pay farmers for implementing climate-friendly practices.Ahead of the Farm Bill, however, commodity groups have also prioritized&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cd49557a-ffe2-33e2-baa4-13cf24f355db/Testimony_Larew_05.02.2023.pdf">protecting and expanding crop insurance</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncga.com/stay-informed/media/in-the-news/article/2023/05/ncga-leader-highlights-importance-of-crop-insurance-at-senate-ag-subcommittee-hearing-on-farm-bill-priorities">lowering premiums</a>.Jonathan Coppess, director of the Gardner Agriculture Policy Program at the University of Illinois, said the projected drop in farm income — from extreme highs in 2022 to above-average in 2023 — is to be expected given the ag sector’s volatility.“There’s a temptation, if not a strategic mindset, to proclaim this as something drastic and bad,” Coppess said, referring to the farm lobby using the expected drop in income to influence the Farm Bill debate.It’s already happening.In a May 2 Senate hearing, American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/president-duvall-testimony-as-prepared-for-the-senate-agriculture-committee">presented</a>&nbsp;a bleak picture of U.S. agriculture, leaning on the USDA data that showed a projected decrease in farm income.“Much uncertainty remains related to the ability for farmers and ranchers to access supplies, to manage volatile markets and to deal with regulation and weather-related challenges,” Duvall said.Republican U.S. Senate Agriculture committee staff recently published a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/minority-blog/usda-forecasts-sharpest-decline-in-us-farm-income-in-history">blog</a>&nbsp;headlined “USDA Forecasts Sharpest Decline in U.S. Farm Income in History,” urging lawmakers to fund strong crop insurance and risk management programs.The current Farm Bill will expire at the end of the month.This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/09/12/farm-profits-reached-new-heights-last-year/">the Minnesota Reformer</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

Farm profits reached new heights last year, but are expected to drop in 2023

K-State’s Blakeslee explains science behind food preparation

<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2023/09/food-science-preparing-vegetables.html">By PAT MELGARES</a> KSRE

A potato is a potato is a potato…right?

Maybe not, says Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee.

“If you taste a whole vegetable, such as a baked sweet potato, compared to slices of sweet potato that are baked, you’ll have two different foods,” said Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of the university’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">Rapid Response Center for food science</a>.

“Cutting the vegetable opens up the cell structure to allow the natural sugars and proteins to interact with the heat,” she said. “Taste the sweet potatoes side-by-side and you will pick up different flavor compounds.”

Cutting vegetables to roast or bake can “take flavor to another level,” according to Blakeslee, because of a concept known as the&nbsp;Maillard reaction.

“The&nbsp;Maillard reaction&nbsp;is a non-enzymatic reaction between amino acids (that make up proteins) and reducing sugars (such as glucose and fructose) in the presence of heat,” Blakeslee said.

“In some cases, it is a desirable reaction, such as browning meat or baked bread, or roasted coffee beans. But in other cases, it is detrimental – such as in dry milk powder if it is stored improperly. It’s not the same as caramelization, which is a thermal decomposition of certain sugars in food (such as making caramel candy).”

Vegetables can be tasty regardless of the way consumers prepare them, Blakeslee said; it’s just a matter of preference.

“Try different ways to prepare and cook vegetables,” she said. “From baking, roasting, sautéing and more, the preparation can add a lot of variety to any meal.”

She adds: “Using different preparation methods can take a once-hated vegetable to a favorite vegetable.”

Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/newsletter">You Asked It!</a>&nbsp;that provides numerous tips on being safe and healthy. More information is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694638870338.jpeg" alt="Cutting vegetables opens the cell structure to allow natural sugars and proteins to interact with heat, says K-State food scientist Karen Blakeslee." />
 <figcaption>Cutting vegetables opens the cell structure to allow natural sugars and proteins to interact with heat, says K-State food scientist Karen Blakeslee.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State’s Blakeslee explains science behind food preparation</h2><a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2023/09/food-science-preparing-vegetables.html">By PAT MELGARES</a> KSREA potato is a potato is a potato…right?Maybe not, says Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee.“If you taste a whole vegetable, such as a baked sweet potato, compared to slices of sweet potato that are baked, you’ll have two different foods,” said Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of the university’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">Rapid Response Center for food science</a>.“Cutting the vegetable opens up the cell structure to allow the natural sugars and proteins to interact with the heat,” she said. “Taste the sweet potatoes side-by-side and you will pick up different flavor compounds.”Cutting vegetables to roast or bake can “take flavor to another level,” according to Blakeslee, because of a concept known as the&nbsp;Maillard reaction.“The&nbsp;Maillard reaction&nbsp;is a non-enzymatic reaction between amino acids (that make up proteins) and reducing sugars (such as glucose and fructose) in the presence of heat,” Blakeslee said.“In some cases, it is a desirable reaction, such as browning meat or baked bread, or roasted coffee beans. But in other cases, it is detrimental – such as in dry milk powder if it is stored improperly. It’s not the same as caramelization, which is a thermal decomposition of certain sugars in food (such as making caramel candy).”Vegetables can be tasty regardless of the way consumers prepare them, Blakeslee said; it’s just a matter of preference.“Try different ways to prepare and cook vegetables,” she said. “From baking, roasting, sautéing and more, the preparation can add a lot of variety to any meal.”She adds: “Using different preparation methods can take a once-hated vegetable to a favorite vegetable.”Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/newsletter">You Asked It!</a>&nbsp;that provides numerous tips on being safe and healthy. More information is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.