News Update
August 14, 2012
Demonstrations Planned for Treating
Wheat Straw
with Ammonia
With the drought of 2012 showing no signs of easing, producers may want to consider baling straw for forage this year, according to Sandy Johnson, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension livestock specialist, based in Colby, Kan. To address the pros and cons of baling straw and treating it with ammonia to create a quality forage, K-State is teaming up with several producers to provide demonstrations around the state.
"Ammoniation is an option for those producers with wheat straw on hand to improve its feed value to a level comparable to prairie hay," said Dale Blasi, beef cattle specialist with K-State Research and Extension.
Dates, times, locations and contact information for the demonstrations include:
Tuesday, Aug. 14 — 8:30 a.m. - Ross and Judy Kinsler homestead, 2746 NW 30th St., Kingman. Contact Matt Clark, 620-532-5131;
Thursday, Aug. 16 — 9 a.m. - Burgess Land and Cattle Co, 11710 Adams Creek Rd., Westmoreland. Contact Austin Sexton, 785-457-3319
;
Friday, Aug. 17 — 9 a.m. - 9 miles south of Ness City to Road 40 and 1 mile west to top of hill. Contact Jared Petersille, 785-798-3921; and
Tuesday, Aug. 21 — 10 a.m. - Leon Mosteller farm, 1/4 mile west of the intersection of N and 232 roads, Bern, Kan. Contact Jody Holthaus, 785-364-4125.
Participants will learn how to ammoniate low-quality forage, as well as the benefits and uses of ammoniated forages. Presenters will cover safety precautions related to ammoniating forage.
American Royal Announces a New Steak Competition
Event in 2012
The American Royal Association announced today, Aug. 14, that there will be a new event added to the 2012 season, The American Royal Steak Competition. Beef producers from across the nation are invited to submit ribeye steaks to compete for the best tasting steak. Steaks will be judged by a panel of experts. There will be two entry categories, Grass-finished and Grain-finished.
"This is a new idea and event for the American Royal," says Bob Petersen, American Royal president and CEO. "Most traditional cooking contests are like the American Royal World Series of Barbecue® — they are about preparation. This competition is about awarding America's best tasting steak."
Each steak will be prepared in an identical manner at Kansas State (K-State) University Olathe Campus. They will be seasoned only with salt and cooked on a George Forman grill to an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit, sliced into one inch cubes and served to a panel of expert judges. Each steak will be identified only by a numerical code, to ensure unbiased judging. Points will be assigned for flavor, juiciness and texture, and scores will be tabulated by computer. The judging will take place Sept. 12 and the winners will be honored at the American Royal Wine Competition, Tasting, & Auction Oct. 11.
Steaks must be submitted frozen to the K-State Olathe Campus during the time of Sept. 4-7, 2012. An entry form must be also be submitted online at www.americanroyal.com.
There is no entry fee for this competition.
K-State's SW Research-Extension Center at Tribune Plans 2012 Fall Field Day Aug. 21
Kansas State University (K-State) Southwest Research Extension Center at Tribune will host its 2012 Fall Field Day Tuesday, Aug. 21, beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. MDT and the program at 9 a.m. The field is located 4 miles east of Tribune to Whitelaw, then 4.5 miles north and 1 mile east.
Morning presentations by K-State Research and Extension agronomy and agricultural economics specialists will be offered at the irrigation field, including:
- No-till crop rotations with limited irrigation;
- Crop rotation effects on soil carbon and N stocks under limited irrigation;
- Limited irrigation for new corn hybrids with increased drought tolerance;
- Kochia management; and
- Field peas and Safflower as fallow alternatives. Indoor seminars beginning at 11:15 a.m. include:
- Measurements of soil water in producer fields in western Kansas;
- Long-term N and P fertilization of irrigated corn on soil properties; and
- Update on the 2012 Farm Bill.
A sponsored lunch will be served at noon at the 4-H building at the fairgrounds in Tribune. More information about the field day is available by calling the research field at 620-376-4761.
Ohio State Announces New Network for
Environmental Professionals
"At this point, we have just one planet to share."
So said David Hanselmann, a lecturer in Ohio State University's School of Environment and Natural Resources, in announcing a new Ohio-based professional network for people whose work helps keep the planet green.
The Environmental Professionals Network, which launched Aug. 7, "is for a broad range of people who are professionally engaged in managing, protecting and using our environment and natural resources — people who really should be connected but often are not, and sometimes are even at odds," said Hanselmann, who is the network's coordinator.
"By focusing on interaction and collaboration among the community of professionals in Ohio and even beyond, we expect that solutions, small and large, will be arrived at in a more positive manner."
The network has two key components: an extensive community-oriented website, http://epn.osu.edu, and a monthly high-profile speaker series, called the "2nd Tuesdays Breakfast Club."
Joining the network is free. Students, too, are welcome. Participants can register by going to the network's website and clicking on "Getting Started."
Why join?
"At the highest level, participants will be better able to serve clients, community and society," Hanselmann said. "By collaborating within their community of professionals, they will be inspired, and will have opportunities to in turn inspire others."
For the full release, click here.
U.S. Corn Supplies Expected to Hit Nine-Year Low
The crop report released by the USDA Monday, Aug. 13, shows U.S. corn supplies for 2012-2013 will hit a nine-year low due to the nation's record-breaking drought and other factors, which will drive record corn prices even higher.
According to the crop report, corn is projected at a record $7.50 to $8.90 per bushel (bu.), up sharply from the $5.40 to $6.40 per bu. projected in July.
"These numbers highlight the crisis faced by livestock and poultry producers in simply trying to feed their animals. The report makes a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) ethanol mandate, which is exacerbating corn demand and prices, even more urgent," says American Meat Institute President J. Patrick Boyle.
"Last week, we joined a coalition in calling upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard ethanol mandate," Boyle says. "While we can't force the skies to respond with rain, the government has the power to act immediately to ease pressure on corn by waiving the RFS."
In the last week, 156 members of the House of Representatives and more than 30 senators have signed letters in support of an RFS waiver.
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