BURLINGTON, Kan. – Governor Laura Kelly announced yesterday that EMP Shield, an industry leader in protecting electronic devices from destructive magnetic pulses, plans to invest $1.9 billion in a computer chip manufacturing facility at Burlington, Kan. The facility will create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually.

EMP Shield will build its facility on 300 acres in a secure campus located at Silicon Prairie Industrial Park. The company will be joined by six out-of-state suppliers, resulting in an additional 1,000 jobs created in Coffey County.

“Bringing economic prosperity to every corner of the state – particularly rural Kansas – has been a priority since my very first day in office,” Kelly said. “We achieve that with this project, creating thousands of high-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, and proving that every Kansas community is ripe for investment and growth.”

EMP Shield plans to have four production lines operating in approximately 235,000 square feet of facilities in the new industrial park that will produce thousands of chips per week. Its suppliers will manufacture necessary components and prepare the final products for delivery.

High commodity prices will propel the United States’ net farm income to a record $160.5 billion this year, despite a steep climb in expenses.

The United States Department of Agriculture has predicted farm income to be 14 percent higher than last year. That’s twice as high as three years ago.

Value of farm assets would climb 10 percent this year, following a 10 percent increase in 2021, second highest year. Farm debt will climb more slowly, USDA said. The debt-to-asset ratio will drop to 13.05 percent, its first decline since 2011.

Crops and livestock will generate $541.5 billion in cash receipts, up 24 percent or nearly $106 billion, from last year. Almost all of the increase, $96.8 billion, would be the result of higher prices, calculated USDA economists. Corn, wheat, and soybean will make an additional $37 billion this year compared to last.

Higher broiler chicken prices would boost receipts by 55 percent. Revenue from cattle, hogs, turkeys, and milk also would climb. “Cash receipts for chicken eggs are expected to more than double,” USDA said.

Commodity prices boomed with the return of China to the U.S. market in fall 2020, USDA said. They surged again after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February.

The invasion disrupted grain and fertilizer exports from the Black Sea region. Ukraine and Russia are major wheat exporters, and Russia leads in fertilizer exports.

TOPEKA, Kan. – A Topeka company was honored for sustainable mining practices and conservation efforts at Plummer Creek Quarry, near Scranton, Kan.

Nick Jackson, Mid-States Materials, with the 2022 NASLR award. Courtesy photo.

In an awards presentation Sept. 26, 2022, the National Association of State Land Reclamationists awarded Mid-States Materials, LLC, Topeka, Kan., with the association’s 2022 Outstanding Mined Land Reclamation Award (Non-Coal). The award recognized Mid-States Materials’ efforts to protect the environment and preserve Kansas’ natural landscapes with reclamation practices at the Osage County quarry.

Plummer Creek Quarry reclamation efforts included erosion control, gradual grading of slopes, and final vegetation to turn the 100-acre piece of the quarry into a productive agricultural asset. Calling it a true testament to the long-term reclamation and stewardship efforts at Plummer Creek Quarry, the NASLR Board of Officers gave special commendation to the construction of the wetland that intercepts the agricultural runoff from adjacent fields.

“We continuously strive to be the model for the industry,” said Nick Jackson, Mid-States Materials environmental specialist. “Extracting the resources for growth here in the present, to provide a thriving future when we leave.”

Osage City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, Sept. 11, 2022, at Jones Park, in Osage City, Kan., with shows at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

C&M Circus is an authentic one-ring, big top circus and features a new 2022 performance with big cats presented by Trey Key, aerialist extraordinaire Simone on the trapeze, 10th generation Loyal Bareback Horse Riders, the Perez Daredevil Duo on the tight rope and Wheel of Destiny, and Circus Clown Leo Acton.

The Frontier Extension District will host a wheat production meeting 7 p.m. Aug. 2, 2022, at the Neosho County Community College-Ottawa Campus, 900 E. Logan St., Ottawa, Kan.

The speakers for the evening will be southeast area agronomist Bruno Perdreira and K-State Extension wheat and forage specialist Romulo Lollato. They will focus on fertility needed to maximize yields, foliar fungicide treatments, seeding rates, varieties, and weed control. The meeting will provide opportunity to ask questions about planting wheat and gain information from those doing wheat research.

Anyone interested in planting wheat for the first time in several years or are interested in management practices is invited to attend.

For more information, contact Ryan Schaub, Frontier Extension crop production and farm management agent, at 785-448-6826.