By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University weed ecologist is encouraging the state’s producers to participate in a survey that she says will help with targeted weed control management strategies in the future.

Anita Dille said the 2021 Soybean and Corn Weed Management, Weed Escapes and Targeted Spraying Technologies survey is now available online (see link below) or in the Oct. 7 agronomy eUpdate from K-State Research and Extension.

“There’s so many neat technologies out there now that are being developed and explored where we could be more precise and site specific in how we manage weeds,” Dille said.

Dille and her colleagues on this survey, Rodrigo Werle, of University of Wisconsin-Madison and Chris Proctor, of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are intrigued to know what producers are seeing in their fields.

“We’re looking at really understanding what kind of weed management people are practicing right now in regard to focusing on corn and soybean production systems in the Midwest,” Dille said.

She said the researchers want to hear responses from anyone in the industry, including farmers, crop consultants, extension agents and advisors.

The Frontier Extension District will host a virtual meeting on “Anaplasmosis in Beef Cattle and Fly Control Strategies,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. A.J. Tarpoff, KSU Extension beef veterinarian, will discuss anaplasmosis, and provide any updates on the disease. KSU Extension entomologist Cassandra Olds will highlight fly control and issues with insecticide resistance.

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection that attacks red blood cells and leads to the destruction of those cells. Signs typically show up in late summer and often the first sign of the disease is finding mature cattle dead in the pasture. Anaplasmosis is reported in every state except Hawaii. In eastern Kansas anaplasmosis is considered an endemic disease. Tarpoff will lead the discussion on the disease, management in cattle, and what can be done to reduce cattle deaths.

Fly control is another concern that takes millions of dollars from the cattle industry. Horn flies are blood feeders and they are responsible for the most loss. The loss comes from a decrease in average daily gain, milk production, and costs associated with fly control. Olds will discuss strategies that can be used to reduce these losses and will discuss other fly species that producers encounter.

To register for the Zoom presentation, contact the Frontier Extension Office in Ottawa at 785-229-3520 or [email protected].

The Frontier Extension District will hold a virtual meeting on “Crop Fertility Issues and Social Implications on Herbicide Choice,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

Crop fertility issues surface each year. This virtual crop update features Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, who will address the latest fertility issues arising in corn and soybeans. Each year sees an increase in potash deficiency and during the growing season. Ruiz Diaz will address these issues and more during the presentation.

Herbicide choice not only has an effect on your crops, but potentially on the neighbors’ as well. Kansas State University agronomy specialists Terry Griffin and Sarah Lancaster will use a game approach that they developed to show how herbicide choices can affect others. With awareness of drift and proper management, hopefully specialty herbicides can continue to be used as effective tools in weed control for producers.

To register for this Zoom presentation, call the Ottawa Extension Office at 785-229-3520, or email [email protected].

The Frontier Extension District will hold a virtual meeting “Beef Quality Assurance Practices,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Beef Quality Assurance is a producer driven program in which cattle producers, from the cow-calf producer to the feedlot sector, assume responsibility for producing beef that is a healthy, wholesome, quality product and free from defects such as injection-site lesions and bruises. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in what they eat.

A.J. Tarpoff, KSU Extension beef veterinarian, will be the featured speaker, discussing BQA practices, vaccine care, processing, treatment records, injection site location, and livestock handling using low stress methods. Time will be available at the end of his 45-minute presentation for questions and answers. This meeting will not certify producers in beef quality assurance.

To register for the Zoom presentation, call the Frontier Extension office in Ottawa at 785-229-3520 or email [email protected]

Students returning to Flint Hills Technical College’s main campus for the spring semester are enjoying newly remodeled spaces and labs. The renovations were made possible by the completion of the Inspiring Wranglers campaign that kicked off in 2018. The more than $2 million campaign wrapped up in 2020 with the goal of providing students enhanced educational facilities, helping students achieve success.

“We are excited to have our students utilizing the newly renovated spaces within Phase 1 of the project,” said Mike Crouch, FHTC Vice President of Advancement. “The renovation would not be possible without the support of our many donors and we are extremely appreciative of their generosity to ensure that FHTC students have top of the line learning environments.”

Phase 1 began in August 2020 and the newly finished spaces include a state-of-the-art chemistry lab and upgraded student commons area with student study spaces and a dedicated luncheon area. Hospitality and culinary arts area renovations involved two kitchen labs – a senior teaching kitchen and a demonstration kitchen. Both labs were reconfigured with an optimized layout and outfitted with new equipment and technology. Construction on Phase 2 has begun and is slated to be completed by late spring 2021.

The Frontier Extension District will hold a virtual corn and soybean herbicide update at 7 p.m. Feb.10, 2021.

Sarah Lancaster, KSU weed control specialist, will be the featured speaker. Lancaster will update the latest in herbicide choices for corn and soybeans and will cover the latest on applicator certification needs for respective herbicides. Join in for a short and informative herbicide update.

Anyone interested in registering for the Zoom session should call the Frontier Extension District’s Ottawa office at 785-229-3520 or email [email protected].