By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

Leave the animals be. 
That is the top piece of advice from Cheyenne Bottoms Area Wildlife Manager
Jason Wagner references when it comes to citizens asking what they should do
when they encounter “stranded” or injured animals. Wagner noted wildlife staff have received a lot of questions this year of people dealing with baby rabbits and
birds. 
In the case of injured animals, Wagner said there are not many resources for
rehabbing the creatures. 
"As a wildlife agency, we're worried about population management, not individuals," said Wagner. "We're looking at the big picture. We don't have rehabbers on site. The zoo in Great Bend does take some of the animals, specializing in birds of prey. It's hard for us to find rehabbers and it takes away a lot of our time throughout the day if we're having to move some of these animals around." 
Wagner understands that it is natural for some citizens to want to help, but
oftentimes touching or moving an injured baby animal can be a death sentence
for that animal. After the baby or nest is disturbed, the mother will often
move on and not care for the animal.

In the example of birds, sometimes a heavy
windstorm will blow them out of the nest or nature is running its course. 
"Say four little birds hatch in a nest," said Wagner. "Usually, only one or two will survive. There is one bird in there that is stronger and more fit than the others. In order for that bird to survive, it will push the weaker birds out of the nest. It's part of nature that some of them will not make it." 
For people finding baby rabbits burrowed into the ground, they are typically
not abandoned. Wagner said the baby rabbits don’t have much of a scent and they’re
well camouflaged so it is hard for predators to find them. The mother usually
only visits the nest a couple times each day to keep attention away from the
babies.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653342764091.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostLeave the animals be. 
That is the top piece of advice from Cheyenne Bottoms Area Wildlife Manager
Jason Wagner references when it comes to citizens asking what they should do
when they encounter “stranded” or injured animals. Wagner noted wildlife staff have received a lot of questions this year of people dealing with baby rabbits and
birds. 
In the case of injured animals, Wagner said there are not many resources for
rehabbing the creatures. 
"As a wildlife agency, we're worried about population management, not individuals," said Wagner. "We're looking at the big picture. We don't have rehabbers on site. The zoo in Great Bend does take some of the animals, specializing in birds of prey. It's hard for us to find rehabbers and it takes away a lot of our time throughout the day if we're having to move some of these animals around." 
Wagner understands that it is natural for some citizens to want to help, but
oftentimes touching or moving an injured baby animal can be a death sentence
for that animal. After the baby or nest is disturbed, the mother will often
move on and not care for the animal. In the example of birds, sometimes a heavy
windstorm will blow them out of the nest or nature is running its course. 
"Say four little birds hatch in a nest," said Wagner. "Usually, only one or two will survive. There is one bird in there that is stronger and more fit than the others. In order for that bird to survive, it will push the weaker birds out of the nest. It's part of nature that some of them will not make it." 
For people finding baby rabbits burrowed into the ground, they are typically
not abandoned. Wagner said the baby rabbits don’t have much of a scent and they’re
well camouflaged so it is hard for predators to find them. The mother usually
only visits the nest a couple times each day to keep attention away from the
babies.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Cheyenne Bottoms Manager: Leave baby and injured animals alone

Today Showers, mainly before 5pm. High near 55. Northeast wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tonight A chance of showers before 8pm, then a chance of rain after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 47. North northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday A chance of rain before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Night A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 84.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Breezy.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Memorial Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today Showers, mainly before 5pm. High near 55. Northeast wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.Tonight A chance of showers before 8pm, then a chance of rain after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 47. North northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.Wednesday A chance of rain before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.Wednesday Night A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52.Friday Sunny, with a high near 84.Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62.Saturday Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy.Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Breezy.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.Memorial Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuesday's Weather

June is the time to fertilize warm-season lawn grasses such as bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass. These species all thrive in warmer summer weather, so this is the time they respond best to fertilization. The most important nutrient is nitrogen (N), and these three species need it in varying amounts.

Bermudagrass requires the most nitrogen. Bermudagrass used on athletic fields needs about 4 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season. High-quality home lawns are often given 3 pounds per 1000 square feet and low maintenance areas can get by on 2 lbs.. Apply this as separate applications, about 4 weeks apart consisting of 1 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. starting in early May for athletic fields. It is already too late for the May application, but the June application is just around the corner. The nitrogen can come from either a quick- or slow-release source. So any lawn fertilizer will work. Plan the last application for no later than August 15. This helps ensure the bermudagrass is not overstimulated, making it susceptible to winter-kill.

Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than bermudagrass and is prone to develop thatch. Consequently, it does not need as much nitrogen. In fact, too much is worse than too little. One and one-half to 2 pounds N per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season is sufficient. Split the total in two and apply once in early June and again around mid-July. Slow-release nitrogen is preferable but quick-release is acceptable. Slow-release nitrogen is sometimes listed as "slowly available" or "water insoluble."

Buffalograss requires the least nitrogen of all lawn species commonly grown in Kansas. It will survive and persist with no supplemental nitrogen, but giving it one lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. will improve color and density. This application should be made in early June. For a little darker color, fertilize it as described for zoysiagrass in the previous paragraph, but do not apply more than a total of 2 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. in one season. As with zoysia, slow-release nitrogen is preferable, but fast-release is also OK. As for all turfgrasses, phosphorus and potassium are best applied according to soil test results because many soils already have adequate amounts of these nutrients for turfgrass growth. 

If you need to apply phosphorus or potassium, it is best to core aerate beforehand to ensure the nutrients reach the roots.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="written by: Alicia Boor - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Alicia Boor - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>June is the time to fertilize warm-season lawn grasses such as bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass. These species all thrive in warmer summer weather, so this is the time they respond best to fertilization. The most important nutrient is nitrogen (N), and these three species need it in varying amounts.Bermudagrass requires the most nitrogen. Bermudagrass used on athletic fields needs about 4 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season. High-quality home lawns are often given 3 pounds per 1000 square feet and low maintenance areas can get by on 2 lbs.. Apply this as separate applications, about 4 weeks apart consisting of 1 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. starting in early May for athletic fields. It is already too late for the May application, but the June application is just around the corner. The nitrogen can come from either a quick- or slow-release source. So any lawn fertilizer will work. Plan the last application for no later than August 15. This helps ensure the bermudagrass is not overstimulated, making it susceptible to winter-kill.Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than bermudagrass and is prone to develop thatch. Consequently, it does not need as much nitrogen. In fact, too much is worse than too little. One and one-half to 2 pounds N per 1,000 sq. ft. during the season is sufficient. Split the total in two and apply once in early June and again around mid-July. Slow-release nitrogen is preferable but quick-release is acceptable. Slow-release nitrogen is sometimes listed as "slowly available" or "water insoluble."Buffalograss requires the least nitrogen of all lawn species commonly grown in Kansas. It will survive and persist with no supplemental nitrogen, but giving it one lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. will improve color and density. This application should be made in early June. For a little darker color, fertilize it as described for zoysiagrass in the previous paragraph, but do not apply more than a total of 2 lb. N per 1,000 sq. ft. in one season. As with zoysia, slow-release nitrogen is preferable, but fast-release is also OK. As for all turfgrasses, phosphorus and potassium are best applied according to soil test results because many soils already have adequate amounts of these nutrients for turfgrass growth. If you need to apply phosphorus or potassium, it is best to core aerate beforehand to ensure the nutrients reach the roots.

BOOR: Fertilize warm-season grasses

News from the Oil Patch, May 23 John P. Tretbar

The benchmark crude contract for June delivery expired last week at $113.23 per barrel, up more than a dollar Friday.&nbsp; The July contract in New York was a little cheaper, fetching just over $110. London Brent rose over $113 per barrel by lunchtime Monday. The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month and has set a new record price each day since May 10th. It's now up to $4.59, more than a dime higher on the week and nearly half a dollar higher than a month ago. All 50 states were over $4 for the first time ever on May 17th. At $4.04 per gallon, the average price in Kansas was half a cent lower on the day Monday, but still nearly thirty cents higher on the month. Prices reached $4.09 in Great Bend and $4.19 in Hays. The London crude-oil benchmark is once again slightly more expensive than its New York counterpart, but for two trading sessions last week West Texas Intermediate crude was selling for more than London Brent for the first time ever. Some analysts say the shrinking spread between prices for the two benchmarks is caused by reduced purchases of Russian crude due to international sanctions. US crude production is up 100,000 barrels per day from a week ago. The Energy Information Administration reports output rose during the week through May 13th to 11.947 million barrels per day. EIA said US crude stockpiles dropped 3.4 million barrels to just over 420 million barrels. US inventories are about 14% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline inventories are down 4.8 million barrels and are eight percent below the five-year seasonal average. EIA reported average imports for the week of 6.6 million barrels per day, an increase of nearly 300,000 barrels. The four-week average is nearly five percent higher than during the same four weeks a year ago. Baker Hughes reported 728 active drilling rigs nationwide, marking an increase of 13 oil rigs. and one seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up 12 rigs. Oklahoma was up one. The Rig Count in Kansas was unchanged in the eastern half of the state at 21 active drilling rigs. In Western Kansas there are 30 active rigs, up one for the week. Operators were about to spud new wells on two leases in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 138 active operators in Kansas, and is scouting 376 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 95% from a year ago. Kansas Operators have completed 582 wells so far this year including 43 last week. Of those 24 were located east of Wichita and 19 were in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. Regulators okayed 20 new Kansas drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Russell County and two in Stafford County. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but lagged 19% behind last year's tally. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,103 tanker carloads carrying petroleum and petroleum products across the US for the week through May 14th. That's up 167 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail gained nearly 300 tanker carloads week-over-week, and was up 15% over last year. It could be several years before the oil patch workforce returns to pre-pandemic levels. Analyst Rystad Energy expects job numbers in the patch to jump more than 12 percent this year to 971-thousand. But it could take another five years to reach employment levels enjoyed as recently as 2018. Wages are expected to rise 2.9% this year. Bloomberg reports slow wage growth and rampant inflation in the patch are sending energy workers to other industries for work. Workers in the Permian Basin are now living in the number one spot for inflation in the country. Crude oil output in North Dakota increased by more than four million barrels in March. The Department of Mineral Resources in the third-biggest producing state says operators pumped 1.12 million barrels per day, an increase of 2.8% over the month before. The state's gas capture rate improved to 95%, which is the best on record.&nbsp; This is good news for a state that at one time flared 36% of its produced natural gas, a phenomenon that was visible from space. Turning a profit on offshore energy exploration in Brazil is proving both expensive and elusive. Bloomberg says Shell and Exxon have each come up dry after spending billions on offshore exploration wells there. Analysts said Shell drilled three wells without finding any commercial volumes. They spent one billion dollars doing it. Exxon Mobil spent $1.6 billion for three wells which provided the same disappointment. Operators in the nation's top seven crude-oil plays continue to take advantage of a large inventory of uncompleted wells to quickly increase production. The government reports another 70 so-called drilled but uncompleted wells were brought on line in April, with more than half of those in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577789001883.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News from the Oil Patch, May 23 John P. Tretbar The benchmark crude contract for June delivery expired last week at $113.23 per barrel, up more than a dollar Friday.&nbsp; The July contract in New York was a little cheaper, fetching just over $110. London Brent rose over $113 per barrel by lunchtime Monday. The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month and has set a new record price each day since May 10th. It's now up to $4.59, more than a dime higher on the week and nearly half a dollar higher than a month ago. All 50 states were over $4 for the first time ever on May 17th. At $4.04 per gallon, the average price in Kansas was half a cent lower on the day Monday, but still nearly thirty cents higher on the month. Prices reached $4.09 in Great Bend and $4.19 in Hays. The London crude-oil benchmark is once again slightly more expensive than its New York counterpart, but for two trading sessions last week West Texas Intermediate crude was selling for more than London Brent for the first time ever. Some analysts say the shrinking spread between prices for the two benchmarks is caused by reduced purchases of Russian crude due to international sanctions. US crude production is up 100,000 barrels per day from a week ago. The Energy Information Administration reports output rose during the week through May 13th to 11.947 million barrels per day. EIA said US crude stockpiles dropped 3.4 million barrels to just over 420 million barrels. US inventories are about 14% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline inventories are down 4.8 million barrels and are eight percent below the five-year seasonal average. EIA reported average imports for the week of 6.6 million barrels per day, an increase of nearly 300,000 barrels. The four-week average is nearly five percent higher than during the same four weeks a year ago. Baker Hughes reported 728 active drilling rigs nationwide, marking an increase of 13 oil rigs. and one seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up 12 rigs. Oklahoma was up one. The Rig Count in Kansas was unchanged in the eastern half of the state at 21 active drilling rigs. In Western Kansas there are 30 active rigs, up one for the week. Operators were about to spud new wells on two leases in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 138 active operators in Kansas, and is scouting 376 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 95% from a year ago. Kansas Operators have completed 582 wells so far this year including 43 last week. Of those 24 were located east of Wichita and 19 were in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. Regulators okayed 20 new Kansas drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Russell County and two in Stafford County. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but lagged 19% behind last year's tally. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,103 tanker carloads carrying petroleum and petroleum products across the US for the week through May 14th. That's up 167 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail gained nearly 300 tanker carloads week-over-week, and was up 15% over last year. It could be several years before the oil patch workforce returns to pre-pandemic levels. Analyst Rystad Energy expects job numbers in the patch to jump more than 12 percent this year to 971-thousand. But it could take another five years to reach employment levels enjoyed as recently as 2018. Wages are expected to rise 2.9% this year. Bloomberg reports slow wage growth and rampant inflation in the patch are sending energy workers to other industries for work. Workers in the Permian Basin are now living in the number one spot for inflation in the country. Crude oil output in North Dakota increased by more than four million barrels in March. The Department of Mineral Resources in the third-biggest producing state says operators pumped 1.12 million barrels per day, an increase of 2.8% over the month before. The state's gas capture rate improved to 95%, which is the best on record.&nbsp; This is good news for a state that at one time flared 36% of its produced natural gas, a phenomenon that was visible from space. Turning a profit on offshore energy exploration in Brazil is proving both expensive and elusive. Bloomberg says Shell and Exxon have each come up dry after spending billions on offshore exploration wells there. Analysts said Shell drilled three wells without finding any commercial volumes. They spent one billion dollars doing it. Exxon Mobil spent $1.6 billion for three wells which provided the same disappointment. Operators in the nation's top seven crude-oil plays continue to take advantage of a large inventory of uncompleted wells to quickly increase production. The government reports another 70 so-called drilled but uncompleted wells were brought on line in April, with more than half of those in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: All 50 states top $4/gallon for first time

The Chairwoman of the Pawnee County Board of County Commissioners declared that the burn ban in Pawnee County be lifted as of 1 p.m. Monday, May 23 and remain lifted until further notice. 

Even though the ban is being lifted, Pawnee County strongly urges landowners that have a requirement to conduct controlled burns of a larger scale to contact their local fire chief to discuss methods and weather considerations as an item of preparation prior to conducting a burn. 

Pawnee County recommends property owners that live within the city limits in the county to become familiar with ordinances dealing with burning as applicable before they light fires of any type. 

Please be aware of changing weather as temperature and wind can create conditions favorable for destructive fires even in high moisture environments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648763815008.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Chairwoman of the Pawnee County Board of County Commissioners declared that the burn ban in Pawnee County be lifted as of 1 p.m. Monday, May 23 and remain lifted until further notice. Even though the ban is being lifted, Pawnee County strongly urges landowners that have a requirement to conduct controlled burns of a larger scale to contact their local fire chief to discuss methods and weather considerations as an item of preparation prior to conducting a burn. Pawnee County recommends property owners that live within the city limits in the county to become familiar with ordinances dealing with burning as applicable before they light fires of any type. Please be aware of changing weather as temperature and wind can create conditions favorable for destructive fires even in high moisture environments.

Pawnee County lifts burn ban

How do you adjust to the changing times and desires of today's workforce? Blending a team with all generations represented can be a challenge, but winning strategies will be shared&nbsp; during the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce's employer roundtable Wednesday, June 1. 

Speaker Mike Henke will be the presenter and include the latest in retention strategies, encouraging mentoring to bridge experience gaps, and how to utilize the differences that are within your current team.

The roundtable will take place at the Page Banquet Room, 2920 10th Street in Great Bend from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Cost is $35 for chamber members and $50 for non-members. A light breakfast is included. RSVP by May 25.

Mike Henke bio: Mike Henke is a national speaker who has a passion for building strong teams and has innovative solutions that have helped numerous organizations that are outside of metro areas. Mike has created over 50 innovative training programs, and his upbeat, interactive style gets great reviews and provides the solutions to having a Winning Workplace Culture.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653314379780.png" alt="Mike Henke&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Mike Henke&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>How do you adjust to the changing times and desires of today's workforce? Blending a team with all generations represented can be a challenge, but winning strategies will be shared&nbsp; during the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce's employer roundtable Wednesday, June 1. Speaker Mike Henke will be the presenter and include the latest in retention strategies, encouraging mentoring to bridge experience gaps, and how to utilize the differences that are within your current team.The roundtable will take place at the Page Banquet Room, 2920 10th Street in Great Bend from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.Cost is $35 for chamber members and $50 for non-members. A light breakfast is included. RSVP by May 25.<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=33470319&amp;msgid=778837&amp;act=JQEP&amp;c=116427&amp;pid=1812573&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fmembers.greatbend.org%2Fevents%2Fdetails%2Femployer-roundtable-multi-generational-management-with-mike-henke-9644%3FcalendarMonth%3D2022-06-01&amp;cf=5504&amp;v=5c45d3fc1f39497549757141082282dc08465c6d31e76123b1290763275c201f" target="_blank">Sign Up Now</a>Mike Henke bio: Mike Henke is a national speaker who has a passion for building strong teams and has innovative solutions that have helped numerous organizations that are outside of metro areas. Mike has created over 50 innovative training programs, and his upbeat, interactive style gets great reviews and provides the solutions to having a Winning Workplace Culture.

Great Bend roundtable: Today's workforce

Below are pictures, from USD 428, of Great Bend High School's graduation commencement Sunday, May 22 at Memorial Stadium. The 2022 graduating class consisted of 168 seniors.

Below are pictures, from USD 428, of Great Bend High School's graduation commencement Sunday, May 22 at Memorial Stadium. The 2022 graduating class consisted of 168 seniors.<figure>
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Pictures from Great Bend High School's graduation

Barton Community College will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. The college is now on summer hours. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  The college will be closed on Fridays through July 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643666268372.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton Community College will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. The college is now on summer hours. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The college will be closed on Fridays through July 29.

Barton campus moves to summer hours

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Gardener's Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Gardener’s Supply CEO Cindy Turcot" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=c2c2c-12328db-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Gardener's Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot.

🎤Forward Ever: Gardener’s Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot

National Sorghum Foundation Scholarships Due on JUNE 1! Applications for three National Sorghum Foundation scholarships are due June 1. Each scholarship includes an award of $1,500 to be applied to one semester of tuition expenses and the Kubecka Memorial Scholarship includes an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. More information about each scholarship’s criteria and application forms can be found online at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2e97e35dbf&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com/foundation-scholarships</a>. POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE&nbsp;UPDATES

USDA Announces Phase I of Disaster Aid for Crops This week, USDA unveiled its long-awaited, new iteration of WHIP Plus for crops,&nbsp;the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Phase 1 of ERP will provide disaster assistance to row crop and specialty crop producers who received a crop insurance indemnity payment in 2020 or 2021. Eligible crops include all crops for which Federal Crop Insurance or NAP coverage was available, except for crops intended for grazing (for which a separate program was created, phase I of which was announced earlier). Qualifying natural disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions. Qualifying drought includes counties that experienced D2 drought for 8 consecutive weeks or D3 drought for any period of time. Producers will receive a pre-filled application for Phase 1 ERP and will need to return the completed form signed to their local FSA office. &nbsp; ERP payments are being calculated similarly to WHIP+ with an ERP factor based on a producer's crop insurance coverage level. The payments will be calculated consistent with the loss procedures for the type of coverage purchased but using the ERP factor in place of the coverage level. ERP payments will be paid on 75 percent of eligible losses at least until USDA is confident that it has enough funding to cover more. NAP payments will be paid at 100 percent. Historically underserved producers, including beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers will receive an additional 15 percent&nbsp;of the calculated ERP payment. One important note in ERP is that the producer-paid premium and fees will be subtracted from the indemnity received under crop insurance, meaning such premiums and fees will not reduce the&nbsp;disaster payment. Payment limits will be $900,000 for each program year for specialty crops and $250,000 for each program year for all other crops as long as 75 percent of AGI is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry related activities. If at least 75 percent of AGI is not derived from farming, ranching or forestry related activities the payment limit will be $125,000 for each program year for specialty crops and $125,000 for each program year for all other crops. If a producer receives an ERP payment, there is a requirement to buy crop insurance for the following two years at 60 percent or higher. Phase 2 of ERP will be announced at a later date and cover producers that were not covered under Phase 1. Find the ERP fact sheet&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=19e1386aef&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>, the ERP press release&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2e6bfb9e2a&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and the ERP website&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=c05524eae7&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; AFPC Releases Study on Impact of Higher Input Prices The Agricultural &amp; Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&amp;M University released a new study this week on the economic impact of higher input costs on representative farms. The study estimated the increase of input costs across the country based on producer surveys of the actual increase that producers are paying for inputs. The increases are: 16.58 percent for seed, 133.62 percent for nitrogen fertilizer, 92.75 percent for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, 64.23 percent for herbicide, 40.25 percent for insecticide, 36.02 percent for fungicide and 86.63 percent for fuel and lube. AFPC&nbsp;used the price projections to estimate the change in net cash farm income (NCFI). Feed grain and oilseed farms see an estimated average decrease in NCFI of $176.64 per acre from 2021 to 2022. Wheat farms see a loss of $83.48 per acre and&nbsp;cotton farms a loss of $175.01. All grain and oilseed, wheat, and cotton farms are predicted to still have positive NCFI for 2022 due to higher prices.&nbsp;Find the full study&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b119d474f3&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; EPA’s Regan Says Agency Funding Request Shows EPA Serious About Environmental Impact of Pesticides… But, What About Impact on Food Supplies Amidst Expected Shortages? Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan says the agency is putting a priority on re-evaluating pesticides for their environmental impact under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Regan told senators Wednesday that the White House requested 10 full-time staff and $4.3 million in fiscal 2023 to carry out the ESA reviews. Meanwhile, the ratcheting down on crop protection products is occurring at a time when policymakers are deeply concerned about global food shortages. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=0c0f0ed3fe&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; Solicitor General Says Federal Pesticide Law Does Not Preempt State Roundup Claims, Argument Poses Serious Threat to Federal Law in Favor of an Unworkable 50-State Patchwork The nation’s pesticide law does not preempt state-law claims such as those that have resulted in multimillion-dollar judgments against Monsanto for Roundup exposure, Biden Administration Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said in a brief urging the Supreme Court not to grant the company's request to reconsider a lower court ruling. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=40a4152fdc&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; Growth Energy, EPA Reach Deal On 2023 Biofuel Target Timeline A consent decree worked out between the Environmental Protection Agency and biofuel trade association Growth Energy would require EPA to propose the Renewable Volume Obligations for 2023 no later than September 16 and then finalize those targets by April 28, 2023. Growth Energy filed suit against EPA in April, asking a court to impose a schedule on the agency for setting the RVOs. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor called the new timeline a “significant victory in our mission to ensure certainty when it comes to biofuel blending, especially as we face a new era of the RFS.” Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a27f6df242&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. Study Backs USDA Foreign Marketing Programs&nbsp; A U.S. Grains Council-funded study says the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program helped increase agriculture exports by an average of $9.6 billion every year from 1977 to 2019. That represents an annual 13.7 percent boost to ag export revenues and translates into a return of $24.50 for every dollar invested in the programs, the study says. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=60d38bf7d1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; CFTC Seeking Advice on Carbon Market Regulation The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is looking for input as it defines its role in the carbon offsets market. Speaking on Wednesday, CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam said the commission will be releasing a set of questions on which the agency wants feedback. The commission also has a roundtable scheduled for June 2. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=79b70169c6&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;

Mental Health and Agriculture Agriculture is known for having numerous occupational hazards - including mental and emotional hazards associated with working in the industry.&nbsp;The volatile farm economy, long days at work, social isolation&nbsp;and natural disasters can add stress beyond what is expected or tolerated in other industries.&nbsp;May is mental health awareness month and presents an opportunity to foster open dialogue&nbsp;about stress and mental wellbeing which can&nbsp;help reduce stigma in the community, which is often cited as a barrier to seeking care for a mental health challenge. More information and resources to support mental wellness in agriculture can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b0eaf97790&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SouthernAgToday.org</a>. Sorghum Checkoff Continues the Cultivation of Sorghum Leaders The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is accepting applications for&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=23172c47c5&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Leadership Sorghum</a>&nbsp;Class VI, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of sorghum leaders. During the 14-month leadership program, class members will have the opportunity to experience various aspects of the sorghum industry in addition to personal development and networking opportunities.&nbsp;Applications are available&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=fe836f26c4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and are due by 5:00 pm CST on September 23.&nbsp;To learn more about Leadership Sorghum, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b7812d24ef&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com</a>. Trade Teams Participate in U.S. Sorghum Tour The Sorghum Checkoff had the honor of hosting trade teams from Spain, Portugal and Turkey this past week. In response to the ongoing shortages of non-GMO grains, these trade teams are looking for opportunistic purchases of U.S. sorghum.&nbsp;During the visit, teams were able to tour the Quality Beef feedlot, Amarillo Grain Exchange, Hansen Mueller export facility and&nbsp;Anderson export facility, as well as meet with Richardson Seeds, Attebury Grain&nbsp;and Texas Grain Sorghum Producers. ICYMI! Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition Tune in now for the newest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition! This month's episode features National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust and Kansas Big First Representative Tracey Mann in the first episode of our “Meet Your Sorghum Belt Representatives” series. Mann discusses how he went from the farm to the halls of Congress, what he does to represent sorghum producers and all of agriculture on the Hill and his projections for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Listen now&nbsp;on your favorite listening platform or&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=25a4055a66&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com/podcast</a>. USDA Seeks Nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board to succeed four members whose terms expire in December. Nominees are needed to succeed members that include two to represent Kansas, one to represent Oklahoma&nbsp;and one to represent Texas. The deadline for nominations is June 3.&nbsp;Sorghum producers within the United States who own or share in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum production are eligible for nomination. A sorghum producer must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.&nbsp;A list of certified producer organizations, the nomination form and information about the Sorghum Board are available on the AMS United Sorghum Checkoff Program webpage and on the board’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=7997532542&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">www.sorghumcheckoff.com</a>. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at 202-713-6918 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov" target="_blank">Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov</a>.

Sorghum Crop Progress Report Twenty-six percent of the nation’s sorghum was planted by May 15, equal to the previous year but 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Texas had planted 73 percent of its sorghum acreage by May 15, one percentage point ahead of the previous year but 5 points behind average.

Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f17ced07b1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumCheckoff.com.</a>

Sorghum in the Spotlight: <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5c4323554f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Breeding Transforms Sorghum’s Potential As Biofuel Of The Future For Northern Latitudes</a>&nbsp;- Seed Today <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a31e688e3f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Interested in Learning more about Trade? Join us for Trade School!</a>&nbsp;- Oklahoma Farm Report <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b0c001a3eb&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">New CSHL Website Brings Together Sorghum Researchers</a>&nbsp;- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Upcoming Events May 22-24&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=bbb5eed1ff&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Alltech ONE Conference</a>&nbsp;- Lexington, KY&nbsp; May 26&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2022 UF/IFAS &amp; UGA- Tifton: Corn &amp; Silage Field Day - Citra, FL May 30&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Memorial Day -&nbsp;NSP &amp; USCP Offices Closed June 13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a4d39b4cb7&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Culinary Institute of America Healthy Menus R&amp;D Collaborative</a>&nbsp;- Hyde Park, NY Market News&nbsp;-&nbsp;To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=8a29f70cb4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. About Sorghum Notes Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation.

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 </figure>SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTNational Sorghum Foundation Scholarships Due on JUNE 1! Applications for three National Sorghum Foundation scholarships are due June 1. Each scholarship includes an award of $1,500 to be applied to one semester of tuition expenses and the Kubecka Memorial Scholarship includes an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. More information about each scholarship’s criteria and application forms can be found online at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2e97e35dbf&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com/foundation-scholarships</a>. POLICY, REGULATORY AND ISSUE&nbsp;UPDATESUSDA Announces Phase I of Disaster Aid for Crops This week, USDA unveiled its long-awaited, new iteration of WHIP Plus for crops,&nbsp;the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Phase 1 of ERP will provide disaster assistance to row crop and specialty crop producers who received a crop insurance indemnity payment in 2020 or 2021. Eligible crops include all crops for which Federal Crop Insurance or NAP coverage was available, except for crops intended for grazing (for which a separate program was created, phase I of which was announced earlier). Qualifying natural disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions. Qualifying drought includes counties that experienced D2 drought for 8 consecutive weeks or D3 drought for any period of time. Producers will receive a pre-filled application for Phase 1 ERP and will need to return the completed form signed to their local FSA office. &nbsp; ERP payments are being calculated similarly to WHIP+ with an ERP factor based on a producer's crop insurance coverage level. The payments will be calculated consistent with the loss procedures for the type of coverage purchased but using the ERP factor in place of the coverage level. ERP payments will be paid on 75 percent of eligible losses at least until USDA is confident that it has enough funding to cover more. NAP payments will be paid at 100 percent. Historically underserved producers, including beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers will receive an additional 15 percent&nbsp;of the calculated ERP payment. One important note in ERP is that the producer-paid premium and fees will be subtracted from the indemnity received under crop insurance, meaning such premiums and fees will not reduce the&nbsp;disaster payment. Payment limits will be $900,000 for each program year for specialty crops and $250,000 for each program year for all other crops as long as 75 percent of AGI is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry related activities. If at least 75 percent of AGI is not derived from farming, ranching or forestry related activities the payment limit will be $125,000 for each program year for specialty crops and $125,000 for each program year for all other crops. If a producer receives an ERP payment, there is a requirement to buy crop insurance for the following two years at 60 percent or higher. Phase 2 of ERP will be announced at a later date and cover producers that were not covered under Phase 1. Find the ERP fact sheet&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=19e1386aef&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>, the ERP press release&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=2e6bfb9e2a&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and the ERP website&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=c05524eae7&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; AFPC Releases Study on Impact of Higher Input Prices The Agricultural &amp; Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&amp;M University released a new study this week on the economic impact of higher input costs on representative farms. The study estimated the increase of input costs across the country based on producer surveys of the actual increase that producers are paying for inputs. The increases are: 16.58 percent for seed, 133.62 percent for nitrogen fertilizer, 92.75 percent for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, 64.23 percent for herbicide, 40.25 percent for insecticide, 36.02 percent for fungicide and 86.63 percent for fuel and lube. AFPC&nbsp;used the price projections to estimate the change in net cash farm income (NCFI). Feed grain and oilseed farms see an estimated average decrease in NCFI of $176.64 per acre from 2021 to 2022. Wheat farms see a loss of $83.48 per acre and&nbsp;cotton farms a loss of $175.01. All grain and oilseed, wheat, and cotton farms are predicted to still have positive NCFI for 2022 due to higher prices.&nbsp;Find the full study&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b119d474f3&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; EPA’s Regan Says Agency Funding Request Shows EPA Serious About Environmental Impact of Pesticides… But, What About Impact on Food Supplies Amidst Expected Shortages? Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan says the agency is putting a priority on re-evaluating pesticides for their environmental impact under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Regan told senators Wednesday that the White House requested 10 full-time staff and $4.3 million in fiscal 2023 to carry out the ESA reviews. Meanwhile, the ratcheting down on crop protection products is occurring at a time when policymakers are deeply concerned about global food shortages. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=0c0f0ed3fe&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; Solicitor General Says Federal Pesticide Law Does Not Preempt State Roundup Claims, Argument Poses Serious Threat to Federal Law in Favor of an Unworkable 50-State Patchwork The nation’s pesticide law does not preempt state-law claims such as those that have resulted in multimillion-dollar judgments against Monsanto for Roundup exposure, Biden Administration Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said in a brief urging the Supreme Court not to grant the company's request to reconsider a lower court ruling. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=40a4152fdc&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; Growth Energy, EPA Reach Deal On 2023 Biofuel Target Timeline A consent decree worked out between the Environmental Protection Agency and biofuel trade association Growth Energy would require EPA to propose the Renewable Volume Obligations for 2023 no later than September 16 and then finalize those targets by April 28, 2023. Growth Energy filed suit against EPA in April, asking a court to impose a schedule on the agency for setting the RVOs. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor called the new timeline a “significant victory in our mission to ensure certainty when it comes to biofuel blending, especially as we face a new era of the RFS.” Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a27f6df242&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. Study Backs USDA Foreign Marketing Programs&nbsp; A U.S. Grains Council-funded study says the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program helped increase agriculture exports by an average of $9.6 billion every year from 1977 to 2019. That represents an annual 13.7 percent boost to ag export revenues and translates into a return of $24.50 for every dollar invested in the programs, the study says. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=60d38bf7d1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp; CFTC Seeking Advice on Carbon Market Regulation The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is looking for input as it defines its role in the carbon offsets market. Speaking on Wednesday, CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam said the commission will be releasing a set of questions on which the agency wants feedback. The commission also has a roundtable scheduled for June 2. Read more&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=79b70169c6&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp; ORGANIZATION UPDATESMental Health and Agriculture Agriculture is known for having numerous occupational hazards - including mental and emotional hazards associated with working in the industry.&nbsp;The volatile farm economy, long days at work, social isolation&nbsp;and natural disasters can add stress beyond what is expected or tolerated in other industries.&nbsp;May is mental health awareness month and presents an opportunity to foster open dialogue&nbsp;about stress and mental wellbeing which can&nbsp;help reduce stigma in the community, which is often cited as a barrier to seeking care for a mental health challenge. More information and resources to support mental wellness in agriculture can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b0eaf97790&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SouthernAgToday.org</a>. Sorghum Checkoff Continues the Cultivation of Sorghum Leaders The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is accepting applications for&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=23172c47c5&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Leadership Sorghum</a>&nbsp;Class VI, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of sorghum leaders. During the 14-month leadership program, class members will have the opportunity to experience various aspects of the sorghum industry in addition to personal development and networking opportunities.&nbsp;Applications are available&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=fe836f26c4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;and are due by 5:00 pm CST on September 23.&nbsp;To learn more about Leadership Sorghum, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b7812d24ef&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com</a>. Trade Teams Participate in U.S. Sorghum Tour The Sorghum Checkoff had the honor of hosting trade teams from Spain, Portugal and Turkey this past week. In response to the ongoing shortages of non-GMO grains, these trade teams are looking for opportunistic purchases of U.S. sorghum.&nbsp;During the visit, teams were able to tour the Quality Beef feedlot, Amarillo Grain Exchange, Hansen Mueller export facility and&nbsp;Anderson export facility, as well as meet with Richardson Seeds, Attebury Grain&nbsp;and Texas Grain Sorghum Producers. ICYMI! Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition Tune in now for the newest episode of Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition! This month's episode features National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust and Kansas Big First Representative Tracey Mann in the first episode of our “Meet Your Sorghum Belt Representatives” series. Mann discusses how he went from the farm to the halls of Congress, what he does to represent sorghum producers and all of agriculture on the Hill and his projections for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Listen now&nbsp;on your favorite listening platform or&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=25a4055a66&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumGrowers.com/podcast</a>. USDA Seeks Nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board to succeed four members whose terms expire in December. Nominees are needed to succeed members that include two to represent Kansas, one to represent Oklahoma&nbsp;and one to represent Texas. The deadline for nominations is June 3.&nbsp;Sorghum producers within the United States who own or share in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum production are eligible for nomination. A sorghum producer must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.&nbsp;A list of certified producer organizations, the nomination form and information about the Sorghum Board are available on the AMS United Sorghum Checkoff Program webpage and on the board’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=7997532542&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">www.sorghumcheckoff.com</a>. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at 202-713-6918 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov" target="_blank">Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov</a>. CROP UPDATESSorghum Crop Progress Report Twenty-six percent of the nation’s sorghum was planted by May 15, equal to the previous year but 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Texas had planted 73 percent of its sorghum acreage by May 15, one percentage point ahead of the previous year but 5 points behind average.Sorghum Checkoff Releases Weekly Sorghum Basis Snapshot The Sorghum Checkoff, with Southwest Agribusiness Consulting, released its weekly sorghum basis snapshot, available at&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=f17ced07b1&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">SorghumCheckoff.com.</a>Sorghum in the Spotlight: <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=5c4323554f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Breeding Transforms Sorghum’s Potential As Biofuel Of The Future For Northern Latitudes</a>&nbsp;- Seed Today <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a31e688e3f&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Interested in Learning more about Trade? Join us for Trade School!</a>&nbsp;- Oklahoma Farm Report <a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=b0c001a3eb&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">New CSHL Website Brings Together Sorghum Researchers</a>&nbsp;- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Upcoming Events May 22-24&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=bbb5eed1ff&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Alltech ONE Conference</a>&nbsp;- Lexington, KY&nbsp; May 26&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2022 UF/IFAS &amp; UGA- Tifton: Corn &amp; Silage Field Day - Citra, FL May 30&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Memorial Day -&nbsp;NSP &amp; USCP Offices Closed June 13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=a4d39b4cb7&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">Culinary Institute of America Healthy Menus R&amp;D Collaborative</a>&nbsp;- Hyde Park, NY Market News&nbsp;-&nbsp;To view this week’s Gulf export grain report, click&nbsp;<a href="https://sorghumgrowers.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7d6bd689602a83f8b92ea37d&amp;id=8a29f70cb4&amp;e=d30ea29a91" target="_blank">here</a>. About Sorghum Notes Sorghum Notes is a publication of the National Sorghum Producers. NSP represents U.S. sorghum producers and serves as the voice of the sorghum industry from coast to coast through education and legislative and regulatory representation.

National Sorghum Producers - Sorghum e-Notes

Great Bend Police: Behind the badge

While the Barton Community College athletic department has received the
blessing from the college’s board of trustees for a $16.8 million project, that
doesn’t mean the money will be coming from the college or using taxpayers’
dollars. 

Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the responsibility of
raising the money falls on him to find private donors. 
"The college is always going to support things because they understand the importance of programming and athletics," said Rolfs. "Especially on this Great Bend campus, it all relates to enrollment. One thing that has been good here is that we've had some people that have been very generous. I hope we can move forward with those private donors and see where things go." 
1995 was the last time any structural additions were made to the main gym, when
the Kirkman Center Activity Center was constructed. At that time, there were
226 student athletes using the facilities. In 2022, there are close to 400
athletes that make use of the facilities.

With any growing organization over
time, Rolfs feels it is time to look for more space and upgrades. 
"So when you go from 226 to 400...if you had three children with a two-bedroom house, and then you had six children...it would be pretty easy to understand how you would need to look into your housing," said Rolfs. "How is that positively or negatively affecting your family? We have functioned fine. We've gotten along as good as we can, but we're bursting at the seams." 
Along with repurposing and renovating existing buildings, the plan calls for a
major addition to the south of the main gym that would include a training and
fitness facility, wrestling room, cheer and dance space, eSports facility, Hall
of Fame room, trophy cases, locker rooms, offices and storage space.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649907131001.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhile the Barton Community College athletic department has received the
blessing from the college’s board of trustees for a $16.8 million project, that
doesn’t mean the money will be coming from the college or using taxpayers’
dollars. Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the responsibility of
raising the money falls on him to find private donors. 
"The college is always going to support things because they understand the importance of programming and athletics," said Rolfs. "Especially on this Great Bend campus, it all relates to enrollment. One thing that has been good here is that we've had some people that have been very generous. I hope we can move forward with those private donors and see where things go." 
1995 was the last time any structural additions were made to the main gym, when
the Kirkman Center Activity Center was constructed. At that time, there were
226 student athletes using the facilities. In 2022, there are close to 400
athletes that make use of the facilities. With any growing organization over
time, Rolfs feels it is time to look for more space and upgrades. 
"So when you go from 226 to 400...if you had three children with a two-bedroom house, and then you had six children...it would be pretty easy to understand how you would need to look into your housing," said Rolfs. "How is that positively or negatively affecting your family? We have functioned fine. We've gotten along as good as we can, but we're bursting at the seams." 
Along with repurposing and renovating existing buildings, the plan calls for a
major addition to the south of the main gym that would include a training and
fitness facility, wrestling room, cheer and dance space, eSports facility, Hall
of Fame room, trophy cases, locker rooms, offices and storage space.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Private donations to fuel proposed Barton athletic improvements

5/20 
 
BOOKED: Shane Stewart on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of
court, bond set at $250 cash only or 48-hour. 
 
BOOKED: Dalton Staudinger on BTDC case for serve sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Erin Baker on Barton County case for probation violation, serve
sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Tyler Moeder on Rush County District Court warrant on a serve sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Seth Perez on Barton County District Court case on Edwards County
District Court warrant for contempt of court, no bond. BCDC warrant for failure
to appear, no bond. 
 
BOOKED: Damien Clone on a Great Bend Municipla Court case for serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Danny Queen on GBMC case for DUI, posted $1,000 bond through Ace Bail
Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Kenneth Birt on BCDC warrant on a serve sentence in full. 
 
5/21 
 
BOOKED: Michelle Detrich on Rush County warrant for burglary, criminal damage,
interference with LEO, theft $1,500 to $25,000, possession of stolen property,
criminal possession of a firearm and transporting open container. Bond set at
$15,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Joel Davis on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
5/22 
 
RELEASED: Shane Stewart on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of
court, time served in full. 
 
RELEASED: Tyler Moeder on Barton County District Court case with time served. 
 
RELEASED: Damien Arthur Clone on Great Bend Municipal Court case with a serve
sentence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651581305265.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>5/20 
 
BOOKED: Shane Stewart on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of
court, bond set at $250 cash only or 48-hour. 
 
BOOKED: Dalton Staudinger on BTDC case for serve sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Erin Baker on Barton County case for probation violation, serve
sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Tyler Moeder on Rush County District Court warrant on a serve sentence. 
 
BOOKED: Seth Perez on Barton County District Court case on Edwards County
District Court warrant for contempt of court, no bond. BCDC warrant for failure
to appear, no bond. 
 
BOOKED: Damien Clone on a Great Bend Municipla Court case for serve sentence. 
 
RELEASED: Danny Queen on GBMC case for DUI, posted $1,000 bond through Ace Bail
Bonding. 
 
RELEASED: Kenneth Birt on BCDC warrant on a serve sentence in full. 
 
5/21 
 
BOOKED: Michelle Detrich on Rush County warrant for burglary, criminal damage,
interference with LEO, theft $1,500 to $25,000, possession of stolen property,
criminal possession of a firearm and transporting open container. Bond set at
$15,000 C/S. 
 
BOOKED: Joel Davis on Barton County District Court warrant for probation
violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S. 
 
5/22 
 
RELEASED: Shane Stewart on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of
court, time served in full. 
 
RELEASED: Tyler Moeder on Barton County District Court case with time served. 
 
RELEASED: Damien Arthur Clone on Great Bend Municipal Court case with a serve
sentence.

Barton County Sheriff's Booking Activity (5/20 - 5/22)

Great Bend will be hosting the 2022 KSHSAA 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex on May 26-27. 

“Great Bend is excited to host the 2A-1A State Baseball tournament this year and we welcome baseball fans from across the state to Great Bend,” noted Diann Henderson, Executive Director for Great Bend Recreation Commission. 

This state tournament is hosted by the Great Bend Recreation Commission, City of Great Bend and USD 428. 

“The City of Great Bend is so proud to be the repeat host for KSHSAA 2-1A Baseball Championship," said Christina Hayes, Great Bend CVB Director. "We just love the partnership with the GB Rec because with their help we are truly putting our best foot forward for these teams and state officials!”

The high school state contenders are traveling from Pittsburg-St. Mary’s, Elkhart, Little River, Valley Falls, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Whitewater-Remington, Colony-Crest, and Howard-West Elk High Schools.

Games are slated to start at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

KSHSAA Admission to the 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament is $9 for adults and $6 for students K-12. Spectators may buy tickets online through Go Fan https://gofan.co/app/school/KSHSAA. 

"We encourage local baseball fans to come out and watch KSHSAA State Baseball games at the Sports Complex,” added Hayes.

Great Bend will be hosting the 2022 KSHSAA 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex on May 26-27. “Great Bend is excited to host the 2A-1A State Baseball tournament this year and we welcome baseball fans from across the state to Great Bend,” noted Diann Henderson, Executive Director for Great Bend Recreation Commission. This state tournament is hosted by the Great Bend Recreation Commission, City of Great Bend and USD 428. “The City of Great Bend is so proud to be the repeat host for KSHSAA 2-1A Baseball Championship," said Christina Hayes, Great Bend CVB Director. "We just love the partnership with the GB Rec because with their help we are truly putting our best foot forward for these teams and state officials!”The high school state contenders are traveling from Pittsburg-St. Mary’s, Elkhart, Little River, Valley Falls, Eskridge-Mission Valley, Whitewater-Remington, Colony-Crest, and Howard-West Elk High Schools.Games are slated to start at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Great Bend Sports Complex.KSHSAA Admission to the 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament is $9 for adults and $6 for students K-12. Spectators may buy tickets online through Go Fan https://gofan.co/app/school/KSHSAA. "We encourage local baseball fans to come out and watch KSHSAA State Baseball games at the Sports Complex,” added Hayes.

Great Bend gears up to host another state baseball tournament 

Today A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East southeast wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 47. East wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tuesday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers likely. High near 56. Northeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. North northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 81.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy.

Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Breezy.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 93. Breezy.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Breezy.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East southeast wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 47. East wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.Tuesday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers likely. High near 56. Northeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. North northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.Thursday Sunny, with a high near 81.Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56.Friday Sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy.Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Breezy.Saturday Sunny, with a high near 93. Breezy.Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Breezy.Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday's Weather

Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden joined Shannon Towns May 20, 2022 on the Mornings with Shannon show on 100.7 Eagle Country.&nbsp;

Listen below to the interview with Towns and Hayden.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1630690945242.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden joined Shannon Towns May 20, 2022 on the Mornings with Shannon show on 100.7 Eagle Country.&nbsp;Listen below to the interview with Towns and Hayden.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/nunfe2sy/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

🎙Interview with GB Eco Devo Director Sara Hayden

The Shafer Art Gallery has unveiled its new exhibit “Palimpsest,” which will run through June 23 and feature&nbsp;works by 13 members of The Society of Layerists in Multi–Media. The society is a network for artists who express a holistic perspective in any style or medium and the show is celebrating its 40th year. There will be a public reception at 6:30 p.m. May 19 in the Gallery.

According to Founder Mary Carroll Nelson of New Mexico, the Society is always searching for artists who combine levels of experience in a single work of art.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The layers in layered art are the references and meaning that the artist brings to the work rather than the materials used to create it,” she said. “As a society, we are focused on the intentions of the artist.”

Shafer Gallery Director Dave Barnes said the show is wildly diverse and vibrant.

“The viewer will see a show featuring 2D and 3D artworks done in a variety of styles and mediums,” he said. “They are visually arresting, full of intense color and feature many well-known society members from our Midwest region. So, the name we came up with for this exhibit really helps embody and describe the work that is in it. A palimpsest is something that has a new layer, aspect, or appearance that builds on its past and allows us to see or perceive parts of this past. This expresses the intentions of all the artists in this exhibition.”

The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Barnes at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:barnesd@bartonccc.edu" target="_blank">barnesd@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653020339646.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Joe VinduskaThe Shafer Art Gallery has unveiled its new exhibit “Palimpsest,” which will run through June 23 and feature&nbsp;works by 13 members of The Society of Layerists in Multi–Media. The society is a network for artists who express a holistic perspective in any style or medium and the show is celebrating its 40th year. There will be a public reception at 6:30 p.m. May 19 in the Gallery.According to Founder Mary Carroll Nelson of New Mexico, the Society is always searching for artists who combine levels of experience in a single work of art.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The layers in layered art are the references and meaning that the artist brings to the work rather than the materials used to create it,” she said. “As a society, we are focused on the intentions of the artist.”Shafer Gallery Director Dave Barnes said the show is wildly diverse and vibrant.“The viewer will see a show featuring 2D and 3D artworks done in a variety of styles and mediums,” he said. “They are visually arresting, full of intense color and feature many well-known society members from our Midwest region. So, the name we came up with for this exhibit really helps embody and describe the work that is in it. A palimpsest is something that has a new layer, aspect, or appearance that builds on its past and allows us to see or perceive parts of this past. This expresses the intentions of all the artists in this exhibition.”The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Barnes at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:barnesd@bartonccc.edu" target="_blank">barnesd@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

Shafer Art Gallery 'Palimpsest' Exhibit now open

The 2022 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 19. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. This year's tour hosted people from 24 U.S. states plus Mexico and Canada in 20 vehicles while traveling across the state.

The three-day average yield for the fields that were calculated was 39.7 bushels per acre. While an estimated 7.4 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop varies in condition based on planting date and amount of moisture received. What Mother Nature has in plan for the wheat crop still remains to be seen, but the tour captures a moment in time for the yield potential for fields across the state.

The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 261 million bushels, indicating that tour participants thought abandonment might be higher than normal at 11%. This number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 550 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be higher at 271 million bushels, with a yield of 39 bushels per acre and abandonment at only 6%.

Overall, the Kansas wheat crop is spotty and short, but the eastern half of the state generally had better growing conditions than the western half. On the first day of the tour, crop conditions started out above the tour average, but deteriorated as the groups made their way west from Manhattan to Colby.

“Our expectation was the conditions would continue to deteriorate as we moved toward the southwest part of the state. Those conditions were as expected,” said Romulo Lollato, Kansas State University wheat extension specialist. “Maybe the biggest surprise was as we moved east, how long it took for conditions to improve. Those harsh conditions extended well into south central Kansas.”

“The west part of south central Kansas was more affected by the drought than we expected,” he said. The sandier soils in south central Kansas cannot hold as much water as the soils in western Kansas. Even though the area received more moisture than southwest Kansas, the soils didn’t hold the water.

Another surprise of this year’s tour was the lack of disease pressure, especially wheat streak mosaic virus. Lollato also said there was little to no insect pressure of concern for reducing yield.

On Thursday, participants had their first opportunity to get their boots wet and see moisture in fields from recent rains in the southern and eastern parts of the state. Yields in this part of the state were better than what participants had seen earlier on the tour, averaging 55.2 bushels per acre.

For fields that have not yet headed out, scouts use an early season formula model to calculate the potential yield of the fields. For the fields that had already headed, attendees were able to use a late-season formula to calculate yields, based on number of wheat heads, number of spikelets and kernels per spikelet. These formulas are provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The formulas do not take into consideration variables such as weed pressure, disease and pests. Tour scouts didn’t see much disease pressure this year with the drought conditions.

The USDA estimate for the Nebraska wheat crop is ­­36.9 million bushels, down from 41.2 from last year. The estimated yield average is 41 bushels per acre. The Colorado crop is estimated at 49.6 million bushels, down from 69.6 million bushels last year. The estimate is for an average of 31 bushels per acre across the state. Brad Erker, executive director of Colorado Wheat, estimated the crop at 40.1 million bushels, based on a yield of 28.6 bushels per acre, 1.4 million acres harvested and 30% abandonment rate.&nbsp;Oklahoma reported that the state’s production is estimated at 60 million bushels, down from 115 million bushels last year, with 25 bushels per acre yield.

These fields are still 3-6 weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production.

The tour is sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council, which is a coordinated effort by breeders, producers and processor to improve wheat and flour quality. Dave Green, executive director of the WQC, said there are several goals of the tour. The first is for participants to make connections within the wheat industry. Another is to “describe the wheat as well as we can at the current point in time, not knowing what will happen over the next few weeks.” A third goal is to highlight the agriculture industry.

For more information about what participants saw statewide, search&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VBseCroFJBQh6LWLuyhec7jjG9JHYxX_nG3jSLO7OK7Ocavlb-bAcRrQYE9CXCFTHMNEgbma5nowI66VK3RNrWeqaNmX92C07lO2bpnBVBvYP5j7ojqhQP9Nr2SPgI7F1hl0KfPyvI4w9O9TxfwrpDcg2Qm_H2vSANM4-pGoHSH50QHlCCSz0fZmRDpOfGS0vOTZyRdSvU98bL21-zNsWiNKOUQybI8M&amp;c=CwX5KLKi0N8zcT-NxS0UiUmTT0548Jd6m0v0pKzXZezLGYjDmGKO3A==&amp;ch=tvZaNAhOC6tWoHaNXJ9qzBJpvm8-7R4ix1eqQTyPagloE11AOTW0kw==" target="_blank">#wheattour22</a>&nbsp;on Twitter. Written By Marsha Boswell, Vice President of Communications&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628192871161.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The 2022 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 19. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. This year's tour hosted people from 24 U.S. states plus Mexico and Canada in 20 vehicles while traveling across the state. The three-day average yield for the fields that were calculated was 39.7 bushels per acre. While an estimated 7.4 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop varies in condition based on planting date and amount of moisture received. What Mother Nature has in plan for the wheat crop still remains to be seen, but the tour captures a moment in time for the yield potential for fields across the state. The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 261 million bushels, indicating that tour participants thought abandonment might be higher than normal at 11%. This number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 550 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be higher at 271 million bushels, with a yield of 39 bushels per acre and abandonment at only 6%. Overall, the Kansas wheat crop is spotty and short, but the eastern half of the state generally had better growing conditions than the western half. On the first day of the tour, crop conditions started out above the tour average, but deteriorated as the groups made their way west from Manhattan to Colby. “Our expectation was the conditions would continue to deteriorate as we moved toward the southwest part of the state. Those conditions were as expected,” said Romulo Lollato, Kansas State University wheat extension specialist. “Maybe the biggest surprise was as we moved east, how long it took for conditions to improve. Those harsh conditions extended well into south central Kansas.” “The west part of south central Kansas was more affected by the drought than we expected,” he said. The sandier soils in south central Kansas cannot hold as much water as the soils in western Kansas. Even though the area received more moisture than southwest Kansas, the soils didn’t hold the water. Another surprise of this year’s tour was the lack of disease pressure, especially wheat streak mosaic virus. Lollato also said there was little to no insect pressure of concern for reducing yield. On Thursday, participants had their first opportunity to get their boots wet and see moisture in fields from recent rains in the southern and eastern parts of the state. Yields in this part of the state were better than what participants had seen earlier on the tour, averaging 55.2 bushels per acre. For fields that have not yet headed out, scouts use an early season formula model to calculate the potential yield of the fields. For the fields that had already headed, attendees were able to use a late-season formula to calculate yields, based on number of wheat heads, number of spikelets and kernels per spikelet. These formulas are provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The formulas do not take into consideration variables such as weed pressure, disease and pests. Tour scouts didn’t see much disease pressure this year with the drought conditions. The USDA estimate for the Nebraska wheat crop is ­­36.9 million bushels, down from 41.2 from last year. The estimated yield average is 41 bushels per acre. The Colorado crop is estimated at 49.6 million bushels, down from 69.6 million bushels last year. The estimate is for an average of 31 bushels per acre across the state. Brad Erker, executive director of Colorado Wheat, estimated the crop at 40.1 million bushels, based on a yield of 28.6 bushels per acre, 1.4 million acres harvested and 30% abandonment rate.&nbsp;Oklahoma reported that the state’s production is estimated at 60 million bushels, down from 115 million bushels last year, with 25 bushels per acre yield. These fields are still 3-6 weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production. The tour is sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council, which is a coordinated effort by breeders, producers and processor to improve wheat and flour quality. Dave Green, executive director of the WQC, said there are several goals of the tour. The first is for participants to make connections within the wheat industry. Another is to “describe the wheat as well as we can at the current point in time, not knowing what will happen over the next few weeks.” A third goal is to highlight the agriculture industry. For more information about what participants saw statewide, search&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VBseCroFJBQh6LWLuyhec7jjG9JHYxX_nG3jSLO7OK7Ocavlb-bAcRrQYE9CXCFTHMNEgbma5nowI66VK3RNrWeqaNmX92C07lO2bpnBVBvYP5j7ojqhQP9Nr2SPgI7F1hl0KfPyvI4w9O9TxfwrpDcg2Qm_H2vSANM4-pGoHSH50QHlCCSz0fZmRDpOfGS0vOTZyRdSvU98bL21-zNsWiNKOUQybI8M&amp;c=CwX5KLKi0N8zcT-NxS0UiUmTT0548Jd6m0v0pKzXZezLGYjDmGKO3A==&amp;ch=tvZaNAhOC6tWoHaNXJ9qzBJpvm8-7R4ix1eqQTyPagloE11AOTW0kw==" target="_blank">#wheattour22</a>&nbsp;on Twitter. Written By Marsha Boswell, Vice President of Communications&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Wheat Tour estimates crop at 261 million bushels

The
drought monitor report as of Tuesday, May 17 indicates a further expansion of extreme
drought in our area and worsening conditions across the western two-thirds of
the state in spite of the rainfall.&nbsp; Essentially,
only the eastern third of the state is in decent shape.&nbsp; The wheat tour this past week seems to
confirm these conditions and their effect on the wheat.&nbsp; The exceptional drought in Southwest Kansas
is expanding northeast.&nbsp; It will take a
dramatic change in our weather patterns to break the stranglehold of this
drought.&nbsp; The six to ten-day outlook (May
24 to 28) indicates normal temperatures and 33 to 40% chance of leaning below
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (May 26 to June 1) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of above normal temperatures
and near normal to slightly below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Those temperatures around Memorial Day
coupled with a lack of moisture will hurry up wheat and certainly not help the
yield of an already hurting crop for many. 

Last week’s column discussed the
changing climate patterns Kansas is facing, the extremes of wind,
precipitation, and temperature.&nbsp; Let’s
add in aquifer depletion in Western Kansas.&nbsp;
This week, what can be done to adapt and sustain agricultural
production.&nbsp; It will require a new
approach to agriculture to adapt.&nbsp; It
won’t be easy or cheap but it can be done.&nbsp;
K-State and other land grant institutions along with the USDA and the
private sector must come together to solve these problems. &nbsp;This isn’t an all-inclusive list but some of
the high points to consider.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
key for agriculture is maintaining the cattle industry.&nbsp; In terms of receipts, cattle drive the ag
economy in Kansas.&nbsp; To maintain the meat
packing industry, we must maintain the cattle industry, especially the feedlot
industry.&nbsp; To maintain the feedlot
industry, we must find ways to supply the appropriate feedstuffs to finish
cattle.&nbsp; And sustain, the cow-calf and
stocker industry in the state.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With
aquifer depletion in Western Kansas, it is imperative to find a way to maximize
the efficiency of irrigation for corn production.&nbsp; This must be done technologically through
drip irrigation and other technologies in addition to improved hybrids that are
both more water efficient and pest resistant.&nbsp;
And we must find ways to decrease our reliance on corn in beef
production.&nbsp; It may be alternatives to
corn grain, such as grain sorghum or silage.&nbsp;
Perhaps, have cattle spend more of their life on pasture.&nbsp; Of course, this means finding ways to produce
and maintain productive annual and perennial pasture.&nbsp; 

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Producers
must become more and more efficient in their cultural practices ranging from
pest control to fertility management and cultivar selection along with novel
crops.&nbsp; GMO crops will play a significant
role here.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Something
to consider here is our reliance on grain.&nbsp;
It’s easier to produce quality vegetative matter than grain.&nbsp; Can we shift food, fuel and fiber production
to the vegetative side?&nbsp; Say hemp for
fiber or ethanol from stalks and leaves instead of grain efficiently.&nbsp; 

All of this isn’t to
suggest that the ag industry hasn’t made and is continuing to make strides in
these areas.&nbsp; It does suggest, we as a
country must invest in the research and infrastructure to transition to a
sustainable ag industry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596995818491.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Agricultural Instructor Dr. Vic Martin" />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Agricultural Instructor Dr. Vic Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The
drought monitor report as of Tuesday, May 17 indicates a further expansion of extreme
drought in our area and worsening conditions across the western two-thirds of
the state in spite of the rainfall.&nbsp; Essentially,
only the eastern third of the state is in decent shape.&nbsp; The wheat tour this past week seems to
confirm these conditions and their effect on the wheat.&nbsp; The exceptional drought in Southwest Kansas
is expanding northeast.&nbsp; It will take a
dramatic change in our weather patterns to break the stranglehold of this
drought.&nbsp; The six to ten-day outlook (May
24 to 28) indicates normal temperatures and 33 to 40% chance of leaning below
normal precipitation.&nbsp; The eight to fourteen-day
outlook (May 26 to June 1) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of above normal temperatures
and near normal to slightly below normal precipitation.&nbsp; Those temperatures around Memorial Day
coupled with a lack of moisture will hurry up wheat and certainly not help the
yield of an already hurting crop for many. Last week’s column discussed the
changing climate patterns Kansas is facing, the extremes of wind,
precipitation, and temperature.&nbsp; Let’s
add in aquifer depletion in Western Kansas.&nbsp;
This week, what can be done to adapt and sustain agricultural
production.&nbsp; It will require a new
approach to agriculture to adapt.&nbsp; It
won’t be easy or cheap but it can be done.&nbsp;
K-State and other land grant institutions along with the USDA and the
private sector must come together to solve these problems. &nbsp;This isn’t an all-inclusive list but some of
the high points to consider.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
key for agriculture is maintaining the cattle industry.&nbsp; In terms of receipts, cattle drive the ag
economy in Kansas.&nbsp; To maintain the meat
packing industry, we must maintain the cattle industry, especially the feedlot
industry.&nbsp; To maintain the feedlot
industry, we must find ways to supply the appropriate feedstuffs to finish
cattle.&nbsp; And sustain, the cow-calf and
stocker industry in the state.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With
aquifer depletion in Western Kansas, it is imperative to find a way to maximize
the efficiency of irrigation for corn production.&nbsp; This must be done technologically through
drip irrigation and other technologies in addition to improved hybrids that are
both more water efficient and pest resistant.&nbsp;
And we must find ways to decrease our reliance on corn in beef
production.&nbsp; It may be alternatives to
corn grain, such as grain sorghum or silage.&nbsp;
Perhaps, have cattle spend more of their life on pasture.&nbsp; Of course, this means finding ways to produce
and maintain productive annual and perennial pasture.&nbsp; ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Producers
must become more and more efficient in their cultural practices ranging from
pest control to fertility management and cultivar selection along with novel
crops.&nbsp; GMO crops will play a significant
role here.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Something
to consider here is our reliance on grain.&nbsp;
It’s easier to produce quality vegetative matter than grain.&nbsp; Can we shift food, fuel and fiber production
to the vegetative side?&nbsp; Say hemp for
fiber or ethanol from stalks and leaves instead of grain efficiently.&nbsp; All of this isn’t to
suggest that the ag industry hasn’t made and is continuing to make strides in
these areas.&nbsp; It does suggest, we as a
country must invest in the research and infrastructure to transition to a
sustainable ag industry.

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Adapting To A New Climate “Normal”

When Claflin High School consolidated with nearby towns to form Central
Plains High School following the 2011 school year, folks wanted to create an
event to honor former Claflin graduates. The Claflin Memorial Weekend
Celebration and All School Reunion started in 2011 to do just that. 
Event organizer Murine Urban-Prosser said the celebration is coming up again May 28 - May 30, and the weekend is loaded with events for
all ages, especially Sunday, May 29. 
"Whoever wants to come, just come over," said Urban-Prosser. "We're hoping for a big crowd. We have a lot going on Saturday, Sunday and Monday."

Claflin Memorial Weekend &amp; All School Reunion events - 2022

Saturday, May 28 5K / 10K Walk-Run (registration at 7 a.m.) Jackie Stiles / Emily Ryan basketball camp - 10 a.m. Beer Garden / Food Vendors on Main Street - 5 p.m. Street Dance on Main - 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 29 Pancake Feed on Main Street - 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Claflin Museum Open - 9 a.m. Methodist Church Women's Lunch at the church - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Parade down Main Street - 1 p.m. Kid's Games in the park - 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Cornhole Tournament on Main - 3 p.m. Touch-A-Truck at 5th &amp; Hamilton - 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Car Show north of the city park - 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Beer Garden / Food Vendors on Main - 5 p.m. Tiny Tykes Dance on Main - 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Street Dance on Main - 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Monday, May 30 Annual VFW Memorial Day Service at the Claflin Cemetery - 10 a.m. K of C Golf Tournament - 10 a.m. Claflin Museum Open - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652884590586.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhen Claflin High School consolidated with nearby towns to form Central
Plains High School following the 2011 school year, folks wanted to create an
event to honor former Claflin graduates. The Claflin Memorial Weekend
Celebration and All School Reunion started in 2011 to do just that. 
Event organizer Murine Urban-Prosser said the celebration is coming up again May 28 - May 30, and the weekend is loaded with events for
all ages, especially Sunday, May 29. 
"Whoever wants to come, just come over," said Urban-Prosser. "We're hoping for a big crowd. We have a lot going on Saturday, Sunday and Monday."Claflin Memorial Weekend &amp; All School Reunion events - 2022Saturday, May 28 5K / 10K Walk-Run (registration at 7 a.m.) Jackie Stiles / Emily Ryan basketball camp - 10 a.m. Beer Garden / Food Vendors on Main Street - 5 p.m. Street Dance on Main - 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.Sunday, May 29 Pancake Feed on Main Street - 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Claflin Museum Open - 9 a.m. Methodist Church Women's Lunch at the church - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Parade down Main Street - 1 p.m. Kid's Games in the park - 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Cornhole Tournament on Main - 3 p.m. Touch-A-Truck at 5th &amp; Hamilton - 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Car Show north of the city park - 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Beer Garden / Food Vendors on Main - 5 p.m. Tiny Tykes Dance on Main - 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Street Dance on Main - 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.Monday, May 30 Annual VFW Memorial Day Service at the Claflin Cemetery - 10 a.m. K of C Golf Tournament - 10 a.m. Claflin Museum Open - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Claflin prepping for large All School Reunion

Hear this month's Focus on Ellinwood show with host Nancy Baird that aired May 19, 2022.

The Focus on Ellinwood program airs the third Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this month's Focus on Ellinwood show with host Nancy Baird that aired May 19, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/wzhql2ei/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The Focus on Ellinwood program airs the third Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎤Focus on Ellinwood show

Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden is looking for
better weather a month after the debut for “Final Fridays on Forest.” Strong
winds ended April’s downtown social gathering early, but the Great Bend Alive
organization is ready to celebrate another evening outdoors with live music,
food, drinks and entertainment. 
Final Fridays on Forest barricades a portion of Forest Avenue, from Williams to
Main, and now includes the alleyway between Forest and Lakin Avenue. Citizens
can stroll through this consumption district between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. and
consume alcoholic beverages while enjoying the entertainment. 
Hayden said Great Bend Alive is looking for volunteers for the event. &nbsp;"If you want to donate just an hour of your time to be a gate volunteer, we'd love to have you," said Hayden. "That entails sitting at the gate to make sure cups stay within the area." 
The online sign up for volunteers can be found at <a href="https://www.gbedinc.com/">gbedinc.com</a> or the Great Bend
Alive Facebook page.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628521708893.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostGreat Bend Economic Development Director Sara Hayden is looking for
better weather a month after the debut for “Final Fridays on Forest.” Strong
winds ended April’s downtown social gathering early, but the Great Bend Alive
organization is ready to celebrate another evening outdoors with live music,
food, drinks and entertainment. 
Final Fridays on Forest barricades a portion of Forest Avenue, from Williams to
Main, and now includes the alleyway between Forest and Lakin Avenue. Citizens
can stroll through this consumption district between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. and
consume alcoholic beverages while enjoying the entertainment. 
Hayden said Great Bend Alive is looking for volunteers for the event. &nbsp;"If you want to donate just an hour of your time to be a gate volunteer, we'd love to have you," said Hayden. "That entails sitting at the gate to make sure cups stay within the area." 
The online sign up for volunteers can be found at <a href="https://www.gbedinc.com/">gbedinc.com</a> or the Great Bend
Alive Facebook page.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Volunteers needed for Great Bend’s 'Final Fridays' event

The Kansas Department of Revenue's Great Bend Driver's License Office at the Barton County Courthouse will be closed on May 25, 26, and 27. The office will reopen on May 31, 2022, at the Barton Community College facility located at 1025 Main Street, Great Bend.

The Main Street office will be a temporary location for the 2022 summer months while the Department of Revenue finalizes arrangements for a new Great Bend office.

"We appreciate the partnership we share with Barton County and the Barton Community College to provide driver's services to the area,"&nbsp;David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles, said.&nbsp;"The Great Bend office completes over 8,500 customer transactions each year, and we are excited about the opportunity to relocate to the new facility later this year to continue and improve our service. In addition, Barton Community College has long been a valued partner in commercial driver's services, and we appreciate them providing a facility for our temporary use."

The temporary office allows KDOR to continue offering all its services, including commercial driver's license exams. Appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MjAuNTgyMjM1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RlbGVnb3YuZWdvdi5jb20va2Rvci1kb3YifQ.bvHn8Ca4hR8aTOXZ5pk9tVsPSAgR12EILexMkA11ZCM/s/1372079104/br/131663753586-l" target="_blank">https://telegov.egov.com/kdor-dov</a>.

The Kansas Department of Revenue continues to encourage the use of mobile renewal with iKan. The iKan app can be downloaded from the Apple App or Google Play stores on your mobile device or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MjAuNTgyMjM1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2lrYW4ua3MuZ292LyJ9.IYbsvxwRMhuETKHV-TI5QdV5AXkL0xK3ceATPZJOd98/s/1372079104/br/131663753586-l" target="_blank">iKan.ks.gov</a>. By statute, some restrictions apply.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653078483748.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Driver's License office in Great Bend will be temporarily be located at 1025 Main Street beginning May 31, 2022." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Driver's License office in Great Bend will be temporarily be located at 1025 Main Street beginning May 31, 2022.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Department of Revenue's Great Bend Driver's License Office at the Barton County Courthouse will be closed on May 25, 26, and 27. The office will reopen on May 31, 2022, at the Barton Community College facility located at 1025 Main Street, Great Bend.The Main Street office will be a temporary location for the 2022 summer months while the Department of Revenue finalizes arrangements for a new Great Bend office."We appreciate the partnership we share with Barton County and the Barton Community College to provide driver's services to the area,"&nbsp;David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles, said.&nbsp;"The Great Bend office completes over 8,500 customer transactions each year, and we are excited about the opportunity to relocate to the new facility later this year to continue and improve our service. In addition, Barton Community College has long been a valued partner in commercial driver's services, and we appreciate them providing a facility for our temporary use."The temporary office allows KDOR to continue offering all its services, including commercial driver's license exams. Appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MjAuNTgyMjM1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RlbGVnb3YuZWdvdi5jb20va2Rvci1kb3YifQ.bvHn8Ca4hR8aTOXZ5pk9tVsPSAgR12EILexMkA11ZCM/s/1372079104/br/131663753586-l" target="_blank">https://telegov.egov.com/kdor-dov</a>.The Kansas Department of Revenue continues to encourage the use of mobile renewal with iKan. The iKan app can be downloaded from the Apple App or Google Play stores on your mobile device or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA1MjAuNTgyMjM1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2lrYW4ua3MuZ292LyJ9.IYbsvxwRMhuETKHV-TI5QdV5AXkL0xK3ceATPZJOd98/s/1372079104/br/131663753586-l" target="_blank">iKan.ks.gov</a>. By statute, some restrictions apply.

Temporary Kansas Driver's License Office ready in Great Bend

Students enrolled in Ken Botzung’s honors biology course at Great Bend High School now benefit from the use of a growth cart thanks to the financial support of Midwest Energy.

According to Botzung, the cart will allow students to run independent research projects, also known as student-designed labs, as a part of their coursework.

“The growth cart is a necessary and versatile addition to my classroom, especially considering my interior classroom has no windows,” said Botzung. “Different from labs students have completed in my class or other courses, the student-designed lab requires the student to develop the process from start to finish. Including the selection of a plant-based research topic, conducting research, writing a formal lab report, and presenting the findings to their peers.”

A $500 grant from Midwest Energy covered half of the cost of the grow cart.

For more information about academic programs at GBHS or opportunities to support learning, please contact Great Bend High School at 620-793-1521. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653066508509.jpeg" alt="GBHS honors biology students extend gratitude to Midwest Energy for a grant that helped fund the addition of a growth cart in Mr. Botzung's science lab. Front Row: Kamron Stude, Angel Palacio, Melyne Fletchall. Back Row: Anita Zecha, Paige Wagner, Kynslee White, Katie Kuhlman, Charley Sander, Johnathan Randall, Evan Wedel, Hailey Hicks, Elysse Ellis and Jason Scott." />
 <figcaption>GBHS honors biology students extend gratitude to Midwest Energy for a grant that helped fund the addition of a growth cart in Mr. Botzung's science lab. Front Row: Kamron Stude, Angel Palacio, Melyne Fletchall. Back Row: Anita Zecha, Paige Wagner, Kynslee White, Katie Kuhlman, Charley Sander, Johnathan Randall, Evan Wedel, Hailey Hicks, Elysse Ellis and Jason Scott.</figcaption>
 </figure>Students enrolled in Ken Botzung’s honors biology course at Great Bend High School now benefit from the use of a growth cart thanks to the financial support of Midwest Energy.According to Botzung, the cart will allow students to run independent research projects, also known as student-designed labs, as a part of their coursework.“The growth cart is a necessary and versatile addition to my classroom, especially considering my interior classroom has no windows,” said Botzung. “Different from labs students have completed in my class or other courses, the student-designed lab requires the student to develop the process from start to finish. Including the selection of a plant-based research topic, conducting research, writing a formal lab report, and presenting the findings to their peers.”A $500 grant from Midwest Energy covered half of the cost of the grow cart.For more information about academic programs at GBHS or opportunities to support learning, please contact Great Bend High School at 620-793-1521.

GBHS students thank Midwest Energy for support of Growth Cart

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Commissioner Kirby Krier that aired May 19, 2022.

The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Commissioner Kirby Krier that aired May 19, 2022.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/m0r1smnx/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

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