Plant analysis is an excellent in-season “quality control” tool. It can be especially valuable for managing secondary and micronutrients that do not have high-quality, reliable soil tests available, and for providing insight into how efficiently you are using applied nutrients.

Plant analysis can be used by Kansas farmers in two basic ways: for diagnostic purposes, and for monitoring nutrient levels at a common growth stage. Diagnostics can be done any time and is especially valuable early in the season when corrective actions can easily be taken. Monitoring is generally done at the beginning of reproductive growth.

· Plants are less than 12 inches tall: Collect the whole plant; cut the plant off at ground level.

· Plants more than 12 inches tall and until reproductive growth begins: Collect the top fully developed leaves (those which show leaf collars).

· After reproductive growth starts: Collect the ear leaves (below the uppermost developing ear), samples should be collected at random from the field at silk emergence.

Plant analysis for nutrient monitoring - for general monitoring or quality control purposes, plant leaves should be collected as the plant enters reproductive growth. Sampling under stress conditions for monitoring purposes can give misleading results, and is not recommended. Stresses such as drought or saturated soils will generally limit nutrient uptake, and result in a general reduction in nutrient content in the plant.

What nutrients should be included in the plant analysis? In Kansas, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), chloride (Cl), and iron (Fe) are the nutrients most likely to be found deficient. Recently, questions have been raised concerning copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and molybdenum (Mo), though widespread deficiencies of those micronutrients have not been found in the state. Normally the best values are the “bundles” or “packages” of tests offered through many of the labs. They can be as simple as N, P and K, or can be all the mineral elements considered essential to plants. K-State offers a package which includes N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn.

What will you get back from the lab? The data returned from the lab will be reported as the concentration of nutrient elements, or potentially toxic elements, in the plants. Units reported will normally be in “percent” for the primary and secondary nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and

Cl) and “ppm” (parts per million) for most of the micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo, and Al).

Most labs/agronomists compare plant nutrient concentrations to published sufficiency ranges. A sufficiency range is simply the range of concentrations normally found in healthy, productive plants during surveys. It can be thought of as the range of values optimum for plant growth. The medical profession uses a similar range of normal values to evaluate blood work. The sufficiency ranges change with plant age (generally being higher in young plants), vary between plant parts, and can differ between hybrids. A value slightly below the sufficiency range does not always mean the plant is deficient in that nutrient. It is an indication that the nutrient is relatively low. Values on the low end of the range are common in extremely high-yielding crops. However, if that nutrient is significantly below the sufficiency range, you should ask some serious questions about the availability and supply of that nutrient.

To read the full article on how to how best take and ship the plant leaves, more about plant stress and nutrient uptake, extreme levels of nutrients and the range of nutrient contents considered “normal” or “sufficient” at two growth stages in corn go to www.cottonwood.ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656354567378.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Plant analysis is an excellent in-season “quality control” tool. It can be especially valuable for managing secondary and micronutrients that do not have high-quality, reliable soil tests available, and for providing insight into how efficiently you are using applied nutrients.Plant analysis can be used by Kansas farmers in two basic ways: for diagnostic purposes, and for monitoring nutrient levels at a common growth stage. Diagnostics can be done any time and is especially valuable early in the season when corrective actions can easily be taken. Monitoring is generally done at the beginning of reproductive growth.General sampling guidelines:· Plants are less than 12 inches tall: Collect the whole plant; cut the plant off at ground level.· Plants more than 12 inches tall and until reproductive growth begins: Collect the top fully developed leaves (those which show leaf collars).· After reproductive growth starts: Collect the ear leaves (below the uppermost developing ear), samples should be collected at random from the field at silk emergence.Plant analysis for nutrient monitoring - for general monitoring or quality control purposes, plant leaves should be collected as the plant enters reproductive growth. Sampling under stress conditions for monitoring purposes can give misleading results, and is not recommended. Stresses such as drought or saturated soils will generally limit nutrient uptake, and result in a general reduction in nutrient content in the plant.What nutrients should be included in the plant analysis? In Kansas, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), chloride (Cl), and iron (Fe) are the nutrients most likely to be found deficient. Recently, questions have been raised concerning copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and molybdenum (Mo), though widespread deficiencies of those micronutrients have not been found in the state. Normally the best values are the “bundles” or “packages” of tests offered through many of the labs. They can be as simple as N, P and K, or can be all the mineral elements considered essential to plants. K-State offers a package which includes N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn.What will you get back from the lab? The data returned from the lab will be reported as the concentration of nutrient elements, or potentially toxic elements, in the plants. Units reported will normally be in “percent” for the primary and secondary nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, andCl) and “ppm” (parts per million) for most of the micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo, and Al).Most labs/agronomists compare plant nutrient concentrations to published sufficiency ranges. A sufficiency range is simply the range of concentrations normally found in healthy, productive plants during surveys. It can be thought of as the range of values optimum for plant growth. The medical profession uses a similar range of normal values to evaluate blood work. The sufficiency ranges change with plant age (generally being higher in young plants), vary between plant parts, and can differ between hybrids. A value slightly below the sufficiency range does not always mean the plant is deficient in that nutrient. It is an indication that the nutrient is relatively low. Values on the low end of the range are common in extremely high-yielding crops. However, if that nutrient is significantly below the sufficiency range, you should ask some serious questions about the availability and supply of that nutrient.To read the full article on how to how best take and ship the plant leaves, more about plant stress and nutrient uptake, extreme levels of nutrients and the range of nutrient contents considered “normal” or “sufficient” at two growth stages in corn go to www.cottonwood.ksu.edu.

CAMPBELL: Plant analysis for testing nutrient levels in corn

Our 4-H Ambassadors helped me record several radio spots last week and I’d like to share their invitation with you.

The Barton County 4-H Ambassadors invite you to “Come hear the sounds of the Barton County Fair” which is happening July 6-10! You can check out the full schedule for many upcoming events at bartoncountyfair.com.

Pre-fair events have already started with the 4-H Dog Show on June 25 and our Broadway-themed Fashion Revue, Fiber Arts, and Clothing Construction Judging will be held on June 30. We have a lot of creative 4-H members who have learned new skills all year. The Public Fashion Revue is held on June 30 at 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church if you would like to see these young people put their skills in action.

Much of the 4-H judging will be completed on Wednesday, July 6 and that evening, we will hold the annual Youth Rally in the ring in Expo III! On Thursday, July 7, we’ll start the day with the Business Appreciation Breakfast and Great Bend Chamber Coffee. All are welcome and be sure to check out all of the great foods, photography, woodworking, entomology exhibits, and much more!

Livestock shows are a regular part of many county fairs and we invite you to check out all of the livestock. The Swine Show is Thursday at 9 am, the Horse Halter classes on Thursday at 3 pm, Bucket Calf Show is Thursday at 6, the Sheep and Goat Show on Friday at 8 am, the Beef Show is Friday, at 5, and we wrap up the shows with the Horse Show on Saturday at 8.

Be sure to make time to watch the Small and Large Animal Round Robin on Sunday beginning at 9:30. The 4-H members who are participating in Round Robin are selected as the top showmen and women of each species in their age division.

My favorite sounds are those of learning and laughter and you will hear plenty of that during the Barton County Fair!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Our 4-H Ambassadors helped me record several radio spots last week and I’d like to share their invitation with you.The Barton County 4-H Ambassadors invite you to “Come hear the sounds of the Barton County Fair” which is happening July 6-10! You can check out the full schedule for many upcoming events at bartoncountyfair.com.Pre-fair events have already started with the 4-H Dog Show on June 25 and our Broadway-themed Fashion Revue, Fiber Arts, and Clothing Construction Judging will be held on June 30. We have a lot of creative 4-H members who have learned new skills all year. The Public Fashion Revue is held on June 30 at 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church if you would like to see these young people put their skills in action.Much of the 4-H judging will be completed on Wednesday, July 6 and that evening, we will hold the annual Youth Rally in the ring in Expo III! On Thursday, July 7, we’ll start the day with the Business Appreciation Breakfast and Great Bend Chamber Coffee. All are welcome and be sure to check out all of the great foods, photography, woodworking, entomology exhibits, and much more!Livestock shows are a regular part of many county fairs and we invite you to check out all of the livestock. The Swine Show is Thursday at 9 am, the Horse Halter classes on Thursday at 3 pm, Bucket Calf Show is Thursday at 6, the Sheep and Goat Show on Friday at 8 am, the Beef Show is Friday, at 5, and we wrap up the shows with the Horse Show on Saturday at 8.Be sure to make time to watch the Small and Large Animal Round Robin on Sunday beginning at 9:30. The 4-H members who are participating in Round Robin are selected as the top showmen and women of each species in their age division.My favorite sounds are those of learning and laughter and you will hear plenty of that during the Barton County Fair!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Hear The Sounds of the Barton County Fair

Beyond the standard germination test, most professional seed testing labs offer an Accelerated Aging (AA) test that will test seed for anticipated emergence vigor.

This test is very capable of identifying weak seed lots where there are issues with Fusarium head scab; heating in the bin; or smaller, development-stressed seed. Briefly, in an AA test the seed is subjected to a high temperature (106 degrees F) and high moisture stress for 72 hours before planting. This accelerates the aging process of the seed. The resulting seedlings are then counted the same as with a standard germination test. The weak seed in the population will be pushed beyond the capability of germinating into a normal seedling.

When to test: Because seed vigor will only decline over time, testing close to planting time will give the best prediction of field performance. However, if there are questions about whether there has been stress-related physiological damage to the seed, it might be best to have the AA test done shortly after harvest before investing in storage, cleaning and seed treatments.

What the results mean: Ideally the AA score should be relatively close to the standard germination score. This would mean the seed lot has the greatest capability of emerging under a wide array of field conditions. While high vigor seed will be more forgiving, it is noteworthy that much of the crop’s ultimate success also depends on management practices, such as how the seed is planted, depth of planting, whether the soil gets crusted over by a hard rain before emergence, and other factors beyond seed quality. Even high vigor seed lots may not produce satisfactory stands if field conditions are extreme.

If the seed has an AA germination score considerably lower than the standard germination test, this indicates the seed has reduced vigor and is more at risk when planted. Reduced vigor seed lots may still be planted and are capable of producing adequate stands, however producers must pay extra attention to planting conditions, planting rates and will likely benefit from the protection of a fungicide seed treatment.

The real point is that knowing seed quality is critical and producers need not necessarily dump low vigor seed, nor is high vigor seed guaranteed to make a stand under any conditions. Management practices play a big role in how well the seed performs. Producers just have to pay extra attention to their management practices and have a little extra good luck on their side if they plant seed with low AA scores.

To get an AA test on your wheat seed you can contact your local County or District Extension office or go to the Kansas Crop Improvement Association web site https://www.kscrop.org/

Information provided by Eric Fabrizius, Associate Director, Kansas Crop Improvement Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655755839768.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Beyond the standard germination test, most professional seed testing labs offer an Accelerated Aging (AA) test that will test seed for anticipated emergence vigor.This test is very capable of identifying weak seed lots where there are issues with Fusarium head scab; heating in the bin; or smaller, development-stressed seed. Briefly, in an AA test the seed is subjected to a high temperature (106 degrees F) and high moisture stress for 72 hours before planting. This accelerates the aging process of the seed. The resulting seedlings are then counted the same as with a standard germination test. The weak seed in the population will be pushed beyond the capability of germinating into a normal seedling.When to test: Because seed vigor will only decline over time, testing close to planting time will give the best prediction of field performance. However, if there are questions about whether there has been stress-related physiological damage to the seed, it might be best to have the AA test done shortly after harvest before investing in storage, cleaning and seed treatments.What the results mean: Ideally the AA score should be relatively close to the standard germination score. This would mean the seed lot has the greatest capability of emerging under a wide array of field conditions. While high vigor seed will be more forgiving, it is noteworthy that much of the crop’s ultimate success also depends on management practices, such as how the seed is planted, depth of planting, whether the soil gets crusted over by a hard rain before emergence, and other factors beyond seed quality. Even high vigor seed lots may not produce satisfactory stands if field conditions are extreme.If the seed has an AA germination score considerably lower than the standard germination test, this indicates the seed has reduced vigor and is more at risk when planted. Reduced vigor seed lots may still be planted and are capable of producing adequate stands, however producers must pay extra attention to planting conditions, planting rates and will likely benefit from the protection of a fungicide seed treatment.The real point is that knowing seed quality is critical and producers need not necessarily dump low vigor seed, nor is high vigor seed guaranteed to make a stand under any conditions. Management practices play a big role in how well the seed performs. Producers just have to pay extra attention to their management practices and have a little extra good luck on their side if they plant seed with low AA scores.To get an AA test on your wheat seed you can contact your local County or District Extension office or go to the Kansas Crop Improvement Association web site https://www.kscrop.org/Information provided by Eric Fabrizius, Associate Director, Kansas Crop Improvement Association.

CAMPBELL: Accelerated Aging test on seed for emergence vigor

Summer brings the heat, often amplified by humidity. With recent rains across the state, much of it in drought-stricken regions, there is no shortage of higher moisture in the air. When we factor in warmer-than-normal temperatures, especially at night, heat stress can rapidly develop in humans and animals alike. The Kansas Mesonet has an&nbsp;<a href="http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/" target="_blank">Animal Comfort Tool</a>&nbsp;that helps track heat stress values at each location throughout the state.&nbsp;

When heat stress develops with hot, sunny, and humid conditions, increased proactive steps are required to avoid potential illness. This is compounded when heat stress values remain elevated for long periods of time. Of special importance is the animal’s ability to recover at night. Recent record high temperatures overnight prevent the body from recovering from the previous day’s heat and can compound the next day’s stress if not mitigated.&nbsp;

Actual animal response to temperature stress will depend on a number of factors not accounted for in the index. Those include, but are not limited to: age, hair coat (winter vs summer; wet vs dry), health, body condition, micro-environment, and acclimatization. However, despite some of these unknowns, producers can evaluate the environmental conditions to livestock by using the Kansas Mesonet Animal Comfort tool.&nbsp;

Users can access this tool from the main Mesonet page by selecting from the drop-down menu on the top left of every page, Agriculture, and then Comfort Index. Also, users can access the tool directly from this link:&nbsp;<a href="http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/" target="_blank">http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/</a> &nbsp;The index is unique in that it includes, in addition to air temperature and relative humidity, effects of wind speed and solar radiation. Data from beef and dairy cattle was used in the development and validation of the index. The map indicates where current conditions fit on the scale.&nbsp;

Using the “Resources” tab on the webpage, users can learn more about the index, scale, and resulting potential impact. This also describes the colors used on the map and chart. &nbsp;

A particularly useful resource is the 7-day graph found under the “Chart” tab. This allows producers to monitor how conditions have fluctuated over the past week. Daily peaks can be expected each afternoon when temperatures are the warmest with peak solar radiation. Values then fall during the, usually cooler, overnight hours. Since stress impacts can be cumulative, having this feature allows producers to evaluate management requirements. This is especially a concern during warm overnights when values don’t drop below higher stress levels.

Unfortunately, since this information is calculated on an hourly basis, we do not keep a running archive of Animal Comfort that can be easily downloaded. From the “Download” tab, with the desired station selected, you can download the last week’s worth of data for that location. This is the same data that is displayed on the graph. If the data desired is outside the window of the last seven days, send an email request to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Kansas-wdl@ksu.edu" target="_blank">Kansas-wdl@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or one of the authors. We will pull the data and re-calculate the Animal Comfort for you.&nbsp;

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;

<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>Summer brings the heat, often amplified by humidity. With recent rains across the state, much of it in drought-stricken regions, there is no shortage of higher moisture in the air. When we factor in warmer-than-normal temperatures, especially at night, heat stress can rapidly develop in humans and animals alike. The Kansas Mesonet has an&nbsp;<a href="http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/" target="_blank">Animal Comfort Tool</a>&nbsp;that helps track heat stress values at each location throughout the state.&nbsp;When heat stress develops with hot, sunny, and humid conditions, increased proactive steps are required to avoid potential illness. This is compounded when heat stress values remain elevated for long periods of time. Of special importance is the animal’s ability to recover at night. Recent record high temperatures overnight prevent the body from recovering from the previous day’s heat and can compound the next day’s stress if not mitigated.&nbsp;Actual animal response to temperature stress will depend on a number of factors not accounted for in the index. Those include, but are not limited to: age, hair coat (winter vs summer; wet vs dry), health, body condition, micro-environment, and acclimatization. However, despite some of these unknowns, producers can evaluate the environmental conditions to livestock by using the Kansas Mesonet Animal Comfort tool.&nbsp;Users can access this tool from the main Mesonet page by selecting from the drop-down menu on the top left of every page, Agriculture, and then Comfort Index. Also, users can access the tool directly from this link:&nbsp;<a href="http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/" target="_blank">http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/animal/</a> &nbsp;The index is unique in that it includes, in addition to air temperature and relative humidity, effects of wind speed and solar radiation. Data from beef and dairy cattle was used in the development and validation of the index. The map indicates where current conditions fit on the scale.&nbsp;Using the “Resources” tab on the webpage, users can learn more about the index, scale, and resulting potential impact. This also describes the colors used on the map and chart. &nbsp;A particularly useful resource is the 7-day graph found under the “Chart” tab. This allows producers to monitor how conditions have fluctuated over the past week. Daily peaks can be expected each afternoon when temperatures are the warmest with peak solar radiation. Values then fall during the, usually cooler, overnight hours. Since stress impacts can be cumulative, having this feature allows producers to evaluate management requirements. This is especially a concern during warm overnights when values don’t drop below higher stress levels.Unfortunately, since this information is calculated on an hourly basis, we do not keep a running archive of Animal Comfort that can be easily downloaded. From the “Download” tab, with the desired station selected, you can download the last week’s worth of data for that location. This is the same data that is displayed on the graph. If the data desired is outside the window of the last seven days, send an email request to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Kansas-wdl@ksu.edu" target="_blank">Kansas-wdl@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or one of the authors. We will pull the data and re-calculate the Animal Comfort for you.&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;

BOOR: Cow comfort index

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Flowers and vegetables are the standard of any garden tour. Throw in a high tunnel and some microgreens and you get the second annual Gathering of the Gardeners, presented by the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners. This year's tour, scheduled on June 24th from 5 to 8 p.m., includes five locations around Great Bend.

"Master Gardners is a volunteer group that has been trained by the Extentension Office," explained Sarah Shirer, president of the group. "The purpose of the group is to assist the county horticuluritists in sharing information with people in the community, helping out answering questions, that sort of thing."

Master Gardeners buy their own materials, attend 40-50 hours of training in all aspects of horticulture, then donate an equivalent number of hours back to community projects. To maintain certification after the first year, the gardeners take eight hours of continuing education and donate a minimum of 20 hours to the community.

"There's just a variety," Shirer said. "Everyone just steps in and puts their hours in on the projects that speak to them, that they're most interested in doing."

Local Master Gardeners helped reconstruct a historical garden in front of the stone house at the Barton County Historical Society, assisted with the flower pots and butterfly house at the Brit Spaugh Zoo, and work in the teaching garden on the south side of Washington Elementary School, which is included in this year's tour.

Some hobbyists complete the original training hours but do commit to the volunteer hours for the full certification. 

"You can take the course and learn the material, then not step into the organization or the commitment year after year to spend volunteer time," said Shirer. "A lot of peoples' work schedules and health concerns have kept them from stepping in fully."

A relatively new program in the Cottonwood District, Shirer estimates there are approximately a dozen active members just five years into the program.

"A lot of other counties have been building their group for years," she said. "We're getting a good foothold, figuring it out, and bonding as a group. It's great."

The community garden tour has been organized by various groups but was taken over by the Master Gardeners for the first time last year. That event included stops only at the homes of Master Gardeners. The goal of this year's tour is to show a variety of gardens. A Master Gardener will be available at each stop to help answer questions.

This year's stops include: 2530 12th Street, 1216 Roosevelt, 1221 McKinley, 2207 Canterbury Lane, and 135A NW 50 Ave.

For more information about the Master Gardener program, contact Alicia Boor at the Extension Office at aboor@ksu.edu or by calling (620) 793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655395507206.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostFlowers and vegetables are the standard of any garden tour. Throw in a high tunnel and some microgreens and you get the second annual Gathering of the Gardeners, presented by the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners. This year's tour, scheduled on June 24th from 5 to 8 p.m., includes five locations around Great Bend."Master Gardners is a volunteer group that has been trained by the Extentension Office," explained Sarah Shirer, president of the group. "The purpose of the group is to assist the county horticuluritists in sharing information with people in the community, helping out answering questions, that sort of thing."Master Gardeners buy their own materials, attend 40-50 hours of training in all aspects of horticulture, then donate an equivalent number of hours back to community projects. To maintain certification after the first year, the gardeners take eight hours of continuing education and donate a minimum of 20 hours to the community."There's just a variety," Shirer said. "Everyone just steps in and puts their hours in on the projects that speak to them, that they're most interested in doing."Local Master Gardeners helped reconstruct a historical garden in front of the stone house at the Barton County Historical Society, assisted with the flower pots and butterfly house at the Brit Spaugh Zoo, and work in the teaching garden on the south side of Washington Elementary School, which is included in this year's tour.Some hobbyists complete the original training hours but do commit to the volunteer hours for the full certification. "You can take the course and learn the material, then not step into the organization or the commitment year after year to spend volunteer time," said Shirer. "A lot of peoples' work schedules and health concerns have kept them from stepping in fully."A relatively new program in the Cottonwood District, Shirer estimates there are approximately a dozen active members just five years into the program."A lot of other counties have been building their group for years," she said. "We're getting a good foothold, figuring it out, and bonding as a group. It's great."The community garden tour has been organized by various groups but was taken over by the Master Gardeners for the first time last year. That event included stops only at the homes of Master Gardeners. The goal of this year's tour is to show a variety of gardens. A Master Gardener will be available at each stop to help answer questions.This year's stops include: 2530 12th Street, 1216 Roosevelt, 1221 McKinley, 2207 Canterbury Lane, and 135A NW 50 Ave.For more information about the Master Gardener program, contact Alicia Boor at the Extension Office at aboor@ksu.edu or by calling (620) 793-1910.

Green thumbs unite for Gathering of Gardeners next Friday

The history of celebrating Father’s Day dates back 50 years ago, when President Nixon made it an official holiday. Much earlier (around 1910) a young lady named Sonora Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, is given credit for originating the holiday. Her father was a Civil War veteran, who raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. I know how much work it was to raise three kids in a two-parent family, so it is hard to imagine how it would be in a single parent home.

A gradual cultural shift of permissiveness toward single parenting can sometimes give the impression that fathers don’t really matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Fathers play an important role in the development of their children and families. Studies show that children with involved fathers are more successful in school, more ambitious, more self-confident with their identity, self-protective and self-reliant, less likely to drop out of school and less susceptible to peer pressure.

It is so refreshing to see fathers who have become more involved with their families beyond the role of breadwinner. I saw it in my husband, John, and now in our son and son-in-law, Adam and Art. Taking the time to develop and nurture relationships with children pays off big in the end. Children with active fathers develop skills they can carry into adulthood. Self-esteem soars when dads are active participants in their children’s lives. Children come with their own unique personalities, temperaments and developmental timetables and dadas are an essential link to a child’s well-being.

Here's hoping that all of you reading this will take time to acknowledge the father or father figure who has had an impact on your life. A simple phone call or spending an afternoon working on a project together can be the most meaningful gift of all!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may contact her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>The history of celebrating Father’s Day dates back 50 years ago, when President Nixon made it an official holiday. Much earlier (around 1910) a young lady named Sonora Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, is given credit for originating the holiday. Her father was a Civil War veteran, who raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. I know how much work it was to raise three kids in a two-parent family, so it is hard to imagine how it would be in a single parent home.A gradual cultural shift of permissiveness toward single parenting can sometimes give the impression that fathers don’t really matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Fathers play an important role in the development of their children and families. Studies show that children with involved fathers are more successful in school, more ambitious, more self-confident with their identity, self-protective and self-reliant, less likely to drop out of school and less susceptible to peer pressure.It is so refreshing to see fathers who have become more involved with their families beyond the role of breadwinner. I saw it in my husband, John, and now in our son and son-in-law, Adam and Art. Taking the time to develop and nurture relationships with children pays off big in the end. Children with active fathers develop skills they can carry into adulthood. Self-esteem soars when dads are active participants in their children’s lives. Children come with their own unique personalities, temperaments and developmental timetables and dadas are an essential link to a child’s well-being.Here's hoping that all of you reading this will take time to acknowledge the father or father figure who has had an impact on your life. A simple phone call or spending an afternoon working on a project together can be the most meaningful gift of all!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may contact her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

KRUG: Celebrating Dad’s Day

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

As Barton County prepares their budget for the next fiscal year,
citizens remain hopeful for drops in the mill levy, or property tax. 

Barton
County dropped their tax rate by nearly two mills last year to just over 44
mills. 

&nbsp;Barton County Commissioner Barb Esfeld said she’ll hear from constituents
wondering why their taxes went up despite the county lowering or keeping their
mill levy the same. There are many other taxing entities where citizens reside
that have an impact on the total mill levy. &nbsp; 
"When we're setting the budget, we don't necessarily control all the other things," said Esfeld. "Those entities will do their own work. We only have say over the Barton County mill levy." 
Fire districts, libraries, recreation commissions, Cottonwood Extension
District, cities, the college and other entities have their own mill levy
assessed to citizens. 
Esfeld has been delighted to see sales tax revenue recently increase in the area.
Esfeld refers to the three-legged stool of government including property tax, sales
tax and income tax. The commissioner would like to see less emphasis on
property tax. 
"We've known for years that the three-legged stool has been off balance with property tax being heavier," said Esfeld. "If we could lean toward income tax, along with the state funding more, that is where I would like to see that go. I feel like it would balance that stool out." 
Last year’s overall mill levy for a Great Bend resident was more than 184
mills.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645555636297.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostAs Barton County prepares their budget for the next fiscal year,
citizens remain hopeful for drops in the mill levy, or property tax. Barton
County dropped their tax rate by nearly two mills last year to just over 44
mills. &nbsp;Barton County Commissioner Barb Esfeld said she’ll hear from constituents
wondering why their taxes went up despite the county lowering or keeping their
mill levy the same. There are many other taxing entities where citizens reside
that have an impact on the total mill levy. &nbsp; 
"When we're setting the budget, we don't necessarily control all the other things," said Esfeld. "Those entities will do their own work. We only have say over the Barton County mill levy." 
Fire districts, libraries, recreation commissions, Cottonwood Extension
District, cities, the college and other entities have their own mill levy
assessed to citizens. 
Esfeld has been delighted to see sales tax revenue recently increase in the area.
Esfeld refers to the three-legged stool of government including property tax, sales
tax and income tax. The commissioner would like to see less emphasis on
property tax. 
"We've known for years that the three-legged stool has been off balance with property tax being heavier," said Esfeld. "If we could lean toward income tax, along with the state funding more, that is where I would like to see that go. I feel like it would balance that stool out." 
Last year’s overall mill levy for a Great Bend resident was more than 184
mills.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Barton Co. Commissioner: Trying to balance 3-legged tax stool

This year has seen many challenges for about anyone with a wheat crop. It is said that wheat has to die at least nine times before it comes to harvest, and 2022 is one of those years where this saying may be true. &nbsp;

Though we may have seen our share of adversities this season, there are some fields that may have very good wheat. If you are one of the fortunate that has good wheat be sure to enter in the annual Market Wheat show at the Barton County Fair.&nbsp;

A farmer can submit 10 lbs. of a variety of wheat to Extension, either by bringing it into our office, or at the local co-ops and filling out a small information page. The wheat will then be tested and scored. We will display the results at the county fair, and the best ones will then be entered into to the State fair. There is no cost to the producer to enter. If you are interested, please call 620-793-1910 or come into the office at 3007 10th street. Entries are due by June 29.&nbsp;

After wheat harvest, it is also a good idea to monitor your garden for Thrips. Thrips are tiny insects that feed on developing flowers and leaves. If they feed on your tomato plants, they can cause the spread of a virus known as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. One symptom of this disease is white or yellow rings developing on the young fruit. If the virus is there, it cannot be treated. To help prevent this disease, control the weeds around the garden to make it more difficult for the Thrips to get to your plants. If you see symptoms of the virus, remove the infected plant immediately. Insecticides can be used, but with limited success. Your best defense is observation and early control if you happen to see these insects. &nbsp;

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;

<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>This year has seen many challenges for about anyone with a wheat crop. It is said that wheat has to die at least nine times before it comes to harvest, and 2022 is one of those years where this saying may be true. &nbsp;Though we may have seen our share of adversities this season, there are some fields that may have very good wheat. If you are one of the fortunate that has good wheat be sure to enter in the annual Market Wheat show at the Barton County Fair.&nbsp;A farmer can submit 10 lbs. of a variety of wheat to Extension, either by bringing it into our office, or at the local co-ops and filling out a small information page. The wheat will then be tested and scored. We will display the results at the county fair, and the best ones will then be entered into to the State fair. There is no cost to the producer to enter. If you are interested, please call 620-793-1910 or come into the office at 3007 10th street. Entries are due by June 29.&nbsp;After wheat harvest, it is also a good idea to monitor your garden for Thrips. Thrips are tiny insects that feed on developing flowers and leaves. If they feed on your tomato plants, they can cause the spread of a virus known as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. One symptom of this disease is white or yellow rings developing on the young fruit. If the virus is there, it cannot be treated. To help prevent this disease, control the weeds around the garden to make it more difficult for the Thrips to get to your plants. If you see symptoms of the virus, remove the infected plant immediately. Insecticides can be used, but with limited success. Your best defense is observation and early control if you happen to see these insects. &nbsp;K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;

BOOR: Wheat Market Show

I have seen a graphic several times recently that states:

When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, Do you just throw it away? Of course not. You change the batteries.

When a person messes up or finds themselves in a dark place, Do you cast them aside? Of course not. You help them change their batteries.

Some need AA…..attention and affection; Some need AAA….attention, affection, and acceptance; Some need C….Compassion; Some need D….Direction. And if they still don’t seem to shine; simply sit with them quietly and share your light.

I really appreciate this message on many levels. I have experienced those times when my own light feels pretty dim and I am grateful for those who shared a change of perspective with me or simply sat with me in the dusk.

At other times, I recognize that dark place in others and hope that I have shared a bit of sunlight of my own with them.

One of the key components of 4-H is a sense of belonging. From club leaders to fellow 4-H members, we work to share a sense of community, kindness, and respect to one another. It doesn’t mean that we always get along or agree but that we can empathize with another person.

I also know that it is important for each of us to recharge our batteries in order to share our light with others. That may mean curling up with a good book, an afternoon of laughter with friends, or time in nature. Whatever helps you to recharge, I hope that you will make time for that and help those around you to recognize the need and time for a recharge.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Michelle Beran - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>I have seen a graphic several times recently that states:When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, Do you just throw it away? Of course not. You change the batteries.When a person messes up or finds themselves in a dark place, Do you cast them aside? Of course not. You help them change their batteries.Some need AA…..attention and affection; Some need AAA….attention, affection, and acceptance; Some need C….Compassion; Some need D….Direction. And if they still don’t seem to shine; simply sit with them quietly and share your light.I really appreciate this message on many levels. I have experienced those times when my own light feels pretty dim and I am grateful for those who shared a change of perspective with me or simply sat with me in the dusk.At other times, I recognize that dark place in others and hope that I have shared a bit of sunlight of my own with them.One of the key components of 4-H is a sense of belonging. From club leaders to fellow 4-H members, we work to share a sense of community, kindness, and respect to one another. It doesn’t mean that we always get along or agree but that we can empathize with another person.I also know that it is important for each of us to recharge our batteries in order to share our light with others. That may mean curling up with a good book, an afternoon of laughter with friends, or time in nature. Whatever helps you to recharge, I hope that you will make time for that and help those around you to recognize the need and time for a recharge.Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Shining a light

Summer celebrations oftentimes include a picnic or barbecue. With warmer weather here, it is important that you consider food safety tips so none of your guests take home an unwanted foodborne illness.

You have probably noticed that food spoils faster in the summer. Why is this? Bacteria grow fastest in the heat and humidity. Also, more people cook outside at picnics, barbecues and on camping trips, where refrigeration and washing facilities can be hard to find. Fortunately, you can take steps to make sure your food is safe to eat even during the heat of summer.

Here is the “Top 10” list of summer food safety tips shared in a recent newsletter.

· When planning a picnic, barbeque or camping trip, find out if there will be a source of safe drinking water. If not, take water for preparation and cleaning.

· Pack disposable washcloths and use them to clean your hands.

· Keep beverages in a separate cooler, since it will probably be opened frequently.

· Pack perishable foods (such as luncheon meats, cooked meat and chicken, and potato or pasta salads) in sealed plastic bags under several inches of ice, ice packs or containers of frozen water in an insulated cooler. If packing raw meats, do not allow raw meat juices to touch ready-to-eat food. Pack just the amount of perishable food that you can use.

· Keep the perishable food cooler in the coolest part of the car. Place it in the shade or shelter it from the sun at the picnic site. Preserve the cold temperature of the cooler by replenishing the ice as needed.

· If an insulated cooler is not available, do not take perishable foods. Instead, pack foods such as hard cheese, canned meats, chicken and tuna; nuts, peanut butter, dry cereals, bread, crackers, fruits and vegetables.

· Do not partially cook food ahead of time. Pack either raw or fully-cooked meat and poultry. Bacteria can survive and multiply in partially cooked foods.

· Pack a food thermometer. Meat cooked on a grill often browns fast on the outside. Check meats with a food thermometer to be sure they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. for beef, 160 degrees F. for pork and 165 degrees F. for poultry.

· Wash all plates, utensils and cutting boards that held raw meat or poultry with hot soapy water before using them again for cooked food.

· Perishable food that is not kept cold for more than 2 hours is not considered safe to eat. When summer heat gets above 90 degrees, foods left out of the cooler for as little as 1 hour should be thrown away.

Let me end my column with the phrase you may have heard related to food safety decisions. “When in doubt, throw it out,” really is good advice.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Summer celebrations oftentimes include a picnic or barbecue. With warmer weather here, it is important that you consider food safety tips so none of your guests take home an unwanted foodborne illness.You have probably noticed that food spoils faster in the summer. Why is this? Bacteria grow fastest in the heat and humidity. Also, more people cook outside at picnics, barbecues and on camping trips, where refrigeration and washing facilities can be hard to find. Fortunately, you can take steps to make sure your food is safe to eat even during the heat of summer.Here is the “Top 10” list of summer food safety tips shared in a recent newsletter.· When planning a picnic, barbeque or camping trip, find out if there will be a source of safe drinking water. If not, take water for preparation and cleaning.· Pack disposable washcloths and use them to clean your hands.· Keep beverages in a separate cooler, since it will probably be opened frequently.· Pack perishable foods (such as luncheon meats, cooked meat and chicken, and potato or pasta salads) in sealed plastic bags under several inches of ice, ice packs or containers of frozen water in an insulated cooler. If packing raw meats, do not allow raw meat juices to touch ready-to-eat food. Pack just the amount of perishable food that you can use.· Keep the perishable food cooler in the coolest part of the car. Place it in the shade or shelter it from the sun at the picnic site. Preserve the cold temperature of the cooler by replenishing the ice as needed.· If an insulated cooler is not available, do not take perishable foods. Instead, pack foods such as hard cheese, canned meats, chicken and tuna; nuts, peanut butter, dry cereals, bread, crackers, fruits and vegetables.· Do not partially cook food ahead of time. Pack either raw or fully-cooked meat and poultry. Bacteria can survive and multiply in partially cooked foods.· Pack a food thermometer. Meat cooked on a grill often browns fast on the outside. Check meats with a food thermometer to be sure they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. for beef, 160 degrees F. for pork and 165 degrees F. for poultry.· Wash all plates, utensils and cutting boards that held raw meat or poultry with hot soapy water before using them again for cooked food.· Perishable food that is not kept cold for more than 2 hours is not considered safe to eat. When summer heat gets above 90 degrees, foods left out of the cooler for as little as 1 hour should be thrown away.Let me end my column with the phrase you may have heard related to food safety decisions. “When in doubt, throw it out,” really is good advice.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

KRUG: Keeping picnic foods safe this summer

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Drought has significantly affected wheat in southwest Kansas, but the rains may have saved some of the wheat in northwest Kansas.

"Our neighbors in southwest Kansas have been in extreme drought, I think quite a few acres of wheat down there have just been abandoned, destroyed." said Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood District K-State Extension agent for agriculture.

"Fortunately here in our area, we have had a few rains. We're probably in a little better shape than in southwest Kansas. Some of our wheat looks like it is going to do pretty good, all things considered."

The Cottonwood District covers both Hays and Great Bend.

Ellis County is listed on the Kansas Drought Monitor as being in a moderate drought as of May 31. Great Bend has areas listed in both moderate and severe drought. Other sections of northwest Kansas are listed in extreme drought.

Rains are rarely consistent even within counties, so Campbell said soil and crop conditions can vary.

Campbell said farmers won't know wheat yields for sure until harvest. The first harvest in Ellis County usually starts about June 18 t 20. By June 24 harvest in this region should be in full swing, depending on weather, he said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f5b7f548-6f23-4b41-aa53-b6efa926e4bc">Campbell said in his weekly column the dry weather has resulted in shorter wheat. </a>Machines may need to be adjusted to most efficiently separate straw from heads, he said.

Nathan Leiker, 36, a farmer with crops in Rush and Ellis counties, said the fluctuating prices and drought should make for an interesting year.

He has concerns the drought may affect his wheat but was a little more optimistic for his fall crops. He said the fall crops look very promising in light of the rain over the last couple of weeks. He is growing corn, milo and wheat.

May rain will help fall crops, but Campbell said more will be needed to help the fall crops, especially dryland corn. He said the soil moisture profile is still not good.

With the drought conditions, Campbell anticipated some farmers will forgo corn for more drought-tolerant crops, such as milo.

Drought and the war in Ukraine have forced wheat prices up. As of May 27, Kansas hard red wheat for July was about $11 per bushel. That is compared to prices as low as $4 per bushel in 2020.

However, Campbell said much of the profit farmers may make due to the increase in the sale price will be eaten up by inflation.

Input prices for fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and diesel, have all gone up two to two and half times compared to a year ago, he said.

"They do need a better price to still make some money," Campbell said.

Leiker said he thought he may make a profit on wheat this year, but the increases in production costs may wipe out any profit on next year's wheat.

He said the market is changing so fast that some farmers are trying to take advantage of high prices now to lock in sales. If farmers wait until the wheat is out of the fields, they may see prices drop, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654271601887.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostDrought has significantly affected wheat in southwest Kansas, but the rains may have saved some of the wheat in northwest Kansas."Our neighbors in southwest Kansas have been in extreme drought, I think quite a few acres of wheat down there have just been abandoned, destroyed." said Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood District K-State Extension agent for agriculture."Fortunately here in our area, we have had a few rains. We're probably in a little better shape than in southwest Kansas. Some of our wheat looks like it is going to do pretty good, all things considered."The Cottonwood District covers both Hays and Great Bend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654272487890.png" alt="Kansas Drought Monitor map as of May 31 " />
 <figcaption>Kansas Drought Monitor map as of May 31 </figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis County is listed on the Kansas Drought Monitor as being in a moderate drought as of May 31. Great Bend has areas listed in both moderate and severe drought. Other sections of northwest Kansas are listed in extreme drought.Rains are rarely consistent even within counties, so Campbell said soil and crop conditions can vary.Campbell said farmers won't know wheat yields for sure until harvest. The first harvest in Ellis County usually starts about June 18 t 20. By June 24 harvest in this region should be in full swing, depending on weather, he said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f5b7f548-6f23-4b41-aa53-b6efa926e4bc">Campbell said in his weekly column the dry weather has resulted in shorter wheat. </a>Machines may need to be adjusted to most efficiently separate straw from heads, he said.Nathan Leiker, 36, a farmer with crops in Rush and Ellis counties, said the fluctuating prices and drought should make for an interesting year.He has concerns the drought may affect his wheat but was a little more optimistic for his fall crops. He said the fall crops look very promising in light of the rain over the last couple of weeks. He is growing corn, milo and wheat.May rain will help fall crops, but Campbell said more will be needed to help the fall crops, especially dryland corn. He said the soil moisture profile is still not good.With the drought conditions, Campbell anticipated some farmers will forgo corn for more drought-tolerant crops, such as milo.Drought and the war in Ukraine have forced wheat prices up. As of May 27, Kansas hard red wheat for July was about $11 per bushel. That is compared to prices as low as $4 per bushel in 2020.However, Campbell said much of the profit farmers may make due to the increase in the sale price will be eaten up by inflation.Input prices for fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and diesel, have all gone up two to two and half times compared to a year ago, he said."They do need a better price to still make some money," Campbell said.Leiker said he thought he may make a profit on wheat this year, but the increases in production costs may wipe out any profit on next year's wheat.He said the market is changing so fast that some farmers are trying to take advantage of high prices now to lock in sales. If farmers wait until the wheat is out of the fields, they may see prices drop, he said.

Wheat better than expected, but high input prices to cut into profits

It is the time of year you have all been waiting for, that is, dealing with that “infamous” of insect pests known as the bagworm. Throughout Kansas, bagworm eggs have hatched and the young caterpillars are out-and-about feeding on both broadleaf and evergreen trees and shrubs. Bagworms were first considered a pest of conifers but over the years they have expanded their host range to include a number of broadleaf plants, including: rose, honeylocust, and flowering plum.

Most calls on how to control bagworms come in during late-July to early-August when damage appears. Bagworms are difficult to control when they are that large. They are much easier to kill while small.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Bagworms overwinter as eggs inside the dead female's bag. Young larvae normally hatch and emerge during mid- to late-May in Kansas. Now would be a good time to scout for bagworms.&nbsp; Wait to use control measures until mid-June as earlier sprays may miss those who emerge from the bag later than normal. &nbsp;

The key to dealing with bagworms when using insecticides is to apply early and frequently enough in order to kill the highly susceptible young caterpillars that are feeding aggressively on plant foliage. Older caterpillars that develop later in the season, in the bags are typically more difficult to kill with insecticides. In addition, females feed less as they prepare for reproduction; thus, reducing their susceptibility to spray applications and any residues.&nbsp;

However, make sure the bagworms are present by looking for a miniature version of&nbsp;the mature bagworm.&nbsp; Also, check to be sure the bagworms are alive before spraying. Predators and parasites can sometimes naturally control this pest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Insecticides commonly used for controlling bagworms include:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

- acephate (Orthene)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - permethrin (38 Plus Turf, Termite &amp; Ornamental Insect Spray; Eight Vegetable, Fruit &amp; Flower&nbsp; Concentrate; Garden and Farm Insect Control)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - bifenthrin (Bug Blaster II, Bug-B-Gon Max Lawn and Garden Insect Killer)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide Triazicide, Bonide Caterpillar Killer) - spinosad (Conserve; Natural Guard Spinosad; and Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spinosad is an organic control that is very effective on this pest. Thorough spray coverage of foliage is essential for good control with any of these products.&nbsp;

<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>It is the time of year you have all been waiting for, that is, dealing with that “infamous” of insect pests known as the bagworm. Throughout Kansas, bagworm eggs have hatched and the young caterpillars are out-and-about feeding on both broadleaf and evergreen trees and shrubs. Bagworms were first considered a pest of conifers but over the years they have expanded their host range to include a number of broadleaf plants, including: rose, honeylocust, and flowering plum.Most calls on how to control bagworms come in during late-July to early-August when damage appears. Bagworms are difficult to control when they are that large. They are much easier to kill while small.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bagworms overwinter as eggs inside the dead female's bag. Young larvae normally hatch and emerge during mid- to late-May in Kansas. Now would be a good time to scout for bagworms.&nbsp; Wait to use control measures until mid-June as earlier sprays may miss those who emerge from the bag later than normal. &nbsp;The key to dealing with bagworms when using insecticides is to apply early and frequently enough in order to kill the highly susceptible young caterpillars that are feeding aggressively on plant foliage. Older caterpillars that develop later in the season, in the bags are typically more difficult to kill with insecticides. In addition, females feed less as they prepare for reproduction; thus, reducing their susceptibility to spray applications and any residues.&nbsp;However, make sure the bagworms are present by looking for a miniature version of&nbsp;the mature bagworm.&nbsp; Also, check to be sure the bagworms are alive before spraying. Predators and parasites can sometimes naturally control this pest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insecticides commonly used for controlling bagworms include:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - acephate (Orthene)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - permethrin (38 Plus Turf, Termite &amp; Ornamental Insect Spray; Eight Vegetable, Fruit &amp; Flower&nbsp; Concentrate; Garden and Farm Insect Control)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - bifenthrin (Bug Blaster II, Bug-B-Gon Max Lawn and Garden Insect Killer)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - lambda-cyhalothrin (Spectracide Triazicide, Bonide Caterpillar Killer) - spinosad (Conserve; Natural Guard Spinosad; and Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Spinosad is an organic control that is very effective on this pest. Thorough spray coverage of foliage is essential for good control with any of these products.&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;

BOOR: Dealing with bagworms

The Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool is a free tool that was recently developed by the Soil Health Nexus and a regional advisory team with support from North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). It is designed as a 101 tool to assess the effects of current and future management practices on soil health.

Producers who are looking to implement a new soil health practice on their operation can use this comparative tool to get an overall feel for practices that benefit soil health and which management decisions may be the best fit for their operation.

The tool includes four practices – tillage, manure, cover crops, and crop rotation – and two complementary practices – controlled traffic and managed grazing – and eight soil health indicators.

Users can select their current practices and then select any future planned practices that they are currently considering implementing on their operation. From there, users can explore their soil health score for their current practices and compare those with the scores for future planned practices they are considering.

The tool provides three scores: an indicator, practice, and an overall score. The indicator scores are based on how a practice affects each of the soil health indicators and the practice score is the score for a particular practice across all the soil health indicators. The overall score is the average of all the indicator scores allowing users to easily compare how different combinations of practices impact soil health.

It is important to note that the score values are not meant to serve as quantitative values producers can use on the farm. Instead, they are directional scores – that result from averaging the scores of research and extension representatives from across the region. The tool is designed to be a conversation starter between producers and their extension educator and allow producers to explore different implementation options to find the choice that makes the most sense to them.

The tool also includes a future considerations table that breaks down the equipment, time and labor, skill level, and cost for implementing new practices. Additionally, the table highlights any ecosystem services a new soil health practice will provide, such as groundwater protection and pollinator habitat, You can access the tool by visiting the Soil Health Nexus website. There are two versions of the tool: a downloadable Excel version that can be accessed by scrolling to the bottom of the page and the web-based version located directly on the website.

The tool is currently in the pilot phase and the team is looking for feedback on how to refine the tool and improve its function. A short 5-minute survey is accessible on the Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool webpage and thoughts, feedback, and suggestions are encouraged.

For additional information or answers to your questions, you can contact DeAnn Presley, K-State Soil Management Specialist at deann@ksu.edu. Presley was on the team that developed this tool.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654545462769.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>The Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool is a free tool that was recently developed by the Soil Health Nexus and a regional advisory team with support from North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). It is designed as a 101 tool to assess the effects of current and future management practices on soil health.Producers who are looking to implement a new soil health practice on their operation can use this comparative tool to get an overall feel for practices that benefit soil health and which management decisions may be the best fit for their operation.The tool includes four practices – tillage, manure, cover crops, and crop rotation – and two complementary practices – controlled traffic and managed grazing – and eight soil health indicators.Users can select their current practices and then select any future planned practices that they are currently considering implementing on their operation. From there, users can explore their soil health score for their current practices and compare those with the scores for future planned practices they are considering.The tool provides three scores: an indicator, practice, and an overall score. The indicator scores are based on how a practice affects each of the soil health indicators and the practice score is the score for a particular practice across all the soil health indicators. The overall score is the average of all the indicator scores allowing users to easily compare how different combinations of practices impact soil health.It is important to note that the score values are not meant to serve as quantitative values producers can use on the farm. Instead, they are directional scores – that result from averaging the scores of research and extension representatives from across the region. The tool is designed to be a conversation starter between producers and their extension educator and allow producers to explore different implementation options to find the choice that makes the most sense to them.The tool also includes a future considerations table that breaks down the equipment, time and labor, skill level, and cost for implementing new practices. Additionally, the table highlights any ecosystem services a new soil health practice will provide, such as groundwater protection and pollinator habitat, You can access the tool by visiting the Soil Health Nexus website. There are two versions of the tool: a downloadable Excel version that can be accessed by scrolling to the bottom of the page and the web-based version located directly on the website.The tool is currently in the pilot phase and the team is looking for feedback on how to refine the tool and improve its function. A short 5-minute survey is accessible on the Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool webpage and thoughts, feedback, and suggestions are encouraged.For additional information or answers to your questions, you can contact DeAnn Presley, K-State Soil Management Specialist at deann@ksu.edu. Presley was on the team that developed this tool.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Soil health matrix decision tool

Summer activities are happening and that means the family laundry basket is most likely overflowing. This week we had the opportunity to catch our youngest grandsons’ first baseball games of the season. Bo’s slide into home base on Tuesday evening resulted in a ground in dirt stain that looked like it would be difficult to remove. Add that to the grass stain on one knee from diving for a ball and you have a challenge on your hands.

There are many great products on the market to help remove stains of all kinds. Without endorsing any brands, I will share some great tips for tackling a few of these summer stains.

· Grass stains – You will want to treat the stain as quickly as possible for best results. Pre-soak the stained garment in warm water with an enzyme-based stain remover or a few drops of dishwashing soap. Work in the stain remover with your fingers or a soft bristle brush and give it time to work – at least 15 minutes. Launder as usual following the care instructions on the garment tag. Hang to dry in case the stain isn’t completely removed as heat from the dryer will set the stain.

· Dirt and mud stains – Mud is just wet dirt, but it is so much harder to remove. Because soil is made up of organic matter, mud must be treated as a protein stain. If the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off any crusted matter, then soak in cold water using a high-quality liquid detergent and a color-safe bleach. After pre-soaking for 30 minutes, wash in warm (not hot) water and detergent. If the stain remains, skip the high heat of the dryer and soak for an additional hour or overnight in a fresh solution of oxygen bleach, then rewash.

· Suncreen stains - We all realize the importance of wearing sunscreen when we spend any amount of time outdoors, but many of the ingredients in sunscreens can be difficult to remove from clothing. Either pre-treat the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent of with a paste made with powdered detergent and water. Let this set on the fabric for at least 30 minutes before laundering as usual.

· Ketchup or BBQ sauce – Tomato-based stains are notoriously stubborn, so removing them may take a while. Remove as much of the excess ketchup from the fabric as possible, using a spoon or the back of a knife, which won’t damage the fabric. Run cold water through the back of the stain as soon as you are able. This will force the stain back out through the fabric. Avoid any use of hot water as this will set a tomato-based stain. Rub a liquid laundry detergent into the stain in a circular motion. This should remove the color as well as the oily component of the stain. If the stain remains use a gel or spray stain remover and wash the garment as usual.

General stain removal tips include tackling the stain as soon as possible. If you are using a strong stain remover product test your garment for colorfastness in an inconspicuous place. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: dkrug@ksu.edu or (620)793-1910. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Summer activities are happening and that means the family laundry basket is most likely overflowing. This week we had the opportunity to catch our youngest grandsons’ first baseball games of the season. Bo’s slide into home base on Tuesday evening resulted in a ground in dirt stain that looked like it would be difficult to remove. Add that to the grass stain on one knee from diving for a ball and you have a challenge on your hands.There are many great products on the market to help remove stains of all kinds. Without endorsing any brands, I will share some great tips for tackling a few of these summer stains.· Grass stains – You will want to treat the stain as quickly as possible for best results. Pre-soak the stained garment in warm water with an enzyme-based stain remover or a few drops of dishwashing soap. Work in the stain remover with your fingers or a soft bristle brush and give it time to work – at least 15 minutes. Launder as usual following the care instructions on the garment tag. Hang to dry in case the stain isn’t completely removed as heat from the dryer will set the stain.· Dirt and mud stains – Mud is just wet dirt, but it is so much harder to remove. Because soil is made up of organic matter, mud must be treated as a protein stain. If the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off any crusted matter, then soak in cold water using a high-quality liquid detergent and a color-safe bleach. After pre-soaking for 30 minutes, wash in warm (not hot) water and detergent. If the stain remains, skip the high heat of the dryer and soak for an additional hour or overnight in a fresh solution of oxygen bleach, then rewash.· Suncreen stains - We all realize the importance of wearing sunscreen when we spend any amount of time outdoors, but many of the ingredients in sunscreens can be difficult to remove from clothing. Either pre-treat the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent of with a paste made with powdered detergent and water. Let this set on the fabric for at least 30 minutes before laundering as usual.· Ketchup or BBQ sauce – Tomato-based stains are notoriously stubborn, so removing them may take a while. Remove as much of the excess ketchup from the fabric as possible, using a spoon or the back of a knife, which won’t damage the fabric. Run cold water through the back of the stain as soon as you are able. This will force the stain back out through the fabric. Avoid any use of hot water as this will set a tomato-based stain. Rub a liquid laundry detergent into the stain in a circular motion. This should remove the color as well as the oily component of the stain. If the stain remains use a gel or spray stain remover and wash the garment as usual.General stain removal tips include tackling the stain as soon as possible. If you are using a strong stain remover product test your garment for colorfastness in an inconspicuous place. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: dkrug@ksu.edu or (620)793-1910. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

KRUG: Summer stain removal tips

In many areas of Kansas, prolonged drought has resulted in short wheat and thin stands. Harvesting wheat in these situations can be a challenge. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control. In short wheat, getting the heads into the combine with less straw will be a challenge. In some cases, the reel may not be able to effectively convey the wheat back from the cutter bar to the auger, nor hold it in place during cutting. Short cutting will also mean more contact potential with the ground and reduced levels of surface residue which will likely negatively impact cropping systems in water-limited environments.

In the case of material conveyance, stripper headers, air reels, and draper headers may be a great help. The information in this article has been condensed considerably, for the full article go to our web site at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu

Stripper headers - stripper headers allow the grain to be harvested efficiently while leaving the maximum amount of standing residue in the field. Research has shown that this preservation of wheat residue can reduce evaporative losses of water after harvest, aid in the moisture retention of snow, and improve the yields of next year’s crop.

Air reels - air reels will also aid in the material conveyance from the cutter bar to the auger in reel-type units when crops are light or thin. These units are made in several different types including finger air reels, non-reel, and units that fit over existing reels. Examples of manufacturers are Crary (West Fargo, ND) and AWS (Mitchell, Ontario Canada).

Draper headers and flex heads - draper headers may help with the conveyance of material since they have a very short distance between the cutterbar the conveyance belt. The ability to tip the cutterbar completely back will aid in keeping harvested crop material moving across the cutter bar and onto the belt as well as ensuring some stubble remains standing on the soil surface.

Flex heads will also help deal with the lower cutting heights and potential ground strikes. In thin stands of wheat it is even more important that sickles and guards are in good condition as there is less crop material pushing into the cutting area, which would normally help ensure cutting by worn sickles and guards.

If harvesting with a draper or flex header, maintain the cutting height as high as possible to preserve standing stubble. Typically, cutting wheat at two-thirds of its full height will result in

losses of less than 0.5 percent as any missed heads contain light weight grain that will be lost as tailings during the harvesting process.

Conventional headers - for many farmers, new equipment may not be an economical choice and you may have to make do with a conventional head on your combine. In this case, adjust the reel to get the best movement of the heads from the cutter bar to the auger.

Combine adjustments - in addition to material conveyance and cutting height, lower yields and uneven crop flow may also require performing combine adjustments to the concave/rotor cage clearance, cylinder/rotor speed, and fan speed. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Summary -although this will be a rough wheat harvest for many farmers, some changes can be made to help maximize harvest efficiencies. If you have ever wanted to try an alternate header (stripper, flex-draper, etc.), this may be the year for you. For those not wanting to buy, renting may also be a viable option.

Producers in dryland production systems need to keep in mind that in very low-yielding wheat years, anything that can be done to preserve what little crop residue is present will have large impacts on evaporative losses and productivity of the next crop.

Information provided by Lucas Haag, NW Area Crops specialist and Ajay Sharda, Extension Agricultural Engineer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1654013418180.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>In many areas of Kansas, prolonged drought has resulted in short wheat and thin stands. Harvesting wheat in these situations can be a challenge. Special attention needs to be given to cutting height, machine adjustments, and operator control. In short wheat, getting the heads into the combine with less straw will be a challenge. In some cases, the reel may not be able to effectively convey the wheat back from the cutter bar to the auger, nor hold it in place during cutting. Short cutting will also mean more contact potential with the ground and reduced levels of surface residue which will likely negatively impact cropping systems in water-limited environments.In the case of material conveyance, stripper headers, air reels, and draper headers may be a great help. The information in this article has been condensed considerably, for the full article go to our web site at www.cottonwood.ksu.eduStripper headers - stripper headers allow the grain to be harvested efficiently while leaving the maximum amount of standing residue in the field. Research has shown that this preservation of wheat residue can reduce evaporative losses of water after harvest, aid in the moisture retention of snow, and improve the yields of next year’s crop.Air reels - air reels will also aid in the material conveyance from the cutter bar to the auger in reel-type units when crops are light or thin. These units are made in several different types including finger air reels, non-reel, and units that fit over existing reels. Examples of manufacturers are Crary (West Fargo, ND) and AWS (Mitchell, Ontario Canada).Draper headers and flex heads - draper headers may help with the conveyance of material since they have a very short distance between the cutterbar the conveyance belt. The ability to tip the cutterbar completely back will aid in keeping harvested crop material moving across the cutter bar and onto the belt as well as ensuring some stubble remains standing on the soil surface.Flex heads will also help deal with the lower cutting heights and potential ground strikes. In thin stands of wheat it is even more important that sickles and guards are in good condition as there is less crop material pushing into the cutting area, which would normally help ensure cutting by worn sickles and guards.If harvesting with a draper or flex header, maintain the cutting height as high as possible to preserve standing stubble. Typically, cutting wheat at two-thirds of its full height will result inlosses of less than 0.5 percent as any missed heads contain light weight grain that will be lost as tailings during the harvesting process.Conventional headers - for many farmers, new equipment may not be an economical choice and you may have to make do with a conventional head on your combine. In this case, adjust the reel to get the best movement of the heads from the cutter bar to the auger.Combine adjustments - in addition to material conveyance and cutting height, lower yields and uneven crop flow may also require performing combine adjustments to the concave/rotor cage clearance, cylinder/rotor speed, and fan speed. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.Summary -although this will be a rough wheat harvest for many farmers, some changes can be made to help maximize harvest efficiencies. If you have ever wanted to try an alternate header (stripper, flex-draper, etc.), this may be the year for you. For those not wanting to buy, renting may also be a viable option.Producers in dryland production systems need to keep in mind that in very low-yielding wheat years, anything that can be done to preserve what little crop residue is present will have large impacts on evaporative losses and productivity of the next crop.Information provided by Lucas Haag, NW Area Crops specialist and Ajay Sharda, Extension Agricultural Engineer.

CAMPBELL: Considerations when harvesting short wheat

Many people mistake little barley (Hordeum pusillum) for a little foxtail because the foxtail and little barley seedheads are similar. However, little barley is a winter annual that comes up in late September - October and spends the winter as a small plant. It thrives in the cooler spring temperatures, forms seed heads and dies out usually by July. Foxtail, on the other hand, is a summer annual that does well in hot weather. Also, foxtail will not produce seedheads until mid- to late-summer.

So, why are we talking about little barley now? Because now is NOT the time to control it unless it is in an area where a non-selective herbicide that kills everything such as glyphosate (Roundup) can be used. The best control for little barley in turf is a thick lawn that is mowed high enough that sunlight does not hit the soil. Little barley seed will not germinate in such conditions.

Overseeding in late August to early September can thicken up a tall fescue lawn and help prevent a little barley infestation. However, early germinating little barley may not be controlled. So, if you do not plan to overseed even though the lawn is a bit thin, preemergence herbicides can be used to provide at least partial control of this weed.

Dimension (dithiopyr), is labeled for barley (Herodium spp.) which would include little barley and therefore can be used to keep this weed under control. Because little barley is a winter annual, apply the preemergence herbicide in mid-September and water in to activate. However, you may have to apply at least a couple of weeks earlier if you are in southern Kansas. If overseeding, do not apply any preemergence herbicide as it will interfere with the germination of tall fescue.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.&nbsp;

<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>Many people mistake little barley (Hordeum pusillum) for a little foxtail because the foxtail and little barley seedheads are similar. However, little barley is a winter annual that comes up in late September - October and spends the winter as a small plant. It thrives in the cooler spring temperatures, forms seed heads and dies out usually by July. Foxtail, on the other hand, is a summer annual that does well in hot weather. Also, foxtail will not produce seedheads until mid- to late-summer.So, why are we talking about little barley now? Because now is NOT the time to control it unless it is in an area where a non-selective herbicide that kills everything such as glyphosate (Roundup) can be used. The best control for little barley in turf is a thick lawn that is mowed high enough that sunlight does not hit the soil. Little barley seed will not germinate in such conditions.Overseeding in late August to early September can thicken up a tall fescue lawn and help prevent a little barley infestation. However, early germinating little barley may not be controlled. So, if you do not plan to overseed even though the lawn is a bit thin, preemergence herbicides can be used to provide at least partial control of this weed.Dimension (dithiopyr), is labeled for barley (Herodium spp.) which would include little barley and therefore can be used to keep this weed under control. Because little barley is a winter annual, apply the preemergence herbicide in mid-September and water in to activate. However, you may have to apply at least a couple of weeks earlier if you are in southern Kansas. If overseeding, do not apply any preemergence herbicide as it will interfere with the germination of tall fescue.K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.&nbsp;

BOOR: Little barley

A few weeks ago, we interviewed several college students who were interested in our summer intern positions in the Cottonwood Extension District. Now, with another semester of college behind them, our interns have arrived. Summer activities, including day camps, and County Fairs, require a lot of planning and preparation. I am excited to introduce our two summer interns to you today.

Taylor Meyer, a junior majoring in animal science at Fort Hays State University, is interning in the Hays office. Taylor grew up in Garden Plain where she was active in FFA and sports. When she is not working or going to school, she enjoys gardening and exploring the world around her. She is especially looking forward to meeting the Ellis County 4-H members and their families and growing her knowledge of agriculture.

Dalton Dicks grew up in the Busy Buzzer 4-H club in Barton County and will be interning in our Great Bend office. After graduation and aging out of the 4-H program, he moved to Wichita State University where he is a junior pursuing a major in communications with minors in political science and university honors. In his free time Dalton enjoys keeping up with the news, hunting and shooting, and writing short stories and scripts. He is excited that the internship opportunity will provide a way to give back to 4-H through upcoming STEM and craft summer day camps, the Barton County Fair, and more.

Many (like 40 plus) years ago I worked in the Washington County Extension office two summers in a work/study program. I firmly believe the experiences I had during those summers influenced my career choice and helped me understand the important work K-State Research and Extension is accomplishing. I had wonderful mentor agents who took me under their wing then and encouraged me when I joined KSRE in July of 1989.

I am excited about the energy Taylor and Dalton will bring to our team this summer. The technology skills they bring to the table will be a big asset too. Please stop by the Cottonwood District Offices in Hays or Great Bend and introduce yourself to Taylor and Dalton. And if you can, I hope you will take advantage of the learning opportunities they are planning for the summer.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Donna Krug - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>A few weeks ago, we interviewed several college students who were interested in our summer intern positions in the Cottonwood Extension District. Now, with another semester of college behind them, our interns have arrived. Summer activities, including day camps, and County Fairs, require a lot of planning and preparation. I am excited to introduce our two summer interns to you today.Taylor Meyer, a junior majoring in animal science at Fort Hays State University, is interning in the Hays office. Taylor grew up in Garden Plain where she was active in FFA and sports. When she is not working or going to school, she enjoys gardening and exploring the world around her. She is especially looking forward to meeting the Ellis County 4-H members and their families and growing her knowledge of agriculture.Dalton Dicks grew up in the Busy Buzzer 4-H club in Barton County and will be interning in our Great Bend office. After graduation and aging out of the 4-H program, he moved to Wichita State University where he is a junior pursuing a major in communications with minors in political science and university honors. In his free time Dalton enjoys keeping up with the news, hunting and shooting, and writing short stories and scripts. He is excited that the internship opportunity will provide a way to give back to 4-H through upcoming STEM and craft summer day camps, the Barton County Fair, and more.Many (like 40 plus) years ago I worked in the Washington County Extension office two summers in a work/study program. I firmly believe the experiences I had during those summers influenced my career choice and helped me understand the important work K-State Research and Extension is accomplishing. I had wonderful mentor agents who took me under their wing then and encouraged me when I joined KSRE in July of 1989.I am excited about the energy Taylor and Dalton will bring to our team this summer. The technology skills they bring to the table will be a big asset too. Please stop by the Cottonwood District Offices in Hays or Great Bend and introduce yourself to Taylor and Dalton. And if you can, I hope you will take advantage of the learning opportunities they are planning for the summer.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

KRUG: Summer interns have arrived

Through the year’s agriculture, conservation and overall land management has gone through phases with each phase having its’ buzzwords, promoters, detractors, research objectives - well, you get the point. Some promoters will always feel like they’ve just unleashed the silver bullet to cure all the planet’s woes. Spoiler alert, none of them have! For the most part each phase has brought some improvements and certainly more tools for farmers, ranchers and land managers to consider and use. But no one is the cure all panacea that will work for everyone.

The newest buzzword is “soil health”. Soil health is a broad category for a lot of different things that are actually quite important. In searching for a good definition of soil health, and there are many out there. I found some that were way out there. Others were restrictive and may work for certain soils in certain ecosystems, some were very vague. Many definitions were tailored for a very specific form of agriculture, i.e. no-till, organic, natural, etc.

One of the top choices came from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at USDA. Quoting from their web site, “Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” They go on to point out that soil isn’t just some sterile rooting medium but is rather a living functioning ecosystem of its’ own.

Many people don’t realize how alive soil is! There is so much life in the soil, much of it invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and many other organisms make up a valuable part of the soil mass and we often only see hints of it.

Mt. St. Helens volcano that blew in 1980 changed the landscape. Twenty-nine years later when a colleague of mine visited it, what he saw was “just scattered plants starting to grow, much of it looked like the landscape of a

barren planet”. When that volcano erupted it flash fried all living things and then buried it under feet, tens of feet, of ash. There was instantly a sterile environment. If a seed fell, that sterile medium was missing all those soil organisms that make plant life possible. We cannot underestimate the impact, the necessity of soil organisms!

In the end, defining soil health is fairly easy. Measuring it is another story however. There are many soil organisms that have not been discovered yet, that are important, or we know they are there but we don’t know what they do. We truly have so much we need to learn. Perhaps the best measure of soil health is by how well plants grow, by how productive the soil is, or by how sustainable the practices. Soil health is likely something we measure indirectly.

Soil health can, and does, change over time. How we farm, how we garden, how we tend our lawn, can all impact that soil health. We can compact soil with heavy equipment. We can tear it up and turn it over with construction or recreation. The plants we grow on it, the nutrients we add to it, the organic matter we allow to develop in it, even the rainfall or irrigation it receives, are all things that can improve or hurt soil health. If you haven’t yet heard about soil health, you eventually will. I doubt that we’ll come up with a simple way of measuring soil health in my life time. But we need to remember that soil health isn’t an end goal but an ongoing journey.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653404075959.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the year’s agriculture, conservation and overall land management has gone through phases with each phase having its’ buzzwords, promoters, detractors, research objectives - well, you get the point. Some promoters will always feel like they’ve just unleashed the silver bullet to cure all the planet’s woes. Spoiler alert, none of them have! For the most part each phase has brought some improvements and certainly more tools for farmers, ranchers and land managers to consider and use. But no one is the cure all panacea that will work for everyone.The newest buzzword is “soil health”. Soil health is a broad category for a lot of different things that are actually quite important. In searching for a good definition of soil health, and there are many out there. I found some that were way out there. Others were restrictive and may work for certain soils in certain ecosystems, some were very vague. Many definitions were tailored for a very specific form of agriculture, i.e. no-till, organic, natural, etc.One of the top choices came from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at USDA. Quoting from their web site, “Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” They go on to point out that soil isn’t just some sterile rooting medium but is rather a living functioning ecosystem of its’ own.Many people don’t realize how alive soil is! There is so much life in the soil, much of it invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and many other organisms make up a valuable part of the soil mass and we often only see hints of it.Mt. St. Helens volcano that blew in 1980 changed the landscape. Twenty-nine years later when a colleague of mine visited it, what he saw was “just scattered plants starting to grow, much of it looked like the landscape of abarren planet”. When that volcano erupted it flash fried all living things and then buried it under feet, tens of feet, of ash. There was instantly a sterile environment. If a seed fell, that sterile medium was missing all those soil organisms that make plant life possible. We cannot underestimate the impact, the necessity of soil organisms!In the end, defining soil health is fairly easy. Measuring it is another story however. There are many soil organisms that have not been discovered yet, that are important, or we know they are there but we don’t know what they do. We truly have so much we need to learn. Perhaps the best measure of soil health is by how well plants grow, by how productive the soil is, or by how sustainable the practices. Soil health is likely something we measure indirectly.Soil health can, and does, change over time. How we farm, how we garden, how we tend our lawn, can all impact that soil health. We can compact soil with heavy equipment. We can tear it up and turn it over with construction or recreation. The plants we grow on it, the nutrients we add to it, the organic matter we allow to develop in it, even the rainfall or irrigation it receives, are all things that can improve or hurt soil health. If you haven’t yet heard about soil health, you eventually will. I doubt that we’ll come up with a simple way of measuring soil health in my life time. But we need to remember that soil health isn’t an end goal but an ongoing journey.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Soil health

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.

<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.