By Mary Lou Peter mlpeter@ksu.edu
K-State Research and Extension – 6/6/2019
Greetings! Today we launch a new way to give you a glimpse each week about cool things happening around the state, plus resources available for individuals, families, communities, farms and other businesses.
Again, it’s just a glimpse!
For many more resources and activities, check with the K-State Research and Extension office in your area.
Watch for Better Kansas again next Thursday. In the meantime, please share it with friends, family and colleagues. Email me at mlpeter@ksu.edu and let me know what you think.
Better Living, Better Communities
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE! Many Kansas communities are dealing with flooding, tornadoes and other disasters that hit the state this spring and the possibility for more. As of June 1, 33 of the state’s 105 counties were on the federal emergency declaration list. Dealing with basement cleanup? Flooded farm fields? K-State has helpful information on those topics and more, provided by our own specialists and partners at land grant universities across the country.
HAPPY TOGETHER AT HOME? Some call them creepy crawlies; I call them “corner spiders” and maybe a few other choice words, but whatever you call those multi-legged, fascinating creatures that hang out in your basement, bathroom, garden and other places in your home or office, you’ll likely find them in a new publication, Household Pests of Kansas. One of my favorites is the boxelder bug, but then, I digress. Check it out.
TIES THAT BIND: How long has it been since you sat down with family and friends and played checkers, Monopoly or another board game? Playing board games brings people together like few activities can and with the right game, almost anyone can participate. Unlike watching television or attending sporting events together, games encourage interaction among all the players. Sedgwick County Extension and other extension offices host “Bonding Thru Board Games” at different times of the year. Grab your favorite game or play one provided … and don’t forget the camera!
Better Farming, Ranching and Gardening
KANSAS NET FARM INCOME CLIMBS, BUT WITH A CATCH: Kansas net farm income rose last year to an average of $100,000 despite weather extremes, trade disputes and depressed market prices. That marked the third year in a row of gains after a steep slide in net income in 2015. However 63% of the 2018 income came from government payments and crop insurance. The data came from an annual summary of the records of Kansas Farm Management Association member farms. The data digs deep into income by type of farm and includes value of farm production, total farm expense, crop production costs, total family living expense and more, plus year-to-year comparisons. Check out more about the KFMA or call 785-532-8706.
DON’T PUT THOSE RAIN BOOTS AWAY JUST YET: K-State climatologists Mary Knapp and Chip Redmond with Kansas Mesonet have issued their take on the summer weather outlook. Think cooler and maybe rainier than usual in some parts of the state.
WET FEET: We often have weather extremes in Kansas … too dry, too windy, too much rain … this spring it’s been the latter, which delayed spring crop planting through much of the state. As of June 2, 79% of the Kansas corn crop had been planted, compared with 96% last year and 93% average, while 26% of soybeans had been planted, well behind 77% last year and 53% average, according to the National Ag Statistics Service. Similar scenarios are happening across the country, with 67% of the corn planted across the 18 primary states, far behind 96% a year ago and 96% average. Just 39% of U.S. soybeans had been planted compared with 86% a year ago and 79% average. Recent K-State Department of Agronomy eUpdates have information about what this means for crops, tips to manage your situation and much more.
