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Meade County Extension Blog

Tag: AG

All About Poinsettias

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Poinsettia

Poinsettias are a staple of the holidays.  Surprisingly they are a relative easy plant to take care of and keeping them looking great throughout the holidays this year.  Modern poinsettias stay attractive much longer than earlier varieties. So if it has been a few years, try again!

Poinsettias are native to Mexico, and typically are grown in greenhouses from cuttings.  In the United States it is very easy to find these plants between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  After the holidays, it can be very hard to find them.  Knowing what to look for is key to finding the best plant.

First off, lets learn more about the poinsettia’s parts.

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Corn Producers – “Winning The Game” to be held November 18

Posted on by Elly Sneath

See the source image

A “Winning–The–Game” Corn Marketing Workshop will be held Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at the Community Center in Plains, Kansas.  The meeting lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m..  This corn marketing workshop will focus on developing pre-harvest marketing strategies for the 2021 Kansas Corn crop.  The emphasis will be on using cost of production and seasonal price trend tendencies to develop seasonally flexible 2021 corn marketing plans for Kansas farmers.  A variety of marketing tools will be used in the workshop including forward, basis and hedge-to-arrive contracts, short futures hedges, and put/call options.   

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Fall Fertilization for Fescue Lawns

Posted on by Elly Sneath

Tall fescue or Kentucky blue grass lawns have a great response to fall fertilization.  If a homeowner could only fertilize once a year, now is the time, with preference to quick-release fertilizer.

As these grasses enter their fall growth cycle, with shorter days and cool nights.  Cool-season grasses naturally thicken up in the fall by forming new shoots at the base of existing plants.  This is called tillering.  Bluegrass spreads by underground stems called rhizomes.  Consequently, September is the most important time to fertilize these grasses.

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Proper Forage Sampling is Important

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Person Sampling Hay

When it comes to feeding forage bales, it is important to remember to test the hay.  Testing provides us with the knowledge of the hay’s value, quality and can help formulate rations as needed.

Producers need to remember the following tips when collecting samples.

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Last Call! 2020 Master Gardener Class (Online or In-Person)

Posted on by Elly Sneath

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas State University’s Extension Master Gardener program is planning to offer a statewide online training option this fall for those wanting to join the popular group. In Meade, the program will be offered at the Extension Office (physical distancing required, mask encouraged) or in a virtual classroom (at home) or if participants would rather watch at home on their own time.

Classes will be broadcast live at the Extension Office during the scheduled times and will also be recorded by presenters for those who are not able to watch during the afternoons at home.

Cheryl Boyer, an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources and interim coordinator of the state’s Master Gardener program, said weekly online sessions begin Sept. 3 and will run through Dec. 17.

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2020 Master Gardener Program

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Adults volunteering in garden

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas State University’s Extension Master Gardener program is planning to offer a statewide online training option this fall for those wanting to join the popular group. In Meade, the program will be offered at the Extension Office (physical distancing required, mask encouraged) or in a virtual classroom (at home) or if participants would rather watch at home.

Cheryl Boyer, an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources and interim coordinator of the state’s Master Gardener program, said weekly online sessions begin Sept. 3 and will run through Dec. 17.

Continue reading “2020 Master Gardener Program” →

August 1, New Information On Reporting Mysterious Seed Packages

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Seeds Package

I would hope that, by now, everyone has heard of the unsolicited seeds packages in the USPS recently.  We don’t know much about the seeds, but do know they could pose a threat to our agricultural production systems locally, in Kansas and across the nation. The threat is real and treat these seeds as an act of bioterrorism.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been notified that several Kansas residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China.   Many surrounding states have also notified residents of the same kind of packages.   The packages were sent by mail; some have been labeled as jewelry and they may have Chinese writing on them.

If you receive a package of they type, DO NOT OPEN OR PLANT THESE SEEDS.  New information came out on August 1, 2020 with two options to handle the seeds.

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That’s A Wrap, 2020 4-H County Fair

Posted on by Elly Sneath

County Fair Swine Show

The past five months have been filled with meetings and planning that we never anticipated in early 2020.  Hosting the annual county fair 4-H youth competitions is always the highlight for youth and their projects.  Most consider it the end, however many youth, continue onto State Fair and compete with record books in the fall.  This year, many times we questioned what the journey would be for them, and for us too.

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Western Bean Cutworm

Posted on by Elly Sneath

Western Bean Cutworm eggs have been found Northwest of Fowler in a corn field.  This insect is an occasional problem in Western Kansas.  Careful scouting and timing of sprays are necessary to obtain adequate control.

The larvae feed on the reproductive parts of the plant – tassels, pollen, silks, and developing ears in corn and flowers, leaves and developing pods in dry beans.  Infestations can cause considerable losses in both quantity and quality of the crop produced.  Damage from the larval feeding can also lead to secondary fungal infections in corn ears and can open up pods to pathogens and other insects in dry beans.

WCB Life Stages

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KSU Virtual Wheat Field Day – Review

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Group of Farmers

2020 Wheat Harvest is over for some, in full force for others, and just getting started some.  Now is the time to think and consider options for the 2021 wheat crop.  To help guide growers on their decisions on May 27 and 28, K-State offered its first Virtual Wheat Field Day on YouTube.  It has been a handful of years since Meade County Extension has hosted a Wheat Plot Tour, but this virtual day gives growers the opportunity to get information on crop advances and challenges while keep producers safe from COVID-19.

Normally plot tours include discussion of the wheat varieties planted at the location, including new and upcoming as well as established ones, as disease pressure from the year. A great reference for wheat producers is the Wheat Variety Disease and Insect Rating 2019.  2020’s version should be published August, after this year’s data is collected.

Because time is precious to all of us – here is a break down along with time stamps if you would rather cut to the chase.

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WANTED: Willie’s Farm Family at K-State Football’s Celebrate Agriculture Day

Posted on by Elly Sneath

Promotional Photo with details

K-State Athletics recently announced they will host the first Celebrate Agriculture Day with K-State Football this fall. While the plans have been in the works for quite some time, the past couple of months have highlighted what Kansas State University have always known – the importance of the agriculture industry not only for our state and country, but also the world at large. Our history as Kansas State Agriculture College is something we recognize and celebrate.

The designated Celebrate Agriculture game is November 7 against Texas Tech, and K-State is excited to honor one Willie’s Farm Family from each county!

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Watering During a Drought: Trees & Shrubs

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Tree

Many times I hear from clients “I water my grass, that’s enough for my trees.”  Even in a year with sufficient rainfall, watering your grass is not enough water for a tree.  Successfully established trees and shrubs have a moisture requirement just like any other plan.  And yes, to some extent they can pull water from turf watering, but the overall health of these plants is at a higher risk.

Our past Office Professional, originally from Missouri, always commented on how much we liked our trees in Meade County and the extent a client was willing to take to keep a tree healthy in Southwest Kansas.  She was right, it takes time and effort for a large tree, which cannot be replaced quickly.

First we need to consider the plants that serve a legitimate purpose as a landscape element by providing shade, privacy or curb appeal.  Then look at outlying plants that probably don’t have as much importance, these may be allowed to stress more, even to the point of going into summer dormancy.  But don’t overlook these plants, especially if they are not native.

Tree Illustration Continue reading “Watering During a Drought: Trees & Shrubs” →

Watering During a Drought: Lawns

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Sprinker

The extended forecast from the National Weather Service of Dodge City is not looking promising for any significant rain fall in the coming weeks.  Because of this, I’m going to take the next few weeks to highlight how to keep plants healthy during a drought.

Most everyone can appreciate a lush green lawn. However, not everyone loves the maintenance or the associated costs.  By watering our lawns efficiently, water consumption can be reduced by up to 50 percent with only a 10 percent reduction in turf quality.  Don’t let that scare you off just yet, stick with me here.  To a majority of us, this change is hardly noticeable and leads to positive effects such as less frequent mowing and fewer weeds, diseases and insects.  For those that don’t water, supplementing our lawns with water during a drought can help maintain a good stand of turf.  Over time, poor turf stands can encourage weed growth.

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Barn Swallow Control

Posted on by Elly Sneath
Barn Swallow

Many of us have probably seen barn swallows starting to build their nests close to structures, but some of us may not appreciate their presence.  Originally swallows were cave breeders, but now most build nest on human-made structures.

Barn swallows typically nest multiple times throughout the summer and have a 14 day gestation period before the eggs hatch.  Then 2 to 3 weeks later the birds will fly the nest.  The birds feed on flying insects and nest under overhangs.  Barn Swallow parents sometimes get help from other birds to feed their young. These “helpers at the nest” are usually older siblings from previous clutches, but unrelated juveniles may help as well.

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Devastation of Bagworms

Posted on by Elly Sneath

Defoliated ArborviateThese pesky little insects are usually found on evergreen trees and shrubs.  If left untreated, the insect will increase in population each year, eventually causing the defoliation of the plant.

In May each year, bagworms are just beginning to emerge from their eggs that have overwintered.  The larva will continue to hatch through early June depending on weather conditions.   The larva feeds on the plant foliage.  Once they are 3 to 6 mm in length, they will produce a strand of silk to hang from, to disperse them to other near-by hosts.

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