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Category: K-State Research and Extension

Caring for the Older Horse

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

Improvements in health care and nutrition have increased horse’s lifespans and their number of useful years.  Horses can easily be productive into their 20’s.  Their age and experience make them quite valuable for many activities.  In addition, owners may have a strong bond with their older horse they have owned for a prolonged period of time.  It is important to understand that keeping the older horse in good condition is certainly possible, but may require additional care or considerations beyond those of a younger horse.

Some horses may exhibit visible signs of aging or loss of performance earlier than others.  This can be affected by their previous use, genetics or a myriad of other environmental factors.  Owners should begin to monitor their horses more closely once they reach their late teens, with the goal of minimizing any loss of function or vitality.  The owner should be observing the horse for weigh or body condition loss; muscle mass loss, especially over the top line; alterations in fat deposition; and changes in hair coat.  Additionally, a careful record keeping system of observations should be employed.  These should include bi-monthly observations of their body condition score, their body weight, and a photographic record of the horse.

Additional measurements such as neck or belly circumference may also assist with detection of disease states such as insulin resistance.  It is often easy to miss changes when observing the animal every day, therefore comparing recorded observations is critical to detect alternations.   As the horse ages further, increase the frequency of these recordings to once a month and even every other week in the aged horses.

Horse - Wikipedia

Teamwork in the Workplace

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Teamwork in the Workplace

By Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent

How many of you groan a little when your boss mentions ‘team building activities’?  I’m sure many of us could raise our hands.  Going outside of your normal work duties, getting closer to co-workers is sometimes not on the top of your to-do lists.  In reality, these are extremely important tasks to every workplace for the progression of their business.  Teamwork has been proven to boost morale of your company.  Happy workers generally mean more productive workers, in return, boosting your bottom line.  In this article you will learn a little more of what teamwork actually is and some simple tips to implement into your workforce.

What are some attributes that good teamwork would bring to your company?

  • New Ideas
  • Improved Efficiency
  • Better Quality
  • Higher Morale
  • Group Cohesion
  • More Learning Opportunities
  • Sense of Accomplishment
  • Faster Innovation
  • Less Managerial Interference
  • Stronger Working Relationships

This sounds wonderful, right?  So how do you get your business to this point?  Here are a few adult-focused, simple team building activities.

Code of Conduct

A simple but meaningful activity that sets the tone for an event and builds consensus on shared values. Teams list what matters to them on a whiteboard. Perfect for the start of an event or workshop.

Number of participants: 10-30

Duration: 30+ min

Objectives: Build mutual trust, establish group values.

How to play

  1. On a whiteboard, write down the words “Meaningful” and “Pleasant”
  2. Ask everyone in the group to shout out what will make this workshop meaningful and pleasant. Alternatively, ask them to write their ideas on sticky notes.
  3. Record each participant’s suggestion in the form of a mind map.
  4. For each suggestion, ensure that all participants have the same understanding of the idea. If not, change the suggestion until it has consensus from all participants.
  5. Go through each suggested item and ask participants how they would ensure that the idea is carried out during the workshop. Record these on the whiteboard in sticky notes.
  6. All ideas mutually agreed on as being “pleasant” and “meaningful” make up the Code of Conduct for the group. The group has the responsibility to uphold this code through the remainder of the workshop.

Strategy

For any team building activity to be successful, the team has to have a few common values and beliefs about what makes a successful team meeting. Establishing these values early in the workshop/team meeting can make the rest of the workshop run much smoother.

 

Odd Couples

On any team, you’ll have people with different personalities. But sometimes, these different personalities actually have things in common. Getting these team members to appreciate their differences and similarities can improve team bonding.

Number of participants: 6-20 people

Duration: 45-60 minutes

Objective: Improve team bonding and communication skills

How to play

  1. Create a list of odd pairs of objects that, for some reason, go well together. Like “Peanut butter & jelly”, “chocolate & coffee”, “salt & pepper”, etc.
  2. Write down the names of objects from each pair on separate sheets of paper.
  3. Tape a sheet of paper to a participant’s back. Do this for all participants. Try to tape opposing pairs on people with opposing personalities, though this is isn’t necessary.
  4. Ask participants to mingle with the group. Their objective is to figure out what’s written on their backs. The trick is: they can only ask yes/no questions (“Do I add flavor to food? Do I make the food spicy?”).
  5. Once participants figure out what’s written on their backs, they have to find the other half of their pair.
  6. After they’ve found their pairs, participants have to find three things they share in common with their opposing pair.

Strategy

In any team building event, one of your biggest challenges is bringing different people together. An exercise like this can give participants a reason to sit down and share experiences with people they might not mingle with otherwise. The focus on yes/no questions also improves communication skills.

 

 

Selecting a Crabgrass Preventer for Your Lawn

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Selecting a Crabgrass Preventer for Your Lawn

By Ron Honig

If you can find a day when the wind is not howling, now is the time to be applying crabgrass and broadleaf herbicides to cool and warm season lawns. Crabgrass preventers are simply preemergence turf herbicides that prevent crabgrass seeds from developing into mature plants.  As the name suggests, preemerge herbicides must be applied before the grass germinates and begins to grow in order to get control.  With a few exceptions, they have little to no effect on existing crabgrass plants.  Early to mid-April is the recommended application period in Kansas.

Crabgrass, however is not the only common weed controlled by crabgrass preventers thus selecting the right herbicide can be a handy aid to controlling a number of other grasses and broadleaf weeds in your lawn such as dandelion and sandbur.

Following are four common active ingredients found in crabgrass preventers along with their common trade names: Prodiamine (Barricade), dithiopyr (Dimension), pendimethalin (Halts or Pendulum), and a combination of trifluralin and benefin (Team or Hi-Yield Crabgrass Control).

Of the four herbicides, prodiamine has the longest residual in the soil and provides the longest control of weeds listed in the product label.  Because of this long residual, prodiamine is a good choice for applying in the late summer or fall for preemerge henbit (the spring weed with square stems and purple flowers) control.  Henbit germinates in the fall or winter months and begins growth early in the spring.

Prodiamine also controls kochia which may germinate in late winter or early fall as well as pigweeds, shepherdspurse and prostrate spurge.  Dandelions, however, are not on the label’s control list.  Products vary, however a full-rate application of prodiamine can provide over six months of crabgrass control.

A fall prodiamine application, at the full application rate, should still provide weed control into the summer.  A split application of a half-rate in early fall and another in the spring may extend weed control through July.

Dithiopyr, when applied at the full rate, also has a long residual of 3 to 4 months.  Dithiopyr has the advantage of controlling many of the same weeds as prodiamine but with the addition of dandelion and sandbur.

Dithiopyr may also be applied in the fall like prodiamine, but if used in the fall, a second application in early summer will be needed to get season-long weed control from dithiopyr.  If applied in the spring at the full application rate, expect weed control throughout much of the summer.

Pendimethalin controls a wide range of grass and broadleaf weeds including sandbur, henbit, kochia and a broadleaf weed called Redstem Filaree which we are seeing more and more of in this area.  Dandelion is not on the label however, and henbit, filaree and kochia may emerge before pendimethalin is normally applied in mid-April.

Pendimethalin, unfortunately, has a shorter residual than either prodiamine or dithiopyr and will require a second application about six weeks of the first, even if applied in the spring. The product label will provide exact retreatment recommendations based on the concentration of the active ingredient.

The trifluralin and benefin combination in Team products control a smaller list of both grass and broadleaf weeds.  Purdue University rates the level of crabgrass control from Team lower than that of the other products discussed previously.  Team provides control of pigweed, prostrate knotweed and some foxtails along with crabgrass.

The four crabgrass herbicides mentioned do not control emerged weeds.  These products are intended for preemerge control of weeds and are soil applied herbicides.  The exception is that dithiopyr will control small, early-tillered crabgrass when applied post emerge.

After application, all of these herbicides need to be watered into the soil with either rain or approximately ½ inch of irrigation.

The addition of a 2,4-D- or dicamba-based herbicide either in dry or liquid form will help control emerged broadleaf weeds such as dandelion.

Most crabgrass preventers are marketed to homeowners with fertilizer in the product mix.   The four herbicides discussed in this article can be ordered without fertilizer from garden stores or from online vendors.  Follow label directions for the correct application rates and for the recommended timing of reapplications.

Color me Healthy

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Color me Healthy

By Kristin Penner

Dazzle your plates with color! Eating fruits and veggies in a variety of colors — red, dark green, yellow, blue, purple, white and orange — not only provides eye candy, but mixing things up also gives them a broad range of nutrients. So “think variety, think color” and everybody wins! And they can have a little fun filling up that shopping cart with a spectrum of colorful fruits and
vegetables that’ll create a rainbow on your plates!

Why Care about Colors?
-Color molecules that form more than 2,000 pigments in plant foods not only look scrumptious but also contain strong antioxidants
-The deeper color of a fruit or vegetable the more powerful its antioxidant action.
-Functional foods are foods that provide healthy benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as helping prevent disease                                          -Fruits and vegetables are natures original functional foods

Colors Health Claims
-Fruits and Vegetables provide healthful qualities including vitamins and minerals
-Low in calories and sodium
-High in water content and contain no cholesterol
-Good source of Dietary Fiber
-Contain Very little fat
-Consuming different colors of fruits and vegetables each day offers satisfying tastes and textures while increasing protection against disease
-The best way to power up your plate is to eat a variety of colors and choices within each group

Red:
-Red Fruits and vegetables help maintain a healthy heart, memory function, and urinary tract health, and lower risk of some cancers
-Red Pigment lycopene gives color to tomatoes
o It is a strong antioxidant that helps protect against prostate and other
cancers
o Anthocyanis found in red fruits and vegetables decrease heart disease risk,
prevent hardening of blood vessels, lower blood pressure help prevent
cancer and help stop inflammation

Orange/Yellow:
-Helps maintain heart, vision, and immune system health
-Many fruits and vegetables in this group are high in vitamin c and colic acid
-Contain high amounts of lutein which helps maintain vision
-Oranges, lemons, grapefruit and pineapple are rich sources of vitamin C

Green:
-Help lower the risk of some cancers
-Reduce risk of heart disease
-Maintain vision health
-Protect against birth defects
-Keep bones and teeth strong
-Strong flavored green vegetables have disease fighting properties, especially against many kinds of cancer
-Folic acid found in dark green leafy vegetables helps reduce the risk of heart disease
-Iron, Vitamin K, Magnesium, and calcium are found in many green vegetables
helping keep the bones and teeth strong

Blue/purple/black:
-Provide antioxidants that help memory function and heart health
-Blueberries have the highest antioxidant action of any fruit
-Blueberries and cranberries help protect against bladder infections

White/ Tan/ Brown:
-Pears and mushrooms contain antioxidants that protect cell membranes

Make a colorful diet common:
-Fruits and vegetables are portable so they can be a convince food
-Can choose fresh, frozen, dried, or canned
-One serving
o Medium piece of fruit
o 1 cup raw leafy vegetable
o ½ c fruit or vegetables ( raw, cooked, canned or frozen)
o ¼ c. dried fruit
o ¾ c. 100% juice

Eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables makes a meal look and taste great and improved the immune system, slows aging and reduces the risk for heat disease, cancer and other illnesses.

Dog Project

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Dog Project

By Devin Ramsey, 4-H Agent

Do you have a dog at home that you wish was better trained?  Or looking at getting a dog for your family but are not sure about training? Then the 4-H dog project may be for your 4-H’er. The dog project starts out with very basic grooming and obedience training that all dog owners should know. While training your dog creates a special bond and is very rewarding it is also very difficult. Some dogs pick things up faster than others and yes you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Why yes, it is most common to own a dog in the dog project but it is not required. There is a lot of opportunities for those that are unable to own a dog. Such as doing a presentation at Club Day, Dog Conference and doing a poster for the Fair. These give you the opportunity to research the history of a certain breed, learn about dog body language, or learning about dog diseases. If the Dog Project is something you are interested in contact any of the Wild West District Extension Offices and check out this spark page for more information on the Dog Project https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/4H1137.pdf.

Foods that Fool You

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Foods that Fool You

By Nancy Honig, Adult Development Agent

April Fool’s Day is a day for pranks and jokes. A day to fool others into believing something is true that is not. What you may not realize is that you are being fooled everyday by some of the foods that you eat. Foods that you think are healthy that are not. Foods that you think are “natural”, but they are not. Here are some ways you may be being fooled.

We hear the benefits of drinking pomegranate, blueberry, or acacia juice. But are you really getting just that in your juice? Many commercial juices are a blending of various juices. For example, a popular cranberry-pomegranate juice list water, then sugar as their first ingredients on the label, followed by cranberry juice and then pomegranate juice. If you look closely, you see it is called a flavored juice drink. It says 100% Vitamin C, but nowhere does it claim to be 100% juice. It is important to closely read all labels on the package so as not to be fooled but what is really in there.

While you are looking at your food labels don’t be fooled by words such as natural, lightly sweetened, made with real…, and multi grain. These are typically more a branding strategy than a substantive label. The Food and Drug Administration has no guidelines for use of the term “natural”. The USDA defines “natural” as “a product containing no artificial ingredient or added color” that “is only minimally processed,” meaning it’s “processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product.” Unfortunately, the majority of people think that natural on the label means that the food product is free of artificial colors or ingredients. That is not necessarily true. Once again it is up to you to play detective and not be fooled.

There is a push to eat more whole grains so when you see a package that says “made with whole grains” we may snatch it up thinking we are eating something healthy. However, foods don’t have to contain a specific amount of whole grains to be able use “made with whole grains” on the label. So even if the product is 80% white flour and only 20% whole grain flour, it could still be boasting that it is made with whole grains. Remember to read the list of ingredients. It will always be listed with the largest amount ingredient to the smallest.

One way to keep from being fooled about grains is the Whole Grain stamp that began appearing on food items in 2005. . The 100% Stamp assures you that a food contains a full serving or more of whole grain in each labeled serving and that ALL the grain is whole grain.

So don’t let manufactures fool you into thinking a product is something it is not. Take the time to read labels and do your research so you won’t be “tricked” into believing their tall tales!

Butterfly Gardens

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Butterfly Gardens

By Kylee Harrison

If you have ever experienced the late summer migration of the Monarch Butterfly, it is quite a sight to behold.  Thousands of Monarch’s make their way south to overwinter.  If you love this, but would like to enjoy butterflies all summer long, planting a butterfly garden might be for you.

Check out this video from Kansas Healthy Yards for tips on what to plant and how to maintain a butterfly garden.

https://kansashealthyyards.org/all-videos/video/butterfly-gardens

K-State Animal Science Leadership Academy

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

High school youth are invited to apply for the K-State Animal Science Leadership Academy hosted by the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, and sponsored by the Livestock and Meat Industry Council (LMIC) Inc.  The goal of this academy will be to further develop young leaders within the livestock industry and prepare them for a successful future in this field.

The four-day session will focus on increasing knowledge of Kansas’ diverse livestock industry, as well as building participant’s leadership skills.  Twenty high school students will be selected to participate based upon educational, community, and agricultural involvement, as reflected through an application process.

The 2021 academy will feature a hybrid format.  Students will participate in virtual tours and workshops throughout the week, culminating in an on-campus experience at the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State on Friday, June 18th.  No housing will be provided in 2021, and transportation to and from the event will be the responsibility of the participant.

Application Requirements:

  • Participants must be currently (as of January 1, 2021) enrolled in high school.
  • Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2021.
  • Participants must be able to participate in the entire academy and attend all conference sessions.
  • Students must complete all areas of the application. The spacing of the application for responses must be unaltered and extra attachments will not be accepted.
  • The application should be paper clipped including application form, resume and recommendation form in sealed and signed envelope.
  • Applicants will receive an email confirmation that their application has been received by mail.
  • Please allow 2 weeks for review and selection after the April 15th

For additional information check out: https://www.asi.k-state.edu/research-and-extension/youth-programs/k-state-animal-science-leadership-academy/

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Time Management

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

By: Kristin Penner, Family Resource Management Agent

Have you ever said you wish you had more time?  Or, time sure is flying bye!

Time is a special resource because it takes time to accomplish anything. The way you manage time, like the way you manage your money, energy, and other resources, plays a large part in determining the goals you can accomplish, and the satisfaction you receive from everything you do. You really manage yourself with regard to time. There are many ways to make the most of your time.

Time is a special resource for anyone trying to meet family, work, community, and personal needs. Some say time is the most valuable of all resources because it is limited. Others think time is endless . . . thinking they can always do their tasks at another time. Most busy people have to plan carefully to meet all their time demands. Jobs, schools, and other events require you to be on time, even though you would prefer a more relaxed schedule.

Time itself is not the real problem: The key is how you use your time. Time cannot really be managed; you manage yourself in terms of time use.

THINK ABOUT TIME

Time is unique. It is the only resource every person has in equal amounts. We all have 24 hours a day.

Time is perishable. You cannot really save time. You can “lose it or use it.” A problem with time as a resource is that you cannot borrow minutes from one day and use them the next day. Although time cannot be saved, you can use your time effectively through careful planning and action.

Time is a measure. When time is discussed, many people think first of the clock. America tends to be a clock-and-calendar centered society. Being on time for work, school, and appointments, and for payments such as rents and bills, is a necessity for almost everyone today. In other cultures, time may be measured by the sun and the seasons.

Time has a dollar value. An old proverb tells us, “Time is money.” It takes time to earn money. It takes time to develop new resources. It takes time to get the most from your shopping dollar. Sometimes you choose whether to “buy time” in the form of convenience foods or household repairs.

Time has other values. We look for “quality time” to spend with children and other family members. We need time for rest, leisure, and personal renewal, as well as for friends, neighbors, and our community.

BALANCE YOUR USE OF TIME

Plan to balance your life and share time with family, friends, neighbors, and work. We all invest time, waste time, and use time. Think carefully about your use of time. Make sure you invest time in the things that are important to you.

Resource: Essential Living Skills KSRE

Methods of Pruning Shrubs

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

By Ron Honig, Horticulture and Agronomy Agent

The goal of pruning is to maintain or enhance the beauty of a shrub without harming its health. The methods used to attain this vary depending on the type and condition of the shrub and the desired look.

Following is information on pruning shrubs compiled by K-State horticulturists Ward Upham, Cheryl Boyer and Jason Griffin.

First, make sure tools are clean and sharp and take appropriate safety precautions.

When to Prune

Light pruning (where no more than 10 percent of the shrub is removed) can be done any time of year. Timing for more severe pruning is determined by when the shrub flowers. Shrubs that bloom early in the spring such as lilac, forsythia, and mock orange are often pruned immediately after flowering to preserve enjoyment of the flowers.

Shrubs that flower in summer or those grown for foliage are normally pruned early in the spring before growth begins. It is important to note whether the plant is a conifer (juniper, pine, spruce). If you cut a conifer, it may not grow back as conifers do not have dormant buds on older wood, so they do not resprout behind pruning cuts. Most broadleaved shrubs, however, resprout vigorously due to the many dormant buds along the stem.

Light Pruning

Light pruning is done to improve the attractiveness of a shrub or to control its height and can be done any time of year on most shrubs. Start by removing all dead and diseased branches. Branches that cross or are out of place are the next to go. A few older canes or branches that have lost vigor can also be removed. Do not take out more than 10 percent of a shrub when light pruning. Dead wood does not count in this 10 percent.

Shearing

Shearing is used in formal landscapes but takes a great deal of time to maintain. Homeowners are usually better served by using another pruning method. Though some shrubs tolerate shearing, most react by producing thick, new growth along the sheared edges leaving the rest of the plant looking thin and sparse. Even shrubs adapted to shearing will have lower branches die or thin unless the lower portions of the shrub are maintained wider at the base than the top to avoid shading. Examples of shrubs that are often sheared include boxwood, juniper, and arborvitae.

Heading Back

When heading back, excessively long canes are cut back to a side branch or bud to reduce overall height. This method encourages new growth to appear just inside the pruning cut and gives the shrub a fuller, more pleasing effect. Examples of plants that can benefit from heading back include azaleas, roses, and junipers.

Thinning

Thinning is when canes are removed to reduce height and open the plant to encourage more interior growth. Older, less vigorous canes are removed first. Cut canes to be removed at ground level. Examples include forsythia, lilac, crape myrtle, and bayberry. Many shrubs benefit from a combination of heading back and thinning cuts.

Renewal (Rejuvenation) Pruning

Shrubs will sometimes become so overgrown that thinning will not be adequate. Some shrubs tolerate renewal pruning in which all growth is taken back to about 6-inch stubs. This type of pruning is a stress to the plant and should be done in very early spring before the new growth starts. Regrowth from spring pruning will be rapid and will soon cover the stubs.

Flowering shrubs normally do not flower the year following renewal pruning. Conifer shrubs such as juniper and pines do not respond well to renewal pruning and are best removed and replaced if they outgrow their space.

Shrubs that tolerate the severe rejuvenation pruning include lilac, forsythia, barberry, sweet mock orange, scarlet firethorn, spirea, viburnums, weigela, and yew.

Cloverbuds

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Cloverbuds

By Devin Ramsey

Do you have a child that is interested in 4-H but not quite old enough? Then Cloverbuds is for you! Cloverbuds is for those 5-6 year olds that are looking to learn more about 4-H before officially becoming a 4-H’er. In the Wild West District we offer two Cloverbud meetings each month. One in Sublette on the second Wednesday of each month at 4pm and on the third Thursday in Liberal at 5pm.

At Cloverbud meetings we have snacks, learn the 4-H pledge and learn about a different 4-H project each month by doing crafts and activities. Cloverbud meetings are free and last about an hour. Your child gets to take home whatever crafts we do. We have done things from making straw rockets and marbling paper using shaving cream. If this is something you may be interested in having your child doing contact us at the Wild West District Extension Offices.

Why Walk?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Why Walk?

By Nancy Honig

Walking is something we do on a regular basis as we get up and move daily. But why should you add walking to part of your exercise routine?

Science proves that walking 150-300 minutes/week can transform your physical and mental health. Here are some ways that walking can improve your health.

Brain- Improves memory and cognition; reduces your risk of strok 30%; helps relieve anxiety and depression.

Chronic – Aids in weight management and delayed onset or prevention of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer, arthritis and back pain.

Pain management – Helps to relieve back pain; keeps knee joints healthy.

Mood – Improves your outlook on life; boost creativity and problem solving. These benefits are immediate!

Healthy aging- Improves balance and mobility; strengths bones and muscles; reduce falls; improve sleep; extends years of active life.

So, if seeing this inspires you to get out and walk, we have the perfect incentive! Join this year’s Walk Kansas!

Walk Kansas is an energizing 8-week, team-based health initiative. Groups of six form a team, with one serving as the captain. Team members do not have to live in the same town, county, state or country.

During Walk Kansas, teams log and report minutes of physical activity, cups of fruits and vegetables consumed, and glasses of water. Tracking can be one of the most important tools for making lifestyle changes. Recording progress keeps you focused and helps your team meet and exceed their goals! Go to walkkansasonline.org to register. If you need more information, contact us at any of the Extension offices and we will get you started!

Helpful Application Tips

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Helpful Application Tips

By: Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent

It’s application season!  If you have a high school senior in your house, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Seniors are furiously filling out those scholarship, college, and job applications, trying to meet the common deadline of April 1st.  If you have a high-schooler working on applications, here are a few helpful tips.

  • Be thorough, neat, and accurate; spelling and handwriting are important
  • Be sure to read and follow all directions; do not leave any spaces blank
  • It’s important to memorize all nine digits of your social security number
  • Use actual job titles that you are either applying for or for your references
  • Use actual dates of things like time you were at a job or when you can start a job
  • If you are applying for a job – you may be asked if your current employer can be contacted – if you mark yes, this is acting like a reference and your employer may be contacted. You should first notify them.
  • Some applications ask for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of schools you have attended or jobs you have previously had. Make sure to have that information.  Keep a photo on your phone of a completed application for easy reference.
  • If you have taken any vocational classes, list those skills under education if they resulted in a certificate or credential.
  • When listing your employment history, be sure to use reverse chronological order – most recent first.
  • Past duties should demonstrate skills relevant to the job for which you are applying.
  • Reason for leaving should not be worded negatively.
  • Ask permission before using someone as a reference
  • References should be teachers, coaches, or people you have done volunteer work for. They should not be family or friends.
  • Any application is a legal document, don’t forget to sign and date it.

108th Cattlemen’s Day

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

By:  Lacey Noterman, Livestock Agent

On Friday, March 5, 2021, the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry at Kansas State University will proudly continue its tradition of the KSU Cattlemen’s Day. Unfortunately, due to continued concerns around the COVID-19 situation, event size limitations, and standing by the department’s commitment to keeping the safety of participants as its top priority, it was decided to not host the trade show in 2021 and the program has been moved online.

“We’re excited to host the 108th KSU Cattlemen’s Day,” says Ken Odde, K-State professor and Cattlemen’s Day co-chairman. “Although COVID-19 restrictions have led us to transition this year’s event online, we are excited about the lineup of speakers and the topics they will address. Our annual program strives to address key issues and provide current information that keeps our industry efficient and relevant. This year’s featured speakers — Dr. Jayson Lusk, Jason Rumley and Robert Norris — will summarize how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the U.S. beef industry from the producer and processor and beyond.”

The program will include the latest information to help you understand the significant changes occurring in the beef industry.  COVID-19 has had a huge impact, and this year’s Cattlemen’s Day program will examine these impacts on beef producers, processors, foodservice and retail segments of the industry.

Registration is free.  To register go to: asi.ksu.edu/CattlemensDay Please be sure to register prior to March 5th.  For more information, please contact Lacey Noterman, Wild West Extension District Livestock Agent, at 620-675-2261 or lnote@ksu.edu

 

Private Pesticide License

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

 

 

Private Pesticide Applicator Certification

By Ron Honig

Now with what we surely hope is the worst of the winter behind us, producers can look forward to the spring cropping season and the top-dressing of the wheat crop.

Producers either supervising applicators or applying restricted-use pesticides themselves, must obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator license from the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) or from the department of ag in the state where the application is being made.

A private pesticide applicator certification may only be used to apply or supervise the application of a restricted use pesticide product according to label directions for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the private certified applicator or such person’s employer.

However, if applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities, a pesticide can be applied on property owned or rented by another producer of an agricultural commodity.

Farm employees applying either dicamba or Gramoxone (paraquat) products must have their own private applicator license as well as have completed specific dicamba and paraquat training.  Farm employees cannot apply these products using the farm owners (employer’s) license.

Private certification may be obtained by passing an open book examination at a County Extension office.  Please contact the Extension office in advance to arrange a time to take the exam.  On average, it takes two hours to complete the exam’s 75 questions.  A passing score is 75 percent or more questions answered correctly.

Once obtained, the private applicator certification expires on the individual’s birthday in the 5th calendar year after it is issued.  Renewal testing may be taken online at home. First-time initial testing however, must be done at an Extension office.  During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, first-time certification exams were available in online form, however the online format has now been limited to a few select cases.

At the time the exam is taken the Extension office will collect a $25 fee, preferably in the form of a check made out to “Kansas Department of Ag”.

The manual used for the open-book exam can be obtained in three ways:  A copy may be borrowed from the Extension office while completing the test, a copy may be purchased from the Extension office for a $10 fee, or the manual can be downloaded at no cost from the KDA website. By purchasing a private applicator manual, the producer will have the reference needed when it is time take their renewal exam.

For more information, producers should feel free to contact one of the Wild West Extension District offices.

 

Kansas Saves

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Kansas Saves – February 22-26, 2021

By Kristin Penner

We are joining communities across Kansas to launch the Kansas Saves program. Kansas Saves is a partner with America Saves – a nationwide campaign to encourage building wealth not debt. Enrolling as a Kansas Saver, allows you to establish personal savings goals, receive savings messages and a Build Wealth Not Debt brochure. Visit the Kansas Saves website, which explains how to save and how to use Savers services including enrollment as a Kansas Saver http://www.kansassaves.org/.

During America Saves week there are 5 savings topics that are focused on.  Save Automatically, Save for the Unexpected, Save to Retire, Save by Reducing Debt, and Save as a Family.

Save Automatically- #AmericaSavesWeek Tip: Split to Save! Direct a part of your paycheck to go directly into a savings account to #SaveAutomatically. You can do this through your HR dept at work or by setting up an auto-transfer at your bank or credit union. #ASW2021, #SplitToSave  @AmericaSaves

Save for the Unexpected- As our country continues to recover from the health & financial crisis, there are many other reasons to ensure that you #Save4TheUnexpected, both big & small. Here are 38 Reasons You Need At Least $500 In Savings http://bit.ly/2nAlBVl

Save to Retire- Today’s #AmericaSavesWeek tip focuses on how to save for retirement. Remember to Start Small, Think Big! Increasing your retirement contributions by one percent each year can go a long way.

Save by Reducing Debt- It’s #AmericaSavesWeek and we need you to know ONE THING: Paying down debt IS Saving! If your goal is to #ReduceDebt, take the @AmericaSaves Pledge to get tips, tools, & resources to help you along the way! http://bit.ly/pledgeas

 

Save as a Family- What better way to strengthen your family’s bond than to #SaveAsAFamily? Let’s make saving a family tradition by setting a yearly goal and making a plan to reach it. It all starts with a conversation!  #SaveAsAFamily, #ASW2021 #AmericaSavesWeek

 

 

There is no better time than now to start saving.  As this week progresses think about the small steps that you can make to meet your goals.  Become a partner with Kansas Saves and make a plan to start saving today.

What is frostbite?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

What is Frostbite?

By Nancy Honig

The weather has been brutal this week, and though we hope to be through the worst of it we still have a lot of winter left. These cold temperatures increase the dangers of frostbite.

What is frostbite? Frostbite is a type of injury caused by freezing. It leads to a loss of feeling and color in the areas it affects, usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation (removing the affected body part).

You may have a greater chance of developing frostbite if you

  • have poor blood circulation
  • are not properly dressed for extremely cold temperature
  • Although children, older people, and those with circulatory problems are at greater risk for frostbite, most cases occur in adults between 30 and 49. If you develop frostbite, you may not realize at first that anything is wrong, because the affected area may be numb.
  • What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite?

If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may point to frostbite:

  • A white or grayish-yellow skin area
  • Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
  • Numbness

A person who has frostbite may not know they have it until someone else points it out because the frozen parts of their body are numb.

Don’t wait—take action! If you notice signs of frostbite on yourself or someone else, seek medical care. If a person shows signs of frostbite and immediate medical care is not available, do the following:

  • Get the person into a warm room as soon as possible.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on feet or toes that show signs of frostbite—this increases the damage.
  • Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
  • Put the areas affected by frostbite in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
  • If warm water is not available, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, you can use the heat of an armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
  • Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can easily burn.

Don’t substitute these steps for proper medical care. Frostbite should be checked by a health care provider.

Citizenship Project

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Citizenship Project

By Devin Ramsey, 4-H Agent

Does your child have an interest in helping the community and being involved? Then the citizenship project is for them. The citizenship project is a great way to make a difference is the lives of those in your community by different service projects. This could be a canned food drive for the local food bank, picking up leaves at the community garden, or even helping a neighbor.

 

The citizenship project provides the opportunity for those interested in many different things. Learn about those by helping others in the process. As those 4-H’ers in the citizenship project get older this will provide the opportunity for them to develop and carry out their own service project or even teach younger youth about how to be involved in their community. Learn more about the citizenship project by contacting your local Wild West Extension Office or checking out this spark page https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/4H1109.pdf.

Strategic Planning for your Board or Business

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Strategic Planning

By Kylee Harrison, Community Development Agent

In last month’s blog, I discussed vision boards and how that can be helpful in developing your personal goals.  It is equally as important that we develop goals in our professional life as well.  Using a strategic plan, which is an intentional effort to shape and guide your organization, can aid you in reaching your long- and short-term goals.  Strategic plans can be beneficial for your business, non-profit or board that you serve on.  Let’s take a deeper look at just how to achieve development of a strategic plan.

Whether you are developing a strategic plan for the very first time, or updating an old one, it is important to recall how your organization has changed in the last three to five years.  2020 brought on a host of changes to everyone, so chances are, things have changed a lot!  Using aspects like finances, staffing, client base, programs and stakeholders, reflect on where you are as an organization.

Next, you need to ask your group three questions.  First, where are we now?  This could include looking back at historical aspects of your group.  This can allow you to celebrate your history and give the group a common perspective of why things were done a certain way.

Next, where do we want to be?  This step often involves some type of visioning process.  This likely will help to develop your organizations vision statement, which provides a clear image of the future.  Some examples of vision statements include Nike’s “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.”

Finally, how are we going to get there?  This is where you will identify your organizations priority issues.  This can be done in two different ways.  It may include broad, overarching objectives, or it could include measurable goals.  Typically, a mixture of both is best.

How Much Meat to Expect from Your Animal

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

By: Lacey Noterman, Livestock Extension Agent

Have you ever taken your steer to the butcher at 1,300 pounds and been disappointed when you only got 500 pounds of cut and packaged beef?  You are not alone, there are many consumers are unaware of the steps in animal processing that result in changes in product weight.

The first step is to convert the live animal to a carcass.  The amount of the live animal to a carcass.  The amount of the live animal’s weight represented by the carcass, or dressing percentage, can be calculated as follows:

Dressing percentage: (carcass weight/live weight) x 100

Next, the animal’s blood, hide, and internal organs are removed, which results in weight loss.  The amount of weight lost is highly variable and can be affected by many characteristics, including:

  • Mud or manure on the hide of the animal
  • The amount of food in the animal’s stomach
  • Bruises that must be trimmed from the carcass

The dressing percentage varies for each species because animals carry body weight differently.  Pork has the highest dressing percentage (70-75%) because skin and feet remain on the carcass.  Hogs are monogastrics meaning they have a single-compartment stomach, which results in less weight compared to cattle that a 4-compartment stomach.  Lambs have the lowest dressing percentage (54-59%) because of their heavy hides and less muscling on the carcass.  The beef dressing percentage (60-64%) fall between pork and lamb.

Estimating the carcass weight of an animal is fairly easy because the process is standard across the industry.  Predicting the weight returned as cuts of meat is much more difficult.  A carcass can be processed into cuts (steaks, roasts, and ground meat) in multiple ways.  The final weight varies depending on the processing style and cuts requested.  Customers have many options and may be able to customize their order, adding even more variability to the equation.  Here are a few choices that can affect the weight of the finished product:

  • Bone-in vs boneless cuts: Removing the bone results in less weight returned as product.
  • Fat percentage in the ground product: A leaner product produces fewer pounds of ground meat.
  • Aging: Longer aging periods improve meat tenderness but lead to moisture loss and less weight returned.
  • Type of aging (dry-aged vs wet-aged): Dry-aged products result in more moisture loss due to dehydration and additional trimming losses due to surface crust removal.
  • Further processing: Having cuts processed into cooked sausages, hams, bacon, corned beef, and similar products results in fewer pounds of returned product of the moisture lost during the cooking process.

 

Selecting Trees for Southwest Kansas

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Selecting Trees for Southwest Kansas

By Ron Honig

Unfortunately, we have all seen trees that have for one reason or another not fared well in southwest Kansas.  Whether it be heat, wind, drought, pests or unfit soil, certain trees are prone to problems in our environment.

One of the best ways to solve this problem is to plan ahead when selecting new trees and plant species and cultivars that are known to do well in this part of the state.  To aid in proper tree selection, Kansas State University and the Kansas Forest Service have put together a publication titled “Preferred Trees for Southwest Kansas” highlighting a number of trees recommended for use under our unique set of conditions.

The publication, free to the public, provides specific tree and cultivar name recommendations for small, medium and large deciduous trees as well as several recommendations for evergreen trees that can be expected to thrive in southwest Kansas.  Each tree listed in the publication is rated on a number of environmental factors such as tolerance to drought, shade, pests and alkaline soils, but also on landscape attributes such a brilliance of autumn foliage, desirable flowers, showy fruit and ornamental bark, among other categories.  Estimated mature heights and spreads are provided as well.

Examples of small deciduous trees to consider are the Eastern (Cercis canadensis) and Oklahoma (Cercis reniformis ‘Oklahoma’) Redbuds.  The alba variety of Eastern Redbud has white flowers.  The Oklahoma Redbud is praised for having more intense flower color and some natural insect resistance.

For a medium-sized tree check out the Goldenraintree (Koelreutaria paniculata) with brilliant yellow flowers or the Chinese Pistache with beautiful red and orange fall foliage.

If you are looking far a large tree over 40 feet tall, consider a Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioica) but look for a male cultivar to avoid dealing with a crop of large pod-like fruit.

American Linden (Tilia Americana) and Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) trees do fairly well in our region but will need to be watered well through dry spells.

Ponderosa Pine (pinus ponderosa) are still one of the best evergreen choices for our area due to their drought resistance.  Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis) grows well in this region but may see problems with scale insects.

Most maple trees do not grow well in our high pH soils and tend to have yellow leaves and stunted growth under the poorest soil conditions.  If you have your heart set on planting a maple tree, check out the varieties known as Caddo sugar maples which were selected and developed in Caddo County, Oklahoma.  The Caddo maples have good drought tolerance and have proved to do better in our high pH soils than traditional maples.

Look for the cultivars named “Autumn Splendor” or “John Pair”.  Although these Caddo maples have a better chance of success in western Kansas, there is still no guarantee of optimum growth.

To see more details on potential tree species and cultivars for southwest Kansas pick up a copy of “Preferred Trees for Southwest Kansas” from the Extension office or download it from the K-State Research and Extension website.

Identity Theft

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Identity Theft

By Kristen Penner, Family Resource Management

Have you been a victim of identity theft?  There have been lots of fraudulent claims for unemployment in the recent months which can cause lots of stress for those affected.  Knowing what to do is very important if you feel your identity has been compromised.

The first step is trying to verify if the fraud is in fact fraud.  Contact the company the fraud has occurred and verify that your information has been used by someone else.  If it indeed that your account has been compromised request that a freeze or hold is placed on your account with the company.  Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.

Second, place a fraud alert and get a copy of your credit report.  You will need to contact one of the three credit bureau’s Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax to have a hold or freeze placed on your account.  The credit bureau that you contact will notify the other two agencies.  Review your credit report and make sure there aren’t any fraudulent transactions.  If there is make sure you file a claim for those.

Third, contact you banking institutions to make them aware that your identity has been stolen.  They can help monitor your accounts and stop any transactions.

Fourth, report to the federal Trade commission giving as many details as possible.

Unfortunately having your identity stolen can cause lots of stress and financial strain for a person.  Being pro-active and getting things reported in a timely manner can help stop the fraud before it gets totally out of hand.

For more information, visit

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-idenity-theft

Citizenship in Action

Posted on by Lacey Noterman

By: Devin Ramsey, 4-H and Youth Development Agent

Do you have a child that is interested in learning more about government and laws? Have them attend Citizenship In Action. This is a great event sponsored by Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Council. The purpose of this two-day event is for Kansas youth to learn how the state legislative process works and how they can make a difference in their communities. Normally this event takes place in person in Topeka so that the youth can see the capitol building but this year it is going to be virtual.

CIA is February 14th-15th youth must be 13-18 years old before January 1, 2021. Youth do not need to be in 4-H to participate. You must register by February 1st there is a small fee to help cover costs of $35 this will include a t-shirt. To find out more and to register check out the Citizenship In Action event page here https://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/conferences-events/citizenship-in-action/index.html. Or contact your local extension for any other questions you may have.

Farro

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

Farro

By Nancy Honig, FCS Agent

I am a big fan of cooking shows and learning about ingredients I may not be familiar with. I recently watched a show where they cooked farro, and although I had eaten it several time I hadn’t cooked it myself. It peaked my curiosity, making me look for information on farro and purchase some to cook.

Farro is an ancient grain that belongs to the wheat family. Originating in the Middle East it has been found in the tombs of Egyptian kings and is said to have fed the Roman Legions. Italians have dined on farro for centuries. It’s now gaining traction in the U.S. with vegetarians and families who are looking for healthy and filling whole grains. Packed with nutrients, nutty flavor, and a chewy texture, it is used in risotto-style dishes, soups, stews, casseroles, and sautés.

Not all farro is created equally, there are basically three different varieties. There is farro piccolo (einkorn), farro medio (emmer), and farro grande (spelt). Emmer is what you’ll find sold most often in the U.S. It’s a harder grain than einkorn and is often confused with spelt, which is another type of grain altogether. How farro is processed is what actually determines its flavor, and most importantly, cook time.

Whole farro retains all the grain’s nutrients; has the most nutrients per serving and has the strongest flavor. requires soaking the grains overnight and still typically takes at least 30 minutes to cook.

Semi-pearled farro, in which the part of the bran has been removed, still contains some fiber. This version is the best of both worlds with half of the grain intact and a reduced cooking time.

Pearled farro: is what you’ll find in most American grocery stores. It doesn’t have as much flavor as other varieties and has no bran at all. It has the shortest cook time.

Farro is a forgiving grain to cook with. Simply follow the directions on the package. Be especially aware if it is whole farro, that it needs to soak overnight.

Why give farro a try? It is higher in plant-based protein than rice and is quite hearty and full of nutty flavor. It also contains fiber, antioxidants, and minerals, including iron, magnesium, and zinc. Just one cup of whole grain emmer farro can provide a whopping 20% of the daily recommended fiber intake. This is similar to quinoa, but higher than a lot of other popular grains, such as brown rice, pasta and couscous. Whole grains such as farro are associated with improved health because they contain a wide range of antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, phytosterols and selenium. When combined with other plant-based foods, such as legumes, farro offers a complete protein source. This is good news for vegetarians, as well as anyone looking for plant-based, high-protein food sources.

Cooked farro is a great filler to throw into soups, stews, and casseroles since it easily absorbs flavors. It also adds a great nutty taste and a dense chewy texture to pilafs and salads. If you haven’t every tried it I encourage you to look for it the next time you are shopping and give it a try!

What is a Vision Board?

Posted on by Kylee Harrison

What is a vision board?

By Kylee Harrison, Community Vitality Agent

Starting the New Year with setting a resolution is a common occurrence.  It is also a pretty common occurrence to have that resolution fail.  In fact, according to forbes.com, 80% of all New Year resolutions fail.  One theory for the botched goal setting may lie in how we set those goals.  One way to start 2021 with more achievable resolutions is to create a vision board.

What exactly is a vision board?  It is a tangible, visible way to display your goals, which could be formatted in many different ways.  It could be a collage of images, words or other small reminders that are meant to get you motivated.  65% of people are visual learners.  These same people benefit from having a visual motivational tool as well.  In today’s fast-paced society, we have limited flexibility and time in our daily life, and we become almost robotic.  Vision boards are a way to unstick yourself and get the creative juices flowing!

How do I start?

  1. Reflect – Think about what you want in life. New job? Buy a house? Finish a degree?  Launch a business?  If you are having trouble focusing in on where to begin, use these eight categories to help you start.  Health, Wealth, Love, Career, Spirituality, Family, Knowledge, Travel
  2. Set Goals – Make sure that the goals you set are SMART Goals. By using this acronym to create your goals, it will help to make them more achievable, in return giving you a greater sense of accomplishment.
  3. Collect – Gather images, words, phrases, quotes. Anything that will give you encouragement is great to put on your board.
  4. Assemble – Get a solid board of any medium and arrange the cutouts in a way that’s meaningful to you. Add embellishments to make it personalized and unique.  Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong way to make a vision board!
  5. Display – This is the most important step! Place the finished product in a prominent spot where you will see it each day.  Spend a few moments each day reflecting on your vision for the year.  Another idea is to take a picture of it and make it your background on your phone or computer.  If you don’t see you board every day, you are less likely to achieve your goals!

Here are some examples of great boards to get you started!