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AGRICULTURE FEATURES
WHEAT HESSIAN FLY
Track1 (3:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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WHEAT PRODUCTION COSTS
Track2 (3:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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SWINE FEEDING MANAGEMENT
Track3 (2:59) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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AGRICULTURE SOUNDBITES
WHEAT HESSIAN FLY
The Hessian fly is a long-time nemesis of wheat growers. And a standard management practice for combating this pest has been planting winter wheat after the so-called “fly-free” date. New research as Kansas State University is now showing that the fly-free date may not be the best indicator of this insect’s activity. K-State crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth talks about a new method of tracking the presence of Hessian fly in wheat fields.
Track4 (:35) Q…at least six weeks.
What this means is that a wheat field might still be susceptible to the Hessian fly, even if it’s planted after the fly-free date. Whether that actually makes a difference in damage to the wheat is still being studied, says Whitworth.
Track5 (:32) Q...have no effect.
And he and his research team will continue to study the Hessian fly’s tendencies in wheat fields this coming spring, to determine the impact as wheat greens back up.
Track6 (:39) Q...this particular insect.
Tag:That’s K-State crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth with new information on the Hessian fly as a major pest problem for wheat producers in Kansas.
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WHEAT PRODUCTION COSTS
As indicated in a new five-year analysis of wheat crop enterprises in Kansas, the difference in economic returns is a whopping $82 per acre from the high-profit producer to the low-profit producer. The lion’s share of that difference is found in the production costs, according to a K-State agricultural economist. Michael Langemeier (LANG-eh-MY-er) is citing these figures from Kansas Farm Management Association records from 2003 to 2008. He says that three main wheat production costs tell the story.
Track7 (:38) Q…difference, that’s big.
Langemeier adds that the difference in machinery costs showing up in this analysis was generally to be expected.
Track8 (:31) Q...it’s in there.
And the last big difference-maker in wheat production costs is labor expenditures, says Langemeier.
Track9 (:44) Q…to those budgets.
Tag:On the importance of managing costs to wheat production profitability, that’s K-State agricultural economist Michael Langemeier.
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SWINE FEEDING MANAGEMENT
K-State’s upcoming Swine Day will be a great opportunity for swine producers to learn more about feeding management on their own operations, with an emphasis on feeding distillers dried grains to hogs. Swine researcher Bob Goodband discusses enzymes as an aid when feeding distiller’s grains.
Track10 (:38) Q…economically justified concept.
Researchers have also studied amino acids in comparison to lysine and the proper ratio for the finishing phase.
Track11 (:37) Q...hurting pig performance.
oodband discusses feeder management trials and the work done by K-State researchers.
Track12 (1:02) Q...greater feeder space.
Tag:That’s K-State swine researcher Bob Goodband, discussing swine feeding management research at the university.
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FAMILY AND CONSUMER
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS
One thing that makes holidays special is having the entire family meet in one location. However, having a wide range of adults and adolescents – all with different needs – in the same house for one or more days, can create conflicts. K-State Research and Extension youth development specialist Elaine Johannes (joe-han-us) says the conflict stems from each person’s mental picture of how the holiday is supposed to play out.
Track13 (:31) Q...can be some conflicts.
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TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDIA
Johannes says another area of concern and potential conflict during the holidays is the constant use of cell phones and watching too much TV.
Track14 (:31) Q...can communicate.
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TURN OFF MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
Johannes says turning off the TV and not answering cell phones or text messages – even for just a few hours – increases face-to-face communication and helps children understand what it means to be part of a family.
Track15 (:43) Q...their own family.
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SCHEDULE SOME DOWN TIME
If you’re going to be somewhere for the entire day or for several days, Johannes says it’s okay to splinter off into smaller groups or to do things that give you some down time.
Track16 (:49) Q...identity of family.
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REALITY IN HOLIDAY MOVIES
We all have a favorite holiday movie. It might be our favorite because it’s funny, heart-warming or just reminds us of our family holidays together. Johannes says there is actually a lot of truth in many of the holiday films that have been made over the years.
Track17 (:46) Q...back together.
Tag:More information on family relationships and the holidays is available on the Extension Web site at www.ksre.ksu.edu.
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LAWN AND GARDEN
BOOSTING PHOTOSYNTHESIS
November is the time to give cool-season lawns, such as tall fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass, the last nitrogen application of the season. Why November? Because while top growth slows in response to cool temperatures, grass plants are still making food by photosynthesis. K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham (up-umm) says a November nitrogen application helps boost the photosynthesis rate.
Track18 (:36) Q...looking really well.
Tag:You’ll want to apply about one to one-and-a-half pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. This is pounds of actual nitrogen and not pounds of fertilizer. Fertilizers only contain a percentage of nitrogen, so you need to apply much more fertilizer to obtain the optimum amount of nitrogen for your lawn.
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BROADLEAF WEED CONTROL
Early November is the most effective time to control broadleaf weeds in lawns. K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham (up-umm) says dandelions usually produce a flush of new plants in late September and the winter annual weeds henbit and chickweed should have germinated in October.
Track19 (:35) Q...a little bit.
Tag:Be sure to choose a day that is at least 50 degrees or warmer. The better the weed is growing, the more weed killer will be moved from the leaves to the roots. Upham says cold temperatures will slow or stop this process.
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STORAGE OF SUMMER BULBS
It’s time to think about storing bulbs that will not survive Kansas winters. The bulbs of gladiolus, caladium, dahlia, tuberous begonia, calla lily and canna lily need to be dug and stored so they can be planted next year. K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham (up-umm) says all of these plants should be dug after freezing temperatures have browned the foliage, then allowed to dry for about a week in a shady, well-ventilated area, such as a garage or tool shed.
Track20 (:44) Q...to those plants.
Tag:While most bulbs can be stored at 40 degrees, caladium should be stored between 50 and 60 degrees. Upham says dusting bulbs with a fungicide before storage also helps prevent them from rotting.
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SPRING BULBS AND MOWING
If you haven’t had a chance to plant spring-flowering bulbs this year, there is no need to worry. Chuck Otte, (aw-tee) an agriculture and natural resources agent with K-State Research and Extension's Geary County office, says you’ll probably even get to use your lawnmower at least one more time, before winter sends things into dormancy.
Track21 (:42) Q...get it ready to go.
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SQUIRRELS AS A WINTER PREDICTOR?
Birds, squirrels, and other backyard wildlife are still busy making preparations for the winter ahead. Otte says people sometimes take this activity a little too literally.
Track22 (:32) Q...laugh at the calendar.
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KANSAS PROFILE
ED HAROLD – MT. SUNFLOWER
Most people from outside Kansas think the state is very flat. But, Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, says if you go to western Wallace County you can climb Mount Sunflower.
Track23 (4:13) Q...with Kansas Profile.
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MILK LINES
DAIRY OPERATING PLAN
It’s common for a business to establish a formal set of standard operating procedures for all employees to follow. There’s value in setting up “S-O-P’s” for the dairy farm as well, according to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (Brook). Making sure that all employees are following the same management guidelines will make a difference in the operation’s productivity and efficiency.
Track24 (1:59) Q...(theme music)
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OUTBOUND KANSAS
THREATENING COYOTE PROBLEMS
The nature of the coyote is to avoid contact with humans. But on occasion, this predator will become more acclimated to human activity, and that can lead to problems with aggressive coyote behavior, even in urban and suburban settings. The problem can be dealt with, with the assistance of wildlife control professionals, as talked about this week by K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee.
Track25 (5:00) Q...(theme music)
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SOUND LIVING
PUTTING FAMILY BEFORE TECHNOLOGY
We’re heading into the holiday season and while most like to celebrate with family and friends, all of this socializing can create conflict. In an age of 60-inch flat screen TVs, iPods, cell phones, twittering and texting, face-to-face communication can be difficult. In addition, we all have an image in our minds of how the holidays are supposed to play out…especially adolescents trying to figure out who they are and what their role is in the family. On today’s Sound Living: putting technology second and family first during holiday gatherings.
Track26 (14:50) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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TREE TALES
FIREWOOD FOR HEAT
Some people burn firewood in the home just for the aesthetic value. But many others burn for the heat source…and how firewood is managed will determine the amount of heat one will get out of it. K-State forester Charlie Barden talks more about that this week.
Track27 (1:47) Q...(theme music).
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(same as above, but without music bed)
Track28 (1:42) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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WHEAT SCOOP
"MAKE IT WHOLE" RECIPE CONTEST
The Kaw Valley School District, USD 321, won the 2009 "Make it Whole" Recipe Contest, sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission. Kansas Wheat's Bill Spiegel profiles the winning entry: Pumpkin Bread Squares.
Track29 (3:00) Q...for Kansas Wheat.
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WEATHER WONDERS
WINTER WEATHER TERMINOLOGY
The closer winter gets, the more often we are to hear terms like winter storm, outlook, advisory, watch and warning. But, what do these terms mean? State climatologist Mary Knapp, director of the Weather Data Library at Kansas State University, explains.
Track30 (1:01) Q...Research and Extension.
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WHY THERE’S A WIND CHILL INDEX
We hear a lot about the heat index during the summer, but just as dangerous is the wind chill index during the winter. State climatologist Mary Knapp discusses how wind chill can affect our body's internal temperature.
Track31 (1:00) Q...Research and Extension.
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WEST WINDS CAN BRING THE HEAT
Typically we associate warm temperatures with a south wind, particularly in the fall. But, State climatologist Mary Knapp says we've seen some very warm fall days when the wind has been predominately from the west.
Track32 (:55) Q...Research and Extension.
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PERSPECTIVE
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
There are twenty states that have no women representatives in Congress. In addition, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi and Vermont have never had any. True equality means more than just jobs and pay, it also means leadership. Research shows that increasing the number of women in leadership positions to just 30 percent makes for a better bottom line.
Track33 (27:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
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