|
AGRICULTURE FEATURES
BEEF A-I SURVEY
Track1 (3:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
FARM INCOME REPORT
Track2 (3:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
FARM INCOME BENCHMARKS
Track3 (3:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
|
|
AGRICULTURE SOUNDBITES
BEEF A-I SURVEY
An alliance of beef scientists from several land-grant universities, including Kansas State University, is inviting cattle producers who employ artificial insemination in their herd breeding programs to share their experiences with that technology. This Beef Reproduction Task Force is asking producers to complete a simple, on-line survey on how they’ve integrated A-I into their production systems. K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson is spearheading this effort in Kansas. She talks further about the purpose of this survey.
Track4 (:38) Q…may be very valuable.
Johnson says most producers should be able to complete the survey in 10 to 20 minutes…and the results will be available to all later on in the year.
Track5 (:23) Q...beefrepro.info web site.
And this on-line survey is easy to find…plus, they’re offering a little extra incentive for completing it.
Track6 (:46) Q...to leave those comments.
Tag:Again, this beef A-I producer survey can be filled out at www.ksubeef.org. That’s K-State livestock specialist Sandy Johnson.
|
FARM INCOME REPORT
The Kansas Farm Management Association, a service of K-State Research and Extension, has just released its annual report on Kansas farm income…this one drawing from the 2012 records of hundreds of producer members of the association. This report serves as an important benchmark of farm and ranch financial health. As K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl (EYE-ben-doll) reports here, the average net farm income figure for 2012 spoke favorably of the Kansas farm economy, despite the woes of the drought.
Track7 (:19) Q…didn’t suffer too bad.
Ibendahl breaks that average number down into income categories, which indicates that some farms did okay last year, while others fared exceedingly well.
Track8 (:35) Q...some of these years.
The type of farm enterprise also made a substantial difference in net income in 2012, as Ibendahl outlines here.
Track9 (:54) Q…hay and feed last year.
Tag:With some of the highlights from the Kansas Farm Management Association’s 2012 Kansas net farm income summary, that’s K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl. The entire report can be found at www.agmanager.info.
|
FARM INCOME BENCHMARKS
The financial records of hundreds of Kansas farms and ranches are the foundation for the annual Kansas net farm income report from the Kansas Farm Management Association. The 2012 income summary was just recently released, and several economic measurements within the report are indicative of the financial health of Kansas agriculture. K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl (EYE-ben-doll) shares this comparison of high-income vs. low-income operations as illustrated in the 2012 summary.
Track10 (:47) Q…of all farms is.
Another telltale benchmark is the return on a farmer or rancher’s operational equity.
Track11 (:43) Q...in agriculture these days.
Likewise, the debt-to-asset ratio in this latest report bodes well for Kansas farm and ranch solvency, says Ibendahl.
Track12 (:20) Q...pretty good financial shape.
Tag:See the entire 2012 Kansas net farm income summary at www.agmanager.info. That’s farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl of K-State Research and Extension.
|
|
|
FAMILY AND CONSUMER
IMPROVING FAMILY COMMUNICATION
There are many things we just don’t stop to think about when talking to loved ones…and most of the time that works. However, there are times when we may need to be more aware of how we interact with one another. For example, communication really becomes critical when there is a conflict in the family because the patterns developed over time will contribute to how that conflict is resolved. K-State Research and Extension family systems specialist Charlotte Shoup Olsen says listening is an overlooked skill that can really improve communication between family members.
Track13 (:31) Q...and listened to.
|
LISTEN, DON’T ALWAYS GIVE ADVICE
Listening to someone doesn’t mean we have to give advice. Olsen says sometimes people just want us to be a passive listener.
Track14 (:14) Q...the other person’s.
|
WHEN TO BE AN ACTIVE LISTENER
However, when something needs to be resolved, Olsen says both people have to be active listeners.
Track15 (:50) Q...the active listener.
|
TRY TO COMMUNICATE, NOT ARGUE
To more effectively communicate with a family member, try to avoid turning a conversation into an argument. Olsen says when that occurs someone typically feels they have to win the argument.
Track16 (:24) Q...in our lives.
|
SHOW FAMILY MEMBERS RESPECT
Olsen says what’s really at play in successfully communicating with family members – or anyone – is treating them with respect.
Track17 (:22) Q...hinders communication.
Tag:More information on family relationships and communication is available on the Extension website: www.ksre.ksu.edu.
|
|
|
LAWN AND GARDEN
STAGGERING SWEET CORN
Ears of sweet corn are a favorite addition to any summer meal. The flavor and quality of freshly picked sweet corn is hard to match. However, sweet corn is one crop that’s only “good” for a few days. If you want to eat fresh sweet corn throughout the summer, K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham (up-umm) says you’ll need to stagger the planting.
Track18 (:38) Q...the previous crop.
|
PLANTING THE NEXT BLOCK
In order to stagger maturity dates, Upham recommends planting the second block of sweet corn when the previous one is about a half-inch to an inch high.
Track19 (:14) Q...ahead of the second.
|
MATURITY TIMES WILL VARY
Crop maturity for sweet corn depends on the variety, but once it’s ready to be harvested the K-State horticulturist says you only have a few days.
Track20 (:19) Q...short-lived crop.
Tag:Sweet corn is ready for harvest when the juice in the kernel appears milky as you puncture it with your finger. The ear should be well-filled to the tip. This ideal harvest stage only lasts for a few days in hot weather. Sweet corn should be used as soon as possible or stored in a cold place immediately after harvest.
|
HOW TO IDENTIFY POISON IVY
Poison ivy is a native woody plant found throughout Kansas. If you want to avoid the itchy rash that accompanies exposure to the plant, you need to know how to identify it. However, because it occurs in three forms, K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham (up-umm) says poison ivy can be difficult to identify.
Track21 (:34) Q...have poison ivy.
Tag:Poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper. However, Virginia creeper has five leaflets, rather than three. Upham says the number of leaves on poison ivy gives rise to the saying “leaves of three, let it be!”
|
HOW TO GET RID OF POISON IVY
Upham says there are three ways to eradicate poison ivy.
Track22 (:40) Q...whatever it hits.
Tag:The itchy rash of an allergic reaction to poison ivy usually develops within 12 to 48 hours after coming in contact with the plant. It’s estimated that two-thirds of the population is susceptible to poison ivy in one way or another. For more information on poison ivy, contact your nearest county or district Extension office or visit the K-State Research and Extension website: www.ksre.ksu.edu.
|
|
|
KANSAS PROFILE
MATT WILSON – INVENA
An engineering problem-solver, known for its design and precision fabrication of equipment and controls for the energy and aerospace sectors, is based in rural Kansas. Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, explains how this rural company helps mostly Fortune 50 companies – not Fortune 500 companies, but Fortune 50 companies – who are looking for solutions to an engineering or fabrication problem.
Track23 (4:22) Q...with Kansas Profile.
|
|
|
MILK LINES
MAINTAINING THE CHOPPER
Forage choppers that are properly maintained throughout the chopping season can reduce costs, improve forage quality and help dairy producers increase profitability. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) discusses some of the steps producers can take to keep knives sharp – but not too sharp during the chopping season.
Track24 (2:00) Q...(theme music)
|
|
|
OUTBOUND KANSAS
SURVEYING FARM PONDS
The drought took a toll on countless farm ponds in the central plains. While rains have replenished some ponds, the impact on fish residing there may not be clear. That’s why K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee is recommending landowners survey their ponds…trying to get an idea of the mix of fish species still there. This week, he goes over several methods of going about this.
Track25 (5:00) Q...(theme music)
|
|
|
SOUND LIVING
IMPROVING FAMILY COMMUNICATION
There are many things we just don’t stop to think about when talking to loved ones – and most of the time that works. However, there are times when we may need to be more aware of how we interact with one another. For example, communication really becomes critical when there is a conflict in the family because the patterns developed over time will contribute to how that conflict is resolved. K-State Research and Extension family systems specialist Charlotte Shoup Olsen discusses how we can improve family communication.
Track26 (14:50) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
|
|
TREE TALES
THOUSAND CANKERS DISEASE
Thousand cankers disease has been found in many Western states, but the fungus and beetle have not been found in the Great Plains. However, Kansas Forest health specialist Nichole Opbroek (awp-brook) says a number of factors suggest that this disease could establish in Kansas’ forests and threaten our eastern black walnut trees.
Track27 (2:00) Q...(theme music).
|
(same as above, but without music bed)
Track28 (2:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
|
|
WHEAT SCOOP
NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF BREADS
The Kansas Wheat Commission and sponsors of the third National Festival of Breads invite you to attend this year’s contest later this month in Manhattan. Eight finalists selected from more than 500 entries from across the nation will compete for the NFOB Grand Prize package worth $5,000. The finalists will prepare their bread recipes in miniature kitchens inside the ballroom of the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center in Manhattan. Bill Spiegel has more on this year’s National Festival of Breads.
Track29 (3:00) Q...for Kansas Wheat.
|
|
|
WEATHER WONDERS
ONE “HAIL” OF A STORM
A thunderstorm that struck Selden, Kansas in 1959 demonstrates how hail can sometimes be confused with snow. State climatologist Mary Knapp says the confusion occurs because hail is sometimes recorded as frozen precipitation.
Track30 (:56) Q...Research and Extension.
|
WHAT IS A MONSOON?
Summer thunderstorms are often described as monsoons because of the heavy rain associated with the storms. State climatologist Mary Knapp says the comparison is to the conditions that are common in Asian monsoons. However, “monsoon” is actually a seasonal wind pattern.
Track31 (1:00) Q...Research and Extension.
|
THE LARGEST HAILSTONE
In Kansas, severe thunderstorms often include hail. Sometimes that hail can be enormous. State climatologist Mary Knapp looks at some of the largest hailstones ever recorded, including one documented in Coffeyville and another in Wichita.
Track32 (1:02) Q...Research and Extension.
|
|
|
PERSPECTIVE
CLOSING COUNTY ROADS
The state of Kansas has over 140-thousand public road miles, of which some 62-percent are in poor or mediocre condition. Last year, a professor at Kansas State University was selected to find a way to measure the benefits and costs of closing rural roads. The result of his selection was a report titled: “The Economics of Potential Reduction of the Rural Road System in Kansas.” Guest: Dr. Michael Babcock, professor of economics, Kansas State University.
Track33 (27:00) Q…K-State Radio Network.
|
|
