|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Released: November 21, 2007 This week's news
briefs from Kansas State University Research and Extension:
1) Best Firewood Bargains May Not Be Cheap MANHATTAN, Kan. – Getting the most heating value per firewood dollar isn’t as simple as buying the cheapest cord available. Buyers need to know what to look for and ask about, said Charles Barden, forester with Kansas State University Research and Extension. “A big point of confusion is that a cord is a measure of volume – 128 cubic feet. On the other hand, heating value ties directly to wood density – its weight,” Barden said. “You have to understand this difference to know why an expensive cord of wood can sometimes be a bargain.” Cords of wood may look different – some taller, some wider, some squared-up, some not. Even so, once those cords are well-stacked, multiplying their height by their width and depth will always yield the same answer. The total volume of every honest cord basically fills up an identical amount of space. Despite that, however, cords can have widely differing weights. And, the heavier (denser) they are, the more heating value they have per cubic foot. That’s why a cord of oak – considered a premium firewood – will always cost more than a cord of cottonwood, Barden said. They’ll be the same size. But, the oak cord will weigh more than twice as much as the cottonwood, so offer that much more heating value. “Looked at the opposite way, a ton of cottonwood will provide the exact same heating value as a ton of oak. But, it takes a lot more cottonwood to add up to a ton,” he said. “Of course, that only holds true if the wood has been seasoned for at least six months, as recommended. Fresh-cut cottonwood can actually be heavier than seasoned oak, because of all the water that green cottonwood logs still contain.” To complicate things further, some dealers only sell cords of “mixed hardwoods.”
“If you hear ‘mixed,’ you really need to
start asking questions,” Barden said. “If a mixed cord contains mostly
locust, hackberry and ash, it’s got plenty of heat value. If it’s mostly
silver maple, elm and cottonwood, it had better be fairly cheap, because
you’ll need lots. If it’s hedge, hickory and oak, that’s really good
wood. Both hedge and hickory are actually denser than oak.”
Q:
We have a double-pane window that has
moisture on it. Does condensation on a double-pane window mean the seal
has failed?
On a sealed double-pane window, the
space between the panes is filled with a dry gas, although it may also
contain a desiccant - a material that absorbs moisture. So, if the
moisture is between the two glass layers, yes, the seal has failed. You
should contact the window supplier for a remedy. To avoid the latter kind of condensation, remove some of the moisture from inside the home. You can go a long way toward accomplishing this by just using the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. More energy-related information is available on Kansas State University’s Energy Extension Service Web site: http://www.engext.ksu.edu/ees/.
-
Source: Bruce Snead, Kansas State University Energy Extension Service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Recent lower prices in dried distillers grains with solubles suggest producers may want to take a second look at DDGS for swine rations, a Kansas State University animal scientist said. “In the past, we have been very cautious about the addition of DDGS, based on the high cost of DDGS, relative to corn prices here in Kansas,” said Mike Tokach, swine specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “In addition, there has been some controversy in research results. Some studies have shown negative responses in growth performance, while other studies have shown similar performance to a corn-soybean meal diet.” With the seemingly continual rise in ethanol plant construction, however, DDGS prices have been dropping recently, coupled with increases in corn and soybean meal prices, Tokach said. The net result is that DDGSs are beginning to price into swine diets in many areas of the country. The price of DDGS in Kansas is still higher than it is in some other areas, he added. But, that could change with increased ethanol production. “A quick rule of thumb for a general evaluation is that if the DDGS price is the same as corn’s, it will create enough savings to justify its use in the diet,” Tokach said. The breakeven for DDGS can move from 110 to 130 percent of the corn price, depending on the cost of other ingredients. Because carcass fat becomes softer and carcass yield declines as DDGS levels increase in the diet, producers should consider the ramifications at the packing plant, as well.
Help with formulating diets and
calculating the economics of adding DDGS to swine diets is available by
contacting a K-State Research and Extension swine specialist at
785-532-1267.
* Make sure the site is secure. The address will begin with https—the S is for secure; the bottom of the site will feature a padlock icon. * Choose a reputable business. * Do some homework about the product you want to buy and what it typically costs. * Ask how the company protects personal information. * Ask about payment options. * Keep a record of your purchases.
* Be careful, if giving out personal
information. K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan. For more
information: Contributing
writers: |