This report provides a comprehensive overview of recent agricultural developments and upcoming events in Kansas, focusing on the successful canola harvest, educational opportunities for wheat producers, and important field days for livestock management, alongside a key agricultural economics conference.
Cultivating Success: Insights and Innovations in Kansas Agriculture
Canola's Strong Performance in Kansas: A Story of Resilient Crops and Optimal Conditions
The 2025 canola season in Kansas has been notably fruitful for numerous growers, according to Mike Stamm, a canola specialist at Kansas State University. He noted that the overall outcome was quite favorable for most producers, with impressive yields ranging from 35 to 45 bushels per acre, and some fields even exceeding 50 bushels. This success can be attributed to the early spring's dry spell followed by consistent and timely rainfall throughout late spring and early summer, providing ideal growing conditions. Despite some instances of powdery mildew, the K-State breeding program's materials displayed strong resilience, complemented by farmers' improved management practices. Variety trials conducted by K-State demonstrated yields comparable to hybrid varieties, with some locations averaging between 60 and 80 bushels per acre. For those contemplating planting canola in the upcoming fall, Stamm recommends integrating both hybrid and open-pollinated varieties, highlighting hybrids for their enhanced pod shatter resistance and greater yield potential.
Advancing Wheat Production: The Upcoming Wheat Rx Seminar
Kansas Wheat and Kansas State University Research and Extension are jointly organizing a Wheat Rx seminar on August 20, to be held at the Pratt County 4-H Events Center in Pratt. This educational gathering is designed to equip wheat farmers with advanced knowledge through presentations by experts on crucial topics such as wheat variety selection, strategies for managing wheat streak mosaic virus, effective conservation practices, and optimal soil fertility and nutrient management. This seminar is part of an ongoing series under the Wheat Rx initiative, a collaborative effort between Kansas Wheat and K-State Research and Extension, which also provides a wealth of resources and publications. Members of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers are eligible for free registration, while non-members can register for $110, with lunch included. Prospective attendees can find more details and register through the respective Kansas Wheat websites.
Enhancing Ranch Management: KLA and KSU Field Days
The Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Kansas State University Research and Extension have announced their Ranch Management Field Days for August, with events scheduled at the Larson Ranch in Wichita County on August 21 and the Wells Ranch in Woodson County on August 28. The event at Larson Ranch, operated by Brady and Kyla Larson and known for its Angus and Charolais genetics, will feature discussions on the future of yield grade by Dale Woerner from Texas Tech University and insights into bovine congestive heart failure genetics by Brian Vander Ley of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and USDA researchers. The day will also include a ranch tour and a session on livestock risk protection, concluding with dinner. Terry Wells will host the second field day at his ranch, focusing on topics such as the Asian long-horned tick and theileriosis, a drone demonstration for pasture spraying, and a tour of his modernized cattle-handling facility. Attendance is open to all, regardless of KLA membership, and no RSVP is required.
Shaping Agricultural Futures: The 2025 Risk and Profit Conference
The Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics is gearing up for its 2025 Risk and Profit Conference, set to take place on August 21 and 22 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan. This significant conference will feature Roger Cryan, former chief economist of the American Farm Bureau Federation, as a key speaker. The agenda includes diverse breakout sessions covering vital areas such as agricultural policy, water resource management, irrigation techniques, and the market outlook for bioenergy, among other topics. Early bird registration, available until August 15, is $215 for both days or $175 for a single day, with a $25 increase thereafter. Further details can be found in the conference brochure.
